Toulon & Mallorca
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Toulon is France's major naval center on the Mediterranean and the French Fleet is based here. Toulon
features in Victor Hugo's Les Miserables. What an interesting place this is! Beautiful murals are painted on the sides of buildings describing times
gone by and there are even a couple of statues, in bronze, sitting at a table in the street. Of course we had to join them
and have a photo taken here. The locals are so friendly and when we asked for directions to see the ship carved in stone, they walked with us and showed
us where it was. The center square was lovely with a church and many outside restaurants so one could sit outside and enjoy the lifestyle here. There was also
a wine shop that refilled your own bottles! On the way bak to the ship we passed through the local markets and were amazed at the quality of the local fruit
and vegetables.
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Today we were visiting Palma de Mallorca on the island of Majorca, Balearic Isalnds. Even before we got started we could see the magnificent Gothic Cathedral of Palma from the shore walkway. We continued
along a small street of restaurants and then climbed some stairs to the Cathedral level. This was called the Le Seu Cathedral and began in 1230 but not finished until 1601.
This church is famous for its Rose windows with one being 12m across and studded with 1,236 pieces of glass. The interior has very high ceilings, lots of gold statues and seating for hundreds of people.
There is also a glass floor over some of the original stonework that lies beneath the Cathedral floor. Bellver Castle is a 14th century circular castle which is now one of the tourist attractions on the island.
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