Day 2 ...Provence, France！ 法國, 普羅旺斯

Despite the comfy bed, I didn't sleep well because of partly because I was finishing some outstanding work, and partly because of jag-lag, and I was still coughing. The dry air was not helping much either.

Knowing that I had to wake up early as the meeting time of the pre-booked Provence Le Grand Tour is at 9 am 11 October 2019, I ordered my breakfast in the hotel the night before. For EUR 9, one could choose from yogurt, cereals, croissant to cheese and ham, and there was a free flow of coffee and tea.

I arrived outside the tourist office at 9 am sharp, my guide Remi and the rest of the group were already there.

The first stop was Triumphal Arch followed by Théâtre Antique d'Orange (Antique Theater of Orange).

The second stop was Musen tour and wine-tasting at Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Then we had to go back to Avignon to drop off some people and pick up some others. Hence, there was no time for a sit-down lunch and I had to buy a sandwich and ate in the van.

Next, Remi took us to explore two villages in Luberon National Park and UNESCO World Heritage-listed Pont du Gard on the way back.

It was late by the time we got back to Avignon, and I was still stuffed, so I didn't have any dinner and went straight to bed.

Day 1 ...Provence, France！ 法國, 普羅旺斯

I traveled out from Kuala Lumpur on 9 October 2019 on a direct red-eye British Airway flight to London. With a less than 2 hours layover, I arrived at Marseille, France, in the mid-morning of 10 October. It was cold, around 17C that morning, luckily I was wearing my fleece jacket.

The free shuttle bus to the Vitrolles Airport train station is available from Platform 5 right outside the left of the airport. While I was waiting for the bus, I bought a train ticket to Avignon Centre from the machine there. There was not much signage at the train station except a small TV showing the destinations of the oncoming train.

It took about an hour to reach Avignon, and Hôtel Boquier is just a five minutes walk from the train station. Hôtel Boquier is a small two-star hotel hidden along the main road Cours Jean Jaurès. It is only one minute away from the Tourism Office where is the meeting point for most ground trips. I like Hôtel Boquier, the room might be a bit small, but it was clean, bright and airy while the bed was comfortable and good water pressure for the shower.

After a much-needed shower, I headed out as I bought tickets to visit the Palace of the Popes & Pont d'Avignon. I was hungry and wanted to snack, so I got myself four pieces of churros for EUR2 along the street to munch on.

When I arrived outside the Palais des Papes, this busker was playing La Vie En Rose on his harmonica. 

I walked a total of 15,110 steps that day, exhausted, I had a quick dinner at the close-by diner The Brasserie du Théâtre and turned in early.

Here I go...Provence, France！ 法國, 普羅旺斯 - 出發咯！

I wanted to go to Provence because I saw this video somewhere. I was so mesmerised, and I even tried to bring the exhibition to Kuala Lumpur when an opportunity arose. But then it didn't work out. 

A few months passed, I was looking for an escape - a break from it all. Where shall I go? I have never travel for leisure on my own. All the previous travel ideas came from whoever traveling with me. I was clueless until the video popped up on my Facebook again.

So, Provence, here I go.

As I was researching the logistic, I found kimkim. I just need to answer when, where to go and what I want to do, they gave me a proposal :

Day 1: Arrival in Avignon

Day 2: The Gourmet tour of Avignon - Shared activity

Day 3: Avignon, City of the Popes

Day 4: Van Gogh in Provence

Day 5: From the medieval Avignon to the Mediterranean Marseille

Day 6: Half-day morning tour in Cassis

Day 7: Marseille Off The Beaten Path Walking Tour

Day 8: Departure from Provence

As I plan to go during the first half of October, it is considered as the off-peak season.  But it would still cost me about USD$1,750 (~MYR7,300) which was above my expectation as it did not include my flights nor any pocket money.

At the same time, while I was researching for the most value for money flights, I found that Tripadvisor, Expedia, and Viator offer plenty of ideas and options.

So, I booked both my flights and accommodations via Expedia for about MYR5,000 while my ground tours via Viator for less than MYR1,700.  I have also changed MYR1,850 for EUR400 as pocket money for use when a credit card is not accepted.