The South of France is my favorite place in the world. In particular, the little town of Antibes. This beautiful city was inspiration for Monet, Picasso, F. Scott Fitzgerald. Last week on A Traveler’s Library, author Vera Marie Badertscher showed a photo of a view through a window during her travels. That photo started me thinking about great views during my travels and my mind drifted back to Provence. I captured the photo above during one of my most memorable “wow” moments, and perhaps what I would call one of the most perfect moments of my life.
Seaside dining at “Le Cesar” on Plage Keller in Cap D’Antibes France. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham
This photo was from a small restaurant on a stretch of beach known as Plage Keller. The beach is on the Cap D’Antibes, or a small cape that extends beyond the town of Antibes-Juan les Pins, on the French Riviera. The best way to get to the beach is along a walking path that takes you along the coast, past the waves crashing onto the rocks, for about 15 minutes. I will always treasure this lunch on the beach. The blue water of the Mediterranean, the bright yellow umbrellas and lounge chairs, the pretty blue glasses on the tables, and the yachts anchored offshore were right out of a movie set.
I sat for several hours that afternoon, enjoying a delicious lunch, the slight breeze off the water, the warm spring sun, and the conversation of two other women traveling with me. There have been untold times in the years since then that I have closed my eyes and transported myself back to that afternoon when the world simply disappeared for a while. When I look at this photo, I can almost feel the sea breezes. Those are the moments that make me eager to pack my bags and look for the next “wow” moment, and perhaps a new favorite place.
Glad that my photos of windows triggered such a fantastic memory.