30th Birthday trip Aug. 21- Aug. 26 2008

For my 30th birthday, Dan came to Switzerland from North Carolina. Originally, as is most of our plans, we started by planning something hardcore. We were to take a day of lessons in glacier climbing, comfortable with that, we were planning on backpacking for four days through the Mont Blanc Mastiff crossing over 6 different glaciers and staying in some very remote lean-to cabins sitting atop some of the glaciers.

Well, either from carrying too many boxes up three flights of stairs as we were moving in or maybe a subconscious fear of our upcoming trip, I started having a real problem with my left knee. So, plan B..... To keep with our adventurous trip, we then moved onto a "Learn to Kite Board trip" in the south of France (home of Kite Boarding). Reservations booked, we headed to Chamonix for a very much scaled back hike on our way to Hyeres, France.

Taking a train up to the small town of Le Tour to hike up to the Glacier du Tour

Glacier du Tour from the outskirts of town

Le Tour as seen from halfway up our hike. It was late in the afternoon by the time we started hiking, so we were trying to book it. It was around this time that we passed a very pleasant Frenchman on his way down. He was sweating like a mad man and exclaiming "Non, non, tres difficile! Allez retour!". I explained to Dan, knowing he doesn't know a lick of French, that the gentleman was wishing us a good day and a pleasant journey!!! Ha, Ha... Anyway, we continued and our leisure day hike turned into a serious climb up some very steep and perilously narrow trails. It was worth it.

Trying out my new camera (birthday present) on some mountain flowers


Almost to the top, pretty cool chunks of ice ready to fall over the edge

View of the glacier with the many waterfalls cascading down the mountain

Time to turn back, the sun is starting to set and quite the hike down


Not having enough of glaciers, the next day we headed to La Mer de Glace. I took Dan down to the ice grottoes that are dug into the glacier everyear

Dan the Man, chillin' in a glacier

Afraid of heights?!!!

That same day we got back on the road and headed to Hyeres. On the way, I decided to call and inform the hotel that we may be getting there late. I was then told that they never received our reservation from hotel.com and "Nous sommes compleat!" (they were full). Well, shoot... We found a hotel outside of town, but it did not look good for the rest of the week. We moved to plan C. Sight see the rest of the French Riviera. Not bad for a plan C

Hyeres beach. Nice windy day for windsurfers
This is what we were supposed to be learning for the week. Kitesurfing....

Anyhow, we packed up and moved up the coast to the famous party town of Cannes (pronounced 'can').
Here is our "wet bar" in our incredibly small hotel room. Had a few cocktails and headed out on the town.
Strangest thing... We were sightseeing along the main strip along the beach, when we heard drumming like from a marching band. Sure enough, a marching band of high heeled, mini skirt clad "bandos".

Sunset along the main drag. This is where it really gets hopping at night. I think we made it to everybar in town

The next day, we relaxed on the beach, nursing some serious hang overs. This is in front of the theater that the famous film festival takes place. The night before, we strolled past on our way to the bars. The place was crowded with tourists. We hear, "Excusez moi, excusez moi!" We turn around and there is a man and a woman standing next to their bmw that is parked at a weird angle in the road. They explain that their car died and they need a push. Normally, fine, but it's 85 degrees and we are dressed up in our Sunday's finest. I ask "where to" and this Frenchy tells us just to push down the road. So, here we are pushing this darn car down one of the most famous, very posh, avenues in the world. Meanwhile, I keep asking how much further. Finally, she pops the clutch and off they go. Leaving Dan and I in the middle of the street. Guess you had to be there.....

The beach

Yeah, a few mega yachts.....

Next, we moved to the smallest country in the world (I think), Monaco. We visited the Royal Palace. Here is some of it in the picture


Silly guard, wearing out the cement

A view from the palace. They may look small, but most of the boats in the harbor could be classified as 'Megayachts'Dan and I
Feeling like James Bond, we headed to the the famous Monte Carlo Casino. Not big gamblers, we went, just so we can say we did. Lost 50 Euros in 10 mins., we just hung out.

Although we don't have pictures, the next day we headed home via Italy. After, searching half the morning for a place to rent a sailboat, we found one in a small beach town. On the beach, the company had a few boats to rent but were being used. The owner showed us to his last boat. It turns out to be a high performance racing skiff. He looks at me and asks if I could handle it. Ha! I say, "I've raced 50 fters offshore, buddy. I can handle your little dingy!". Well, not in so many words. Dan has never sailed and is looking at me with a raised eyebrow. So, they rig the thing up and we sign the necessary waivers. A group of people form around us to gawk and point at the crazy looking sailboat. We pile in, with a few instructions for Dan, and give the international sign for "all good". The owner and his assistand push us off the wind and...... With a large gasp from the crowd of beach goers...... We flip it!!! No injuries, except our egos, we jump free of the boat as it overturns. After a "What the *!&#!" from Dan, I reassure the owner and Dan that we are all good. A few more instructions for Dan. Then, we push off a second time and have an exhilarating ride on the Med.

All in all, an awesome trip. Thanks for sharing it with me, Dan.