This is in this moment that you realise how small we are, but how great the nature is (i am only saying this words because of the lack of oxygen) ;-P
petites vacances landaises
13 years ago
12 February 2009
Pau and the Pyrenees
5 days in Pau with Yannick (my friend and flatmate from Nice). We spend a sporty weekend with fantastic weather as you can see on the pictures below. Starting with snow rackets, then snowbarding/skiing the next day, and indoor rock climbing the day after ... we well deserved a break with a spa/sauna session on the last day.
This is in this moment that you realise how small we are, but how great the nature is (i am only saying this words because of the lack of oxygen) ;-P
This is in this moment that you realise how small we are, but how great the nature is (i am only saying this words because of the lack of oxygen) ;-P
07 February 2009
Marseille under heavy snow
After 10 days in Morocco, I head back to Marrakech airport, catch my flight and return to Marseille. However, my flight was canceled. The only flight of the day to Marseille was CANCELED. Noooooooooo! After discussing with other people like me and the airport employees, apparently Marseille airport is closed due to snow. I can believe it! It can't be true, we only get snow once every 20 years. Thank you to Royal Air Maroc who organised 4**** hotel and pickup from/to airport for absolutly nothing. A great way to finish the trip! Many airline would have told us to bugger off and do it ourselves. But Royal Air Maroc provided excellent service and efficiency.
06 February 2009
The buzz of Marrakech
To describe Marrakech in a few words ... it's busy, noisy and not quite like the rest of Morocco.
We arrived there after 5 days in the wild, so the choc was extreme. We had peace, quiet and tranquility and we get noise and pollution. Starting with the big square in the middle of the city, Djemaa El Fna, where you have activities all day long. During the day, some locals make the snakes dance at the sound of their flute ; the food stands sell you dried fruits (dates, nuts, apricots, figues, ...).
At night, the square is transformed and many stands are setup to make food for both locals and tourists. On the side of that, the story tellers narrate fables or legend but you need to understand arabic to understand anything ... we didn't! :-(
And within the Medina (the old town), you find the souk and the narrow streets. A real (non organised) mess for the inexperienced eye. We navigated for about 1 hour in the streets, zig zagging between tourists, locals, mopeds, donkeys and un-defined things. Basically, the same kind of stores can be found every 10 meters (babouches, souvenirs, tajins and typical clothes).
But Marrakech is still an experience to live ... but not for too long. You can get dizzy quickly with this crowd and still we went there during a more quiet time. Not for faint hearted! But the best thing in Morocco is the bargaining. You can reduce the price 2 or 3 times easily. They don't mind and in the end everyone is happy. You think you made a bargain (even if it is not true) and the shop keeper sold you an item.
We arrived there after 5 days in the wild, so the choc was extreme. We had peace, quiet and tranquility and we get noise and pollution. Starting with the big square in the middle of the city, Djemaa El Fna, where you have activities all day long. During the day, some locals make the snakes dance at the sound of their flute ; the food stands sell you dried fruits (dates, nuts, apricots, figues, ...).
At night, the square is transformed and many stands are setup to make food for both locals and tourists. On the side of that, the story tellers narrate fables or legend but you need to understand arabic to understand anything ... we didn't! :-(
And within the Medina (the old town), you find the souk and the narrow streets. A real (non organised) mess for the inexperienced eye. We navigated for about 1 hour in the streets, zig zagging between tourists, locals, mopeds, donkeys and un-defined things. Basically, the same kind of stores can be found every 10 meters (babouches, souvenirs, tajins and typical clothes).
But Marrakech is still an experience to live ... but not for too long. You can get dizzy quickly with this crowd and still we went there during a more quiet time. Not for faint hearted! But the best thing in Morocco is the bargaining. You can reduce the price 2 or 3 times easily. They don't mind and in the end everyone is happy. You think you made a bargain (even if it is not true) and the shop keeper sold you an item.
04 February 2009
Les noms rigolo au Maroc
Presque tous les jours, nous trouvions des magasins, des voitures, des immeubles, des publicites rigolotes. Les noms sont soit vraiment marrants, soit il y a des fautes d'ortographe.
Ca donne pas envie d'y aller ...
La FNAC comme en France, mais different ...
Ca donne pas envie d'y aller ...
La FNAC comme en France, mais different ...
03 February 2009
Berbers of the North
Even though we were tourist, we camped everywhere. And the berbers (either sincere or just to please us and get some money) told us that we acted like berbers.
We are the berbers of the north!
Ok, Thomas looks better than I. But I didn't "troc" / "deal" my mum and the car for a piece of fabric bought for 10 dirhams at the local market. ;-)
The ground from above (1 meter high), the shape of heart in the ground. This is so cute! ;-P
We are the berbers of the north!
Ok, Thomas looks better than I. But I didn't "troc" / "deal" my mum and the car for a piece of fabric bought for 10 dirhams at the local market. ;-)
The ground from above (1 meter high), the shape of heart in the ground. This is so cute! ;-P
Sand dunes at the Erg Chebbi
On new year's day, the wake up call at 7.30am to see the sunrise was awfully hard, especially when we realized we slept only 4 hours and the weather was overcast. But one thing was worth it, the view of the dunes and a good breakfast.
Back on the camels (also called the 8x8 by the berber), we head back to the car (1.5h ride). This is way enough for me, my butt and legs are sore toward the end. But the sky is clearing out and we can enjoy even more the view of the dunes.
Back on the camels (also called the 8x8 by the berber), we head back to the car (1.5h ride). This is way enough for me, my butt and legs are sore toward the end. But the sky is clearing out and we can enjoy even more the view of the dunes.
22 January 2009
Happy New Year 2009
Happy New Year everyone! This was a good way to start 2009. New Year Eve at the Erg Chebbi in Morocco with the Berbers of the dunes.
On the roads of Morocco
As you can see below, the roads in Morocco aren't always straight or in good condition.
This first photo is happening in the Dades Gorges, very windy. What we don't know at this point in time is that we are going to set the tent next to a village. After setting up the tent and preparing the wood for the fire, a woman of a nearby house invites us for tea and dinner with her and her family. We spent the whole evening speaking with this Berber family (in French), drinking mint green tea and eating a chiken/veggies tajine with homemade bread.
In the Troda Gorges, we could not go any further that here. First, the road is in poor condition, then it turns into a dirt track later on and we don't have a 4x4. After a 1.28s discussion, we agree to head back the other way.
On this one, we are in the car (also called "The Scorpion" by our berber guide) on our way to the Erg Chebbi. I am not very confident that we can cross the river, but the guide is and tells us there is no risk. No problem at all! And we spend New Year Eve in the dunes of the Erg Chebbi with a bunch of 6 Berber guides (most of them drunk by the end of the night).
This first photo is happening in the Dades Gorges, very windy. What we don't know at this point in time is that we are going to set the tent next to a village. After setting up the tent and preparing the wood for the fire, a woman of a nearby house invites us for tea and dinner with her and her family. We spent the whole evening speaking with this Berber family (in French), drinking mint green tea and eating a chiken/veggies tajine with homemade bread.
In the Troda Gorges, we could not go any further that here. First, the road is in poor condition, then it turns into a dirt track later on and we don't have a 4x4. After a 1.28s discussion, we agree to head back the other way.
On this one, we are in the car (also called "The Scorpion" by our berber guide) on our way to the Erg Chebbi. I am not very confident that we can cross the river, but the guide is and tells us there is no risk. No problem at all! And we spend New Year Eve in the dunes of the Erg Chebbi with a bunch of 6 Berber guides (most of them drunk by the end of the night).
Morocco and the survival kit
10 days in Morocco for NYE (Thomas and myself)Our plan , "No Plan"
We like to go "Adventure"
We don't like Tourists
We started the trip with 1 tent for 2, 1 sleeping bag each, 1 sleep mat each, 1 swiss army knife, 1 bottle of Pastis and lots of wood for the evening fire.
Did I mention the Foie Gras? :-)
Job done! The car is loaded with wood, we can keep moving and find a nice place to set camp.
21 January 2009
No news, good news
Sorry, I didn't post anything recently but I have been moving a lot and I didn't have the time or will to write something on my blog. But it means that I have been really busy and had a lot of fun. Soon I will add the 10 days trip in Morocco and the little one of 4-5 days in Pau (south west of France). One thing for sure, I am still unconcerned about the financial crisis. I will have enough time in my hand in a month or two to worry about it.
In the meantime, I keep traveling and smiling :-)
In the meantime, I keep traveling and smiling :-)
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