Port Cros Island

On Saturday we woke up at the crack of dawn to catch a ferry over to Port Cros Island.  Port Cros is a Nationally protected island full of old french forts once created under the order of Napoleon.  The island is completely cut off from technology and the outside world.  No one lives on the island but you can take short visits and sleep in forts.  The fort we spent two nights in was used by the Nazis in World War II.  I found this to be completely eerie but a fantastic way to experience the weekend.  On the first day we arrived at the main port where there is a small "town".  It is mostly little restaurants, cafes and gelato  stands.  We hiked up to our fort and had a cafeteria style lunch that was less than appetizing (we were on an abandon island so I tried not to be picky).  

We spent the rest of saturday and sunday hiking around the island.  By the end of the two days we had hiked a total of 26 kilometers (most of which is uphill).  The hike was probably the most challenging I have ever encountered.  It was full of extremely steep cliff like trails followed by a almost vertical downhill.  However, the views were spectacular and unlike anything I have ever seen before.  On sunday we took two stops to snorkel.  The first was right off of a cliff full of sea life.  The water was so cold it took your breath away.  The second snorkel was right off a beach where they had a little obstacle course set up that took you through the most scenic areas of the cove.  

In the evening we would have dinner then take blankets to the roof of the fort with countless bottles of wine.  Here we would just lay and count shooting stars and constellations.  The weekend was long and tiring but worth the lack of sleep.  We got down and dirty with nature and you all know I love to be outside.  I must say that coming home to civilization was pretty amazing as well.  Five of us were pretty excited to get back into the nightlife here at antibes and went out last night and closed the bars. 

Tomorrow we are waking up at 6 am to hike the Alps.  Then after a long day of hiking and traveling we are catching the 9:50 pm flight to Rome where we will stay for 2 nights before we train to Pisa then Florence.  I will be back on Saturday afternoon and look forward to catching everyone up! BEST!      

Ventimiglia Italy

Today we took a 9 Euro train into Ventimiglia Italy.  It was about an hour train ride and definitely worth the trip.  We originally decided to go to Ventimiglia because of the huge outdoor market that lines the seashore on fridays.  The market was visually appealing but most of the items for sale were junky and all the same.  I would equate it to walking down the ocean city boardwalk.  You go in one store and you have seen everything. So a group of us went into the town of Ventimiglia and got cappuccinos and chocolate cannoli.  It was definitely worth the risk eating that gluten.  When you are in Italy having a cappuccino you might as well have a freaking delish cannoli.  

We went into a bunch of liquor stores because all of their bottles were so entertaining.  They had the biggest bottles of liquor I have ever seen.  I took a picture with a big Grand Marnier for you DAD!  We also had to get a bottle of Absinthe. 

Next we made our way to clothing stores where I bought a little something for Maddie and Karly.  It took all the will power in the world for me not to go crazy with the cash I had just exchanged.  For lunch we went to one of the many cafes in the city.  I got a caprice salad and of course...Abby and I got another cappuccino ( since they are cheaper than water in Italy).  On the train ride home I also saw a Super Yacht with a big Banana Republic logo on it! It was pretty exciting :0)

Tomorrow we are going to Port Cros for the weekend and I am SO excited.  Our weekend is filled with Scuba Diving, Hiking and absolutely no technology.  I can't wait to be skipping showers and wearing makeup.  I won't be blogging for a couple of days but I should have an update on Monday night (unless we decide to go out!).  BEST!

Relaxing in the Riviera

Since my last post we have had a lot of downtime to do as we please since going to Monaco (which is gorgeous!).  The past couple nights we have been going out.  Tuesday night Meghan, Abby and I got hissed at by a homeless man with a limp and we ran down the ally away from him.  Abby also had a guy try and "climb a tree for her".  He fell down and scrapped up his legs.  We seem to cause a storm of American entertainment every time we venture out.  We also got a lesson on the "Yachties" that work on the Super Yachts here.  He told us that the guys from New Zealand  are called Kiwis.  He gave us a lesson on the culture and then bought us drinks.  Yachties seem hospitable.  

Monoco From the Train Window

What I have learned so far when it comes to going out, we never have a dull moment, it is always a blast.  Today we had a free day so we woke up and went to the market.  On thursday there is a huge Market in Antibes that sells clothes, jewelry, sunglasses, bathing suits, purses, etc all at a much better price than all the boutiques.  I bought a gorgeous turquoise scarf with tiny white polka dots.  Then we went to the open air food market.  I got fresh olives, flat peaches, apples and then Meghan and I split a half kilo of shrimp with the heads still on for dinner!  

After the market we went to the beach around 12:00 and stayed until 5:00.  The beach we went to is about a mile walk and a nice change from the beach right next to where we are staying. The whole beach is a pebble beach which sounds uncomfortable but it is actually nice to lay on.  We all got to much sun but had a blast.  I swam as far as I could offshore before I felt like the swim back would be too tiring.    There are no waves or current and it is so easy to swim far out.  The water here is so clear and you can see underwater with your eyes open.  I have been taking runs around the fort and through the marina.  I stop at all the benches and do jump squats and think of you MOM.  The view is so pretty that I keep tripping over rocks.  

In our hotel there is a little fish pond running through the courtyard.  It is full of coy and big goldfish.  One is so fat and pregnant that it looks like it could pop.  We named her Marigold.  When we were leaving this morning she was belly up on the bottom of the pond.  Then when we came back 7 hours later she was just swimming around.  I think she came back to life because we had a moment of silence for her....haha


Tomorrow we are going to a town in Italy that has a huge market that lines the shore from 8-1.  We have to take the 7:52 am train so we are resting up.  I am officially sick of wine.  They drink it all day everyday.  I will Blog tomorrow night then I won't be on my computer again until monday because we are going to Port Cros where we will be roughin' it; scuba diving, hiking, snorkeling and of course eating delish french food! BEST!

Canyon Forest

Today we took a bus to a nearby forest area to do a high ropes course.  I had done high ropes and zip lining before so I was feeling pretty confident.  I decided to do the hardest course out of four levels, I began questioning my decision on the first obstacle...This course took us 2 hours to complete and took all of the physical strength I had.  We were climbing up the side of the canyon, moving up and down trees, monkey baring from 180 meters in the air and of course zip lining up to 330 meters.  I wish I could have managed to take pictures up there but I am surprised I came down alive.  My arms are extremely fatigued.  Even though I was shaking with sweat rolling down my face the entire time, I could not be happier with my decision to go through with it.  I honestly would not have been able to do it if Natalie and Abby were not motivating me along the way.  Before I started I was so hungry I could faint, so Xandra came to the rescue with a Lara bar.  I love having another Gluten Free Biddie on the trip with me! BEST!

My 21st

I could not pick a place more perfect to celebrate turning 21.  The day started with Grasse and certainly ended without class.  Before going out the room mates and myself got pizza and a bottle of wine and sat up atop the rocks on a nearby beach and had a romantic little dinner.  It was so beautiful and relaxing.  I love Antibes!


We all met up before heading to the Bars in Antibes to get started early because everything here is so expensive.  I did not open my purse once because as soon as Abby announced to a group of British that it was my birthday everyone was paying my way through the night.  We went to The Hop Store which is the most lively British pub in Antibes.  Everyone there is British, Irish, Australian, South African, etc.  It helps a lot because my french is horrible.


The reason why there are so many non french in Antibes is because all the Super Yachts in the port are staffed by young people from countries around the world.  I would not mind working on a yacht and living here for a couple of years.  This was my third time out since we arrive on monday and it was my shortest night.

Grasse and Hiking the Mediterranean

On my birthday we visited Grasse which is the perfume capital of the world, three fourths of all perfume in the world is produced there! This town was away from the ocean and up in the mountains.  So I went from looking at snow capped mountains from the beach to viewing the mediterranean from the city.  This country is so incredibly beautiful.  We went to two perfumeries where we had tours and got to buy products.  I bought a bunch of soap because it smelled so incredible.  Apparently it takes about 6 tons of rose petals to make one liter of essence.  Then after we were done we walked through the streets.  Everyone got paninis and of course I had a salad.  Then Pierre and France bought me a Gelato for by birthday. The Gelato here is so delish.  I could eat it all day every day.  


Today, post birthday celebration, we went hiking on the mediterranean.  We got to see the Bay of Billionaires where all the insanely rich people live.  I forgot my camera which I am pretty upset about because the views were what you imagine heaven to be like.  The huge rocks along the coast where people lay towels and sun bathe or just play in the water.  The water is crystal clear and super salty.  You don't event need to tred water you just floated.  We jumped off of the side of some rocks and swam around to cool off.  It was a perfect hang over remedy after a fabulous 21st birthday.  I'll post a birthday blog soon!

Marina outside of our apartment in Antibes

Cat Nap at the soap shop in Grasse

Catching Up With Photos

Fresh Fruit at the Market

Absinthe Bar

Going Left at the Bar 

Marina in Antibes (Basically our Backyard)

Kanye West in Cannes!

Cannes

Today we went to Cannes where they are currently holding the Cannes Film festival! When we first arrived we went and walked around the red carpet.  Then we decided to explore the road in line with the beach.  Here they were having private beach parties both on shore and off shore on yachts.  Everyone was dressed in designer clothing and driving Porsches, Mercedes, Audis, etc.  Designer stores were placed along the beach strip as well as cafes. We even saw Kanye West driving into a valet! Meghan, Abby and I went shopping and I even bought some fancy little chocolates.  We had dinner at the cheapest decent looking place we could find because everything was so expensive.  I think I will run out of money quicker than I thought.  My pictures are huge and difficult to load but I will try my best! BEST!

Exploring Antibes

Antibes is beautiful but the liveliness of the town is even better.  The open air market was one of my favorite things about town during the day.  They have every kind of fruit, vegetable, olives, pate, sweet, chocolate, herb, flowers, etc.  You could smell the fresh bread baking while walking down the street. The streets are filled with people shopping.  Cafes line the avenues where people enjoy tiny espressos and frothy cappuccinos.  

Going to get groceries was probably the most difficult part.  So many foreign brands and french labels that I could hardly read.  Meghan and I loaded our own eggs into little green cartons not knowing that was the grocer's job.  

We had Sardine salad and Salmon for dinner.  Then we went out...

The bars are packed with British, Australian and Irish young people who work on the Super Yachts that host celebrities like Beyonce and Goldie Hawn.  We had too much fun and now we are having trouble getting it together to go to Cannes today to visit the Film Festival.  

For some reason I cannot upload my photos right now. So I may upload them to Snapfish!

BEST!

The First 24 Hours

The British Airways Jet was huge and comfortable.  After one glass of wine I was snoozing.  I was so happy I could actually fall asleep on the plane because I would need it for the next 20 hours.  The first flight was to London (7 hrs) where we had a layover for two hours.  When we landed in London it was about 4:00 am at home.  The flight into Nice took under 2 hours and I slept most of the ride.  The view as we landed was incredible.  From Nice we took a 30 minute bus ride to Antibes where our apartment is located.  It is very small and compact but cute.  We have a huge balcony that looks over one of the pools and we are about 1 block from the beach.

Last night after we checked in we had dinner at an "Italian Place".  The combo of lack of sleep and no food all day had me tipsy off of a glass of wine.  I had a seafood salad and chocolate mousse and it was so delish.  After dinner 6 of us decided to go out and explore Antibes bar scene.  We found a Pub called the "Blue Lady".  We stuck out instantly as dumb americans but eventually I made friends with a Bar Tender named Jacque (Kobe that one is for you & I am not kidding).  We stayed there until about midnight.  We were completely exhausted from our trip and when I hit the pillow I fell asleep instantly!

The time difference is 6 hours here so it will take me a while to start planning iChats and Skypes.
BEST!

Leaving Virginia Behind

See you again in June

Today I am headed to the airport around 6:30 to check in with British Airways. Find me on iChat (Genevieve Siegel) or E-mail me at Genevi4@vt.edu! Love you all and keep in touch! Ill keep you posted on my Skype status. Best!

Popping My Blog Cherry

Hello All! 
If you are viewing this you are likely a friend or family member! I made this blog for you guys! Now you can watch my trip unfold and hear all about my day without having to Skype or E-mail me! I just finished packing today and I am headed to the airport at 6:00 pm tomorrow to begin my long journey to London where I have a connecting flight to Nice.  I am scheduled to be in Nice around 3:00 pm the following day (5/17).  This is my first trip to Europe and I doubt I will be able to sleep tonight! Love you all :0)