A stellar month in southeastern France
Aug 10th, 2019, 10:12 AM
#203
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kja -- I'm sorry Lyon didn't show its best side to you -- and how strange that you had some disappointing meals there. I have nothing but terrific meals, even without advance planning or a huge budget (I would drop down from Lausanne when I lived there). There is so much to do in that area, I really should go back to Lyon and explore more of the towns that surround as well. Annecy can be incredibly packed; it is a favorite day trip location for the Genevois. (Its cheaper to leave town than remain). Your visit there brings a strange longing for tartiflette -- odd because you don't mention it, but the vision of the canal and the lake as you toured brought up memories of typical cuisine. .
Aug 10th, 2019, 07:09 PM
#206
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@ SusanP: How nice to know that you've continued reading along! I did cover a lot -- a LOT -- of ground, but OMG, I did see some wonderful things, and yes, I had a truly great time. 
I'm so lucky to be able to see all these places!
@ bilboburgler: If your French friends are correct, then I encountered in incredible number of Parisians while in Provence. As the saying goes: It could happen.
@ gooster: There are many things that I greatly enjoyed in Lyon, and I certainly met some incredibly nice and helpful people there! And of four meals I had there, three were delicious -- there was just that one dinner that disappointed. Still, I'm aware of the irony of having a bad meal in one of the culinary capitals of the western world, and I regret that a bit of illness made me shy away from experimenting more fully with Lyonnaise cuisine.
@ Adelaidean: It will be strange not to spend time writing every evening, but it should free up some time to do things like catch up on your trip report, which I'm sure I'll enjoy -- I so love Switzerland! I haven't decided on next year's destination yet -- how about you?
@ TravelerKaren: What a compliment! Many thanks.
I'll be posting the story of the journey home soon....
I'm so lucky to be able to see all these places!@ bilboburgler: If your French friends are correct, then I encountered in incredible number of Parisians while in Provence. As the saying goes: It could happen.
@ gooster: There are many things that I greatly enjoyed in Lyon, and I certainly met some incredibly nice and helpful people there! And of four meals I had there, three were delicious -- there was just that one dinner that disappointed. Still, I'm aware of the irony of having a bad meal in one of the culinary capitals of the western world, and I regret that a bit of illness made me shy away from experimenting more fully with Lyonnaise cuisine.
@ Adelaidean: It will be strange not to spend time writing every evening, but it should free up some time to do things like catch up on your trip report, which I'm sure I'll enjoy -- I so love Switzerland! I haven't decided on next year's destination yet -- how about you?
@ TravelerKaren: What a compliment! Many thanks.
I'll be posting the story of the journey home soon....
Aug 10th, 2019, 07:19 PM
#207
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Day 31: Annecy --> Geneva, continued
After traveling through fields and farms, with an occasional glimpse of a snow capped mountain in the distance, and then the roads of urban Geneva, my bus reached Geneva's airport (just as joannyc had said it would -- thank you!). Moments later, the shuttle to my hotel arrived. At the Nash Pratik Hotel, I was upgraded to a suite in its newly opened partner, the Nash Suites. It still had a few kinks to work out (for example, one light didn't have a bulb), but my room was large and reasonably comfortable.
It always takes me a while to pack for a return flight, putting gifts for family and friends in an on-flight bag and making sure I've packed with attention to various rules. By the time I was finished, it was time to sleep.
Day 32: Geneva --> home
I reached the airport, checked in easily, and found a comfortable seat to sip a cup of coffee.
My flight was not full, so I had a window seat with no one beside me -- a welcome turn of events.
I caught a few glimpses of the magnificent Alps south and west of Geneva before the plane ascended above the cloud cover. I can almost always sleep on planes, but I wasn't able to do so on this flight, even though I felt tired.Once at Dulles, the line for passport control was ridiculously long. After almost an hour and a half of "shove and shuffle," I shoved my on-board bag forward with my foot, and instead of shuffling forward, I tripped on it and fell. Yep, at the end of my trip I landed at Dulles, and then tripped, and landed at Dulles.
Ouch!Soon I was home and in the loving, welcoming paws of my dear cats
-- and noticing that my wrist was painful and swollen -- very swollen -- and ice wasn't helping one bit. OMG: I had broken my wrist! 
But I'm truly fortunate -- it was a small, non-dislocated fracture that didn't prevent me from using my fingers, and it was at the end of the trip (not before or during it). Too, I'm glad to say that it's been healing well -- after a couple of months with cast and then splint, I'm finally free of external support and am regaining strength and flexibility. It's not the way I would like to finish a journey, but I'm so lucky that it wasn't worse!Speaking of luck... I remain awed at my great good fortune to have been able to take this trip and to see and experience so many of the delights of this part of the world! I was a wonderful journey, and even if I was tired by the end, I wouldn't have given up any of those amazing moments. (Well, OK, I'd give up some of the scary drive moments.
) I know most people would have hated my itinerary, but it worked for me, and as I said near the start of this lengthy report, I think I succeeded quite well in my effort to include a delightful and diverse range of artistic, architectural, and scenic experiences. And I ate well, and enjoyed some lovely wines, and walked through colorful markets, and was touched by the kindness of many, many people. And when it comes to the kindness of people -- many thanks again to all of you who helped me make my plans.And my thanks, too, to everyone who followed along and posted now and again! I've had fun reliving my trip and have been delighted to have so many interested and supportive vicarious companions. I hope you enjoyed the ride without the sore feet and aching muscles that plagued me at the end of some of those days en route.
I remain available for questions and would love to hear from any of you who haven't spoken up yet -- including anyone who reads this report in the future.
And a warning: I'm not quite done. Next up: A response to Coquelicot's question about planning. (I do hope you still want that answer, Coquelicot! If not, please say so NOW.)
Aug 10th, 2019, 08:56 PM
#208
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Wow, so sorry to hear about your accident at the end of your trip! But, just be glad it was at the end. A few years ago on my trip to Thailand, I tripped at the top of a few steps on my way in to dinner at the end of the second day, just one of those freak things. I lost the rest of my trip, as I spent the next week in a Thai hospital with my leg in a cast! So you were lucky to have it happen at the end!😁
Aug 10th, 2019, 10:55 PM
#209
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I thoroughly enjoyed your report 😊OMG so glad your fall was at the very end! I fell in Versailles only a few days into a trip. At least the pharmacists in Paris were great. I ended up with knee surgery from that fall a few months later.
Aug 11th, 2019, 04:30 AM
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Still here, kja, and still interested in your planning process if it's not too much trouble. Sorry to hear about the fall at Dulles. Airports to me are the worst part of a trip. Probably typing your trip report didn't do your wrist any good, but as we all now know, you're a trouper.
I'm hoping that learning about how you did such intricate planning will help me plan our upcoming trip. When we go to France we do the same things that we love over and over. What with wanting to repeat all our old favorites, it's hard to add new things. We have four unplanned days in September that I hope to get inspiration for. Unfortunately, we won't be in any of the territory that you covered or my work would be done.
I'm hoping that learning about how you did such intricate planning will help me plan our upcoming trip. When we go to France we do the same things that we love over and over. What with wanting to repeat all our old favorites, it's hard to add new things. We have four unplanned days in September that I hope to get inspiration for. Unfortunately, we won't be in any of the territory that you covered or my work would be done.
Aug 11th, 2019, 06:02 AM
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Kja, thank you so much for taking the time to write such a beautiful, evocative, and detailed trip report!
I love your descriptions of Annecy; it sounds lovely despite the crowds. My husband recently read an article about Annecy and expressed an interest in visiting, so it is now on our “to go to” list.
I’m so sorry to hear that you fell in Dulles, but at least your accident happened at the end of your trip. I am amazed you have been able to type your report! And SusanP and mms, hearing about your falls makes me a tad nervous, too. I had to cancel our Croatia trip initially scheduled for this past April because my arthritic hip got much worse, and I had to move up hip replacement surgery. We are now scheduled to leave September 3 for Croatia. I am perfectly able to take this trip, but I do have a fear of falling, which could dislocate my new hip. I am bringing a fold-up cane with me, and will have to be extra careful around the cobblestones and uneven paving.
kja, do let us know where your next trip will be. You take such adventurous and interesting trips, and you include so much.
I love your descriptions of Annecy; it sounds lovely despite the crowds. My husband recently read an article about Annecy and expressed an interest in visiting, so it is now on our “to go to” list.
I’m so sorry to hear that you fell in Dulles, but at least your accident happened at the end of your trip. I am amazed you have been able to type your report! And SusanP and mms, hearing about your falls makes me a tad nervous, too. I had to cancel our Croatia trip initially scheduled for this past April because my arthritic hip got much worse, and I had to move up hip replacement surgery. We are now scheduled to leave September 3 for Croatia. I am perfectly able to take this trip, but I do have a fear of falling, which could dislocate my new hip. I am bringing a fold-up cane with me, and will have to be extra careful around the cobblestones and uneven paving.
kja, do let us know where your next trip will be. You take such adventurous and interesting trips, and you include so much.
Aug 11th, 2019, 06:30 AM
#212
kja -- what a fabulous trip and TR. Thanks so much for taking all the time to share it with all of us. You've made me think about revisiting some familar places and opened my eyes to some new ones. Glad to hear your arm is healing. Count me as another who fel while traveling in Italy and broke my shoulder. Italian hospitals are a trip indeed! Fortunately, I only had about 5 days left of a month-long trip, so not as bad as at the start of a trip where we were hiking in Switzerland. It does make me very cautious as I walk esp while traveling.
KarenWoo -- I'm looking forward to hearing about your trip. I hope it's wonderful.
KarenWoo -- I'm looking forward to hearing about your trip. I hope it's wonderful.
Aug 11th, 2019, 07:43 AM
#214
kja: So sorry to hear about your fall at Dulles and broken arm as a result of that fall but as everyone said, glad it was at the end of your trip and not at the beginning or during.
I'm so impressed that you were able to write this detailed report as it surely put a strain on your arm.
I, too, will be interested in reading your trip planning process. We can all learn something from reading how others plan their trips.
Thanks again for a wonderful report!
I'm so impressed that you were able to write this detailed report as it surely put a strain on your arm.
I, too, will be interested in reading your trip planning process. We can all learn something from reading how others plan their trips.
Thanks again for a wonderful report!
Aug 11th, 2019, 07:50 AM
#215
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KarenWoo--My fall was proof to me that I am glad I purchase trip insurance. Our medical insurance does not cover us outside of the US and I am not going to gamble on my health. A fall can happen at any age. I was in my early 40's on that trip. I just missed a step and slid down a bunch more stairs, so something than can happen to anyone. WhenI got up, my daughter knew immediately that I wasn't to fine. I could not bend my leg at all for the duration of the trip. I emailed my husband and told him to make a knee dr appt for me for as soon as we returned. On another trip we saw a lady trip on the cobblestones and fall face first. She was wearing glasses and was a mess. An ambulance had to come get her. So yes, insurance is something I won't skimp on. Hope you have a great trip and that the hip does fine. I know you will be extra careful, as thats what we do
. Hope you have a great trip and that the hip does fine. I know you will be extra careful, as thats what we do
Aug 11th, 2019, 08:44 AM
#216
I went with a friend on my first trip to Vietnam, and he fell down the stairs in the hotel. Couldn't walk anymore. We went to a hospital that had equipment that seemed to have been designed by Jules Verne. X-ray, etc., but nothing was broken, just a sprain. After a heavy duty prescription of who knows what, he was back on his feet the next day. (Don't worry, everything has changed in Saigon since then if you have a problem.) He was only 32 at the time, so there is no age for an unexpected accident.
Aug 11th, 2019, 09:24 AM
#217
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Wow! So many nice messages to start my day.
@ SusanP: I couldn't agree more -- I was so lucky that my injury was after my trip! It must have been so frustrating for you in Thailand. Were you satisfied with your care there? Did you go back?
@ mms: Thanks for your kind words, and sorry about your fall! It is ridiculously easy to slip, isn't it? Good to know that the pharmacists in Paris served you well and that your daughter was there to help. And I agree completely about insurance -- and am glad you had it!
@ Coquelicot: I'll post more than you could possibly want to know about how I plan later today or tomorrow. And thanks for your concern about my wrist -- the psychological benefits of sharing my trip far outweighed any physical difficult posed by tying. :}
@ KarenWoo: Many thanks for your compliments, and for your condolences -- really, my injury could have been so very much worse! I hope your recovery from hip replacement therapy has been smooth and that the outcome makes it completely worthwhile. Croatia is absolutely delightful, IMO -- I spent a month in that area in 2009, and loved every minute! IIRC, some of the streets in Dubrovnik, Split, Trogir, and Zadar can be a bit slippery when wet -- the surfaces have been smoothed by centuries of footsteps -- so do be careful! (Not nervous, just careful.)
@ yestravel: Many thanks, and oh no! A broken shoulder in Italy? A fall near the beginning of a hiking trip to Switzerland? No more of that, please!
@ kerouac: Annecy is lovely, but oooh, it was crowded that first day I was there! It was nice to see a bit of it the next afternoon, after most people had returned to their homes. And wow, I bet that experience in Vietnam held some scary moments for both you and your friend -- I'm glad he was OK!
@ TravelerKaren: Thanks for the lovely words and thoughts. Who knows -- maybe all the typing helped keep my fingers flexible as my wrist was immobilized? (Not that I would make the same claim about all the typing I had to do for work - hahaha!)
@ SusanP: I couldn't agree more -- I was so lucky that my injury was after my trip! It must have been so frustrating for you in Thailand.
Were you satisfied with your care there? Did you go back?@ mms: Thanks for your kind words, and sorry about your fall! It is ridiculously easy to slip, isn't it? Good to know that the pharmacists in Paris served you well and that your daughter was there to help. And I agree completely about insurance -- and am glad you had it!
@ Coquelicot: I'll post more than you could possibly want to know about how I plan later today or tomorrow. And thanks for your concern about my wrist -- the psychological benefits of sharing my trip far outweighed any physical difficult posed by tying. :}
@ KarenWoo: Many thanks for your compliments, and for your condolences -- really, my injury could have been so very much worse! I hope your recovery from hip replacement therapy has been smooth and that the outcome makes it completely worthwhile. Croatia is absolutely delightful, IMO -- I spent a month in that area in 2009, and loved every minute! IIRC, some of the streets in Dubrovnik, Split, Trogir, and Zadar can be a bit slippery when wet -- the surfaces have been smoothed by centuries of footsteps -- so do be careful! (Not nervous, just careful.)
@ yestravel: Many thanks, and oh no! A broken shoulder in Italy? A fall near the beginning of a hiking trip to Switzerland? No more of that, please!
@ kerouac: Annecy is lovely, but oooh, it was crowded that first day I was there! It was nice to see a bit of it the next afternoon, after most people had returned to their homes. And wow, I bet that experience in Vietnam held some scary moments for both you and your friend -- I'm glad he was OK!
@ TravelerKaren: Thanks for the lovely words and thoughts. Who knows -- maybe all the typing helped keep my fingers flexible as my wrist was immobilized? (Not that I would make the same claim about all the typing I had to do for work - hahaha!)
Aug 11th, 2019, 10:17 AM
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Sorry to hear about your fall - as you note, lucky it was at the very end of your trip.
Thanks soo much for this wonderful report. I feel like I was right there beside you for much of the trip.
I'll look forward to your next trip!
Thanks soo much for this wonderful report. I feel like I was right there beside you for much of the trip.
I'll look forward to your next trip!
Aug 11th, 2019, 10:41 AM
#219
Thanks so much for the TR!
Sorry about your fall, but at least you timed it well. Oddly, I fell and broke my wrist in Murren right after visiting Annecy in 2003. Unfortunately it was a bad break, I had to activate my evacuation insurance and it took months and some painful PT to get it working again. And it was near the beginning of a trip that was supposed to end in Greece...
Looking forward to reading about your planning.
Sorry about your fall, but at least you timed it well. Oddly, I fell and broke my wrist in Murren right after visiting Annecy in 2003. Unfortunately it was a bad break, I had to activate my evacuation insurance and it took months and some painful PT to get it working again. And it was near the beginning of a trip that was supposed to end in Greece...
Looking forward to reading about your planning.
Aug 11th, 2019, 10:58 AM
#220
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Amazing how many of us have had a fall! The care at the hospital in Bangkok was good. Some of the nurses didn't speak English, but if I really needed to ask something, I just said "English?" and they would go and get somebody who did. I haven't been back to Thailand but haven't let it stop me from traveling. Since then have been to South Africa and Swaziland, Greece, Spain, and back to Italy. Just booked a trip to Vietnam for February. Leave for Italy again in a few weeks. Everyone should buy trip insurance!!! My mishap was expensive. Between hospital, doctor, x-rays, etc, plus I had to have a nurse escort home because I couldn't put any weight at all on the leg...came to over $21,000. Insurance covered everything.
