French Riveria--part 1

On 5 July 2008 we packed out the car (and it took all week to figure out meals, clothes and what else to bring) and left around 11:30. We finally broke down and did the car DVD thing, which totally saved our saniety. My neighbor lent her Dora DVD's and the kids were mesmorized by them for the 11 hour dirve. Well, we didn't let them have it on the WHOLE time--we did stop to eat and they napped and slept at night!

I already posted a picture of the Alps, but once we pulled off and I was amazed with the fresh pine air. It felt wonderful. I must say that France is known for it tolls and we were hit with our share. 7.90, 1.90, 10,50 and that doesn't even count the 30 euros for driving through Switzerland and the ($%&@) 33.20 to go through a tunnel into Italy (because the GPS took us that way). We arrived after midnight and luckily Günter's father had the camper van made up for us and I could just put the kids in bed. It was quite cold at night and I was miserable since we didn't pack blankets (who thinks of that going to the beach). But where Manfred flies his gliders in Barcelonette it is in the alps, so we should have known!

On 6 July we thoroughly cleaned the camper van--even washed the curtains (which I think had never been washed for 15 years) and packed it.

After having our lunch we decided to take the chance (even though it threatened rain) to go up to a nice mountain spot by the river and have some French cake.

It rained a little, but the kids didn't care about getting wet, so they threw rocks into the stream. It went too far when Niki threw a large one and the splash wet him entirely and we didn't have other clothes in the car. End of the fun.

That evening I had the fun of giving the kids showers (they only really like baths) in the hanger! I wish I had taken a picture but it wa traumatizing all the way around and it was the last thing on my mind!

The next day 7 July we finished up with packing up the camper van and loading the bikes on the back and took off for the beach! The drive through the switchback Alps was an experience, especially since Günter was not used to the transmission shift (all cars are different) and the van would stall out at odd times (made me quite nervous when I thought we might roll backwards).

We drove by a lake where the water was such an amazing teal color. Also the rock behind looked like it was layed as brick, just how geologically that happens, I don't know.

We arrived at St. Maxime around 4 pm. I had researched some camping sites but didn't book because I wanted to see them first and find out what was a available before comiting. I knew it was a bit risky, and that is the reason we moved out holiday up by one week because I was sure everything would be full for the last 2 weeks and the entire August with the Europeans on holiday. I found out they had lots of openings just one week before!

Some of the places we looked at: Holiday Marina, Camping Des Mures, and Kon Tiki (which a church friend recommended).

Kon Tiki was quite impressive--really a resort complete with a child's play area (and free child care), 2 resturants, a small shopette, diving shop. I found out they don't allow campers, they only rent out their tiki huts and small mobile homes--all complete with kitchens, baths and living area. Of course the costs varied according to if you were on the beach or in more luxurious hut/home. We liked it but not the price, so we drove down the road and found a sign for camping. By luck we came across a parking area that allows camper/motor homes (no tents) to park (as well as cars during the day) for 7 euros a night and 7 a day. We parked right next to the beach and that was our place for 3 days! They had a bathroom on the beach, so we used that. The only annoying thing was that the music from the resturants went on until 2 am but I was glad I brought my white noise maker!

I was anxious to show the kids the sea, for the first time in their lifes, so even though it was around 7 pm I took them out (the beach was empty and the lighting is lovely in the evening).

They didn't much like the cold water and finally played in the sand as if they were home in our sand box!

Then Günter buried Jenna in the sand and she LOVED it. I love the feeling too, but I think with her sensory issues, it must have felt heavenly.

Günter would bring water and wash out the sand and she loved it too. They tried burying Niki but he didn't really like it much. I just looked at the lovely color of water and took pictures.

It wasn't long before the kids were freezing! When the sun goes down the tempature really drops. We got the kids changed then walked up the beach to the place where the circus was performing. It cost 8 euros a person and was pretty pathetic.

We left when they had a "raffle"--which is that kids had to pay to buy a ticket and all of them got some sort of toy but Niki was tired and so we went back to our "home" as it was after 10 pm. (Yes, we totally screw up the sleeping schedule of the kids).

More to come tomorrow....

Posted by Krista at July 23, 2008 06:14 PM