Once Again, Nice is Nice!

Disembarking from Azamara Journey on the 9th was somewhat bittersweet as I had really enjoyed the cruise, had met so many lovely people and was sad to say good bye.  However, in a few hours after my arrival, I met up with friends who flew in from Zurich.  They are staying a week with me in the flat I've rented.  As well, I will be seeing my friends who live here.  So, I closed the book on one experience and opened a new one.  Besides, being on the Cote d'Azur make it pretty easy to get over "separation anxiety" from a cruise.  I disembarked about 9, got an Uber to the apartment I've rented during October for the last 5 years and dropped my bags.  


I'd arranged to meet up with a woman from the ship who had some time to wander around before she could check into her hotel.  We met on the Promenade des Anglais across from the apartment and walked slowly along the seafront.  Annette hadn't been in Nice for over 25 years so it was sort of fun playing amateur tour guide.  We passed the famous Negresco Hotel and continued walking until we got to Opera Plage. 




Then we walked inland and walked along the street where the opera is as well as the famous "confiserie" (candy store) called Auer.  We continued on as the street leads into Cours Saleya, Nice's famous market in the old town.  We went along some of the old town's back streets before going back to the seafront for a "refreshment".  






It was wonderful to be back here.  I had access to the flat just before 3 pm and it felt a little like coming home as it is the 5th time I've stayed here.  About an hour later, i was joined by my friends from Switzerland who will be spending the week here with me.  It's their first time in Nice and I hope they like it as much as I do. 



 

The next day, the cold I had been fighting for a few days won so I stayed in and rested.  Roger, Kathrin and Alina did much of the same thing I'd done with Annette the previous day.  On Saturday, I was feeling better so the gals (Kathrin and Alina; Elaine and Emily who live here, and I) went to Cap 3000, the big shopping centre near the airport for some "retail therapy".  We had lunch sitting on the terrace at the Italian village restaurant there.  


The views from our lunch on the terrace





We all managed to contribute to the local economy and the weather was sunny and warm so it was a perfect day.  Later, I took it easy while everyone else went cycling.  

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