St Malo

A beautiful old walled city

Despite getting to bed really late last night John set the alarm so that we could get up at 5am to see the sunrise from the ferry. What a romantic! We crept up to the top deck and saw no other signs of life as we went forth at that early hour. No-one up but us and the captain. It was cold and windy out there on the deck. We perservered until the sun rose and then fled back to the warmth and comfort of our cabin for a quick shower before breakfast.

Showered and packed, we went in search of breakfast and chose some croissants and coffee from the casual bistro rather than braving the bigger restaurants. We'd barely finished our coffee when we saw St Malo Harbour in the near distance. It was fun to watch the ferry manouvre into position and John hung at the railing watching the deckhands handle the ropes. Perhaps he's missing the City Cats.

We come into St Malo harbour

We were one of the first people to disembark. The customs check involved a quick glance at our passports and then we were waved through. We found a taxi waiting outside the ferry terminal and went straight to our hotel expecting to just drop off our bags and then go back into St Malo to explore. Surprisingly, our room was ready for us, so John caught up on some lost sleep before we headed out while Barb played with this blog.

The concierge at our hotel speaks English and advised us how to catch a bus into town. The bus stop is only a few hundred metres from the hotel: an easy walk.

John bought the tickets on board the bus. He almost couldn't believe the driver when she said it would be two euros fifty cents for both of us to go into town (about 25 minute trip). Take note Queensland Translink ..... your fares are outrageous compared to here. One person couldn't get across the river for that in Brisbane.

John at the gates

in the streets of St Malo

The bus dropped us at St Vincent just outside the gates of the old walled city. Across the road was an Information Centre and it was here asked a young lady on the desk there for advice about how to get to Mont St Michel tomorrow. Apparently there is one bus which leaves at 0930am and she gave vague descriptions of where the bus stop was. It's only a temporary one at the moment while a new one is built. We searched but couldn't locate it.Somewhere across from the Casino: but where?? Back we went into the Information centre. A different lady again gave descriptions, but we are still perplexed. Lost in translation? Or maybe we're just both tired and can't take in instructions. Hopefully we'll find it before 9.30 am tomorrow.

We set off into town in seach of lunch and picked a creperie. Barb had the best Coquille St Jaques and smoked salmon crepe ever. We are in food heaven! This was confirmed later in the afternoon when we tried a creme brulee at a cafe. The sugar crystals on top were flamed expertly by the waiter at the table and it tasted divine!

at the creperie

a proper creme brulee

John in outdoor cafe

To walk off all (we hope) the above-mentioned caloric intake, we did an almost complete circuit of the top of the wall around the perimeter of the town. The views are fantastic and the weather couldn't have been more perfect. It was very warm in the sun without actually burning. We also discovered where we might catch a small waterbus to Cancale or Dinard on Sunday.

Barb has been cruelly reminded of one of the things she doesn't like about France. The public toilets!
These are usually unisex, and although Barb is no prude (she's a urology nurse after all) she does find it confronting to have to share a loo with men peeing at the urinal in view. Note to self: use restaurant loos if possible. These are more likely to be separate male/female affairs.