Day 32 Tues 16th July Monaco to Arles

A very quick blog again today.  We didn’t go on the optional tour to Nice.  We decided to just stay in the hotel and do some final packing before our river cruise.  After lunch we drove by coach from Monaco to Arles.  It was an interesting and easy journey.  Once we wound our way out of Monaco through a maze of underground tunnels we got onto a 6 lane highway which took us all the way to Arles.  The highways in France so far are extremely good.  Again we passed over some hugely long and extremely high bridges as the highway passed through valleys and mountains with the French alps not far to the north of us.  We are amazed at the amount of oleander bushes of all colours along the way. Provence is very rocky but very beautiful.

We arrived in Arles around 6pm and finally boarded our ship, the Avalon Scenery. Its actually 6 years old but has just been refurbished so was once again very nice.  Our cruise director, Tony, made us all feel very welcome.  After a nice Dinner in the dining room we talked to lots of new people.  There are a lot more Aussies on this cruise and everyone is very friendly.

night view of Monaco from our balcony

Monaco from front of hotel

there are oleanders growing everywhere

These rows of trees surround the orchards and protect them from the fierce
North wind (I forget its name) that blows for days when it comes