Mont-St-Michel Escapades

Friday, 17 February 2012 23 comments

The Mont-St-Michel is most visited tourist attractions apart from Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. Stunning gothic-style Benedictine abbey dedicated to the archangel Saint Michael located in the lower part of Normandy Region in France.

The Mont-St-Michel and its bay – is one of UNESCO list of world heritage. A must see and visit attraction in Normandy.

When its high tides it looks like floating Cathedral. The track way is covered by water and uncovered at low tide.

What to expect?
  • Expect for stunning cultural attractions, from country side to sea side.
  • Exciting road trips and thousands of souvenir shops to stops.
  • Expect for nice Cafés, hotels and restaurants in the community.
  • Expect for long walk and climbing.

Taken inside the car








How was our visit?

The weather was awful when went to Mont-St-Michel. We go by car and paid 6 euros for car parking. The attraction is free. The good thing that time we did not take the pram with us or else it would be nightmare. It’s was hard work for the both of us to go there just imagine carrying my daughter in my shoulder whilst climbing up to the abbey. It’s like sacrifice for me just to enter to the Cathedral it was worth of going. It’s beautiful inside and outside.

To end our day tour we had lovely meal from La Mére Pourlard  an 18th century hotel and restaurant with famous wall of autographs from over a century of famous diners, including Ernest Hemingway and Yves Saint-Laurent. Best to try their house cidré  it's the best! Another unforgettable adventure we had.


Travel Tips
Best to go in summer and don't forget to check the weather forecast and best to go during low tide.

How to get there?
By car or by bus. And it takes almost 4 hours travelling from Paris to Mont-St-Michel. We were lucky enough we stayed in the same region and took us an hour to travel. 




Wind Mill






Whilst waiting for the food I decided to draw my husband and daughter.


Visit Normandy, France: Day 1 – Gavray

Friday, 10 February 2012 1 comments

After a long journey we finally reached our destination. We stayed at Le Louverie near Gavray. It was glorious afternoon when we arrive in the gite. After check-in we decided to go in and around town of Gavray. We parked near the church and walk to find some café to have something to eat then we went for quick shopping for food to store in our fridge during our stay. 



My husband can’t wait to have a good splash in the swimming pool and my daughter is so excited to play in the playground. Whilst I’m having my first cheeky drink cider and marinated the chicken for our dinner.


It was sunny outside, but the wind is a bit cold. I can tell the temperature of the water in the swimming pool is probably the same as cold water from the fridge. My husband enjoyed it I don’t think my daughter she didn’t we were surprise at that time my 22 months toddler says this “out now, towel please” that was her 2 longest words aside from “Where is Daddy gone?” I think she stay for 60 seconds. It was freezing. I can’t imagine myself to have a splash.


Everyone is inside the house watching telly whilst, I was preparing our starter fresh raw oyster delight and I start the barbeque. We decide to eat outside with bottle of champagne. 


We had a lovely start of our holiday, everything is perfect. This was our dream holiday; by the way we plan this for years. Although the plan was change and we couldn’t make any booking in the vine yard as it was holiday seasons, we expect for full bookings. Even though it was not in the vine yard, were all having fun and satisfied for what we booked.

Beautiful Gîte in Normandy

0 comments

Beautiful self-catering country cottages or Gîte in French – are found all over Normandie in the most rural area from €350 - €800 a week per property with swimming pool.

We stayed at La Louverie located at Le Mesnil Amand near Gavray, North West of France. 
  • Beautiful cottage
  • 3 bedrooms,
  •  Barbecue
  • Beautiful garden
  • Play area,
  •  Swimming pool and scenic views. 



    How was our stay?

    When we arrived we certainly love the gite it’s very pretty. It was glorious but the wind is a bit cold. My husband and daughter were so excited to have a splash in the swimming pool. We stayed for 10 days there enough to visit most attractions in the region. Everything you need in the house is available except the food. The gite is close to the market and town centre in Gavray. The place is peaceful perfect for relaxing. The host Chris and Bridget are very nice and helpful. We had a lovely holiday.
    If you’re planning a long and unique holiday with your family and friends including your pet gîtes is the answer. For more information visit http://frenchconnection.co.uk



    The Arc de Triomphe (Triumphal Arch)

    Wednesday, 8 February 2012 25 comments

    In 1616 Marie de Médicis turned the place into a fashionable driveway with the help of André Le Notre who landscape the area. It became a memorial to French army in 1806 in the same year Jean Chalgrin designed the said arc.

    Taken inside the car.


    When we arrived in Paris we passed the region Louvre and Champs-Élysées. The Arc de Triomphe is set in the roundabout so since we are in the car and parking is hard to find we took the opportunity to go round twice in the arc to takes some photographs. Even though it’s hard to take photographs whilst the car is moving we still manage to take some nice shoots.


    Aside from Eiffel Tower the most visited attractions in Paris, France. The Arc de Triomphe is famous monument and Paris famous tourist attraction as well. And travellers should not miss to visit and see every detail on the monument. Don’t forget “It’s FREE to wander”.

    Taken inside the car.

    How to get there?
    By Car
    By Metro – RER line A, Charles de Gaulle-Etoile
    By Bus – 22,30,31,52,73 and 92




    Every detail of its archeture is stunning. What a beautiful art standing still for centuries? Every tourist will amazed the style and history of the Arc de Triophe. A road trip that is full of wandering and learning world history.

    The Yellow Duck Marine Tour

    Monday, 6 February 2012 20 comments


    Thinking of going to Liverpool for day out with your family or friends?



    The yellow duck marine tour offers a unique way of discovering the City of Culture in Liverpool city centre. By land and water you will enjoy this amazing experience.

    Trip starts on the road, then to the historic waterfront, touring the famous sights of the city, and then making a dramatic splash down in the Salthouse Dock ending at Albert Dock.

    Ticket Type     Off Peak         Peak
    Adults             £9.95               £14.95
    Children           £7.95               £9.95
    Concessions   £8.95               £11.95
    Family (2 adults & 2 Children)            £32.00             £39.95
    Additional Child (upto 3 per family ticket)       £5.00   £7.00

    Peak period: School & Bank Holidays (including Bank Holiday weekends) from February to October.
    Our tours depart daily all year round from 10.30am or 11.00am. During very quiet times we run every 75 minutes and during busy times every 15 to 30 minutes.

    A group of ten or more can share a regular commercial tour with other passengers at standard price rates with a discount rate of 10%.


    The Yellow Duckmarine
    32 Anchor Courtyard
    Albert Dock
    Liverpool
    L3 4AS
    0151 708 7799

    Opening Hours

    Mon-Sun 09:00-17:30

    Departure Point

    Gower Street Bus Stop
    Albert Dock
    Liverpool
    L3 4AS

    Travel tip: Book on-line to avoid disappointments. Happy trip!
    For more information and bookings check their website here: http://www.theyellowduckmarine.co.uk/

    Basic French Phrases for Travellers

    Friday, 3 February 2012 23 comments

    Travelling to non-speaking English country like France is like entering in a new world. If you fancy to travel to France then you should learn at least few terminologies to communicate with them. Majority of the locals living outside of Paris don’t speak English very well. Learning there basic phrases during your stay is very useful. If you smile they will smile back, if you say hello they will say salut.

    I remember first time I was there. I'm starving and I want something to eat to fill my empty stomach. The only open is a boulangerie pâtisserie it's a bakery specialising in French pastry. Before I left the car I said to my husband "Bon jour Comment allez-vous? deux pan au cholat.  S'il vous plaît merci" in English (Good Morning. How are you? 2 bread with chocolate please thank you). He was laughing to me and says, "I'm so proud of you." Is it right? He says yes! He speak French but he don't want to go out. I force to go out and speak the language so I can get my pan au chocolat. Honestly speaking I don't want to do sign language because God is given me a mouth to use to speak and I don't want to look like an idiot foreigner. 

    English                                    Pronunciation                          French

    Hello                                        sah-loo                                    Salut
    Good morning/good day         bon-zhoor                                Bon jour
    How are you?                         kom-mohn tah-lay voo             Comment allez-vous?
    Fine. Thanks and you?           bee-ehn mer-see ay voo?          Merci et vous?
    My name is                             juh mah-pell                            Je m'appelle
    What is your name?    kom-mohn voo-za-peh-lay voo          Comment vous appellez-vous?
    Glad to meet you                    on-shohn-tay                           Enchanté
    Pleased to meet you               ohn--shahn-tay                         Enchanté(e)
    Excuse me/sorry                    ex-koo-zay mwah                    Excusez-moi
    Do you speak English?           par-lay voo zon-glay               Parlez-vous anglais?
    Goodbye                                 oh ruh-vwar                             Au revoir
    Good evening                           bon-swar                               Bon soir
    I don't understand                   jhuhn kom-prohn pah             Je ne comprends pas
    I'm sorry                                  day-zoh-lay/pahr-dohn           Desolé/Pardon
    Pardon me                              pahr-dohn                                Pardon
    Please                                     seel voo play                           S'il vous plaît
    Please speak slowly               par-lay lehn-ta-mohn              Parlez lentement
    Thank you                               mare-see                                 Merci
    That's ok                                 dah ree-ehn                             De rien
    No                                           nohn                                        Non
    You're welcome                      dah ree-ehn                             De rien
    Ok                                           dah-core                                  d'accord
    There                                       lah                                           Là
    Very well                                 treh bee-ehn                            Très bien
    What?                                     kom-mohn                              Comment?
    Where                                     oo                                                Où

    I really want to go back to France soon as possible, but before that I should learn more terminologies for me to travel the country with confidence. If you need Help just shout au secours!
    Au revoir...

     
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