VACANCES EN FRANCE: PARTIE HUIT / HOLIDAYS IN FRANCE: PART EIGHT

VACANCES EN FRANCE: PARTIE HUIT / HOLIDAYS IN FRANCE: PART EIGHT  

One Hotel Room at a Time

Our next destination was Vers-Pont-du-Gard. Vers-Pont-du-Gard is a commune in the Gard department in southern France. The reason for this stop over was the Pont du Gard, which is located on the territory of the commune.

The Pont du Gard was built shortly before the Christian era to allow the aqueduct of Nîmes (which is almost 50 km long) to cross the Gard river. The Roman architects and hydraulic engineers who designed this bridge, which stands almost 50 m high and is on three levels – the longest measuring 275 m – created a technical as well as an artistic masterpiece.

Pont du Gard is so very imposing as soon as you see it. The scale is grand and the condition is superb, considering it was opened in AD 60. It is an amazing engineering feat. You would think that after 2,000 years, buildings and structures categorized as Roman ruins would have been destroyed or supplanted already. Not with the Pont du Gard. The stable monument is partly due to the massive stones used in its construction. Built completely without mortar, the structure is held together by six-ton stones with iron clamps.

There are countless hiking trails leading from Pont Du Gard, but we just climbed up one small one to get a look over, call me lazy but lugging Jarvis, camera equipment, food and drink supplies turned me off too much hiking. After crossing the bridge we climbed down and walked to the water. The water of the The Gardon, or Gard, river was beautiful, so much so I made Justin wade out into the middle with Jarvis so I could get some photos. 

PEOPLE I MEET: MCDONALDS SUPER HERO

 

I saw this guy at McDonald's and just had to ask his Mum if it was OK to take his photo. She told me it was his idea to put the box on his head to create a mask.

CHRISTMAS AND BOXING DAY

Was your Christmas about Santa? And Santa stockings?

Was your Christmas about a decorated tree with beautifully wrapped presents underneath?

Was your Christmas about gift giving?

Was your Christmas about how much food you ate?

Was your Christmas about Hawaiian themes?

Was your Christmas about your crazy family? (This is my Eldest Sister's family)

Mine was all that and more. I hope everyone had a lovely day filled with love and laughter.

This is me Christmas morning, no make-up, hair not done; but super excited as I woke up with both my babies, and Justin got me garden gnomes!

VACANCES EN FRANCE: SEPTIÈME PARTIE

VACANCES EN FRANCE: SEPTIÈME PARTIE/ HOLIDAYS IN FRANCE: PART SEVEN 

One Hotel Room at a Time

From Lyon it was on to Orange in southern France, also known as the City of the Princes. The main reason for our visit to Orange was to see The Théâtre antique d'Orange ("Ancient Theatre of Orange"). It is an ancient Roman theatre, built early in the 1st century CE, (the town Roman Orange was founded in 35 BC).

It is said to be one of the best preserved of all the Roman theatres. In 1981 UNESCO declared the theatre as a World Heritage Site. The theatre was an important attraction in Roman times and continues to draw visitors from around the world, who come to hear its exceptional acoustics and appreciate its architecture.

When you climb the stairs, you cannot help but to think of the history of the theatre, who else before you have climbed the very stairs you are on? The place is amazingly preserved.

Once we had finished climbing and exploring we headed into town and had one of the most simplistic yet delicious pizzas I have ever had. 

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL: KOMBI KOFFEIN

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL: KOMBI KOFFEIN

Kombi Koffein

Cnr Jane and Buchanan Streets, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101

Tue - Sat: 07:00 - 15:00

http://www.facebook.com/kombikoffein

Kombi Koffein Mission Statement:

“Kombi Koffein presents 'Muriel', The Split Screen Bean Machine. A unique vintage mobile cafe experience. Direct Trade Organic Coffee, Chai, Chocolate or Tea Varieties with Maleny Dairies Milk in Compostable Cups and Lid. A guerilla cafe that is not run by chimps.”

Head over to South Brisbane, and go to the West End Markets. The market includes so much of what you want in a lazy Saturday market; from the garden-fresh fruit and vegetables, to a collection of new and second-hand goodies. While you are there stop by and visit Muriel and get a hot or cold beverage made from the freshest milk from Maleny and organic coffee and chocolate.

Kombi Koffein is at the West End Markets at Davies Park on Saturday mornings, Besides having the best tasting coffee, it is Justin and Ora who make the visit an experience. Together they have created an amazing space, so make sure you join the ever growing tide of regulars who make it their business to stop by.

(PLEASE NOTE: All photos are from Jam Photographics) http://www.jamphotographics.com.au/

PEOPLE I MEET: TAMMY AND DAVE

I meet this couple at the Kustom Krafts Brisbane Retro & Vintage Market at Sandgate on Sunday. It was Tammy's gorgeous hair that stopped my in tracks. 

DES VACANCES EN FRANCE: PARTIE SIX

DES VACANCES EN FRANCE: PARTIE SIX / HOLIDAYS IN FRANCE: PART SIX

One Hotel Room at a Time

Finding our way to Lyon is easy with Justin’s new best lady friend, the sat navigator. However, what it doesn't count on, nor let us know is our hotel is in the middle of the city; no, not just in the middle of the city, in the middle of the city mall. After circling the block over and over we decide our best course of action is for Justin to jump out with the luggage and go check in, while I continue to circle the city. I circle and circle the block; the locals must pick the crazy tourist, until Justin comes back to the car.

Finally after picking up Justin and lining up for a car park for almost an hour, we walk back to the hotel. Justin and I are starving so the plan was to drop off the rest of our stuff and go in search of food. But once inside our hotel room Jarvis changes the plans. Our little man takes his first steps, without holding onto anything. So we just sit and watch Jarvis walk. I feel so sad and so proud.

Once in the mall we opt for snacks now and an early dinner later. I am becoming addicted to crepes and hot chocolates. We also do our first shopping, a new pair of boots for Jarvis. In the week since we have left Brisbane his old boots have gotten too small and we figure to celebrate him walking Jarvis needs a stylish pair of French boots.

Lyon is shaped by its two rivers, the Rhône, to the East, and the Saône, to the West, which both run North-South. Our destination after leaving the mall is Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon) the Renaissance area, which is along the right bank of the Saône. On the way we pass another great French children’s park. Laughter and chatter permeates the air as these parks are filled with children and their parents, Jarvis loves them, he spends as much time socialising as he does playing.

Wandering through Viex Lyon is hard with the stroller; it is packed full of people, and cobblestones makes the stroller virtually impossible to push. Out comes the baby sling. Not only am I lugging a heavy child, Jarvis is now swinging and kicking his new boots into my thighs as I walk. Why did we buy him such chunky boots?

After wandering for a bit and stopping to take photos, (a giant Lion in Lyon) we find a great place for dinner; child friendly and the waiter chats away to us in English and is super friendly, even posing for photos with Jarvis. Added bonus is the meal is delicious.

Stuffed and feeling content we slowly walk back to the hotel only to end up smack bang in the middle of Lyon’s 2012 Zombie walk. Taking photos, with a baby in a sling, in the middle of over 1000 marching zombies is crazy, but we make it back to our hotel with only a small smattering of fake blood.

In bed that night both Justin and I remark on the same thing, since being in France we have felt no one has questioned our relationship. No one has given us the weird looks and the second glances that are all so familiar where ever we go in Australia. Even more so in Lyon, no one cares we are a mixed race couple, no one cares that in our relationship there is a significant age difference, and no one cares that it is me, the female that is older. Thank you France for not questioning our relationship.