Location: Bordeaux, France

The ship made it to Bordeaux, France after five hours of steaming thru some very brown water. Maybe it’s run off from all the wine disposed that did not meet their exacting standards?

We “docked” right in the middle of town. I have the word docked in quotes because the ship just tied up right on the side of the river. I swear the captain parallel parked the ship. No pier or anything. The access controls around the ship are small temporary metal fences. No terminal building – just one security guard. Very different from other ports, like China.

About twenty of us traveled to Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte for a vineyard tour and dinner. You knew what kind of neighborhood you were in when even the local McDonalds had grapes growing in its front yard. I’m not kidding.

We were taken on a 30-minute walking tour of the grounds and main buildings.

The guide explained that they can store 1000 barrels on wine in their cellar, but the whites had already been removed as they need less aging than the reds.

Dinner was just OK. Even my ignorant wine senses could taste the small differences with each course’s wine serving.

We got back to the ship and there were fireworks going off – I don’t know why. I don’t think it was for us.

I am posting this while on a TGV train to Tours for my field trip. Stay tuned.