Greenwich Bay (AVP 41) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 29 text:

are small, quaint gift shops, specializing in per- fume, which is manufactured In nearby Grasse, a city of flowers. A short ride by bus from Villefranche are the Riviera towns of Nice and Cannes and the Princi- pality of Monaco. Located in Monaco is the fabled gambling casino of Monte Carlo and nearby are the villas of Aly Khan, ex-king Farouk and other celebrities of the world. Although the ri ' :que bikini bathing suit has never made much progress on the beaches of the United States, it forms a solid scene along the Riviera, and by the way, much of a pleasure to the sight- seeing SB sailor. Many a liberty was spen ' - watching the ' sights roll by along the pebble beach at the Rue Plage or Lido ' s in Nice. During our stay, the ship arranged tours for the crew through the Alps and to Grasse to watch the manufacture of perfume, it was hard to realize that those beautiful flowers would cost $20.00 an ounce when properly treated and bottled. But to the mothers, wives and sweethearts back home, it would seem well worth it. The French people are a very courteous and friendly people toward the American sailor and it was with regrets and fond memories that we weighed anchor and set a course for the lanci of spaghetti and pizza — Italy. With Genoa 24 hours ahead and France behind, there were very few sad faces on the Greenwich Bay. ' » - Ja i ' Palace at Monaco Harbor at Monaco Beach and Skyline of Nice tZ J ' ■?. ' • I : 1

Page 28 text:

I ' i:- - V Stance As the special sea and anchor detail was set on the morning of the eighth of July, the crew clambered out on the weather decks — the reason? We were coming into a port In France, of course. Here was Villefranche, France. The land of vine- yards, the beautiful Riviera and dazzling women. Ah! the land of love. We anchored in a calm pro- tected harbor just off shore and from that vantage point, viewed the vineyards terraced throughout the hills. The grapes grown in those vineyards go into the making of wine. The Frenchman has a spe- cial spot in his heart for his wine, since it is his national drink. Many of the ship ' s ' sea daddys had told of the beauty of France, but it had to be seen to really be appreciated. For a country that was ravaged by war, it is remarkably clean and modern, yet it maintains enough of the old tradition to make it enchanting. A point of interest was around every corner. Villefranche itself seems to be a part of the French Alps which form the backdrop for the vil- lage. It is a village built on levels, each street being a hill from one level to another. Along each street No Title Needed Villefranche v fc ' - J v ' i S i» S ' jSi - -.; Ik 24

Page 30 text:

4- t i m Two Heads and Three Legs Monte Carlo Gaoibling Casino At Anchor — Villefranche