Amazing South Africa, Sandton and East London

Ok so just back from another exotic trip, this time it was South Africa. Have not been back since 1998, so this opportunity was great for the update. The East London area is working class but also, has some nice neighborhood,then the Sandton area as Fourways are just superb it seems very nice architecture and lively.

The country has gone thru a metamorphosis and its looking very bright with growth potential even if as every where else there are economic problems. I was there on business so not much touristic side trips. The car was the main mode as I was driven around, so it look easy, and as I am a road warrior this was heavens.

I did spent a wonderful week, and many new friends who treated me as if known for years. I was able to go into the country to meet customers right in their homes out in the country, very good roads, and gorgeous scenery. My photos were taken with my blackberry so not uptimum but ease of use when on business.

I arrive and was pick up by the transport folks of the hotel where I was staying, the Sitatunga Transfers folks were always very dependable, and the lodging was done at their property near Sandton at Sitatunga Guest Lodge, webpage http://www.sitatungatransfers.co.za/index.php?nav=accommodation You will be in an oasis and well treated. When I needed to move to East London,  I stayed at Thrity Six on Bonza ,another nice   boutique lodge ,gorgeously done, and great friendly service; webpage http://www.36onbonza.co.za/AboutUs.aspx

When we did go out we had fun at Fornos Bakery in Fourways near Sandton, great burgers, sausages, and drinks while looking out in the terrace over a shopping mall and passerbyers, webpage http://www.fournos.co.za/  We had dinner on request at Thirty Six on Bonza as per above, and also a great seafood and cheap 10 euros for prawns plate at Vasilis Mediterranean,Sandton, here is the description in a South AFrican dining guide, http://www.eatout.co.za/Restaurants/6208/Johannesburg/Seafood-Sushi-Mediterranean-Portuguese/Vasilis

I ,also was able to try the Gautrain underground station in Sandton, and direct to OR Tambo international airport, very easy magnetic card depends on your usage you buy from machine using bank cards or cash, very easy indeed,and modern, clean, fast and on time. webpage http://www.gautrain.co.za/  The airport at Johannesbourg  OR Tambo is very nice with all conveniences and had easy in and out there all the time. http://www.acsa.co.za/home.asp?pid=228  ,the nice terrace bar here is Mandys  The airport at East London is smaller but then easy to manouver and I was told the most expensive place to visit by plane as not too many connections available, http://www.acsa.co.za/home.asp?pid=232 it has an interesting zuly type shape roof,and great bar at Mile High Bar.

I was even close to a beach at East London, very nice beaches in the area, and sure a promise to come back and visited them by the locals.  It sure was a surprise to visit, last time anywhere in Africa was in 2009,and this time it was a very good impression. I shall be back.

Versailles is GRAND !!! Beautiful Versailles !!!

Well here I am at my home in Versailles, loving it a nice sunny breezy day, with some clouds late in the afternoon but no rain. The place was pack, someone will say , where is the crisis? but then again ,this is Versailles. Never a crisis for visitors.

One of the top spots in France to visit,and my first of course. I am in transition to Brittany once my house is sold but the last 9 years here have been sublime. I will never forget Versailles ,and I shall return for visits.

Now today I just wandered around town, this time the kids were at Parly II shopping center in nearby Le Chesnay(wonderful to rival any with some stores of fame from Paris) , and I and mouff were walking around a bit. Even going to dare those tourists all over the castle.  THe Parly II webpagehttp://www.parly-2.com/W/do/centre/accueil

We notice the steel arch over the statue of Louis XIV is finally off, we did ask for it, cant mixed the beautiful old with the ugly new. The place was popping, many folks busloads all over, the gardens ready for the Eaux Musicales were packed. The street loaded with visitors from all over even if the Euro still not as good with the USDollar, plenty of Americans around.

I took a peek at the Arboretum, a wonderful tree park done in 1927 from the old domaine of Versailles, after the French revolution much was in dismay so the property was divided in parcels from the original 807 hectares to the now 37! So the Castle property is only a small portion of what you can see in Versailles!!!  the webpage http://www.mnhn.fr/chevreloup/

We dare go in the property to take some updated pictures for the blog, we like to point out , the many boutiques and resto to eat and shop inside, such as the Librarie des Princes, by the Cour d’honneur for books and music, souvenirs boutique ; for an idea of whats inside, here in French from the union of national museums webpage , http://www.rmn.fr/francais/jeune-public-6/actualites/la-librairie-des-princes.  Boutique de l’Ancienne Comédie, for souvenirs and nice local castle oriented gifts,some of the items you can find here n French, http://www.boutique-chateauversailles.fr/fr/ ; and the fine resto Grand Café d’Orléans, for fine dining while overlooking the castle.  A grand cafe indeed, webpage ,  http://www.legrandcafedorleans.com/restaurant-versailles . All around the Cour d’Honneur.

I took a glimpse of the bus No 171, another alternative coming to Versailles and inexpensive. You take it in Paris at Pont de Sévres reaching there on Paris metro line 9 ,and drop you off right on ave de Paris in front of the castle!!!  For a reminder on how to get here from my previous posts,  in addition to the bus. RER C from Paris  (Station Austerlitz, Notre Dame, Musée d’Orsay, Invalides, Tour Eiffel, .etc..) and Versailles rive gauche. There are regular trains from Paris  gare Montparnasse to Versailles Chantiers, and Paris  Gare Saint Lazare to Versailles Rive Droite. Taxis from Paris say about  45- 60 Euros ,taken about 50 minutes average. And of course shuttle companies like yellow van. official Paris and region transport site, RATP, http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/c_21879/tourists/

Not to forget if time is short a nice ride thru the Versailles old streets on the petit train or little train, I saw it this time by the ave de l’Independance Americaine, just to the left of castle facing it, nice area to walk in Versailles.  In FRench on the schedule page, http://www.train-versailles.com/index.html

A shot of the grandeur of the Grande and Petite Ecuries, the wonderful rue Satory off ave de Sceaux, and of course a nice Breton lunch at Le Blé Noir, 9 rue de Satory, from a true citizen of Quiberon,Morbihan , my new home, lots of local discussion indeed took place; and we both agree we have the best of the world, Versailles and the Morbihan ::)  Great galette de chévre or goat cheese,lardons and tomatoes, 50Cl  pitcher of cider,and expresso coffee for 24,50 for two. No webpage but here is my French resto site I have in my links below, http://www.cityvox.fr/restaurants_versailles/le-ble-noir_200139751/Profil-Lieu ; the local telephone number is +33 (0) 1 39 53 39 09 .

Last but no least, the monument to the fallen at Pl de la Loi, not far from me, at the intersection of Versailles and Le Chesnay. Lovely photo of rememberance. Enjoy my eternal Versailles, I shall be back. Cheers

Some news from France LXXII

Here we are mid week, I am getting ready to do another trip by car to Versailles, and Paris. For now, here are the latest tips I have been able to find to my favorite choices, of course.

There is a new way to come into Paris from the airports of Paris, it is citygold ,the motocycle ride, yes a moto now can take you in . I think a very good innovative idea, and hoping it catches on, the webpage is in French http://citygold.fr/ all is done by experience moto drivers,and you can book your trip online at the site given. Go for it!

The Bordeaux tourist office once again the summer is coming, has wine tastings, this time is the côte de Bordeaux at Blaye. Affordable wines at a great location, and with a great city of Bordeaux as background. More info here http://www.bordeaux-tourisme.com/pl/visites_et_degustations.pl?lg=uk&id=933&c2=50

To continue with Bordeaux, we have the wide open season of wine tastings, the opening is on pdf file in French ,but plenty of info there to print, if need help , let me know if you think something is to your liking, the 52 pages is loaded with information on how to enjoy the wines of Bordeaux and more, http://www.bordeaux-tourisme.com/images/pdf/PorteDuVignoble2012light.pdf

Sneaking it here, a bit away from France,and al. I will need to tell you how happy I am to see my life’s team Real Madrid of Madrid,Spain, winning the 32nd championship of their history, the most of any Spanish teams. Under coach Mourinho, and with a great team of players from many countries they were able to disbank the other team that for me is unmentioned.  First I give you the English versiont of the official site herehttp://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/Home.htm , and then the Spanish version with a nice video on winning  here,  http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/es/Actualidad_Primer_Equipo/1330103448547/noticia/Noticia/El_Bernabeu_vibro_con_la_fiesta_de_los_campeones_de_Liga.htm

My all time best hostal, done it for years,and now share here on Segovia, Spain, Venta Magullo on the road to Soria just outside Segovia;, http://www.ventamagullosegovia.com/en/presentacion, and combine with the best Galician seafood resto in Madrid, my home, Ribeira do Miño at http://www.marisqueriaribeiradomino.com/es/estaticas/index.asp?wm=752&id=255 , and yes that pile of seafood is real !!!! If want to stay closer at Madrid, then head for Hostal La Plata at gran via, http://www.hostal-laplata.com/

It is now at Paris, the 17th Fête du Pain, Parvis de Notre Dame, until May 21  free admission, webpage http://www.lafetedupain.com/index.htm  of course this is the festival of bread, baguettes lol!!!

How about the jules et jim  hotel ,11, rue des gravilliers – 75003  for cult  movies par excellence in Paris webpage  http://www.hoteljulesetjim.com/

How about my sky team lounges at CDG and Orly, well relaxed you are in Paris, webpage http://www.skyteam.com/en/your-trip/Journey-Information/Lounge-Finder/Skyteam-lounges-in-Paris-Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle-Airport/

http://www.skyteam.com/en/your-trip/Journey-Information/Lounge-Finder/Skyteam-lounges-in-Paris-Orly-International-Airport/

and of course my Flying Blue frequent flyer program, the best, http://www.flyingbluenews.com/ , and if you need trains, see the train stations in one site in French, http://www.trains-horaires.com/horaires

This is all for now, until next time, will be traveling by car tomorrow to Versailles, and then come back,and take the plane at Nantes for South Africa on business trio of one week; see you soon, and remember France is on holiday Thursday and most  take the bridge, pont on Friday ::) Cheers

Wonderful quaint old nice Rochefort-en-Terre

This is inland Morbihan, my department in France now. Today was wonderfully sunny all over, and the folks were out in mass,along the beaches, so  I headed inland for quiet, nice, and quaint Rochefort-en-Terre!

I went in posing as a tourist into the tourist office, ask all kinds of typical questions, and the lady there was very nice, friendly helpful, she came and directed me to different pamphlets or brochures, very nice indeed,feel welcome there. It was my first visit to the office, second to this wonderful town. All of it is on hills, and cobblestones, and quaint all medieval looking buildings all around you.

The tourist office webpage is here http://www.rochefortenterre-tourisme.com/  there still so much to see here, two days is not enough. I overheard French locals staying here for four days. The tourist office tells you of this town and others nearby, some already visited and told in different posts. Some new just went by and mark for future trips such as the Castle of Château du Plessis-Josso.

One place here that I was, and lucky because now is close for the rest of the year on renovation is the Château et Musée de Rochefort-en-Terre , it was a fortress in the 12C, now still has from that period the ramparts and the chatelet, the rest kept on under the French revolution , the American Painter  Alfred Klots revitalise the castle n successive stages, a new castle was created and now it it the property of the regional gov council of  Morbihan; keep an eye when open again in 2013 it is worth a visit.

Rochefort-en-Terre is name in Brittany one of the town of character and history , as in French « Petite Cité de Caractère », she is ,also , a village fleuri four flowers rating!  or a flower town of France, and Les Plus Beaux Villages de FRance or the The most beautiful towns of France designation. All worth it.

The city has many artisans or artists of local traditions, all over the town, the list of the most important are in the tourist office webpage in French ,http://www.rochefortenterre-tourisme.com/content/artisans-de-rochefort

Not needed to stay for me as the city is only 45 minutes from my home, but the best hotel is right in the center of town as Le Pelican, Logis de FRance 2 stars, and only 7 rooms, plus a restaurant on street level not try yet.  However, seems very clean and pisturesque plus very central to all, webpage http://www.hotel-pelican-rochefort.com/

The other historical place to see here is the church of Notre Dame de la Tronchaye, the fortified tower on the transept dates from the Roman chapel of 1125AD, and the facade north dates from 1533AD in gothic flamboyant style ,inside it is richly panneled with very old ceilings still bearing the dukes of Brittany seals . The church was originally built to house a wooden statue of the virgen withe enfant Jesus from the 12C, a nice place to visit.

I have try several of their places all good in previous post, but today I try a new one. La Terrasse pizzeria creperie on the main street. 8 rue Saint Michel, tel +33 (0) 2 97 43 35 56, no webpage , a young family, very very friendly , serve on time,and plenty of free water. The chef invite us into the terrasse in the back overlooking a wonderful cliffy forest. Recommended. We had galettes ham and cheese ,2, half a cheese pizza big portion and leafy green salad, a bottle of cider brut from Nicol,local breton, and ice cream of different sorts, all for 43€ for 3 persons. nice

Some of my other favorites stores is the one we always buy our souvenirs, my family is into decorating with Merlin the magician , Arthur of the Round Table, and dragons all is from the leyend of this area. The must stop store is O lutin charmeur, on the main street 7 rue Saint -Michel. We buy at the epicerie or grocery store, Entre Ciel et Art, 5 Chemin du Tertre, actually you can see it from rue St Michel, and has its own webpage at  http://www.entre-ciel-et-art.com/ Le Savonnerie, 7 Place des Halles, for candles, gifts,and foremost soaps n any kind , right by the main street near the hotel de ville or mairie.  Other times we had eaten at Restaurant Les Ardosiéres, 4 pl St MIchel where the Swiss Painter Bergeaud did his work, lovely terrace on a plaza great views and food, Cafe Breton, 8 Rue Porche, great food in good ambiance, in very old house from the 16C, it is rated by Routard, Lonely Planet, and  Hachette.

As to how to get to Rochefort en Terre, I do the road warrior drives all over. From Vannes, take the N166 direction Rennes and get out at D775 Redon, then follow signs for Questembert, and then Rochefort en Terre on same road,easy lol!  You can come by department bus No 9 from Vannes direction Rochefort en Terre. Schedule hours here in pdf file http://www.morbihan.fr/UserFile/flash/CarteTIM/horaires/HLn9-H1-2011-2012.pdf  There is a train station in Questembert and you can take taxi or the bus No 9 as per above to Rochefort en Terre;http://www.ter-sncf.com/Region/bretagne/gare/questembert.aspx

Enjoy the photos is a wonderful place indeed and I for one recommended, which I dont do hardly ever ::) Cheers

.

Some news from France LXXI

Here we are in another weekend, I am in Auray but will be by Paris/Versailles the next two holiday weekends here May 18 and May 28. Some updates on whats going on there.

The biggest nicest event will be happening on june 15 from  19h, and until the next day at  9h . The park  Parc Rotschild, 3 rue des Victoires, Boulogne-Billancourt (92). Open for this picnic night exclusively, free admission all ages welcome. By 20h the 15th the festivities willbe officially open, then from  20h to 21h30 the Grand diner on the grass or picnic where each group will bring their own. From 21h to 01h30 will be spectacles of circus and many other things for kids and old alike. From 21h30 to midnight you will have activities in all four corners of the park, team sports (catch ball, football, petanque) the custome and dresses will be out, acoustic concerts, magician ,jugglers, mime, monoicystes, fire catchers, shops for kids , and walk with park rangers toshow you the different birds that comes here, and poney rides. From midnight, the kids will be taken to sleep and the fireworks and music will begin for adults;until 1h30 the party continue with moon watchers, Then from 5h we willhave bread as the bakeries will awaits ou with croissants and pains au chocolat. From 6h, the park will awake with courses on yoga, jogging and massages, and for the ladies makeup shops,and beauty fitness. From 7h the bakeries will be in full force, its time for the breakfast, and the drinks bar will be open as well as newspapers available. From 9h its the closing ceremonies, end of the 1st night edition,and wait for the next event on Friday June  14 , 2013. The webpage in French , http://parisalabelleetoile.com/index.html

A bit late but this weekend is the Super Market at the Marais, 17, rue Commines, 75003. May 12 nd 13 Saturday from  12h-21h, and Sunday from  11h- 18h30.Admission 1,99€, free for children. Clothing and deco items for the house, trés chic, see it fast ,webpage in French http://www.lesupermarket.com/

Lambert Wilson enters in the wax museum of Paris, musée Grévin, http://www.grevin.com/achetez-vos-billets a wonderful musuem to see in Paris at 10 blvd Montmartre, near metro grands boulevards.

Rock en Seine the rock concert grandiose at the Domaine National de St Cloud, very near Paris will have a great programming for 2012,this is the webpage for info in French, http://www.rockenseine.com/fr/  the line up so far is

Friday August 24th : Placebo, Sigur Ros, C2C, The Shill, Get Well Soon, Bromance: Brodinski, Gesafellstein et Club Cheval, Dionysos, Bloc Party, Frank Ocean, Grimes, Lissie, Beth Jeans Houghton, Crane Angels, Owlle et Versus.

Saturday August 25th : The Black Keys, Noel Gallagher & The High Flying Birds, Agoria, Eagels Of Death Metal, Deus, Mark Lanegan, Maximo Park, Speech Debelle, Childish Gambino, The Bewitched Hands, The Black Seeds, Caravan Palace, Ed Sheeran, The Bots, Granville et Hyphen Hyphen.

Sunday August 26th : Green Day, Grandaddy, Foster The People, The Dandy Warhols, Stuck In The Sounds, Friends, Passion Pit, Dope D.O.D, Little Dragon, Social Distortion, Beach House, Bombay Bicycle Club, Yeti Lane et The Lanskies

A recommended new restaurant in Paris for me, and English owned! lol!  Albion, 80, rue du Faubourg-Poissonnière, 75010.  Tél. +33 (0) 1 42 46 02 44.  open everyday except Sundays and Mondays. St jacques poelée and pata negra ham a la British. webpage newie http://www.restaurantalbion.com/

And one of all time favorites in Paris, A la mére de famille a chocolate house 250 yrs old, just came in with wonderful rochers or rock of ice creams that are to kill for, 3 flavors are now on tap, choco-guimauve with black chocolate and almonds, vanilla-caramel cover in milk chocolate and nuts, and the all apricot with a croquing black chocolate and bits of pistachio inside ; taste at http://www.lameredefamille.com/#/home/ My favorites stores are in the rue dela  pompe on the 16th but they have 9 location in Paris,see webpage and go to Nos Adresses at bottom  for locations.

And here comes another edition of the night of museums in the Paris region, Nuit des Musées 2012 ,from the official ministry of culture site the museums open in Paris, http://nuitdesmusees.culture.fr/ville/?q=UGFyaXM, , also in the rest of France or Europe, http://nuitdesmusees.culture.fr/

At the Paris Expo,  Toutankhamonwho reign ancient Egypt in the 18 dynastie will be on display until September 2012 every day except tuesdays and July and august from  11h-19h,Fridays unitl 22h, admission will be 12,90 to 15,90€. metro porte de Versailles, webpage of the expo group in English for the place and many others in Paris, at http://www.viparis.com/Viparis/salon-paris/site/Paris-Porte-Versailles/fr/8?id=8&lang=fr&changeLang=true&newLang=en

And finally ,just to share with my readers my favorite spot for theater goings in France, Paris area especially, is in French but you have all the information you need on each theater and programs, webpage http://www.au-theatre.com/index.php

Until end of month by Paris and Versailles. Have a great weekend.

Wondering ,walking on 8 mai at Auray.

Today was an off day as we celebrate the May 8 1945 end of World War II all over Europe. Many places close but the restaurants and bars are open even the ice cream parlor. Is a time for families to stay together and go out into their city, walking and eating out. We were no different.

Yesterday the twins got an off day but I need it to work, hopefully I was able to leave early before 5pm when normally is 6pm (18H). We went into Vannes to see if stores were open but as they also were getting ready for a holiday the videogames store was close earlier,and we decided to head back not before eating dinner at Villa Valencia. 3 Rue Bienheureux Pierre René Rogues  ,http://www.lavillavalencia.com/ where I had my filet mignon pork in a wok oriental style, and the kids had their pizzas , a bottle of Charles Pain, Chinon red wine , banana splits desserts and coffee for 3 all for 73 Euros.

Today we head out for Auray, wondering and walking all day around the historic St Goustan district just below city center, you can walk down from here, go around parc Kerleano by car or go outside on the high city and park at St Goustan on the other side of the river Loch.

We walk the cobblestone street with woodend houses, and old artist quarters at rue du petit port, and had our lunch at Creperie La Frégate, 11 Rue Petit Port  ,http://www.cityvox.fr/restaurants_auray-56/la-fregate_71061/Profil-Lieu very quaint area but rather isolated and small portions, but all good. Here is the typical galette with bacon, ham, eggs, cheese,and the banana splits or dame blanche,  a bottle of house cider brut,and coffee all for 45€ for 3.

We wandered into the castle ruins across the river Loch and pl St Sauveur, it is a steep climb but the views are always great, the trails of thick trees magnificent, and always on the footsteps of history, as it was a duchy and very old Breton history here.  The castle was sold in auction by king Henri II of France in 1560 after taken by French troops. The castle of Auray was the site of residence of the dukes of Brittany François Ier and his wife Isabeau d’Ecosse or Elizabeth of Scotland in October 30, 1442.  It was an strategic fortress, as in September 29 1364 duke of Brittany Jean IV put a siege on it to end the pretentions of the dukedom to his adversary Charles de Blois. the views are wonderful ,recommended.

I gave you some photos of driving going to St Goustan, and walking its marvelous streets, we did stop for an apero or before dinner drink at L’Armoric bar right on 3 Place St Sauveur  , the hangout place for the young and young at heart, with bar and restaurant attached, webpage http://www.larmoric.com/

As our wondering took us late, we decided to have a bit heartier meal so not to cook at home, and we stop again by one of our favorite, Bar Franklin, right at 21 Place St Sauveur  , the corner of pl St Sauveurs and the quai Franklin alongside the river Loch. Here we had galette of bacon and cheese,cheese and ham two, 50cl beer Leffe for 3, coffee, and banana splits for 43€ for 3. no webpage but here is the Telephone +33 (0) 2 97 56 65 56.

We went home and now relaxing on my blog sharing another escapade with friends and readers alike as well as family, that comes in once in a while to see how we are doing ::) Enjoy the photos. Cheers

A new found backyard, Bucharest;;;;the little Paris….

Well have more time than I thought and its the right time to write about my latest international escapade, Bucharest, Romania. Yes 22 years after leaving the chains of communism ,this city at least is stepping out, great renovations done and ongoing, lots of beauty to be recall the Little Paris, and warm friendly people all over. A new found backyard indeed.

My day was long starting getting from home by personal car to Nantes airport for the flight to Paris CDG, and then connection to Bucharest on AF. All very well as usual. My return was Bucharest, to Amsterdam, then Nantes then perso car home. Very nice indeed . Airports webpages are for Nantes, Amsterdam, Paris, and Bucharest.

http://www.nantes.aeroport.fr/ANA-English/Page/Default.aspx

http://www.schiphol.com/

http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/ADP/en-GB/Passagers/Home/

http://www.bucharestairports.ro/index.php?lang=en

The stay in Bucharest was at the wonderful Ramada Parc Hotel near Romexpo exhibition center, and our offices there. Great breakfast, good location, friendly staff, we end up talking football/soccer all night long the first night there. http://www.ramadabucharestparc.ro/

We took a perso car tour of the main sights in town late at night ,which was glorious but since only carry my blackberry the pictures were not good. However, we did walk the pedestrian city center and ate at the historical wonderful Hanul lui Manuc , Romanian specialty of lamb steak and polenta with the local Ursus beer. This is the address as the site is in Romanian language, Str. Franceza nr. 62-64, Bucuresti, Sector 3 ,webpage http://www.hanulluimanuc.ro/  however it can be translated with google !

The official Romanian tourist webpage is at http://www.romaniatourism.com/bucharest.html  and in it you will find a ton of information on the city of Bucharest.  Some personal information, you may want to consider renting an apartment for stays of one week or more, the place recommended is www.aparthomes.ro  also, if need to rent a car other than the international brokers AutoEurope and Kemwel, you can do Continental rent a car at www.intcarrental.ro  Be aware of taxis, best to seek the advice of a local or hotel or apartment recommendation.  All tariffs are posted but sometimes not the correct ones…. some trusted taxi companies are Fly taxi at www.taxifly.ro and for shuttle service the Bucharest airport transfer at   http://www.bucharest-airport-transfers.com/home.html  . There is also a bus No 783 from the airport to Piata Victoriei, Piata Romana, and Piata Universistatii , buses every 30 minutes from 5h25 to 23h for 7 LEI, the webpage for full info is at RATB the local public transport organism, that can also be translated using google, at webpage http://www.ratb.ro/ You need to pay for the bus ticket before getting into the bus, call an Activ Card purchase for 3,70 LEI at small kiosks next to major bus metro tramway stops.

Next week there is the final of the Europa League in football/soccer there, when the Spanish clubs Atletico de Madrid plays Athletic de Bilbao. I saw great enthusiasts folks for this major event as the country is football crazy; saw many casinos it seems all of Europe comes here to gamble.  There is so much to see need at least a week to see it all. Many beautiful churches of the Orthodox Christian rite abound. The National Theater , the Arcul de Triumf or arch de triomphe Romanian ,royal palace, and many museums. The eateries and places to stay are huge with all ranges, and styles to please anyone. I went to a Romanian historical one mentioned above, but my host also suggested Casa Doina, or Osho. Along Calea Victoriei street you have one resto, bar, cafe one after the other. See the fantastic looking and full swing Freddo at street Smardan.

For shopping I stop by Baneasa shopping city, huge see it at www.baneasashoppingcity.ro  Now here are some pictures of my trip there as best available coming from my blackberry. Cheers

 

 

 

Some news from France LXIX

Well here I am back from another foreign trip, but first, house comes first. The latest tidbits that I have encounter or found from reliable sources to you.

do you know Marseille will be the European cultural capital in 2013? yes and the whole city (second largest in France) is gearing up for it. You can read all about it here www. mp2013.fr

Needless to say the city is renovating and cleaning all over so construction still is some inconvenience if come by car like me ::)  Traditionally the city is split in two along the Canebiére, with the south more residential chic and the north the vieux port and industrial.  One of my all time favorite there is the herbs and spices store Le Pére Blaize, 4-6 rue Méolan, webpage www.pereblaize.fr  and for eating the seafood lover in me has a fix at La Boîte à Sardines 7 bd de la Libération, webpage www.laboiteasardine.com the marseille fish and chip invention!  and to continue on the seafood this time with a view of the ocean go to Le Péron, 56 corniche Kennedy, at webpage www.restaurant-peron.com  I always use exclusively the Accor hotels Novotel or Mercure. www.accorhotels.com

Coming back to eternal Paris, the CDG airport at Roissy dept 95 Val d’Oise (notice is not Paris but popularly call the Paris airport) has new innovation coming such as a terminal 4 with a shopping gallery. It will come from the old terminal 2E and will be operational this summer. Capable of handling 7 A380 huge jumbo planes. The terminal 2E will house the flights from international destinations and the terminals 2F and 2G those from Schengen countries. The gallery will have over 6K sq meters of shopping space ! as well as bars and restaurants. There will be faster walking distance between terminals 2F and 2E as well as the gallery call Parisienne , all the personnel will be trained in customer service to provide the maximum of comfort. CDG Paris is the 7th traffic airport in the world, 2nd in Europe and transit 61M passengers in 2011.  All together with more destination and connecting flights choices. http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/ADP/en-GB/Passagers/Home/

Going over to Seine et Marne dept 77, we have the wonderful Fontainebleau castle, and the 2nd edition of the Festival de l’histoire de l’art or the festival of the history of arts. Right on castle property. This edition will have Germany as the invited guest of honor. It will be held from June 1-3 2012 more info at website http://festivaldelhistoiredelart.com/ in French.

Versailles ,Versailles here all about it, its wonderful I am biased but the most beautiful castle in the world !!! the Royal fireworks festivities  will be  June 22,28,29, and July 5 and 6 until 22h at the Grand Canal all done by Groupe F; read more in French http://www.chateauversailles-spectacles.fr/feux-d_artifice-royaux-136.html

The great musical water plays are back, the Grandes Eaux Musicales, again until October 28 on Saturdays and Sundays ,read more in French here http://www.chateauversailles-spectacles.fr/les-grandes-eaux-musicales-1.html  A cartoonist TINTIN book will be give free to all children attending this event. On the above webpage go to the bottom where a figure of tintin is like this Vous pouvez dès à présent le télécharger ici and you can download a copy.

if my readers find it difficult to read any French webpage let me know, its just that they offer more information than the translated pages. The great event will be June 30th  in the evening , call  Le Grand Bal Masqué , whre there will be a big dance on the traditional music of the times with costumes and facemasks, this is Saturday june 30th from midnight to the sunrise. Be there is magical.

you have many activities in music from concerts to opera, orchestras etc but this one should be a dandy I will try to be there, The 9th symphony of Beethoven or La 9éme Symphonie de Beethoven, at the terraces of the Chateau de Versailles on Friday July 13 just before our National Bastille day with the orchestra of Paris , Frankfurter Singakademie of Frankfurt, West Eastern Divan Orchestra all under the direction of Daniel Barenboim

No surprising back to Paris Le Figaro classified the best chocolate macaroons of Paris and the top 3 winners were  Jean-Paul Hévin (Ier), Carette (IVe) and Pierre Hermé (VIe). No surprise here, just Carette came in second but its my No 1 lol!!!

Go south to Dordogne the times are getting better and the region is sublime. Rocamadour is unique, 1,5 millions visitors per  year not bad for a small town huh! http://www.rocamadour.com/  The Gouffre de Padirac, 103 meters underground and 3 Elevators down to see beauty before your eyes, http://www.gouffre-de-padirac.com/ to stay and have a grand dinner with roasted pigeons come to La Terrasse at Meyronnec, the webpage is here http://www.hotel-la-terrasse.com/ ,and if you just want some drinks and crepes by the river and see the beauty all around you than head for Floirac,by the river Dordogne,and visit Le Pourquoi Pas , with 110 different beers on the carte!!! webpage here  http://www.lepourquoipas.fr/ enjoy the south!

I will get to my foreign visit tomorrow. Until then have a wonderful weekend y’all. Cheers

 

 

More of Paris ,why not, Paris ,Paris ….!

I am on my Labor Day holiday in my house in Versailles and meeting friends and business have taken me to Paris quite often. I am at home relaxing today, and preparing the trip back to Brittany tomorrow. Hopefully the news of all moving will come soon. I will be going to Bucharest, Romania from May 2-4 on business, so hopefully can take some photos of that little adventure…..

For now we will have Paris, always Paris, eternal Paris. Words cannot describe the beauty and attachement I have for the city, nor photos (nice for the compliments but I am not a good photographer). Each time is a lung of fresh air and medicine to go on to other venues, know them, appreciate them, even like them, but we will always have Paris.

I went on my day to the voie George Pompidou thru the porte de passy into Trocadero ,pont de l’Alma, ave George V, Champs-Elyssées, but this time I found me again free parking by the cours de la Reine along the Seine, and just behind the Grand Palais.

We walk past beautifully architecturally stunning rue Bayard into Place François I whre we saw the headquarters of YSL, and walk ave de montaigne along to rue George V, just glorious. The American Cathedral is under renovation the whole front entrance, webpage http://www.americancathedral.org/

The streets were full of tourists from all over in a nice sunny day, not cold,and glorious military event under the Arc de Triomphe, webpage at http://arc-de-triomphe.monuments-nationaux.fr/en/  . We stop by Virgin Megastore, a huge one, and my boys favorite to get some Ipods, and ruined me ::) http://www.virginmega.fr/

We had our coffee and croissants at the famously nice Fouquet’s,and more drinks at the virgin store cafe on third floor (second in France). http://www.lucienbarriere.com/localized/fr/restaurants/nos_restaurants/fouquets.htm

I leave you with some photos driving and walking in Paris , including the fame Théatre champs-elysées where the top floor has a wonderful cafe and great views of Paris on ave montaigne, webpage  http://www.theatrechampselysees.fr/  the views of the Eiffel tower from pont de Grenelle to quai de Branly, to cours de la Reine, the tower all over;;;;; the tunnel crossing on cours de la reine into the voie George Pompidou;  http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/

The open house tourist bus zigzagging Paris with tourist galore, and yes maybe one of you ::)  The wonderful Armenian church , main in Paris at Rue Jean Goujon, near the Seine and cours de la Reine, great architecture and of course great church for that denomination, official site http://www.eglise-apostolique-armenienne.org/index.php/Les_Paroisses.html

A bit down the road closer to the cours de la Reine and the Seine we have the church of Notre Dame de Consolation, a beautiful Catholic church in a great area to walk with the family. Official site  http://www.paris.catholique.fr/658-Chapelle-Notre-Dame-de.html

Finishing off the photo gallery and trip with the statue monument to the Belgians and Reine Margot for the efforts of WW’s off cours Albert 1er and ave Montaigne. Another wonderful period spent in Paris.  Enjoy the ride on photos.

Paris 16 arrondissement and La Gare…friends.

Well today was a very special day indeed. I am back at home in Versailles,and had some friends coming over from Chicago USA. We discussed things in other travel forum and they were making a trip around cities in Europe. Of course, Paris had to be included.

We teamed up with some local friends, an American and a French lady, and with the couple from Chicago we had lunch at my suggested restaurant La Gare, Chaussée de la Muette , line 9, metro Muette in the 16 district or arrondissement of Paris.  It is no surprise to my readers as it is my fab resto in Paris, not only come here with family even for Sunday brunch but all visiting friends gets a taste of it lol!!! webpage http://restaurantlagare.com/

Needless to say the conversations were funny, witty, nice, friendly, and of course long…We had our lunch reservation for 13h or 1pm and we were there past 17h or 5pm!!! We almost had lunch with the staff as we were the last to leave ::)

I always find amazing the human spirit, that abounds yet not fully use today. How can total strangers from far away lands can intermingle on the internet, come to share views, and ideas, and eventually meet in a city such as Paris and most of all become friends. It is so wonderful indeed, and I am very lucky to have friends all over the world that once in a while get to meet like this,and to even more get to repeat meeting like this. OF the four attendants two were repeats of previous encounters in Paris.

I like to thanks the folks from Chicago for allowing their precious time in Paris to be share with me, just another guy from nearby Versailles now on its way to Auray, once my house is finally sold in June. We will cross again , indeed this is really a small world , my friends. Thanks for the memories and the time spend today, to each of you Frances,Cecile, Rich, and Sue.

Of course it was without saying that I needed to walk around this area, its a fantastic opportunity to see again the parc and jardin Ranelagh, with the wonderful statues, that of La Fontaine fable story, the children playground from a far time mine also played there, and the nice walk around the area even all the way to Trocadero and the Eiffel tower on the locals route.

At the end, I end up taking most to the champs-elysées passing on rue de Passy to Trocadero on the back side, then past the newly renovated Palais de Tokyo, into the quais along the river  past place de l’Alma,voie George Pompidou, cours de la Reine ,and into the place de la Concorde, turning around that beautiful plaza to head up the Champs-Elysées, dropping them off just before the Arch de Triomphe, and me continuing on to ave Foch and into the A13 direction Versailles/Rouen and my exit 5 chateau Versailles to come back home. Now nostalgia sets in of a wonderful afternoon.

Too bad it is just one afternoon, folks like these ,deserve more time ,maybe neighbors , at least friends for life. Thanks for the memories.