Mediterranean Iconic Shores Ocean Cruise

Day 31: Saturday, November 29, 2025 - Sète, France

The day's statistics:
-  Weather: low 60s
-  Steps: Linda: 11,533; Steve: 15,962

Our normal routine was actually starting to come to an end: awake, get ready, and go to the World Café for breakfast.
The ship was far enough west and still in the same timezone as Montenegro that when we went to breakfast two weeks ago, the sun was up. Today, it was not yet. But the sun was rising while we were at breakfast.




We retuned to the cabin to prep for this morning's excursion.

Today's excursion was "Scenic Sète by Foot", and our guide was Jean Paul, or "JP".
No one is permitted to walk through the port and anyone - be they with a tour group or on their own - HAD to take a complimentary shuttle bus over to the port entrance.
The group debussed and JP reviewed the city map that was at the security booth. Then we began our "by foot" stroll.
JP was, let's say, very animated (not that there is anything wrong with that). He was carrying a fife with him and played a song of his country while we began our walk.
Our first stop was at a sample-free shop that made small hand-held and medium probably-need-a-fork-and-plate size octopus pies called "tielle", a staple of the city and region.


I thnk Viking could have splurged and paid for samples for the group...
Anyway, continuing on, we headed toward the canal.
This particular canal is famous for an annual event - that we were not present for as it takes place in late August as part of the Saint Louis Festival - called "water jousting". Rowers row boats toward each other on the canal and each boat has one participant that holds a lance. Boats compete until ones last boat remains and is crowned the winner.
The group walked along the canal to the next bridge, then crossed over, viewing some interesting sights like colorful facades as well as passing by some water taxis (both literally and figuratively).









After crossing the bridge, we crossed a street. The road was one-way (the other way was on the other side) and there were clear markings for bicyclists as well as pedestrians (there is a painted line just out of frame on the pedistrian photo).


Because of the posts and the traffic lane, a delivery truck temporarily blocked traffic as the driver had to make a delivery and had no choice but to stop and block the roadway. But the drivers behind her were actually patient and not a single one beeped their horn while they waited. Nice.
Our route took us up a flight of stairs that ended in front of the local tourism office - that had advertisements for the water jousting.




During the journey, JP played quite a few songs - telling us that he is actually in a band too.

The route took us through a small park with an octopus fountain, being set up for Christmas too.





The group exited the park on the far side, and we continued on, eventaully stopping in front of Halles de Sète, a fresh food market.


JP took us inside and took us around a number of the booths.
It was Saturday morning so it was somewhat busy.









The food looked yummy, and I can see why it was so busy.
We were given fifteen minutes to use the facilities, make any purchase we may want to, and meet out front. We eventually made our way out front.

We were thinking about getting an octopus pie, but decided not to as it was a decent size, we didn't want to eat too much, and were a little concerned that if we didn't like it, what would we do with it (other than just throwing it away)?
Someone in the group purchased one and we were talking to them about it. They indicated we should be able to get one as there was a booth right incide the door. But JP was gathering the group already and taking count, and we were getting ready to go. But the gentleman broke off a piece and gave it to us to try. It was actually much better than I thought it would be - and should have bought one since we DO like octopus and have had it three or four different times without any issue. I wanted to repay the guy a Euro and he said no. It saved us the time and trouble and insisted. He denied. But since his hands were full while eating, I stuck the Euro in his pocket anyway.
The filling is a minced octopus, with onions and a tomato sauce, baked inside a light crust - like a Hot Pocket®, but SO much better.

Before we headed out, JP had a "gift" for us. He gave each traveler a small cellophane bag with cookies in them.
JP took the group in the other direction, on the same road, but away from the park.



When we arrived at the large intersection, JP told us the plan for the rest of the morning and afternoon.
Anyone that wanted to stay in town was welcome to, and just make their way back to the port entrance to get back to the ship. Anyone else that wanted to return to the ship at this point was welcome to follow him back. We chose the latter, making our way toward the canal, crossing it, and then taking the same street we started our tour on nearly two hours prior - even passing the octopus pie shop we initially saw.


There are a number of ways to "open a roadway over a canal". In our travels, we've seen narrow cuts in a bridge for a ship's mast to pass through, draw bridges, cantilever bridges, and even a turntable style bridge. The one over the canal here was a little unique as the entire bridge arm swung to the side, like a phonograph arm would. I couldn't get a good picture of it, unfortunately.
The shuttle bus was waiting for us when we arrived at the port entrance.
It was a relatively short trip to the ship. We embarked, and made our way to the cabin to shed our excursion items.

Lunch was the usual light buffet at the World Café.
Linda had her usual sandwich and salad, and I a few items off the buffet.
This was a typical dessert, mostly highlighting Linda's fruit tart, while I, this day, had a a chocolate mousse and a piece of chocolate cake.

At the beginning of the cruise - in our case this time, each leg - a bundle of excursion tickets are left in the cabin for our use. This is part of the "excursion items" I've referred to previously. They look like this.

We spent time again in the Explorer's Lounge carding.
And at about 5:00 the sun was setting.

After the toast, it was already time for dinner.
Need I say it? The Restaurant, table 53. As we try to do, we took a selfie with our server Alyssa.

We perused the menu.

Linda had the Casaer Salad, Marmite Dieppoise, and Unexpected Baba.



I had the Destination Menu of Bouillabaisse Marseillaise, Marmite Dieppoise, and Tarte Normande.

After a couple songs in the atrium while we finished our wine, we returned to the cabin and began our packing. 😞
We were disembarking for the last time in two days. Not tomorrow, but the day after. So we began the chore of trying to get everything we had into our luggage. We not only had what we brought here, but the souvenirs we were bringing home too: six shot glasses, a Starbucks® mug, some small ceramics, some clothing items, and a little more.
The ultimate goal was to get as much into the checked bags and live out of the carry-ons for the last three days of the trip. If possible.

Tonight was the farewell toast in the Star Theater. Like the previous three times, the crew went on stage. The Program Director Michael said a few words and we had a champagne toast.

We wound up hanging out in the Star Theater because tonight was the last resident musician performance on the ship, tonight performing a collection of music from ABBA.



Once again I got a couple songs of the full forty-five minute show.

It was a really good show.

After the show we retired to our cabin for the evening.

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