Cassis and Calanques

So we arrive in Aix, get a little orientation, and then the next day we go off on our first adventure to the Mediterranean town of Cassis. Blue sky, sun, rolling hills, beautiful water, a great beach, idyllic in every sense of the word. We descend a zigzagging route and arrive at the sea only to find a traditional provincial celebration for the Fete du Vin (wine), with Provence's wine growing families dressed in traditional provence attire and walking the parade route around a small circle in wagons carried by donkeys and horses, with the mayor of Cassis narrating and describing each family as they paraded by. Some were throwing little sachets of lavender or other spices.  After that nice little introduction to Provence, we hopped on a boat to tour the bay and the Calanques of Cassis (seacliffs). An hour out on the water and then we were free to explore Cassis, so we walked around the small little shops, bought some sandwiches and ice cream, and walked down to the beach to tan and test the water. We all got to know each other a little better which was good, and we stayed together for the most part as the beach was rather small. A successful fun in the sun voyage. We stopped the bus on the way back for a second to get a breathtaking view of the region from atop a mountain and take a picture of the seacliffs, we were literally on a cliff at the time and without barriers it was a little scary standing a foot from the edge of the drop, but the view was unbelievable. I sadly didn't take many pics in Cassis.  Then we returned to Aix, worn out but ready for more fun and nightlife in Aix!