Toulon, France – 2/17/2015

FEBRUARY 17, 2015 (Tuesday)

Horrible night as the seas were really rough. When we looked out the window, it looked like the waves were up to our window. Don’t like that, scares us.

We got into Toulon, France around 8:00 AM. The ship had arranged for a water taxi to the city center for anyone who wanted it (free). We decided to take the water taxi and take an easy day. Michael’s knee has been bothering him (since the walk in Athens) and we want to make sure he’s able to walk in Barcelona so….we decided to just find an internet cafe and work on the blog.

Breakfast at the Grand Pacific.
Breakfast at the Grand Pacific.
Nice breakfast view.
Nice breakfast view.
Prunes and oatmeal for Edie.
Prunes and oatmeal for Edie.
Banana and oatmeal for me.
Banana and oatmeal for me.
French toast for Edie.
French toast for Edie.
Pancakes for me.
Pancakes for me.
Nice ship.
NCL Jade – nice ship.
Water taxi coming for another load of walking dollars.
Water taxi coming for another load of walking dollars.

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When the water taxi landed in Toulon, we walked along the waterway and saw some interesting things – statues, yachts, and an old boat. We went onto the main street and found the nearby shopping center. It is attached to some sort of stadium and is quite modern in this old city. We first went to a pharmacy and got some aspirin for Michael. Then we went into the shopping center and into one store that is like a French Walmart as it had groceries, electronics, furniture, clothing, etc. Was fun looking around at everything. We wanted to buy something but found out we were in the handicap line and the lines were horrible so we just left.

Oh good, another statue of a nearly naked guy.
Oh good, another statue of a nearly naked guy.

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They wanted 10 euros, gave a map of the route, a big loop.  A Scottish lady rode it and was very unhappy, they didn't go the loop on the map.  They went straight to the far point and retraced the route right back.  She wanted a refund, they refused.  She stood by the ticket booth and bad mouthed them to everybody.
They wanted 10 euros, gave a map of the route, a big loop. A Scottish lady rode it and was very unhappy, they didn’t go the loop on the map. They went straight to the far point and retraced the route right back. She wanted a refund, they refused. She stood by the ticket booth and bad mouthed them to everybody.
Nice Yacht.
Nice yacht.
A schooner?
A schooner?
In the sidewalk, must commemorate something.
In the sidewalk, must commemorate something.
Bold graffiti.
Bold graffiti.
An odd but handsome French dog.
An odd but handsome French dog.
We think a stadium of some sort.
We think a stadium of some sort.
In the French Walmart kind of place.
In the French Walmart kind of place.
Not sure.
Not sure.
This I know, I don't get to drink it anymore, but I know it.
This I know.  I don’t get to drink it anymore, but I know it.

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Just like at home, kind of.
Just like at home, neat electronic price tags.

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What a great idea.
What a great idea.
Baskets that roll like a cart.
Baskets that roll like a cart.
Imports!
Imports!

 

We found a McDonald’s and a nice lady (who didn’t speak any English) helped us to find a plug-in at the Subway next door as the McDonald’s didn’t have any. When we got to Subway we got a sandwich and some drinks and got the computer out and started trying to work. We found out the adapter plug we had bought does not work. Bummer. We spent a lot of money on it too. So frustrating.

In search of the internet.
In search of the internet.
Ended up at subway.
Ended up at Subway.
Got a foot log so we could sit here awhile.
Got a foot long so we could sit here awhile.
Stupid plug converter...35 bucks and it doesn't work!
Stupid plug converter…35 bucks and it doesn’t work!

We packed up and left and just did a leisurely walk around some of the city of Toulon. We found a market that had lots and lots of fresh and good looking produce. It also had clothing and other small things. Was neat to see this local area. The city of Toulon appears to be a poor area. We had heard Toulon had a nice cathedral, which we tried to find but couldn’t as there is so much construction going on. We heard the bells ringing but could never find the church itself.

Found a farmers market.
Found a farmer’s market.
It went for several blocks.
It went for several blocks.
We walked and walked.
We walked and walked.
Peddle cars.
Peddle cars.
We were stuffed, but still great looking sandwiches.
We were stuffed, but still great looking sandwiches.
Good looking fruit and vegetables.
Good looking fruit and vegetables.
Kind of old looking.
Kind of old looking.
Okay, really not hungry now.
Okay, really not hungry now.
Nice looking Red Bell Peppers.
Nice looking red bell peppers.
This is not a happy looking tree.
This is not a happy looking tree.
Very busy underground parking garage.
Very busy underground parking garage.

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A large Muslim community in Toulon.
A large Muslim community in Toulon.

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Interesting water source.
Interesting water source.

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We took a shortcut.
We took a shortcut.
Graffiti was a problem here.
Graffiti was a problem here.

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We went back to the water taxi to the ship. Once at the ship we took a little nap. At around 5:00 PM, we went to the talk on Barcelona, which was quite interesting. Looks like a beautiful city and we’re excited to be going tomorrow. On our way to our dinner with Dennis and Helga at the Grand Pacific Restaurant, we saw Maria and Allen and invited them to dinner with us as they are the true grand masters of going on your own and seeing wonderful things.

Edie sent me to the top to get a good picture of the guy up the mast.  I went back down and others sat in my seat.
Edie sent me to the top of the water taxi to get a good picture of the guy up the mast. I went back down and others sat in my seat.

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We all met at the restaurant and had a wonderful time. I’m surprised we didn’t get kicked out as we got loud with laughter and stories. Had a great time. The cute little waiter said he wished more guests were like us. After dinner Dennis, Helga, Michael and I went to the art studio area and sat down on their couches to show the photos of Istanbul and Pompeii.  We also made arrangements to explore Barcelona together in the morning.

The six of us ate well.
The six of us ate well.
Dennis had corned beef.
Dennis had corned beef.
Green with ranch.
Green with ranch.
Steak with onion rings and rice, brocoli and roast beef.
Steak with onion rings and rice, broccoli and roast beef.
Stuffed chicken for me and it was tops.
Stuffed chicken for me and it was outstanding.
Edie had the thing.
Edie had something, not quite sure what.
Cheese cake for Pretty woman.
Cheese cake for Pretty woman.
Chocolate custard kind of thing.
Chocolate custard kind of thing.
Chocolate volcano for Allan and Ice cream for Maria.
Chocolate volcano for Allen and Ice cream for Maria.
Fruit for Helga.
Fruit for Helga.

 

 

We left and met up again a little while later for the 9:30 PM show, “Shout.” The show was a bunch of girls singing and dancing through songs of the 1960’s. Kinda fun hearing the old songs again (but not my favorite show).

A Scotty dog in our room.
A Scotty dog in our room.

That was our day. Hope yours was great!