Position: [ 17°48S, 149°77W ]

Sunrise over the Sofitel

When i was little, we liked to think of Moorea as a convenient leasure destination with hôtels and a rural life just a ferry ride away. In Tahiti, this island is mainly known for the pineapples that grow there, reknowned to be the sweetest pineapples in the region, as well as for tourism. The island is the second largest tourist destination in French Polynesia after Bora Bora.

View from our room

At that time, we rarely went there and all I remembered was the island’s silhouette as seen from Tahiti.
So it was quiet a feat when, with a friend, I took advantage, this week end, of a promotion price at one of the resort hotels located on this island.

No comment is further needed.

Position: [ 17°31S, 149°34W ]

When I was little, I remember my father taking me to a football game. For me it was a good opportunity to eat junk food and mix with a cheerful crowd.
However, until yesterday, Tahiti’s football was known only to Tahitian people…
Until yesterday…

Yesterday, for the first time, a little island country from the Pacific made it to a soccer world cup. Alright it’s only the under 20 world cup, which will take place in Egypt in september 2009. But for Tahiti, a French overseas territory of 260,000 people, this is MEGA HUGE!!!

To qualify, Tahiti went to beat New Zeland on Monday and the Fiji on Wednesday. In both cases, the match took place in a small stadium 100 metres away from my home! It was absolutely phenomenal!

I’ll probably need to plan a trip to Egypt next year…
GO TAHITI GO!!!

Position: [ 48°49N, 2°19E ]

That one isn’t a very happy post.
Obviously, the world has been seriously shaken recently with the financial crisis hitting the world stock markets in October. Since then it has been a series of bad or worse news on TV.

Paris street with Christmas decoration

Okay, I’m usually not gloomy but in this context, and with many many things adding up in my life, making it very busy, it kind of surprised me when I came back late from work one day and noticed the decorations in a street near home.

It was how I realised that we were getting closer to Christmas… That struck me because, in some ways, I had forgotten about it.

Well, I knew the days were getting closer, of course, and I was expecting my vacations to come ASAP. But the Christmas spirit hit me only when I saw the decorations. In fact, this year, there aren’t so many decorations in Paris, except of course at the usual places like the Champs-Elysées or Notre-Dame. I suspect the street near my place to have been decorated by a union of shop owners to attract shoppers.
Just that nobody has shopping in mind these days.

Of course, Christmas is not a consumer celebration in France, but in our consumerist society shopping is crucial…
In any case, please rejoice and give yourself and your joy to those close to you

Position: [ 48°49N, 2°19E ]

I remember once hearing a comment about what makes Europe so different from any other places in the world: Gastronomy and Unions.

PCF demonstration in front of the MEDEF

Actually, one of the French claims of fame, is the annual series of demonstrations that can immobilise the country.

Today, the French Communist Party (PCF) and associated unions to protest organised a demonstration against the increase in the cost of living and against the evil consequences of capitalism, as can be experienced through the financial and economic crisis these days.

It was again confrontation between workers and leaders.
The demonstration went from the employer’s union (MEDEF) to the presidential palace.

Position: [ 48°49N, 2°19E ]

Two hundred years ago, France was the theatre of a pretty violent Revolution which ended the rule of the monarchy as well as the rule of the clergy. The result is that, nowadays, France stands as a secular state with most French valuing laïcité as a very important part of society.

Waiting for the Pope in a parisian avenue

However, it doesn’t really indicate the extend to which French people feel strongly about religions. Catholicism to be more precise. France has a history of extremely pious kings and rulers to the extent of being the birthplace of cruisades and hosting a religious civil war.

These days, despite being a secular state, France still has one of the highest rates of church attendance in Europe.

The Pope traveling

So it was no surprise that parisians greeted today’s visit from the Pope with an important display of popular faith. 200 000 people came to listen to his mass. Some spent the night out to have the best view.

And later, as his car travelled the streets of Paris toward Notre-Dame, many more waited just for a chance to wave at him.

Indeed, catholicism is still alive and well in Paris.

Position: [ 48°49N, 2°19E ]

Can we really talk about a tradition if it’s less than 10 years old?
Okay, it may not be an ancestral one, and it may also be endangered (given we only had about 3 days of sun this summer) but Paris Plage is something parisians look for in summer.

Sand beaches at Paris Plage

Okay, we still can swim in the Seine river, as one previous president notoriously claimed we could eventually do, but Paris plage still “feels” like going to the beach. (Who goes to the beach to swimm anyway?!)

So we have sand beaches, pétanque games, ice cream booths, beach bars, and a long stroll to walk through and soak in the beach atmosphere.

C'est Paris! (plage)

Of course, it’s not totally the real thing. But as I didn’t have the opportunity, this year, to go to a beach place, Paris plage makes a pretty good compromise. And more than that, Paris plage contributes to the holiday atmosphere that surrounds Paris in August, when most parisians are away and those who stay keep wondering how beautiful and quiet their city can be.

And then September comes back, and all the parisians are back from their holidays and (not so) ready to take on a new year.

Position: [ 35°40N, 139°45E ]

Shibuya is the place of the most famous crossing of Tokyo. When coming out of the train station, it’s hard not to get overwhelmed by the (litterally) hundreds of people crossing the streets at the same time under neons and giant LCD screens. There is the face of modern Japan, full of shopping malls, karaoke bars, foreign cuisine restaurants and other love hotels.

And then, for my last night in Tokyo, my friend took me to another Shibuya.

Street of small restaurants

In the middle of the bust and activity of Shibuya, just a few streets away from the main crossing, lays a bubble of quietness made of small bars and tiny restaurants.

To be honest, stepping in this area feels a bit like going into another dimension. One thing that amazed me was the silence of this area. Especially given its location!

Restaurant front

Beside the quietness another shock comes from the laid back visual attitude of the places here. Here the only neons seem to be imports from the 1970s. There are restaurants where one would have no idea there is one.

From time to time, glimpsing through the windows, one would see a tenant at a bar, servicing 5 customers and having a chat with them.

Restaurant tenant

And we did the same. So here we were, in the intimate atmosphere on this tiny restaurant, enjoying the conversation with our host, awaiting for her to offer us whatever food she wanted to cook.

(Yes, we came in and asked her to cook whatever she had in mind, and that surely was delicious).

And I was tremendously grateful to my friend for taking me to such a place for my last day in Tokyo.

Position: [ 35°40N, 139°45E ]

When I came to Tokyo last week end, I vowed never to come back here in summer again. The weather is so freaking hot and humid it feels like being in a sauna 24/7.

Hana-bi in Tokyo

However, if there is one thing that makes it worth coming to Tokyo in summer, that will have to be the summer fireworks (or hana-bi) that light the skies of many japanese cities.

In summer, every city in Japan, be it big or small, has its fireworks night.

Hana-bi in Tokyo

Yesterday, when one of my Tokyo friends invited me to watch the fireworks at a private party (ie. with air con, drinks and food) to watch the fireworks, I thought that was my luck!

The air con was great, the food was nice, the view was spectacular. In full front of the action. Sugoi da ne!

Girls in yukata for hana-bi

Hana-bi in Japan feels different from fireworks elsewhere. Here it seems like it digs deep into the traditionnal consciousness.
Many people dress in traditionnal clothes to come and watch the show which makes it an odd mix with the nearby skycrappers and the dozens of policemen posted there.

In some kind of time warp, here you are, surrounded by concrete in the middle of Tokyo, and there are japanese people sitting on the floor, dressed in yukata, eating street food and gazing at flowers of fire.

Position: [ 48°49N, 2°19E ]

It took some time this year but, in the final days of July, summer has finally arrived in Paris! Yes! Time for picnics at the park!

Eiffel Tower in sparkling blue

And what better way of picnicking in Paris than by the Eiffel Tower!

So yesterday evening, we gathered with some friends in the middle of the Champ de Mars. And so went our picnic as we enjoyed the good food, the nice weather and the hourly sparkle from the Iron Lady.

These days, the Eiffel Tower is lit in blue to celebrate the French leadership of the European Union.

Position: [ 43°37N, 1°27E ]

Toulouse is a city that I thouroughly enjoy.

Place du Capitole

It is nicknamed la Ville Rose (the pink city) because it was built out of regional bricks, which had pink shades.

Even today, there is a city law that requests any new house to have a roof built using the traditional pink coloured tiles. This way the pink city remains pink from the sky.

Rue du Taur and the Saint-Sernin basilica

This time, when a friend of mine invited me to a party at her home it was hard to resist. So there I went. I took a flight in on a Saturday afternoon to fly back to Paris the next day.

Of course I could not go to the regional capital of the Sud-Ouest without getting a set of the local specialty : the Foie Gras. Here goes my stock.

3 Foies Gras

I, for one, always forget to mention it when talking about Toulouse and France’s South-East specialties.
But as usual, whenever I go back there (and there is a barbecue nearby), here I go: Saussage!!!

And in case you wonder: yes, it’s possible to eat cold saussage for breakfast after a party…

Position: [ 35°40N, 139°45E ]

When one thinks of Tokyo, it’s hard not to think of the noisy ultra-modern life with skyscrappers, giant neon lights, karaoke bars, and armies of salarymen and office ladies crossing the streets at the same time without noticing you.

Soba shop by the Jindaiji

And after all, was it not the Golden Week? May 5th? Children’s Day? Matsuri time!

Street snacks by the Jindaiji

That’s where I found that Japan was truly an Asian country.
And when there is an Asian country, street food is never far away.
Imagine yourself snacking an senbei (rice cracker) that has been made by an old man right in front of you. Yummy!

Taiko waiting at Ookunitamajinjya

That was the real deal, with these giant religious drums called Taiko.
Each one weigths 2 tons and has to be pulled by a dozen men with ropes. They sound truly phenomenal, like nothing i’ve heard before, a bit like thunder.

Matsuri parade opening

The matsuri continued on with a parade with priests, taikos and gods and so ended our day of visiting traditional Tokyo.
And now, we’re ready to face the Shinjuku station again!

Position: [ 48°49N, 2°19E ]

I don’t write about Paris nearly as many times as I should… Seriously.
And that’s unfair to the city I chose to make my home in March last year.

Pont de l'Alma over the Seine river

One thing that doesn’t fail to surprise me each time I come back to Paris after an extended leave is the architecture. Paris has such a specific and extraordinary architecture that it’s impossible to mistake with any other city in the world.

And there is no better time to admire the parisian limestone buildings than in a clear winter day.

Quai Branly

In fact, Paris has many trees lined up besides its streets and avenues. What is good for people is not necessary good if you want to grasp a full view of the parisian architecture.

But, in winter, naked trees leave you with a pretty clear view and the buildings are then hard to miss.

One thing I also like is that winter allows to find sunrise light which reflects beautifuly on the limestone of buildings. (Don’t ask me to get sunrise light in summer…)

Position: [ 17°31S, 149°34W ]

Tahiti probably hits a high rank in your list of dream destination. White sandy beaches, crystal blue lagoons. All nice and tame resort-like location. Great for relaxing in the sun.
Please don’t go on thinking that it’s all there is about Tahiti.

Black sand beach at the Pointe Venus

One of the most popular beach spot for tahitian locals is the Point Venus. This beach is covered with fine black sand and direct contact with the ocean (no lagoon) makes it a good spot for surfing. In fact, the North-East side of Tahiti’s seashore is black sand and cliffs while the South-West is white sand and lagoons.

Bain Loti

While relaxing at the beach is something you will certainly enjoy, Tahiti is also a tropical island with dozens of rivers and luxurious forest. In fact, if you go hiking inside the island, you will find a very diverse vegetation, and maybe some remains of Tahiti’s past.

One of these remains is the Bain Loti. Still a good spot for those looking for a cool bath in the hot weather. It is the place that Pierre Loti describes in his book “Le Mariage de Loti”, where he found love in the shape of a beautiful tahitian girl.
Published in 1882, this book was fundamental to yet another myth : the Vahine.

Position: [ 48°35N, 7°45E ]

Strasbourg is one of France’s major cities, a European capital, home to the European Parliament.

Gingerbread stand

It is also the home of the oldest Chritsmass market, a tradition rooted in the german culture.

I have long wanted to visit this place, with an invitation pending from a friend who lives there, but I just never had the chance to. So at last, with a ticket from the freshly established TGV line from Paris, here I was.

Another colourful stand

Sometimes I fear that attractions may be too touristy or over-rated. Fear not about the Christkindelsmarik!

In the end, all I had to fear was the (strong and sneaky) hot wine, the casual sauerkraut and a gingerbread overdose.
They were delicious!

Hot wine stand and its happy tenant

And it feels so close to the spirit of Christmass.

Position: [ 43°03N, 1°57E ]

Recently, I have two friends from Australia who decided to come and visit France. So we took the (albeit weird) option to go on a road trip in the South of France. And boy we didn’t regret it.

Main street of Cordes

So it became quite emotional to drive across the South of France by places that still bear signs of Roman and Medieval history.
In particular, the South-West of France used to be a major region in the Medieval times, being also the place of origin to many of the Templar knights.

View of the hills surrounding Cordes

When visiting this place, one can’t help thinking of how life could have been at that time. When streets were crowded with knights, merchants and peasants.

Position: [ 44°58N, 1°05E ]

Tell me where you holiday, I’ll tell you who you are.

Quiet water on the lake of Lacanau

A friend of mine is having her birthday party at a beach house in Lacanau.

One thing I always thought was that if you wanted summer vacation, you’d need to pick either salt of soft water. A bit like choosing between coffee or tea.
I guess it’s not always the case as in Lacanau you can get both.

Ocean beach for surfers

So here I am for a week end of private enjoyment with my friends, flying-in on Friday night and flying out on Sunday afternoon.

We were blessed by the weather and exceptionnal conditions. The lake offered mirror like reflections while the beach reminded me of Australia’s surf spots.

Exactly the type of week end escapade that feels like a full vacation.

Position: [ 35°40N, 139°45E ]

This is my first time in Tokyo. As I fly from Sydney to Paris, I decided to make a 24 hours stop over in Tokyo to visit a friend.

Tokyo as seen from the elevated highway

I always had the tendency to think that asian cities were built in hurry and by definition ugly. But the thing is that the way all the buildings fit together makes in wonder if there is something akin to abstract art in there.

Position: [ 37°45S, 144°158E ]

Australian bushfires are no small fires.

Bushfire smoke covering Melbourne

While I like to think about this circle of life thing, I must cast some doubts when so much forest goes to ashes. This year, many bushfires plague Victoria, leaveing Melbourne covered with a blanket of smoke and the scent of burnt wood.