We left Lisbon for Cannes,with fear that the train strike in France might make it difficult to get from Nice to Cannes.The flight was 2 hours late.We arrived tired and frustrated.The local train was running,so finding the train station was the next challenge.Three different people gave us directions in French….all dead ends.Finally a lovely lady recognized our confusion and took us by the hand to the center of Nice!! We were grateful.Our Cannes apartment was close to the Cannes train station.We found our address easily.We dug out our phones to obtain the instruction for the deadbolt.Another 3 story climb to a pleasant one bedroom apartment.We had no food and it was 10 pm.There were 2 packets of basmati rice….supper.
The next morning was laundry,grocery shopping and the train station to finalize our tickets for Florence to reserve seats….There was a line up out the door because of the strike and only 3 people working till 12:30.BUT this was a huge day of accomplishment for this couple(mostly Michael).we were finally successful in booking our seats on line.We can now take that out as part of our morning routine.
Finally we had a chance to explore Cannes!Literally looking down our street,you could see the Palais Des Festivales,home of the Cannes Film Festival in the spring.
We were unable to go inside ,as there was a conference.However,we were able at the Tourist Office to watch a collage of videos from previous Festivals.Outside of the buildings were lots of hand prints and signatures.Here is one for you James.
Beside the Palais was the Casino,with a lot of security…who was in there???But next to that was the yacht squadron and the Riviera.The size and glamour of the yachts was spectacular…some as big as small cruise ships.We did some daydreaming,speculations as well as a critical discussion of the disregard for the environment and distribution of world wealth.
WE continued walking along the sidewalk,enjoying the splendour of the water,the sky line,the exotic plants and wonderful smells. Across the street were the huge hotels for the rich and famous.
We continued walking the boardwalk passed a few beaches.Since it is post season(September 15),you did not have to pay to get on the beach.There were a lot of sunbathers,some with little on(no pictures included),and many swimming.
We found our way to a street side cafe and had a drink and a bite
On our second day we headed by train to Antibes…a smaller city between Cannes and Nice.Our main purpose was to visit the Picasso Museum.The Museum not only demonstrates his paintings,vases and painted dinner plates,but it was the place where he had both lived and painted.
We were able to experience the view from the garden and terrace.It makes it easy to see why people are drawn to the Riviera and do not want to leave
There were a number of pieces of art on the terrace,not done by Picasso.One seem correct to take a picture of Michael beside it.
After a delicious lunch near the museum,we found the train station and back to Cannes.
Day 3 was our last day,and I ventured out explore the long street market just around the corner…just looking.After finishing my Lisbon blog,we headed off for a walk along the Fifth Avenue of Cannes,Rue d’Antibes..We then returned to the Boardwalk to soak in the view and the atmosphere.Some of the yachts had moved out into the water,well off shore for privacy etc.
I continued to live on the dark side of the street..temperatures still too hot! Another expensive beer before heading back to our digs.We needed to have our cheese,meats,bread,fruit and wine,before the purging in the morning to clean out the fridge and cupboards.Our train was at 8:51am,so another early rising .We have an 8 hour train ride,with 2 train changes to get to Florence.My reservations to see DAVID are made!!
One last look at the French Alps
See you in Italy!!
Europe 2022 
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