Another beautiful day.....(July 19, 2008)

Chambéry, Aix-les-Bains, Annecy



Today Melissa Burns, Mary, Kathleen and I went on a day-trip sponsored by the CUEF (university) to Annecy. Annecy is probably one of the most picturesque places I have ever visited! Mark and I spent two nights there a few weeks ago, but that was when I had the sorest throat in my history, and didn't even feel like sightseeing at all in Annecy. In reality, there's not much to see there, it's just beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. But I'm getting ahead of myself....


We started out with an hour-long stop in Chambéry, which is near Albertville, where they had the winter olympics a few years ago. Chambéry is another beautiful town where I would like to spend an extended amount of time. As in most French towns in this area, there is an old town and a new town, and the old parts are really old! And there is the coolest "elephant fountain/statue" there, dedicated to the founder of the town who evidently liked to travel to exotic destinations (India/Africa).

We then stopped for a half-hour at Lac du Bourget (Lake Le Bourget) in Aix-les-Bains. Lac du Bourget is the largest and deepest lake in the whole country!

We finally arrived in Annecy and went straight to Le Freti (recommended by Rick Steves and our friends who went to Annecy last week) for a fondue lunch. We all agreed that this was the best fondue we had ever tasted. We had three kinds....paprika, mushroom, and bacon. Yum, yum!

After lunch we agreed that we should split up and explore/shop independently. I finally located a European wallet like I wanted at 50% off (my old one is falling apart). I also had some delicious ice cream made sur place at a lovely ice cream parlor. That was when I noticed the fire truck at the end of the street (a few steps away). Yes, there really was a fire. These cute young firemen were in full gear, running towards a second-story window down the street. They got the ladder, and the ax, and the hose, and went to work. I did see some smoke coming out of the house. The first fireman went in, and evidently unlocked the door for the others. Then I saw him hand a pot of something out the window to another fireman! I kid you not. Someone must have left something cooking on the stove, and it started burning! Anyway, all's well that ends well!

The rest of my time I spent taking pictures and relaxing in the park by the lake. I read a bit, looked at my pictures, and watched the tourists and the locals enjoying themselves on a lovely
Saturday afternoon in the park.