Started today with the Nice Le Grand Tour which was the double-decker bus that takes you around Nice for a 90 minute round-trip showcasing the sights and historical features of the town. It was run by the same company that runs a similar deal in Paris. There is an audio commentary via headphones in eight languages. We tried a few languages, but English seemed to be more our speed. The pre-recorded English narrator, however, was decidedly pompous sounding with very clipped English, which was tedious. However, the bus was the perfect way to see the town (including climbing all the hills) with some breathtaking views looking back down on Nice from up high. You can get off and on the bus as many times as you like throughout the day.
After we did a round trip, we alighted the bus and sought some refreshments in town. Just a couple of baguettes and soft-drinks. Then we headed back down to the bus to go and inspect the Chagall Museum. We were sitting near a very annoying American woman from New York who seemed to be rather well read but yet so dumb with the simple things. She was one of those people who felt the need to articulate every random thought and even asked whether we were still in Nice whilst on the Nice bus tour. She was barking mad.
We made the mistake of letting it slip that we were visiting the Chagall Museum, which she instantly latched onto and declared she would visit it too. Rod tried to talk up the Matisse Museum in an attempt to get her off the bus early, but to no avail. So she accompany ed us into the museum where we promptly urged her to enjoy the displays. She didn't take the hint. Anyhow, we managed to lose her in the museum and then carefully manoeuvred our way around the paintings without her spotting us again. We enjoyed Chagall's works very much. Some very bright colourful paintings with an almost Leunig quality about them. Bought a couple of souvenirs in the gift-shop and then hopped on the bus back down the hill.
The bus did not return to the Promenade des Anglais however, as the police had closed it off in readiness for the Bastille Day celebrations that were to happen that night. The bus seemed to go around and round in circles - we think even the driver got confused/lost and we eventually got off somewhere near the Port of Nice.
Off to the supermarket then to buy some cool drinks and a spot of food for dinner, as we felt like something light. Showered and devoured half a slab of brie avec bottled water. After a little viewing of another Ghost Whisperer episode in French, we headed down to the Nice foreshore to soak up some of the vibe happening for Bastille Day.
Not much actually happened during the day, other than most shops being closed, but the real party was saved for the evening. There were bands and street performers, police, and people swarming around the place. Every street corner had some sort of event occurring and there were roving bands and even a motorised moving white grand piano being played by Amadeaus with a ballerina pirouetting on top of it - c'est incroyable!
The great mild night was dampened a little by the obvious search for someone missing out in the sea. There were police, ambulance, search and rescue and a helicopter obviously looking for a body. It was either a swimmer or a deep-sea diver they were looking for. A little unsettling.
The crowds got bigger and bigger and we positioned ourselves almost on the beach when it was near dark (about 10pm) here to watch the fireworks display, which was most impressive. Rod thinks it was the best fireworks display he has seen. Kym thinks it was second only to Sydney 2000. But it was a really great display. Done in tune to many songs, but Elton John and Mack the Knife were among them! The event was very family friendly, alcohol-free and really, really enjoyable.
Carnival atmosphere ensued and the bands and acts started up again on the promenade. Our feet were killing us, so we slowly made our way back to our hotel in the sea of people. Kym even went shoe-shopping after 11pm - not too many places you can shop for shoes at that hour. It was a real party atmosphere and a really enjoyable night. Thanks Nice. Happy Bastille Day!
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