Long day of travel, but the train was scheduled for 11:43 so we got ready and walked to the Starbucks for coffee, and I had a croissant for breakfast. Weather still gloomy, spots of rain. We grabbed some sandwiches for lunch before we got on the train, checked out from the hotel and waited for the taxi. Got in and the driver informed us that a lot of roads were closed because of a bike race. We’d allowed 45 minutes for a 15 minute trip, hopefully we’d still make it. If not, we had over an hour to wait for the next one. Song said the train would probably be late but I said with our luck the only train that was on time in Italy today would be ours. We sat in slow traffic for 15 minutes then turned a corner and the way was clear, and the cabbie showed us some of the legendary Italian driving, I think we knocked over three pedestrians at least.
Ran to the platform (I double checked this time) and the train hadn’t arrived but was on time.
The train was a regional commuter service so stopped at about 400 stations and had no first class (I demand a refund) and it was packed with morose teenagers on their phones. The seats were fine though, so we settled in for the 2.5 hour journey. The interchange at the next station was only 10 minutes so hoped this train was on time when we got there.
The train ran along the coast, there were some nice views out to sea. I poked my head out at a stop and saw the train was 10 minutes late. Bloody Italian trains; hopefully the next one was also delayed otherwise we’d need to wait but I didn’t know for how long. Travelling on the trains over long distances is a balance – when changing you don’t want too short a time that if the train is delayed you miss the connection, but on the other hand you don’t want to have to wait for a couple of hours at a small regional station. Plus the train timetable needs to align.
Got off the train, checked the platform (2), ran down the stairs against oncoming people. Song fell and was helped up by 2 guys and thanked them but said we had to catch a train, and ended up with a bruised knee. We weren’t the only ones, others were also rushing and we managed to hop on, although then they delayed the train for a whole 2 minutes before leaving. This was the closest we came to missing one (so far). Bloody Italian trains.
The next stop was Nice, back in France again, with another 10 minute change. These trains were determined by the Eurail website, so I thought they would know what they were doing, but the trains were so unpredictable they really need to build more time in for the changes. The train was another regional one, so no first class (outrageous).
We stopped at a station for a passport check by French police, which surprised me since we’re in the Schengen zone which allows free passage across borders, but Song said they were looking for illegal immigrants. I thought again of the 10 minute change at the next station and wondered if we’d miss it this time. At least we’d be in France so there should be more trains to Marseille.
Got to the station a couple of minutes late so another mad dash to get the next one. Made it with 5 minutes to spare, but there’s always a worry that in the rush we’d get on the wrong train.
This one at least had first class so it was comfortable, although the second class seats on the other trains were pretty good. The journey was 2.5 hours so finally relaxed. The weather was pretty bad, very grey and pouring with rain.
Got an uber to the hotel, only 5 minutes away but it was raining.
The hotel was an apartment, with a living room, separate toilet and bathroom and a small kitchen. It was also grey and dark. Some of the lights didn’t work and those that did made the room darker when turned on. I asked reception and they said something about turning the floor lamps on will turn off the wall lights and something something something. I asked why it was so complicated and he shrugged in French.
It was raining heavily but Song wanted a seafood platter so we went out looking for a restaurant we found on Google that looked good. We followed Google maps to a roundabout then couldn’t figure out where to go from there. We went round the roundabout a couple of times, then up and down the street but it looked as if Google wanted us to walk through a brick wall. Then Song noticed some steps up, so we went up 82 dark slippery steps in the rain and found the restaurant. Which was closed. As we stood there in the rain a woman came out of a restaurant opposite and said it was the same one, so disaster averted.
I thought Song can have her seafood platter and I’d have grilled fish. They didn’t do fish, just shellfish. I don’t like shellfish; I’ll have a prawn and a crab at a push but won’t eat whelks, oysters, mussels etc. So I had a few prawns and some bread, and a beer.
Clambered down the steps, back to the dark hotel and sorted ourselves out. We have 2 full days in Marseille so can take it easy, might do a day trip somewhere if we exhaust the sights tomorrow.
Today was a long day.