June 9, 2003: Chenonceau and a Loire Vineyard

We got up at 6 am, got dressed, and went down to breakfast at 7:00. Then mom and I came back up to the room to wait before we left on the bus. We drove to a Chateau in the Loire Valley called Chenonceau. It is huge with two gardens and many beautiful rooms.

In front of Chenonceau.

We got back on the bus and drove to Amboise. Mom, Kristi, and I ate lunch at a little cafe. We went shopping afterwards. We met back with the group and toured the Chateau d'Amboise (that tour sucked!). Mom and I had ice cream then saw DaVinci's tomb. The ice cream was the best part. After the Chateau we shopped while others went to DaVinci's house.

We walked back to the bus and drove to a vineyard and wine bottling company.

We got to see the caves that store the wine. Mom bought four bottles after the wine tasting. It was very cheap. I didn't taste any. We got back on the bus and drove to our hotel. It's a Best Western and it's very cute with blue, yellow, and white everywhere. We went to dinner after checking in.

We had salad, salmon, and chocolate mousse. I went back to the hotel and watched Spanish movies with French subtitles. Afterwards I took a bath, watched CNN, and went to sleep.