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| Les Calanques, Along the coast from Marseille to Cassis |
| Jeremy and I love hiking and nature so you can imagine that after six months of living in a big city we have been yearning for some green grass, open spaces and fresh air. That is why Les Calanques are so great! A 20 minute bus ride from Marseille can take you to the first of these dramatic cliffs, coves and beaches that stretch along the coast from Marseille to Cassis (pictured here). Once you're dropped off it's a picturesque hike into seemingly nowhere but with a big bottle of water and some good walking shoes it is so incredibly worth it. I have never seen such blue water! These pictures are a series taken on a visit made to the nearest of Les Calanques with Colette, Liz, Jeremy and I. We had a picnic and although the mistral (the infamous directionless wind in Provence) was out of control, we had a great time and were awe-struck by the beauty of this place. . .and so near our big city home! |
| A few first glimpes at Les Calanques. After the picturesque hike into seemingly nowhere, the views are well worth it as you can see it! We were slightly addicted to taking pictures because everywhere you look it is amazing. Jeremy was particularly impressed by how cool the water looked since the mistral wind was blowing so powerfully that it was actually sending out reverse waves off the cliffs into the ocean. You can see it really well in the picture on the right. Above left is the first real view you are afforded when you hit the water and then above right you get an idea of how blue the water is in all of the hidden coves. |
| The above picture is one of Jeremy's fancy, artsy pictures featuring his boots against the awesome backdrop of Les Calanques while lounging around picnicking on the rocks. |
| These black and whites were totally accidental since the glare from the sun on our digital camera prevented me from noticing that I had actually switched from color. But I think they ended up looking pretty cool and although they don't show the vibrant colors of the water and sky, I think they add something different and really highlight how dramatic the cliffs are. Jeremy says that the picture on the above right looks like they (Liz, Colette, Jeremy from left to right) are walking on the moon and Liz said it looks like they are representing North, East, and West. Hehe. . .either way I like it! |
| Jeremy surveying the land to the above left. (That picture really cracks me up, especially because the wind was so strong it was hard for him to maintain that pose.) Then Jeremy lounging on the rocks after our picnic (above right) and the two of us squinting into the sun and wind in order to get our token portrait. Jeremy is resisting the hair salon until before the receptions so check out that rock star hair! |
| Living in a big city like Marseille sure can make you excited to see trees! We were so excited we were like kids climbing and hugging them. (Yeah, yeah I know. . .not the first time I have been called a tree hugger. . .but hey, don't knock it till you've tried it!) From left to right: Colette striking a gymnast pose, Jeremy looking like he has climbed the tallest tree ever, and me, well. . . hugging a tree. |
| And of course, the necessary portraits---above left Liz, Colette and I trying not to get blown away, above right Liz and I doing the same, and then bottom right, all of us posing after propping the camera up on a rock (that took a few tries as you can imagine!). |