We awoke today to finer weather, which was slightly annoying as we weren't skiing today.
We were leaving this morning on the bus to get the train to Lyon.
We checked out of the Hotel Eliova Genepi, (We only worked last night that Genepi is the local spirit, kinda like a sweet vermouth) and made our way to Meribel Village to get the bus.
Note: if you ever come to Meribel, Meribel Village and Meribel Centre are two different places, 5 min bus ride apart.
We waited for the bus in Meribel village and I wandered for a bit taking some pics of the village buildings. It's a pretty place. So warm and welcoming!
We got to the station early so caught an early train to Lyon, which was lucky in a way because when we got there it took us a while to get to the apartment I had organised.
The train from the mountains to Lyon took just under 3 hrs. We got out at Gare Lyon Part Dieu station and caught a bus to Bellecour, a large plaza in the centre of Lyon, on the island bit that is bounded by the a river Saone and River Rhone.
We made our way over the old stone bridge across the Saone and into the historic district of Saint Jean. It was starting to rain and our backpacks were heavy, so it wasn't the most comfortable of walks to our apartment.
I had booked us a little studio in an old building in the district, on a street called Petite Rue Tramassac, which is a small lane really, not on any map. To make matters more confusing, there's a steet called a Rue Tramassac nearby, so we thought it was off it, but no. It took us a good 45mins to find the place which was only by chance, so good thing we got to Lyon early!
We were to meet a man by the name of a Jean Luc at 5 and he would let us in and give us the keys.
As we had arrived early we had to wait under a porch for 30mins to escape the rain until he arrived.
It was pretty miserable.
We were both anxious that he wouldn't meet us or something would go astray, but sure enough at 5:02 a man greeted us with a friendly "bonjour" and we were inside!
The apartment is pretty cool, although Simi and I both could do without the very steep spiral stone staircase up. But its pretty awesome though, so old world and full of character!
Inside, the apartment has been freshened up but there is still some cool old timber beams and we have a view of our neighbour directly across...fantastic (sic)!
We had a little rest and settled our things before heading out for something to eat. The streets are really beautiful, more like lanes really. Narrow, cobble stoned with 4-5 storey buildings lining each side of the street.
We wandered for a bit checking menus if all the little places. Simi didn't feel like much, just a soup. I was pretty easy.
We found ourselves in a large plaza all of a sudden, standing in front of a large church. It's quite cool how the narrow streets and small plazas force you to look up st these large cathedrals.
We settle on a place for dinner. 3 courses for 16euro isn't bad!
For entree I had a goats cheese pannacotta while sim had a salad. It was very nice, although our mains were terrible. Veal sausage with I reckon half a jar if a French seeded mustard, way too rich for me. Sim had a fish cake looking thing which wasn't too flash either. Oh well, our first real meal letdown!
The wine was good at least!!!
We headed back to the apartment. We weren't looking forward to the stairs up, although we were looking forward to a comfier bed and pillows. The last week of sleeping has been hell. I wonder how much busy is generated for massage parlours from people backpacking and staying in poor accommodation!
We are both going to need a good massage after this trip.
Night all!
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