Japanese maples, roses, poppies - you name them - the gardens at Giverny seemingly were a random riot of color. That includes the inside of Monet's house where the clashing blues of the kitchen were intentional; apparently, bugs don't like the color blue. Note to self: Paint kitchen blue.
We also went for a brief jaunt into the medieval town of Vernon. Skipping lunch on the ship, we opted for a Croque Monsieur and San Pellegrino at a local cafe. Thought tempting, we didn't have to join time to join the Socialist Party, whose headquarters are located across the street.
At 6:58 p.m. many of the octogenarians on board, who must have taken a side trip to Lourdes, were able to cast off their canes and walkers and sprint toward the hermetically sealed doors of the restaurant, which only can be opened at the behest of the V lady and her electronic chime. Remember this is a Swiss ship.
Dinners are four courses (European portions) of miniature fine art, almost too beautiful to eat. Somehow we managed to survive. The following is a sample haute cuisine menu:
HORS D'OEUVRES
Tandoori chicken in green rice flakes, parmesan foam and tomato tartar
SOUP
Cappuccino of forest mushrooms
WARM APPETIZER
Pan-fried scallops a la Rouen with Tagliarini and grapefruit sauce
MAIN COURSE
Fillet of beef with herb-truffle crust and French foie gras sauce, vegetable strudel and potato cake
or
Poached filet of halibut on morel sauce, leek-fennel vegetable and rice
or
Vegetables in puff pastry
DESSERT
Baked Alaska and Petits Fours
CHEESE
Variation of French and international cheese
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