Marseille France

Our first port of call was Marseille France.  It is located in the Southeast French Riviera.  We rode a bus from the cruise ship into the main part of the harbor where we would be meeting our chartered speed boat and driver for the day.  Captain Phil picked us up and we were on our way, but not before taking several pictures of all the docked boats! 

We could not have asked for a more pituresque day or better weather.  Bright blue skies and hardly any wind.  PERFECT! 

Here is the guys with Captain Phil (Doesn't he look like Mel Gibson?) who was expecting us to be Asian on account that Jared had booked the reservation and several people over the years have assumed we are the Chungs or something like that!  Which was hilarious since a few minutes earlier I had been told by one of my closest friends (not to mention any names...Missy)  that I am prejudice against Asian people since I didn't want a Geisha girl on the back of a shirt at a store! 

This is the Saint Victor Abbey or the ­Chateau d'If.   The fortress was built by Francis 1st off the coast of Marseille whose history is intimately linked to Edmond Dantes, the famous Count of Monte Cristo envisioned by Alexandre Dumas.  Chateau d'If, has gained popularity since it was the setting for the movies: Count of Monte Cristo and Man in the Iron Mask.  It is closed on Mondays so we circled it in our boat and took off to cruise the coastline.   ­

It was such a gorgeous day and the whitish, craggy cliffs offered a great contrast to the blue sky. 

Phil drove us into several different coves that were really cool! 

Soon we arrived at this little inlet and were greeted by a topless woman "hangin" on the beach.  We had a good laugh as we were reminded that we were in fact in Europe! The water was such a neat turquoise color.  Phil broke some chips over the side of the boat and millions of fish came up for a snack.  This got us all excited to try out snorkeling.  The boys were the first ones out and by the sounds of their girlish screams as they adjusted to the frigid waters,  I did not want anything to do with snorkeling. But then I didn't want to regret it so when Terri said she was going in I followed suit and put on a Shortie.  The water wasn't as bad as you'd think, but a far cry from warm.  The fish however left a little to be desired.  Not much variation.  We did swim over to the beach (after the topless woman left) and found some weird ameoba looking octopus thing washed up on the beach.  We were poking and prodding it and soon the Dr. husbands couldn't resist touching it and finally gave it a diagnosis.  Dr. White said and I quote "that is the closest thing to a living terd that I have ever seen".  I almost wet my shortie laughing so hard. 

One of my favorite pics of the day.

 

We finally arrived at this cove and Phil told us to swim in that hole which would then open up to a blue lagoon cave.  Everyone went in except Brian and I.  I had just gotten warmed up from snorkeling and new as I stood on the boat taking pictures, that I would regret it.  Yep it sounded pretty cool. 

After the Blue Lagoon, we took off again to see a few more sights. 

How would you like to live here?  No car access, only boat. 

On the way back we were all tying to get warmed up from the Blue Lagoon and the water was getting more choppy as more boats were now out.  As we were headed in a bigger boat sped by and caused a giant wake.  Suddenly and without warning, our little boat was overtaken by a giant wave from the wake.  We somehow were all sitting up front at the time and everyone of us got soaked.  It was unbelievable.  Lisa's very expensive Nikon camera got soaked even though she had tried to grab it and protect it.  We all headed for the back of the boat where we scrambled for towels and anything dry and were all checking out the cameras to see if they would survive.  All while standing in 4 inches of water.  It was a little miserable, but thankfully Lisa's camera came out okay and nothing expensive was ruined.  In retrospect it would have been really funny to watch!

Captain Phil felt pretty bad about soaking us all so we convinced him to drive us right up to the ship.  And when I say right up to it....that is exactly what he did.  I'm sure little speed boats are not supposed to be in this part of the port, but at that point we were greatful that Phil took the chance.  Otherwise we would have to ride a bus back soaking wet for 20 minutes and pay for it. 

VIP service:  We tipped Phil very well for the taxi service and perfect day in Marseille.