Denver-Philadelphia-Brussels –Marseille-AIX(AIX en Provence)
It was pretty much a day spending on the road. About 4 hours flight from DEN to PHL, 8 hours from PHL to BRU then 2 hours to MAR. It was fun looking around the airports.
 |
| PHL-White Rock Chairs |
 |
| BRU - Manneken Pis |
We were able to purchase the world famous chocolate at the tiny Brussels Airport. The airplane operated by Brussels Airlines was very small and we were taken to the airplane by an open big shuttle. This was the first stop for us to get into Europe Union countries so we had to go through the custom here. We made up stories for a handsome custom officer in the distance in order to kill the long wait time and couldn't help laughing so hard. It also made me think of Agatha Christie's Poirot - he is Belgian!
 |
| MAR - Attractions Map |
Finally we got to Marseille airport! A big map shows the attractions in the area, which is really helpful for us to find the direction. I had totally lost after the long journey.
The last step to get to our destination was to take the bus to AIX. I did a research and found out taking bus is the fastest way to get to AIX.
This is the direction I got from the website:
From Marseille Airport to AIX-en-Provence by BUS
The operator is called the Navette. The bus from Marseille Airport to Aix takes 30 minutes (less if no traffic) and costs 7.80 EUR one way. Buses leave Marseille Airport for Aix every 30 minutes on the hour and the half hour until 11:30pm, and then once more at 12:15am.
The Navette bus leaves from Hall 1 at Marseille Airport and stops at the Aix-en-Provence TGV station before arriving at the bus station (gare routiere) in Aix. From there it is a short walk to Cours Mirabeau, the train station, and the old town.
It took us less than 30 minutes to get to the AIX bus station. Something to keep in mind:
Firstly, short walk isn’t that short when you walk with luggage on rough and narrow streets, especially when you are tired.
Secondly, I would probably select the hotel by the public transportation to avoid the walking with luggage.
Thirdly, the sign of Bus Station, Train Station or even TGV station is not necessarily visible.
Fourthly, learning how to read the time table is fun!
 |
| Bus Time Table |
 |
| First meal in France |
We booked a ‘luxury’ room at Hotel du Globe. Luxury is meant by the air-conditioner, LCD Tv and private bathroom. The room is small and the bathroom is tiny. I could barely turn around in the bathroom. Oh, forgot to mention about the lift. It holds only 3 people without luggage. I almost kissed the wall in order to load two people and two luggages into the lift. At that moment, I really felt lucky living in the US with over-needed spaces, something we have taken for granted.
 |
| Can you tell what are they? Room Keys! |
After slept for 2 hours, we were ready to check out the old town and have dinner. We followed the direction and walked into the old town. The streets are narrow and walls are full with history. I do like walking on the stone-surfaced streets and it really made me think of my hometown and the childhood with lots of running on the spaces among houses. I loved the wine bucket tables along the walls. Oh, I smelt the sweetness. A corner bakery looked old and dark but the smell was so good.
 |
| Narrow Street |
 |
| Fruit Tarts |
 |
| Handcrafts |
 |
| Windows of Hotel de Ville |
 |
| Sculptures around the town |
 |
| Cathedral St Sauveur |
 |
| Entrance of Ville - Old Town |
 |
| Streetside Bar |
 |
| Forum |
 |
| Provencal Seafood Fusion |
 |
| World Famous Butter Snails |
The first dinner we had was at an open seating restaurant right by the
forum. We were fooled by the friendly waiter who can speak English and
the seafood fusion was so horrible. I already had a review on
TripAdvisor for this restaurant - Chez Laurette.
What a long day! I fell into sleep right after my head touched the pillow!
No comments:
Post a Comment