Bonjour

Mont Saint Michael, Brittany,
December 2011

Bonjour is about as far as my French extends.  I'm really bad at speaking it and I keep getting French words confused with Italian and Spanish words.  I haven't spent enough time in France, nor have I tried hard enough to learn the language!  Given that this is actually my fourth trip to France, I should have got further than Bonjour.

Paris, November 2011

Over the past couple of years I have had an autumnal weekend in Paris in November 2011, Christmas in Brittany in December 2011 and a few days cycling around Provence in June 2012.

My trip cycling in Provence with three other friends rates as one of my best 'mini-breaks' from London.  I found travel by bicycle such a great way to experience the sights and smells of a place.

It also helped that our trip was around Provence.  Could a region be any more beautiful.  We cycled around 50km a day stopping off at various villages along the way.  The one that stands out in my mind still is Gordes.  Gordes is on the list of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (the most beautiful villages of France) (http://www.les-plus-beaux-villages-de-france.org/en/the-most-beautiful-villages-of-france).  It was easy to see why, perched high on a hill filled with stunning architecture and a view across the valley below.  The village is close to Avignon and if you are ever in the area I'd highly recommend a detour to visit the town.

Gordes, June 2012

The other fantastic aspect of a cycling trip in France is that all the exercise negates any need to feel guilty about the calorific food.  If anything, the extra pastries were almost a necessity - I really needed that energy to get up those hills (and even then one of two hills may have defeated me, yes, I got off and pushed my bike, oh the shame).

I have now made it to the south west of France, perhaps slightly less touristy but without doubt worth visiting if you ever get the chance.  I'm currently in Lot-et-Garonne which is about half way between Bordeaux and Toulouse.

Penne d'Agenais, June 2013

On this particular trip, which I am spending with my Mum, we are house sitting for a family friend.  It has been a great way to spend a couple of weeks in the region as it has given us the time to relax but also explore at a more leisurely pace. We have driven to small country villages (Monflaquin (another village which makes Les Plus Beaux Villages de France) and Penne d'Agenais being two highlights); shopped in markets, marveling at the skinned rabbits and pigeons on sale; visited a chateau (Chateau du Bonaguil is well worth a visit, it was practically deserted when we visited in June - what a treat to be able to explore a chateau without masses of people around: http://www.chateau-bonaguil.com/); walked down quiet country lanes; and we have even managed to have a couple of swims in the pool where we are staying.

The late spring has proven to be a fantastic time of year to be here.  The weather isn't too hot (although we have had a little bit too much rain for my liking) and the produce is outstanding: white asparagus, impossibly sweet strawberries, cherries, and broad beans (which are a personal favourite of mine). There have also been the standard French treats: baguettes, cheese, pastries, crepes, did I mention the cheese.  And then there are the regional specialties: foie gras, duck confit, and prunes. I was even brave enough to try escargot for the first time, surprisingly delicious.

It has been a very relaxing couple of weeks.  We must be relaxed as Mum and I are both losing track of the days (although I'd argue her, more than I!)  I'm keeping track enough to know that I fly back to London in two days time.

Italian ways

I have made it to beautiful Italy. I am staying on a small olive farm about 10 minutes from a town called Orte which is 40 minutes by train from Rome.

The countryside is stunning. Rolling hills peppered with pockets of bush, olive groves and meadows filled with spring grass. In exchange for food and board I am expected to work in the mornings: looking after 4 beautiful show jumpers; gardening and working in the olive grove. We stop during the morning for stovetop Italian espresso and lunch is an outdoor, sit-down affair: pasta; salads; bread; and cheese (today I counted the number, eight different types of cheese, heaven).

It is a fantastic way to gain an insight into the traditional Italian way of life. I'm here until 3 May when I hit the tourist trail again in Rome.

Lovely London

I have now made it back to lovely London. Despite the weather being a little chillier than I'm accustomed to, it is nice to be back to the English spring (with the long daylight hours) and the bustling city.

I really struggle with London in the winter, it's so dark and grey and long, that it's easy to get bogged down by it all, but spring is a different story as people start to come out of hibernation. The faces on the tube are a little less glum, European summer trip planning begins in earnest, and summer festival/event posters pop up.

While I am lucky enough to have avoided one of the coldest winters on record here, I can't help but get caught up in the changing vibe of the city.

As is always the case in London there is lots on, yesterday I wandered around a Roy Liechtenstein exhibition at the Tate Modern, sampled some goodies at my all time favourite, the Borough Market and walked aimlessly around Selfridges.  After my time in Africa, I actually find places like Selfridges even crazier than I used to - materialism and consumerism at its very best (or worst, depending on ones view).  I also partook in having a few wines with friends in Shoreditch.  Today I'm going to take a walk on Hampstead Heath and perhaps go to the British Museum.

London is an utterly charming place when one doesn't face the usual constraints of day to day life.  I love being here when I am free to spend my days at will and don't have to face the daily commute or hectic pace of working life here.

And, just because I can, a few photos.

Smells of Singapore

After a fabulous six weeks at home I'm officially a 'traveller' again (rather than just unemployed).

I arrived in Singapore on Friday. I haven't travelled in Asia at all. The only place I've been is a trip to Bali with my family when I was 12.

I'm here for 5 days before I head down to Darwin to visit my sister. Since I've decided to delay getting a job again I'm on a pretty small budget. Yep, I'm even staying in a dorm room, gap student style.

Arriving here reminded me yet again what an amazing sense smell is. I was almost immediately transported back in my memory to that first overseas trip as a twelve year old. I think Asia has very distinctive smells: the food and all the amazing spices, the woody yet plasticky smell of the clothes, the flowers in the humid air.

To my nose Latin America also has a very distinctive smell, I think primarily from the cleaning products. I remember landing in Mexico City having first travelled to South America some 18 months earlier and not been able to stop commenting on the similarity of the smell.

In Europe the smell is more familiar but still memorable. One of my favourite aspects of a trip cycling around Provence last June was experiencing the beautiful smells of the countryside (including the infamous lavender) all day long.

Finally, there is the smell of home - one of my favourite things about NZ which I mentioned in my last post.

Of course I'm not just enjoying Singapore's smells, the food has been incredible and the architecture outstanding. Due to budget constraints I've mainly been sticking to hawker stalls for food and wandering the streets to fill my time. I've even satisfied my inner planning lawyer geek by finding a gallery (with no admission fee) solely dedicated to the town planning history of Singapore. (The Singapore City Gallery).

All in all, a great foray into the world of Asia.