Day 10 was Monday, July 23, 2012. We were up very early and heading to the south of France. We were taking the high speed train to Avignon, France. The high speed train known as the TGV goes up to 200 mph. It was a very quick ride to Avignon. If we had traveled by bus to Avignon is would have taken us up to 6-7 hours, the train ride cut that in half.
Train station.
Making our way to the high speed train.
We had a bus waiting for us at the train station. Unfortunately, we quickly learned that this bus driver wasn't as friendly or helpful as Oliver was. We missed Oliver.
From the train station we headed to the Pont du Gard, which is where there is a Roman aqueduct bridge that crosses the Gardon River. The bridge is part of the Nimes aqueduct, a 31 mile structure built by the Romans to carry water to their colonies. Because the terrain between the two points is hilly, the aqueduct is built mostly underground and took a long, winding route that crossed the gorge of the Gardon River, requiring the construction of an aqueduct bridge. Built in the 1st century AD, the Pont du Gard is the highest of all Roman aqueduct bridges and is the best preserved.
The aqueduct bridge.
It was hot in the South of France. A much different climate than in Paris and the North of France.
Trent trying to stay cool.
There were a few olive trees that were 1,000 years old.
Trent exploring.
I was taking a rest...just trying to stay cool.
Beautiful view of the Gardon River from the bridge. The water was so blue.
Cooling off in the river.
From Pont du Gard we traveled to the Henry Bouchaon winery. It was a quick, but informative visit.
After settling in at the hotel, we ventured into the city walls of Avignon. Our mission was to find a place to eat dinner. The city was very crowded because people were promoting theater plays. People were handing out flyers left and right for you to go to their play...it was quite interesting.
Barrels of wine.
Madison and Trent playing games while the adults drank wine.
Wine tasting.
While we waited for everyone to finish up the wine tasting some of us performed a dance routine directed by Trent.
Fiona grooving.
Scott doing the sprinkler.
Tim doing the shuffle.
Cindy doing the Charleston. Good times!
After the winery and the dancing we headed to our hotel in Avignon. We were staying at the Novotel hotel, which is the same chain of hotels we stayed at in Bayeux. It was a really nice and modern hotel, the only downside was the bed was like sleeping on the floor, it was horrible.
Our hotel for two nights.
A lot of people in the streets.
A lot of interesting people in the streets...
After maneuvering through the crowded streets for what seemed like a long time, we finally found a place to have dinner. We were all exhausted and could not wait to get back to the hotel and call it a night.
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