11 Nov 2013
Wiki for Viviers
Wiki for Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Today, we’re supposed to leave the ship for a tour of Viviers sights (Palace, Cathedral, etc.) and an organ concert. We lunch on our own then depart for Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
We view the ancient castle, then a wine-and-chocolate tasting, then return to the ship in Vienne, where the ship remains overnight.
Actual:
We left the ship where we found it, in Chalon-sur-Saone. The ship’s people were good and helpful and understanding. And what could anyone do? The authorities shut down the river.
So we bused (with rest stops) to Vienne and had a walking tour. Lots of old Roman ruins and the remains of a nice Roman temple. I wish we’d had time to explore the place as we would have been able had the ship been able to move.
It was very windy and cool this morning; when in the shade and wind it was cold.
After the walk the four of us had coffee (thick, hard coffee) in a cafe and then returned to the bus.
Onward then to Viviers, another old town, but with a twist. This place is all OLD. Cobblestones, little tiny apartments (hovels?) up short alleys. The place was abandoned, but then some people restored a house or six and now it’s a magnet for people who want to stay there in the summer. I wouldn’t, but someone must like it. The pictures, though, should come out well. The Roman remains are interesting.
On then to our hotel in Avignon. The bus could not get within the city walls. So they picked a good spot to park. Some hotel staff came down to help with the stuff on the bus (our luggage had been delivered to the hotel earlier and placed in our rooms). We were shown to the hotel and given keys to the room. A rep from Vantage was there and apologized, but had no power to make any changes to compensation - why did she bother to come at all?
The room is a nice room, but nowhere near as comfortable as our cabin on the ship. Glenn & Lou came by to talk and wine.
We went down to the bar (no one there, but they appeared) to kill the half-hour till dinner. We met Maxim and Sebastien, who served our drinks and later were our waiters in the dining room. Dinner was a nice salad of blended avocado and tiny scallops with good bread. Entree was two fish, salmon and a white fish, with a light cream sauce and long string beans. Dessert was a cooked sliced apple placed around and over a light crust, forming a circular apple-slice with cinnamon on top. Very nice.
Al & Maria had invited us to the table they found. We took them up on it. A few jokes, some travel talk, and a lot of fun.
It was a good day.... but...
Owen Photos
Dolores Photos