The Golden Ticket of Cognac

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 other hand got to taste the XO. Which apparently stands for extra old. This stuff had a blend of Cognacs from something like 25 to 100 years old. Not that you could taste it. Unlike Single Malt Whisky the blending process ensures that every Cognac is the same from year to year. However you can't fault  place where the historical tour even includes showing the barrel room with the Cognac from the 1800s.

Cognac itself is a quaint town. It's not entirely off the tourist route but is treated much like the Chinese tour treated it. A tour and gone. However with the street art festival I found entertainment in the evening. Even if I didn't understand what the performance artists were saying.

Warming to Bordeaux

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 me a good opportunity to not feel awkward dining alone at a decent restaurant.

And yes mum I am looking after myself. Look Creme Caramel!

Carcassonne Castle

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.

Figueres

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.

Is it Spanish Black Tea? Or an attempt to get marketing advantage

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.

A bit more Barcelona

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 ?

Barcelona... just how stable are they?

Within a few days in Barcelona I have come to the conclusion that there is a history of Creativity, Experimentation, or Drugs. Perhaps all 3 at the same time. Supporting my case I present to you:

Cronuts. Oh wait Cronuts are legit apparently. Well in that case I present to you evidence item no2:

And 3:

Still not convinced. Well in that case I present to you. Tibidabo. The only place I've known where you can catch a funicular train to a viewing point and a church, but also include a Theme Park visit.

Barcelona eats kid!

So I'm in Barcelona I walked everywhere. Of course after buying 3 day transit card. This is what I do.

Lots of photos. Below is a selection. 

In the evening we went to a restaurant. And of course there was a slight misunderstanding. I think you only get to chose the kid if you speak Spanish. Must be a lots of lefties around in Barca.

In the evening I eventually managed to meet up with my former couchsurfer Anna. She took me to a huge waterfall show they do at night. That was cool.

Valencia. It's not all about Oranges

Valencia has been a fantastic stop. What a life the residents here have. The beach area is massive and great. Even without waves.

 
The history is amazing.

And the food. I love it here. Tonight we found a music staged production with the historical centre as the backdrop. Just after having the customary paella at a small restaurant.

Keep your mouth closed at La Tomatina

So the 2014 running of the tomatoes is over. And a big squish it was in many ways.

Having not organised more than our tickets to the event we drove the 45 minutes to the outer edge of the town. Left Valencia at 8:15am as opposed to the tour bus groups at 5:30 through to 8:30am. After all no prizes for being late. 

From there we needed to hike to the other end to the ticket exchange. All good if the signage had of led us on the correct fork of the road... Whoops probably a 10 minute delay following the wrong sheep herd.

Anyway we got the tickets with an hour to spare. So we had time for a 10am beer. As you do when at festivals. At 10:30am I managed to convince the group we had to get inside the gated area where all the throwers were entering, and had been doing so for some time. Anyway we must of been like number 8000 of the 10000 as we didn't get to the point where we could see the ham drop. But still much fun to be had shouting 'water' to the balconies above who would dump laundry tubs of water on the crowd.

Then we here a bang and cheer down the street. The random tossing of a solitary 6 pack of tomatoes began. Someone must if snuck them in! Anyway we're all just a bit disappointed when finally a truck appears in the street. It seems their biggest issue issue pushing the crowd into the walls. Finally we get a smattering if tomatoes from the residents on the truck. Enough to get a taste for throwing. But barely a shard of tomato on the shirt. 

By the 2nd and 3rd truck it was clear we weren't quite in the thick of it. But we did get to experience a mighty crush when after the 4th truck some people down the road wanted out. Whereas our herd wanted in. Eventually we did find more tomatoes. Many already thrown half stomped varieties. Actually I found them with my feet as I stepped off a kerb into a 10cm deep tomato soup. Ah, ther goes the shoes I thought. Alas my plans to destroy some sandals had changed the day before when the ticket indicated no flip flops or sandals.

Then there was another bang. All done. Tomatoes down! I said tomatoes down! Awe heck, if you can still find one throw it was the new rule. Time to turn back. Out of the mayhem to truly see the carnage. Red spilt everywhere.

I had lost the group in the crush and made my way back after a bit. Many had returned to the bar to find a small hose on a dancefloor. That wasn't gonna cut it. Need more hoses here!

On the 20 minute walk back to the car there were many residents making the most of their one day a year. And also the seldom few offering the hose down service. Back at the car I ditched the shirt and socks. Managed to scrub down the shoes enough to thrown into the bag (in a bag).

The afternoon was spent at the beach washing off the remaining tomatoes. And the shoes of course. Tomatina done.

Preparations for La Tomatina are set

We have arrived into Valencia yesterday afternoon. Found there is a reason the festival tomorrow is not called the "Running of the Tomatoes". It's too f'king hot. Oh my, nothing like a balmy 40 degrees to cleanse the body of any liquid.

Of course first stop was the beach. Luckily we didn't arrive until after 3pm. Otherwise it would have been sun dried tomato for me today.

Last night we ventured out for some Tapas. And finished with a nice liquor. 

A hobby for driving to Spain

So I've noticed we're driving a long way to the town of Girona from Grenoble.

We just had a picnic lunch in Beziers. Very pretty.

Anyway now that we're back on the road I've noticed there are a few ladies on the side of the road waiting for their friends. Kinda weird time and place to be wearing their cocktail dresses in the afternoon. Just in random points too. Must all be going to the same party. And we can't offer a lift. Oh dear how will they get there... Sorry ladies Spain calls. Tomatoes to be thrown.

But now instead of playing a game of "I spy", I'm counting...

Less than 24 hours in Kuala Lumpur

This time around I had very little choice in terms of good flights to and from Lyon. So I got creative. Went with a Malaysian Airlines combination as it got me as close as I could to Lyon, and then allowed a London departure after. The connection home is awesome. 

The connection there is 17hrs no matter where in Europe you were planning. An instant cancel for many... But I thought of it as an unofficial Kuala Lumpur stopover. 

Worth it for the ability to get away from the airport. Booked a cheap hotel for few hours shower, nap, dinner, and then train back. And not an airport hotel stop. I walked around KL. Only failure, KL doesn't open up until 10am. I got into KL centre at 7am. Next time I'd search better for a "day rate" hotel. My hotel only allowed early check in at 12 noon.

You say Tomato... I say food fight! It's on... the next Trip is La Tomatina

I am going to my friend's wedding in September in London. I wanted to do something memorable for the trip.

So I've decided to go to La Tomatina.

Oh Yeah!

 http://latomatina.info/

This is going to be Awesome.