Chad Is Everywhere

When in London I had a day free before the wedding. Unlike usual trips where I might go see something with my friends I was left to my own devices. After all my friends were slightly busy with last minute wedding planning. They also had a million and one family and friends arriving. I know how to share their time. And I'd be visiting again. This free time worked in perfectly as what I usually don't have in London is family visiting at the same time. Until now that is. My Aunt and Uncle were on a big trip of their own to Paris and London for a trade fair or two as a part of their interior design business. This was perfectly timed for a catch up in London. And they had a great plan of going to the Ham Yard Hotel for afternoon tea as it was associated with a well known designer. I don't know names so I can't quote them to you. But I knew it would be a great experience. The hotel doesn't look to be in my normal travel budget. But that doesn't stop one from go...

Finaly made it to the Rock. Or well the Monestary on the island called Mont Saint Michel. As a personal note I had always wanted to visit this place since about 1989 when it became the focus of my high school French class assignment. Gee this is a great day. Too many tourists in the end. The big tip here is that is you want to beat the crowds making just a day trip, then arrive early. I arrived about 9:30am and it was probably just about the right time. It took me about 2 hours before I completed the actually monestary tour itself. By the time I was out in the little street of tourist shops again it was packed to the rafters. From about 12:30pm until when I left at 2pm it was standing room only around all the restaurant entrances. All I wanted to do was leave. But I had to wait for the La Poste to reopen just so I could send a postcard. Seriously if there is one country you want to get working rights to its France. Post offices in tourist centres closing from 12:30pm to 1:30pm ...

They're not kidding in France when they say they have big tides here. I've never actually noticed this before but when I was in La Rochelle there was a big difference between low and high tide. And then on the drive to Mont Saint Michel in the small town of Pornic I stopped for a breather. Wow! Tide's out. I mean these tides made this river based town a mudflat trickle through the most important restaurant precinct.

I've just spent 2 nights in La Rochelle. Never met her. In my eyes I did all the rights things. I walked around the harbour. No Rochelle. I walked to several Plage / Beaches. No Rochelle. So I sat down and had dinner. No Rochelle. Had the Moules and Frites. Might of helped if I asked one of the locals to see if they knew a Rochelle. But I don't speak French.

As a purely cultural stop on the road towards Mont Saint Michel I inserted an overnight stay in Cognac. This stop was on one of their more important festivals of the year. It was something to do with street art. I'd be lying to say that was what attracted me. Anyway after lucking out with the Martell Cognac brand for an English tour my hotel was able to find an English tour with Hennessy. Being the only distiller of the 6 or so main cognac distillers I would take I decided to pay the little bit extra for the XO & Chocolate tour. Little did I know was the fact that this was the Golden Ticket. I ended up the only person on my tour of about 8 Europeans, and 20 or so package tour Chinese who paid for the better quality nip at the end. Everyone else just got the 2 nips of the standard cognac, and some other drink they produce. Heck the Chinese were on a classic tour, shoot and shuffle timetable. They weren't even staying to savour the drop so much.  I on the ...

I have to admit when I arrived into Bordeaux in the afternoon I was a bit disappointed and concerned. My hotel near the station was okay, the area was less than desirable. I walked the streets for a few hours before meeting with couchsurfers in Bordeaux for a picnic. There were some English conversations but I didn't really feel relaxed. I also probably should have gotten used to the tram system before staying out until nearly midnight. The couchsurfers were very nice in explaining how it worked. The tram system of Bordeaux ended up being very useful. Their trams are awesome for getting around. The city has an abundance of old stone buildings in the inner city, and is easily walked. But the Trams were just to convenient not to make use of. Going into the second day I started to really enjoy the best bits. I found the main historical buildings and just relaxed soaking up the city. In the evening of the second night I met with another non-local couchsurfer for dinner. It gave m...

Carcassonne is one of those French cities you don't fully understand the historical importance until visiting. Now I've seen it on coverage of the Tour De France. So I knew it seemed to be impressive, and the commentators would highlight the castle. But now having visited I am going away appreciative of the history available in what would seem to be nowhere important France. It was actually the French boundary to Catalan. A critical stronghold. I don't remember ever visiting a city with such a large restored castle and gate before. This is over a square km. Apparently it required 1300 soldiers just to guard it when fully staffed. Sure the other shops inside the gates are overrun with tourist shopping. But it helps pay the upkeep I guess.  And more importantly my friends nailed it in terms of finding a great apartment. The view was great.

The trail back into France took us via the town of Figueres. Never heard of it? Well perhaps you will know if you're an art fan. Dali lived here! Don't confuse your unusual Spanish artists. General rule is I still don't get them. Some real weird stuff. But it's still visually amazing.

After 3 days of drinking the tea my friend had bought for me I actually read the box. I am the only tea drinker in the group. So I am also concerned by subliminal messages.

La Sagrada Familia Basilica and a few more sights in my final day around Barcelona. Again I'll just point out that I am happy to be openning the "Barcelona Office". However I doubt I'll live off a purely Iberian Ham snack diet. After all Mojitos will have to be in the diet. Question is do they count as salad ?