Déjà Vu

Today we want to go to France. We really enjoyed it here in the Cinque Terre, and there is still so much to see and do, but there should be a reason to come back and we actually wanted to continue towards Spain and Portugal. Therefore, after breakfast, we pack up and hit the road.

The tank of our van is big, but after 1000km, it's time to add some fuel. We put 120 euros in the trust-inspiring Italian fuel station machines, and the diesel starts running into our tank. We do need diesel, right?

After the first five liters, there is a short tense pause. Two minutes and two Google searches later, the fuel continues - we just wanted to make sure. Actually, we were already sure.

Afterwards, Basti gets to drive the curvy and narrow road out of the mountains to the highway. Well, actually he has to drive the car for the entire 5 hours today. Chrissi's immune system gave up during the night and allowed a nasty cold. It was probably a bit drafty yesterday on the hiking trail.

In any case, Chrissi now has a great cold, with alternating tears in both eyes, and that's not suitable for driving.

Since Basti is also not one hundred percent fit, we take several breaks where we retreat to bed for a few minutes. Thanks to the power naps, we arrive at the Cote d’Azur a bit later than planned, but reasonably well-rested.

On the last 25 km, we drive through a whopping 21 roundabouts, the French are crazy, and thanks to the great route guidance of Google Maps, we end up at an underpass in the middle of nowhere. The problem is that there are large signs indicating the height of the underpass at 2.60m. We check the vehicle registration document and realize that it will be tight. We are 2.65m tall. Is that calculated with or without the awning? No idea.

We let a few cars pass and then make a decision. We don't feel like driving around extensively, and the tunnel is surely 3.5 meters high, right? So, Basti starts driving carefully, and Chrissi watches and screams if it doesn't work. If necessary, we'll reverse out again.

But it's not that bad, we actually fit easily, there is still plenty of space above, to the right and to the left, and relieved, Chrissi gets back in the car. With a wide grin and very satisfied with ourselves, we drive the last kilometers. Just outside St.Raphael near Frejus, there are several campsites right by the sea. Based on the reviews on Google, we decide on "Royal Camping," which is suitable for our honeymoon.

As soon as we enter the campsite, everything seems somehow familiar. The "squinting" Chrissi forgets to put on her sunglasses when she gets out of the car. Maybe that's why the campsite owner is so nice and accommodating to us, giving us the last available pitch, personally showing us in, and saying that the ordered croissants will be placed directly on our table tomorrow morning. We decide to check tomorrow morning if the other campers also get their rolls delivered to their tables and take a quick look at the beach.

As we stand there in the small private bay, with a sandy beach, deep blue water, and red rocks all around, it's clear that we've been here before. Back then, with seven of us and pretty tired, it was the first stop of our road trip in 2012. How funny that we unintentionally chose the same campsite again.

The hunger finally makes itself felt. After all, we haven't had lunch. Chrissi conjures up penne with asparagus-ham-cream sauce.

Happy but quite exhausted, we enjoy the meal. Chrissi immediately goes to bed afterwards, while Basti reads for a while.

The campsite is quite crowded, and we have many families with young children around us. Let's see how we sleep here.