Toulon, France

After a late night of dancing I wish we could of slept in more but sadly we are awake at 7 am.  We both comment that that overhead flashing light is still not fixed!  With all the lights off it is annoying. Everyone keeps telling us it is fixed but it is still happening. We need to address this problem today.

I should add that yesterday someone came by (I am assuming he was an electrician) and looked at the problem and said oh that is suppose to be like that.  I don't think so I replied - unless a light show in the middle of the night is normal. He then says it is a router.  Again I respond I don't think so as I doubt they would have routers in the cabin and even one in the washroom.  (I know Princess is trying to improve wifi but really the washroom.)  

Obviously this man is not aware of even what this is let alone what is wrong. Plus with the lights on in the cabin it is difficult to really see the blue light being emitted. But when it is all dark it is like - pitch black - then FLASH FLASH FLASH. It is like being at sea and staring at a lighthouse.  

Bernie commented to me he is waiting for the dance to start when the light flashes. We will have to discuss the problem with the Front Desk again.

The Horizon Court is again our spot for breakfast. 

We are heading ashore today but we are keeping it light. 

Remember we don't actually dock in Toulon.  We dock in another town called La Seyne-Sur-Mer. I have heard great things about this town so today we are going to explore it more. 

The ship is offering water shuttles right at the pier to downtown Toulon.  The cost is $20 US per person, note last year on the Island it was only $10 US per person - it has doubled!  But you can easily take the local water bus for 2E each. If you want to read more about heading into Toulon by local water bus click here. There is a local bus too.

We walk to the downtown of Seyne Sur Mer which in itself is lovely. The walk takes about 15 minutes and all you have to do is exit the port and turn right and walk along the water. 

this is the path

Today is Monday and many of the shops closed. Here the shops are closed Sunday and Monday. Very civilized if you ask me. But many restaurants, bakeries and coffee shops are open.

We stop at a small restaurant that many of the local school kids are at and get a cappuchino and I a croissants (of course we are in France). 

We walk all over the place, and after about three hours we make our way back.  Bernie comments he is sad cause he didn't get a pastry from France. I say if we pass a place on the way back that is a sign that we are meant to eat one. Well guess what!

I really like this town and I am sure if the shops were open there would be a lot to see and do. 

There is a casino here too that is not far from the port.

The town also has a Fort called Fort Balaguier that was built in 1634 that you can visit for 3E but it is closed today. They also have lovely beaches (Sablettes village) with some lovely shops. 

In town there a few things to see - Shipyard Gate and bridge, Church of Notre Dame du Bon Voyage, a Lovely market that is run everyday (except Mondays), Bourradet historical houses. 

There is a very good tourist information booth right at the pier with maps and details on what to see.

this is the little train

There are other options for getting around too. There is a train (5E) that takes you to Toulon. You can rent bikes. There are taxis too.

Back on board we head to the Enclave (cost is $245 for one person, $399 for a couple for the 14 days). Yes we have the Enclave package. This is so good for my shoulders. So relaxed that when I get back to the cabin we crashed for two hours, but I think we needed it. 

Dinner tonight is with our friends Michael, Leanne, Craig, Ron, Kelly, Dylan and Ben. Where we celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving. Many of us wear our Canadian items in honour of the day. It was a great time.

We head to the Vista Lounge afterwards to see Kory Simons' show which we have seen many times but love it like it is the first time we have seen it. 

Also happening are:  Production Show Spectacular at 8:15 and 10:15; Muts is showing Star Wars; Who's the Cuckoo Game Show; Passenger Feud and Karaoke 

Friday November 13 – Toulon France

I can’t believe it I am awake at 6 am!  Now I did go to bed early but really 6 am!  But the perk of being up at this hour is I get to see an amazing sunrise.  I can see lights in the distance which must be the port of Toulon.

After about an hour of reading I am back asleep and don’t even hear Bernie wake up and head upstairs for breakfast.  I do hear them announce that we are docked and we are clear to go ashore but now I am just sleeping thru it and it is part of my dreams most mornings.

I wake around 10 am and we dress and head ashore.  Now you should be aware we don’t actually dock in Toulon we dock in La Seyne-sur-Mer which is the town over from Toulon.

It is a nice pier with a tourist information where you can pick up a map and get information about the port. 

The ship is offering a water bus shuttle for $10 US each that will be automatically charged to your account for transfer between Seyne-sur-Mer and Toulon main pier. 

water bus

But again thanks to my friends on my facebook page I know that the city has a water bus (part of their transit system) that you can take.  The pier is about a ten minute walk from the ship and it runs at ten after and twenty to the hour, but that is currently so don’t rely on this.  You can see the bus stop for the boat from the ship.

walk around the harbour

and continue to catch the water bus

You leave the gate and walk forward and turn right along the walkway along the water until you come across a pier with a bench and a transit schedule.  The boat arrived quickly and we were able to pay for the ride once on board.  Fare was 2E each and he provided change if necessary.  I believe the fare for seniors is a bit less.  The ride takes about 15 minutes and they drop you off right in town.  In fact Princess shuttle boat is right beside the pier.

Here are some other options for transport and tours. 

Once in town we saw this woman selling nuts, candies etc right there and Bernie loves his nuts so we picked up some. 

We walked down the main street to the open market that takes over the streets in the mornings – then closes up in the early afternoon.

So many offerings here, fruits, vegetables, clothes, fish, cheese, olives, oils, flowers, meat – wow you name it.  I did find a table selling the soaps that I bought in Cannes last cruise and really wanted to buy some more.  They were 2E each or 6 for 10E – so I got 6.  I have been using them on board and really like the scents, especially the lavender ones.

Strolling around and checking out the shops when we come along a lovely roadway where a man is playing the accordion and the restaurants all have lovely outdoor tables.

We see a restaurant called Lilith Restaurant – it was small but they had four tables outside and I love that they had a chalkboard with the menu on it.  This shows this restaurant features only fresh items that are homemade daily.  Even the desserts are homemade she says.

We order a glass of wine each 3E and Bernie get the lamb and I get a steak.  The meals were fabulous and the surroundings even better.  I really feel like I am in the South of France. 

But I am getting tired of all the smokers… they are everywhere and seem to light up everywhere too.  We are just not use to it anymore and really appreciate the smoking laws in place in Canada.  I have no issue with smokers and most are very considerate, but here they can light up everywhere and they do.

After a lovely dessert and coffee we are off wandering the streets again.

We head into the big shopping mall, and well it is like most shopping malls in Canada.  But for those that may need toiletries or items for the trip there is a large shop here – kind of like a Target that sells clothes, toys, toiletries, food, wine and much more. 

After five hours ashore we are both ready to go back.  We catch the 15:40 boat back, which docked at 16:00 and a short walk back to the ship.  Funny thing is the guy came around to have people pay but when he saw us and a few others around us he commented in French “oh you bought your ticket from me earlier” then walks away.  So even though we were very prepared to pay we didn’t have to.  A cheap ride 2E round trip, but normally it should be 4E.

We pour a glass of wine and sit out on the balcony reading and snacking on the nuts.  For sailaway we head upstairs to our friends’ cabin and a drink.  Another sunset to enjoy.

Bernie has a bit of sore throat and he didn’t sleep well so we know tonight will be an easy night so he is rested for Barcelona tomorrow.

There is not a whole lot happening tonight but enough.  Dan Appleby is getting off tomorrow in Barcelona and he is flying to the Crown Princess.  Chris is being moved up to Cruise Director for the crossing – great promotion.  But he is certainly qualified.

Events tonight:  Ventriloquist Michael Minor, MUTS is Minions, Ladies Night in the Spa, Production show Motor City in the Princess Theater, British Invasion Dance party with Cosmic Band in Wheelhouse, Stateroom Movie is Jurrasic World (which was the movie yesterday too), Who Sang What One Hit Wonders Trivia in Wheelhouse and Late Night Dancing with DJ TinTin.