An Easter weekend in the south

We were in the south during the coldest part of winter this year. The snow and rain storm that hit France was a surprise and we managed to escape it by chance as the trip was planned.



Montpellier, Nimes, Camargues, Aigues Mortes and so on....the medieval towns, Roman structures and natural landscapes are just magnificent.

Place de la Comedie, Montpellier

Les Arenes de Nimes

Le Pont du Gard

Agde

Palavas

La Camargue

Les Saintes Maries de la mer

Neighbours' Cats

The curious siamese cat looking out of the window to check out the passers-by. Bernard caught him looking at him while he was taking photos of the blooming plants outside our apartment.

This one is naughty. Once he came to our balcony and played with the fresh soil that we prepared for the spring plantation, leaving traces of its footprints and soil all over the balcony.

Real Copy

I'm referring to real copy of the works of grand masters such as Da Vinci, Cézanne, Monet Van Gogh, etc. Reproducing the masterpieces in oil on canvas is real physically. The only element copied is the imagination of the grand artists. In other words, real reproductions are painted by hand by authentic artists and its material, colour and odour resemble the original works.

We can find these reproductions easily and the prices are reasonable. But beware of print reproductions as the current technology allows high quality printing on textured paper to imitate the look and feel. Do ask the workshop whether the paintings are "fine art prints" or oil on canvas. You can also tell the difference by looking at the price.

You might be wondering also whether the reproduction of an oil painting breaches the laws of copyright. In France, the copyright laws do not restrict reproduction if the author is dead for more than 70 years. This should not pose a concern if you are interested to purchase (or even reproduce, if you have the gift of painting!) an impressionist work of the 19th century.

Easter eggs and bunnies....and all other animals

When one (especially a child) thinks of Easter, the picture of colourful eggs and bunnies come into mind. In fact Easter is more than just chocolates and packaging. To many people who share the same faith as us, it is the symbol of birth.

In any case, it is also a celebration of the arrival of spring. It's a relief after braving the cold for a couple of months, and a joy seeing the blossoming plants. For many children, it is time to hunt for the eggs and bunnies (and even chickens, ducks and some other animals, thanks to the enterprising chocolatiers) in the garden, and the best of all...feasting on chocolates!


We are seeing more and more beautifully-wrapped easter gift products. Some notable brands like Godiva, Chocolate Trading Co, Leonidas and Jeff de Bruges have a wide range of ideas this year. My favourite is always the easter bunny. I just have to have one for myself despite the fact that it's rather a thing for the children.

Bons plans pour les vacances

In three weeks' time, we would be in the south of France soaking the sun, I hope. We are seeing the first signs of spring, yes, even in Paris. Days are longer, buds are appearing on trees and our neighbours' cats are taking more walks outdoors.

We are heading to Provence! It may be too early to dive into the vast lavender beds but we're going back to Provence in September for a real holiday.

To be exact, we'll be stationed at the Montpellier city during the long Easter weekend. We found a reasonable package of flight + hotel + rented car through Voyage SNCF, which is a good substitute for a train package deal as the flight is not costing much more than the train from Paris to Montpellier.

As I did some research on vacations in the south, I stumbled upon gîte lodgings that are let by the week. The good thing about staying in a gîte is that you have the option of making your own meals as it comes with full kitchen facilities. In anywhere in the world except Asia, eating out is usually more expensive than preparing your own meal. With this possibility, you have more room to manouevre your holiday costs within your budget. This is perhaps more important to those who are determined to spend within their budget and yet still able to enjoy their holiday.

We didn't hesitate to book a gîte right away for our holiday in September when we saw Mas de Grasset. The gîte is an individual house with a private garden in the heart of Provence, between Saint Rémy and les Baux de Provence. The prices are reasonable and the owners are friendly. This is perfect as we love the countryside and it is not far from the historical Avignon.

Half of the vacation is planned for visiting monuments and natural sites, and we will spend the rest of the time enjoying the local produce such as discovering, tasting and buying aromatic herbs, olive oil, lavender soap, wine and pottery and textile directly from the farms or producers.

Photography

A friend of mine recently told me that she's interested in photography. I feel very pleased that she's keen to take up a new hobby especially in a creative area. I have always enjoyed some of my friends'photos which they have started taking since college days. Many of them are passionate, dedicated and ardent (in my own words, "crazy" or "totally in love") about photography.

ASIAN FOOD IN PARIS (bonnes addresses)

As this article is mainly for our friends in France, I have writte it in French.

Pour satisfaire nos envies d’authentique cuisine asiatique, autre que celle que nous cuisinons à la maison, nous avons recherché des restaurants de divers horizons et spécialités de toute l’Asie à travers Paris.
C’est le résultat de nos expériences que je vous livre ici.

Vietnamien :
Suave – 20 rue Providence – 75013 – 01 45 89 99 27.
Petit restau, plein de charme, à la Butte aux cailles, pour une authentique cuisine vietnamienne originale et inventive. Il est préférable de réserver car c’est petit et assez peuplé.

Malaisien :
Chez fung – 32 rue Fremicourt – 75015 – 01 45 67 36 99.

Le seul restaurant Malaisien de Paris, à notre connaissance !
La aussi, c’est petit et il est sage de réserver, surtout le week-end.
Pour ceux qui ne connaissent pas, c’est l’occasion de découvrir une cuisine riche en saveur, épicée, inventive. Ca change des standards de cuisine asiatique que l’on connaît le plus en France.

Indonésien :
Indonesia – 12 rue de Vaugirard – 75006 – 01 43 25 70 22.
Quelques similitudes avec la cuisine Malaisienne, au niveau de l’utilisation des épices, notamment. De nombreuses formules de « rijstaffel » (ou table de riz), qui vous permettront de découvrir plusieurs spécialités pour un prix raisonnable.
C’est assez fréquenté et il est donc, la aussi, souhaitable de réserver.


Cambodgien :
La Mousson – 45 av Emile Zola – 75015 – 01 45 79 98 52.
Petit restaurant très agréable pour découvrir les richesses de la cuisine Khmer, à mi-chemin entre Vietnam et Thaïlande. Des épices, du lait de coco pour adoucir, un mariage réussi et original.

Nouilles japonaises :
Sapporo ramen – 276 rue Saint Honoré – 75001 – 01 40 15 98 66.
C’est tout petit, c’est à mi-chemin entre une cantine et un fast food, mais ces soupes de nouilles japonaises sont à découvrir car il n’y a pas que les sushis au Japon !

Nouilles vietnamiennes :
Pho Banh Cuon 14 – 129 av de Choisy – 75013 – 01 45 83 61 15.
La aussi, c’est tout petit et ça ne ressemble pas au dernier endroit à la mode, mais, d’une part, les soupes de nouilles (« pho ») y sont excellentes et, d’autre part, si on se laisse un peu emporter par l’endroit, on se sent vite transporté au fin fond de Saigon.


BON APPETIT !