MONDAY

During the morning cruise, the cruisers saw "cowboys" training steers.

The bike ride started at 9 AM, included a stop for a picnic lunch, and met the boat around 2 PM. The first part of the ride was along a gravel road. The rest of it was on a lightly travel road. Photos 3 and 4 show some of the wild flowers that were along the banks of the small canal. That canal was used to provide the proper wetness for rice fields (sorry, forgot to take a picture of a rice field). Photo 5 shows some black steers. The remaining photos were taken after we left the canal - back in vineyard country.

In the afternoon, we took a bus tour to Arles. One of Arles claims to fame is that Van Gogh did some of his paintings there. Plaques indicate where he did specific paintings. Photo 1 is where he painted Starry Night, which is shown in photo 2. Photos 3 through 6 show various buildings in Arles.

Arles has a amphitheater, built in 60 AD, which is still used for events! Unlike most of these Roman buildings, not many of these stones were appropriated by later generations for other buildings.

View of Arles from the amphitheater.

In Arles' main square there is the Trophime Cathedral which has beautiful architecture. In the same square there is an obelisk with interesting water fountains.

My favorite spot in Arles was the former "Hospital of Arles" where Van Gogh was a patient. Photo 2 shows his painting of the terrace. Photo 3 shows our tour guide Jonathan as he was giving us info about the spot. Photo 4 shows a church which has an entrance to catacombs under it..

Another favorite spot of mine was where Van Gogh painted his "Café Terrace at Night". The last photo shows Don & Polly Tritschler, Dick Daniels, Sandy Cole, Maxine Scott, Allyn Bradford.

These two photos show Roman ruins seen from banks of the Rhone.

We made a brief stop at a German Castle on way to Vallabregues where the barge was waiting for us.