Before we tell you about our day we wanted to take a minute to give a little shout out to Colorado and to say that we have heard and read up about the movie theater shooting in Aurora. We feel remorse and sadness knowing that we aren't there to support you at this time, but we want you to know that we love you and are praying for you all the way over here in Europe! Stay strong Colorado.
Our Saturday started out as an average morning. Ya know, just get up, get ready, and get going. Our plans for the day were taking us into a HUGE national park called Camargue (Kah-marg)(the g is a hard sound), and then on into Arles to explore!
The Camargue is a ginormous park that boasts of miles of Mediterranean coastline, herds of wild horses, a flock of wild flamingos, bulls, and fields of wild rice. We knew it was huge, but what we didn't know was the best way to drive through and see some horses and flamingos! So, on our way to the Camargue, we stopped for a hot second in Arles to get some info on a plan of action. We ended up on some side street where we saw a cute little bakery and immediately knew we had to stop and get some fresh and legitimate french baguettes! We ended up walking out of the bakery with 2 baguettes, 2 dessert pastries (a giant meringue for Kyla, and some sort of other goodness for me!), and we each chose some sort of pizza or sandwich thingy for lunch! The lady in the bakery also gave us plenty of tips of where to go in the Camargue.
After our stop in the bakery, it rapidly became apparent that Kyla's bladder wasn't going to wait for too much longer. So, we began to drive around like mad women trying to find a place that was open where she could use a toilet. But as these things frequently go in life, there was not a toilet to be found. You'd think that maybe no one in Arles uses a toilet. Eesh! So, we figured that maybe the entrance into the Camargue had a toilet. Ladies and gentlemen, I will sum up the story by saying that there is no such thing as an "entrance" into the Camargue and that thankfully there are a few turn offs on the side of the road with some awesomely thick and tall shrubbery nearby. I will also make note that it is good I had some kleenex and hand sanitzer in my bag as they were both called upon in a moment of dire need. Kyla was indeed a brave lady!
Once her bladder was content, we then progressed further into the park in search of wild horses and flamingos!
Before finding the animals, we saw endless rice fields!
Thankfully, it wasn't too long before we stumbled upon a handful of wild horses right by the road side! We quickly pulled Francesca over and jumped out to pick some flowers to feed to the horses! And man alive, those animals can EAT!! They were clearly not hurting for any need they may have in life.
We spent ample time feeding, petting, and photographing the wild horses, so with one of our two desired sights accomplished, we pressed on to find the second; flamingos!! We were searching and driving and searching and driving. And then we ended up in this cute little beach town on the coast! So we paused our flamingo search and decided to dip our toes into the Sea once again.
Feeling content at the brief stop in the sea, we walked around until we found a cafe to get a late afternoon drink. Coffee for Amanda, and tea for Kyla and I. After our drinks we found the tourist info center and inquired as to the location of the flamingos. The polite lady gave us a map and instructions and we ventured out of the beach town in search of the elusive pink birds! As we were driving to where the lady told us to go, we looked out to the side of the car, out into the marsh, and could see 3 flamingos out there! So we kinda had a celebration but we kept going to get where the lady told us to go. Turns out, the place she sent is the place where the whole flock of flamingos are, but you have to pay to see them. We decided it wasn't worth our time or our money to go see them and that we would be content with back tracking to where we saw the 3 birds in the distance. So we did!
Right down the road from where we saw the birds, we found this cool place to pull over and purchase some rice grown right there in the park! Pretty stinking awesome if you ask me!
Feeling extremely accomplished at fulfilling our two goals of seeing horses and flamingos, with some beach time and purchases included, we decided that we could leave the Camargue happier than when we came. So we made our way into Arles, and quickly found the tourist office. The lady gave us a map and then quickly told us to hurry to see the amphitheater because it was closing in 30 minutes! So we quickly studied the map and headed out. Luckily it wasn't too far and we reached it with time to spare! We explored the place for a little while, braving all of the super intense winds!!
After seeing that, we then took our time perusing the nearby shops and slowly winding our way through the streets of Arles back to our car.
We then took on a mission to find a Vincent Van Gogh bridge. FYI, Arles is the place where Van Gogh painted many of his paintings, and this bridge that we were able to find was the basis for one of them! So, I've included a picture of his painting with our photos of the actual bridge that is still there today!!
After such a cool sight, we then decided we wanted to spend our last night together eating dinner in Aix, just like we started our trip. So, we drove there and even though it took some time, we ended up finding the perfect restaurant for us to eat in! It was a beautifully decorated restaurant that ended up making me feel slightly under dressed, even though it wasn't a big deal. We each ordered some deliciousness and spent the night diving into our plates and laughing. And of course, we couldn't pass up dessert, so we had to order some of that too!
Feeling thoroughly stuffed, we then made the quick drive back to our hotel where we planned to have some girl time for our last night all together. On our way into the hotel, we asked what time check-out was the next day and discovered that it wasn't until noon! Score!! So, girl time commenced with me braiding Kyla's hair...and yes, for those of you "in the know", her hair is now long enough that I could french braid it!!! Two french braids for Kyla in France! Who would've thought?!
Amanda and I split a bottle of wine, and then the three of us watched hilarious Youtube and Homestar Runner videos until we could laugh no more. It wasn't too long after that that the lights were turned out and we fell asleep very quickly, thankful for our late check-out time the next day!
Our Saturday started out as an average morning. Ya know, just get up, get ready, and get going. Our plans for the day were taking us into a HUGE national park called Camargue (Kah-marg)(the g is a hard sound), and then on into Arles to explore!
The Camargue is a ginormous park that boasts of miles of Mediterranean coastline, herds of wild horses, a flock of wild flamingos, bulls, and fields of wild rice. We knew it was huge, but what we didn't know was the best way to drive through and see some horses and flamingos! So, on our way to the Camargue, we stopped for a hot second in Arles to get some info on a plan of action. We ended up on some side street where we saw a cute little bakery and immediately knew we had to stop and get some fresh and legitimate french baguettes! We ended up walking out of the bakery with 2 baguettes, 2 dessert pastries (a giant meringue for Kyla, and some sort of other goodness for me!), and we each chose some sort of pizza or sandwich thingy for lunch! The lady in the bakery also gave us plenty of tips of where to go in the Camargue.
Amanda and Kyla outside the bakery!
Seriously, that thing was huge!
Once her bladder was content, we then progressed further into the park in search of wild horses and flamingos!
Before finding the animals, we saw endless rice fields!
Thankfully, it wasn't too long before we stumbled upon a handful of wild horses right by the road side! We quickly pulled Francesca over and jumped out to pick some flowers to feed to the horses! And man alive, those animals can EAT!! They were clearly not hurting for any need they may have in life.
We spent ample time feeding, petting, and photographing the wild horses, so with one of our two desired sights accomplished, we pressed on to find the second; flamingos!! We were searching and driving and searching and driving. And then we ended up in this cute little beach town on the coast! So we paused our flamingo search and decided to dip our toes into the Sea once again.
Seashells!
Flamingos!
Right down the road from where we saw the birds, we found this cool place to pull over and purchase some rice grown right there in the park! Pretty stinking awesome if you ask me!
Feeling extremely accomplished at fulfilling our two goals of seeing horses and flamingos, with some beach time and purchases included, we decided that we could leave the Camargue happier than when we came. So we made our way into Arles, and quickly found the tourist office. The lady gave us a map and then quickly told us to hurry to see the amphitheater because it was closing in 30 minutes! So we quickly studied the map and headed out. Luckily it wasn't too far and we reached it with time to spare! We explored the place for a little while, braving all of the super intense winds!!
The amphitheater is still used to this day. It was currently set up for some sort of bull events.
The town of Arles from the top of the ampitheater!
SO much wind!!
WIND!!
After seeing that, we then took our time perusing the nearby shops and slowly winding our way through the streets of Arles back to our car.
A square in Arles
We then took on a mission to find a Vincent Van Gogh bridge. FYI, Arles is the place where Van Gogh painted many of his paintings, and this bridge that we were able to find was the basis for one of them! So, I've included a picture of his painting with our photos of the actual bridge that is still there today!!
Van Gogh's painting
The bridge that inspired him!
Us, with the very tops of the bridge poking out behind!
After such a cool sight, we then decided we wanted to spend our last night together eating dinner in Aix, just like we started our trip. So, we drove there and even though it took some time, we ended up finding the perfect restaurant for us to eat in! It was a beautifully decorated restaurant that ended up making me feel slightly under dressed, even though it wasn't a big deal. We each ordered some deliciousness and spent the night diving into our plates and laughing. And of course, we couldn't pass up dessert, so we had to order some of that too!
Tortellini with ratatouille
Classic burger with grilled veggies and fries
Kinda like shrimp scampi, but different flavoring
Creme brulee
Profiteroles!
Coffee and tiramisu
Feeling thoroughly stuffed, we then made the quick drive back to our hotel where we planned to have some girl time for our last night all together. On our way into the hotel, we asked what time check-out was the next day and discovered that it wasn't until noon! Score!! So, girl time commenced with me braiding Kyla's hair...and yes, for those of you "in the know", her hair is now long enough that I could french braid it!!! Two french braids for Kyla in France! Who would've thought?!
Amanda and I split a bottle of wine, and then the three of us watched hilarious Youtube and Homestar Runner videos until we could laugh no more. It wasn't too long after that that the lights were turned out and we fell asleep very quickly, thankful for our late check-out time the next day!
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