Trip to Madeira Island: Sep 20 to 27, 2011

One of our best trip, noted for its flowers, landscapes Madeira wines ... 

Liboa and their yellow buses

Flight departure from Bordeaux Mérignac with a connecting flight in Lisboa which gave us the opportunity to visit again the Portuguese capital

One-and-a-half hour flight from Lisboa to reach the Archipelago of Madeira located 520 km from the African coast and 1,000 km from the European continent

The Island length is 57 km for a width of 22 km

Madeira has a subtropical-mediterranean climate with an average annual temperature between 15 to 22 °C. We particularly appreciated the very low temperature change around the clock.

We stayed at the Royal Savoy resort Hotel which is an excellent Hotel complex...

Wiew from our balcony

...set in an impressive sea front location near Funchal Marina and the city centre. 

We enjoyed  the two outdoor sea-water pools, lush sub-tropical gardens, barbeque area, sea-walk promenade, fountains and water cascades… as well our suite which have magnificent ocean views from the balcony

Funchal is the capital and principal city of the Madeira, located along the southern 

Funchal's Market: full of colors and flavors from the local flowers and fruits on display 

The wine: opportunity to taste the worldwide famous Madeira wine

A woman (who is?) walking path
of Levada do Castelejo

Levadas are aqueducts to carry water to the agricultural regions in the south and provide hydro-electric power. The most recent were built in the 1940s.. There are over 2,170 km of levadas and they provide a remarkable network of walking paths through beautiful countryside 

Viewpoints: there are numerous viewpoints in Madeira.

This one of Santa  when you leave Encumeada summit where both sides of the iosland can be seen at the same time. 

Porto Moniz  with natural swimming pools 

Basket cars: one of the most recognizable sights of Madeira, are the famous "basket cars." These cars made ​​of wicker and wood, give to the tourists moments of pure emotion. 

Western island Tour

Porto Moniz well known for its volcanic and natural swimming pools  

Câmara de Lobos: typical fishing town        

Cabo Girão Viewpoint, located in a promontory that rises 580 meters above sea level, Here opens up a vast and amazing panorama from the Câmara de Lobos to the Bay of Funchal, as well as a spectacular aerial view of the sea   




Paul de Serra  only plateau on the island at 1400 meters

Easter Island Tour

Santana: famous for its typical cottages called Doçaria 

Porto da Cruz and its mountain view

And to finish ...Madeira evening event:

Culinary delights of Espetada,

marinated beef cooked over the open fire

Fado songs

Group of Madeira folklore

Summer Holiday 2011

This year the holidays took place in Provence at Pont Royal from Jul 23 to Jul 30, 2011

Great place located in the south of Luberon.

We have appreciated the flavours, scenery, countryside, food, wine… and of course the good weather.

We were lucky, compare to the bad weather elsewhere in France during that period





Overview of "Le Domaine" (Holidays village)





A lot of activities based on the water


The most popular: la piscine des Rochers



                                        

A large lake for pedal boat and tranquility lovers





La Riviére Sauvage: a slide water for children
and ... adults

                              The waves poll like the ocean!

 

Visit of the Musee de la Lavande
(Lavender museum)

Situated in Lagarde d’Apt at 1100 m of altitude
The fine lavender essential oil is a featured product




Ptocess of distillation in a mobile still dating from 1900









The nearest city: Aix en provence



La Rotonde. The rotunda was erected in 1860. The three status represent Justice (facing Aix), Agriculture (facing Marseille) and the Arts (facing Avignon)

The old town

 

La place de la Mairie.


The square is dominated by the Town Hall

Clubs kids and juniors



Caraïb Pirats



Final show



Great celebration in Savoie, Michou is 70 …

First, congratulation to the organizers for the huge work made
Special gratitude to the daughters and granddaughters

The party took place at La Thuile on Saturday evening July 09, 2011 around a mechoui

Michou and his family welcoming the guests   

The remaining topics will be posted soon (waiting for pictures and video from Savoie).

STAY WATCHFUL !!!

 In that expectation, comments are welcome ....

Remaining topics arrived with some delay ....

The twist dance: always a successful during this kind of celebration

  

Very beautiful flowers bouquets coming from the surroundings fields

Salle des fetes de La Thuile: setting tables waiting for the dinner

Some favored are authorized to have dinner before everybody… thank papy Serge!

Taking the opportunity to meet some old or new friends and have a chat 

and the big famous: “ the Puygros’ boys band “  with his best success (click on the bellow link)

https://picasaweb.google.com/114555253375210982043/2Novembre2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCIbMptq_5s786AE

Escapade in New york

                                                                                                                                                                                   Enjoyable stay in New York City with our friends Marie-Annick and Patrick - Apr 20, to May 5, 2011

Flight Bordeaux-Mérignac departure on Wednesday Apr 20, 2011 with a connecting flight at Paris CDG and arrival at New York JFK

Flight back departure at Newark (New Jersey) for an arrival at Mérignac airport through Paris CDG on May 5, 2011

    


   The private car “door-to-door” transport was just on time for the pickup at JFK and a drop-off at Secaucus NJ.

                                                                                                                                                   

                    

 We stayed at the Embassy Suites Hotel (Hilton family) at Secaucus – NJ. A convenient home-base to explore New York City, located just 4 miles from Manhattan.

We appreciated the comfort of this hotel (two-room suites) and in particular the cooked-to-order breakfast and the Evening Manager’s Reception every day. Patrick discovered with pleasure the Samuel Adams beer!

First day visit from New Jersey coast: round trip to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island immigration museum called America's "Golden Door".

Over 12 million immigrants passed through the doors of Ellis Island between January 1, 1892 and November 1954, hoping to achieve the "American Dream"..

The Statue of Liberty,designed by Frédéric Bartholdi and dedicated on October 28, 1886.

 

The statue, a gift to the United States from the people of France

To the late evening the same day : New York Tours fully guided with the following stops: Central Park, Grand Central Station, Ground Zero, NBC studios, Rockfeller Center, St Patrick’s cathedral, Times Square ...

                   
Janine spoke a lot with our fabulous guide: he knows everything about NYC and appreciates the French women visitors ....


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      The Second day: Empire State Buiding Observatory offers panoramic views of the New York skyline from the 86th floor


From the top, view to NYC and New Jersey coast over the Hudson river



Into elevator to the 86th floor in few secondes



WTC Visitor Center and Ground Zero

On September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked and crashed two passenger aircraft into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center (WTC). Five smaller trade center buildings were also destroyed beyond repair. Approximately 3000 people died including 350 rescue workers.

New Yorkers resolved to rebuild the WTC . Redevelopment is underway to transform Ground Zero. Five new towers are scheduled for the last completion by 2036.

 Traveling with the Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises 



South Manhattan Skyline

To enjoy from the water magnificent views of the Skyline, Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, the United Nations, NY seaport, Aircraft carrier ...



Aircraft carrier in NYC harbor



The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States. Completed in 1883, it connects the New York City and Brooklyn over the East River

Others interesting visits  

               

 Broadway and the Indian Museum

   Necklaces collection made with pearls or feathers      

Fifth Avenue shopping with a stop at the fashionable shop Abercrombie and Fitch

Central Parc



Very close to NYC, but very quiet

Times Square and the Sea Port



Times Square: illuminated place every time







 The last day: the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

     Exhibitions from the splendours of ancient Egypt


.