“After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.” ~ Nelson Mandela

Today is our last day of cruising as tomorrow and Friday we spend the days by trains, plane, and automobiles, going our separate ways to wherever we call home. Today we arrived early in Arles. Arles is the largest wetland in France. The city has a long history and was considered essential during the Roman Empire and the monuments of Arles are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Many artists have lived and worked in Arles because of the southern light including Picasso, Gauguin, Reattu, Brown, and Van Gogh. We traveled to Les Baux to the Carrieres des Lumuieres exhibition. It is held at a quarry that was dug out over many years to extract the limestone. Masterpieces are projected onto the quarry’s huge walls, pillars, and floors. by over 100 video projectors. They transport you to colorful worlds with music. It was incredible and I am sure better seen in person.

Then we took a short bus trip to Baux en Provence. It is located in the Alpiiles mountains, atop a rocky outcrop that is crowned with a ruined castle overlooking some plains. It is considered one of the most beautiful villages in France, It boasts only twenty-two residents. The cobblestone streets and the hills that only seemed to go up and never down were my undoing. It felt as if I was in the Sound of Music singing Climb Every Mountain!

“Climb ev’ry mountain,
Search high and low,
Follow ev’ry byway,
Every path you know.”

I made it less than halfway up the steep treacherous narrow street. The cobblestones won.

“The things that I see as I walk along the streets, a little flower that blooms in May, a lovely sunset at the end of a day, someone helping a stranger along the way, that’s heaven to me. “

~ Sam Cooke, singer, and songwriter

We stopped in a cafe for a cappuccino and a pot of tea to rest.

We spent the afternoon packing and having a glass of rose with some friends in wonderful conversation. It’s been a lovely trip and though I am a little sad to see it end, I am happy for the experiences we have, the friends we learned more about and the new friends and new memories made.

“Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” ~ Dr Seuss

Memories of Laughter
~Catherine Pulsifer

“Memories so sweet, we do not forget.
Filled with laughter, good times with no regrets.
Surrounded by the love of family and friends,
May moments and memories of laughter never end.

Life passes so quickly, in an ever twisting-direction,
Moments spent together are those that get our affection!
We’ll cherish the memories for many years to come,
Laughter and smiles make our hearts hum.”