Sunday, July 30, 2006

St. Cast - Sea, Sand and Fun

The great thing about France and what makes it the number one tourist destination in the world is it's variety of scenery and amount of coastline - offering many seaside vacation spots. The family tradition is to go to St. Cast in Britanny. Usually a place where you need a sweater to stay on the windy beach - even in August - this year it was the place to be in heat wave stricken France.

In St. Cast the principal activity is building sand castles ...

then destroying them.








We also manage to do other things like like sailing...


Playing soccer with cousins Emma and Mathieu...


and hiking to see the sites such as the beautiful Fort Lalatte - kind of reminds us of the forts in the UAE...

Saturday, July 15, 2006

Happy Birthday Philippe

After la France Profonde, we went even deeper into the French countryside to visit Philippe's friend... Philippe. The 2 old friends shown here on the occasion of the 1st Philippe's birthday.


As usual, we celebrated with fireworks, not because he's a pyro fan, but because his birthday falls on the famous French national holiday - Bastille Day.





Philippe 1 was thrilled with the show and the invitation to be the godfather of Philippe 2's latest addition to the world's population, Paul. Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

La France Profonde

After a week in the northern part of France (Amiens and Paris), we took a train to the center, Auvergne. Amid the dormant volcanoes, we explored ruins of Chateaux and Antoine discovered the weight of a midevil head armour.

France ended up losing the World cup to the Italians, but we consoled ourselves with the beauty of the scenery. In Auvergne there is a chateau or the ruins of one on every hill top.
We even trekked through some of these hills with the help of Seb, our friend and trusty guide. We're not quite lost here, but just making sure we're on the right path. The kids were very proud of their 3 hour hike and we're hoping that they are willing to renew the experience. Philippe finally met up with us in Auvergne and we are very happy to start our family vacation. Next stop, le Creusot to see old friends of Philippe's and another one of France's many different regions.
 Posted by Picasa

Monday, July 10, 2006

On the Road Again

I've taken to a nomadic lifestyle this summer with the kids. For 2 months, we will be wandering the roads, visiting friends and family. First stop, Paris. A brief reunion with classmates from the beginning of the year - an afternoon in the square next to the primary school for after school play.
Antoine and Maxime loved visiting their parisian haunts, such as the Jardin de Luxembourg and the little News Café next door where we often had lunch. I didn't manage to see the new museum at Quai Branly, maybe next time.

The following week was dominated by Soccer, or "le foot." France won against Brazil, then Portugal for a shot at the title - "Allez les bleus!" The euphoria in the cities is palpable and the kids are learning new tricks with their cousins in Amiens.