A Journey Through Belle France
Day
10 - Cassis
Cassis
Today was a free day in Cassis, where we were on our own to do whatever we pleased (within reason of course). After breakfast, we waked over the the Les Calanques ticket booth to purchase tickets for a boat ride. Calanques are narrow inlets along the coast created by the cliffs jutting out into the ocean. From Cassis the boat rides offer you the choice of visiting three, five, or eight Calanques. We opted for five (not too few or too many), but were too early to buy the tickets, so we decided to wander around the harbor for a while and see what we could find. There is a wall between the beach and the harbor that we
walked along to the lighthouse, which looks like the newest thing in the town. There's a place near the light-
house where you could rent kayaks if you wanted a little more of a personal experience with the ocean. We
opted for boat ride because, after all, we are on vacation and who wants to work that hard? As we strolled
back to
along the road we saw the fisherman lined up along the side with little tables in front of there boats selling the morning catch. The two gentlemen on the left were proud of their catch and happy to show it off. After conversing with them for a few minutes and snooping around the shops a little, it was time to purchase our tickets. When we got back to the ticket booth, we ran into Judy, Jack, Susan, Elena, Harriet, and Sy. Even on a free day we couldn't stand to be apart. While we were waiting for the boat Sy decided it was a good
time for ice cream, and as we all know, there is
really never a bad time for ice cream.
When the boat arrived we hopped on board and
headed out of the harbor. On the way, we saw
a small motorboat towing a line of little miniature
sail boats. Evidently the kids in town were on a
school field trip. It was like a little boat parade.
At the first Calanques we saw a group of people
sunbathing nude on the rocks. It looked a little
uncomfortable, but they all were waving and
smiling when the boat went by so they were
obviously having a good time. I just hope they
had lots of sun block.
The lighthouse
Judy, Susan, Jacque, Linda, Me, Harriet, and Sy wait for the boat.
Judy and I happy to be out on the water.
This is a Calanques.
Out on the water.
The boat parade.
The fisherman showing off their morning catch.
After the boat ride, we all went our separate
ways again. Linda and I decided to go get some lunch and then go
shopping. Cassis has some great ceramic and linen stores. After
lunch, Linda jumped into the ocean for a quick swim and then we headed up
Avenue du Revestel to check out the wineries. We ended up at Clos Sainte
Magdeleine. It was closed to visitors when we arrived but we were able
to get a beautiful view of the vineyard and the ocean below. From the 
winery we
continued up the road into a residential
neighborhood. After a while, we saw a few locals head down a side street
next to an apartment building that went in the direction of the water.
We followed and, after a slightly scary climb down some ancient steps, we
found ourselves in a large lagoon. The beach was comprised not of sand,
but large boulders that were difficult to walk on. But the water was
clean as glass and from the signs posted around, we were able to determine
that the lagoon is a protected nature area. We found a nice shady spot
where we could put our feet in the water and watched all the little sea
critters scurrying around on the rocks and in the water. Due to the
large rocks all along the beach, the shallows resembled a tide pool area with
small water pockets for the critters to hang out in during low tide.
The vineyard and the ocean beyond.
Our private little lagoon.
It was really hard to drag ourselves away from
the lagoon, but Sabine had made special arrangements for us to have
bouillabaisse for dinner that night and before dinner, we were going to have a
special celebration down by the beach for Sy and Harriet's anniversary.
So we packed up and headed back down the hill to the hotel to clean up and
change for our evening out. At 5pm the group met Sabine at the Boules
court. First we had wine and snacks to toast Sy and Harriet's 25th
wedding anniversary. 
Boules without demonstrating it, but
for reference it is very much like bocchi ball. First I was paired with
Dwight and then Judy. I honed my craft and then paired up with Peter and
we were unstoppable. Our last game we beat Jack and Donna 13 to 3.
Just call us the King and Queen of the Boules ring. The funniest
part were the locals that were watching us. It looked like the entire
town gathered at 5pm to play Boules, and they seemed to get a kick out
of watching all these crazy Americans trying to play. Especially when I
would throw really well, I would put my arms up in the air and go "woo
hoo!" I don't think they are used to that. I think the best
way to blend is to assume the Boules attitude. You always have to
be holding at least one ball, and you have to hold it like your about to throw
it with your arm low at your side, your palm facing back and you hand slightly
behind you. Then your cool. If we hadn't had dinner reservations,
I think we would have stayed there all night. 
Our audience, or should I say fans?
Me, going for the win.
Francois shows us how its done.
A local demonstrates Boules Attitude.
Sabine shows us how to play with style.
Once
we packed up our game, most everyone wanted to wash up (since we had been
playing in the dirt) before dinner. So we walked back to the hotel and
Jack, Linda, and I passed the time with an aperitif on the patio.
When everyone was presentable we went to Restaurant Le Bonaparte
for bouillabaisse. Well, all except me, I don't like fish so you could
say that
I just
went along for the ride...and another duck dinner!
The chef is a passionate man when it comes
to his bouillabaisse and I was afraid when he found out that I was the one who wasn't going to eat it.
I didn't want him to be insulted, but actually he was fine with it. What I really didn't expect, was
for him to do most of the meal preparation at the table. All those little fishies being cut and sliced right
there so you knew exactly what you were getting.
Peter analyzes the scene.
good teacher and it didn't take long before we were all hooked. It's hard to describe
After the wine, we got down to the serious business of playing Boules. Sabine was a
This is how you eat it!
After the chef had prepared everything, he showed everyone the correct way to eat it. Then he kept coming back to check on our progress. Sabine told us he only prepares a certain number of bouillabaisse dishes a day, so you better eat hearty. He was pretty stern with those that didn't finish their meal, but there was so much food, I don't see how everyone could have eaten it all. He was, however, very happy with me because I ate all of my duck and pommes frites and then had chocolate
mousse for desert. When we left I went to thank him for the wonderful meal and he gave me three kisses on my cheek. I love that! Having someone carefully prepare you a meal in an intimate setting and then prod you to eat
everything on your plate, it was like having dinner at my grandparents house, and I mean that in the nicest, warmest, and most gracious way possible.
After dinner, stuffed and tired, we all waddled back to the hotel and fell into a sleep induced coma.
Our chef prepares the meal and gets friendly with Judy.