Mediterranean - 14 - May 26 2023 Marseille, France and Notre Dame de la Garde

 Marseille, the oldest city in France,  was founded in 600 BC.  It is a large port city with over 860,000 people in the south of France, and gets 3000 hours of sun each year. Today they are celebrating the win of a soccer cup (from 30 years ago).

                                                   

The iconic photo of Marseille is the city with the Notre-Dame de la Garde church, bell tower, and fort on the top of the hill.  We are in town with at least 3 other cruise ships including the Norwegian  Epic ship which  is huge.  The popular sights will be crowded.   Phil and I had a tour of the N-D in the afternoon, so this morning was relaxing, we skipped out on other acitivies offered.  I went to the gym for yoga, the thermal spa then a massage.  There were only 3 other people in the thermal spa, its a souped up hot tub, along with the snow grotto, sauna, and fancy lounge chairs.  Afterward I wanted a nap, but it was a quick lunch at World Cafe then our afternoon excursion.  Phil really wants to get a reuben sandwich for lunch from the Restaurant, but it is only open during lunch on sea days.  We don't have any sea days.

Last night the assistant cruise director, Jonny Lindsay,  was featured in a show called Impressions.  His performance was outstanding.  He started with 2 songs from Elton John , and ended with Sweet Carolina (Neil Diamond) and lots in between.  We learned that he's in love with a fellow Viking employee she works at the bar and is from Peru.  So sweet.   That's all that he'd share!  Such wonderful talent.  Sadly the Star theater was maybe 70% full.  I think the busy days are wearing out the passengers. The show starts at 9:15 pm, a little late if you have an early am excursion.

                                        

                                 

We drove by a local church then on to the first stop on the excursion - St Victor bascilica, in French it is Abbaye Saint -Victor.  It is believed to be the oldest church in France.  The lower level of the church has sarcophagas and necropolis.  There is a bakery near by, the Four des Navettes, famous for the delicious boat shaped cookies known as navettes flavored with orange blossom.  These cookies are special at Christmas time.

Nice organ in St Victor church, but we quickly went to the basement for some history.

This photo shows the several layers of construction as the church was built onto older construction.

Next was the drive to Notre Dame de la Garde

The bus driver stopped and let us off, close to the bascilica.  Or so we thought, until the guide said there were 200 steps up to the bascilica.

But the views were worth it, 360 panarama.

Inside, many people purchased votive candles to light a flame for a loved one.

                                                  

                                                 

                                                          

Someone has a sense of humor.  This represents a large logistics company.  One sumo wrestler is the ocean/water while the other is land, carrying cargo globally.

Sail away was 6pm, we were lucky that the pilot boat transfer was on our side of the ship.  We saw the pilot step onto his boat for the ride home.  Every country does this a little differently. Today he was on his own, no one to help. It can be dangerous.

Tomorrow is Sete (Montpellier) where we visit the medieval fortified town of Carcassone, an 8 hr tour.  The ship arrives in port at 8am, and back on board is 8pm.  Good there is a little extra time if we need it.