Trip to La Rochelle 3

Here are some more pictures of our trip to La Rochelle. Most of them were taken using my 3 Skypephone and the quality is not that good.

On the Bus de mer again.
This time in the evening on the way to the old port.




Boats docked at Les Minimes

At the Aquarium.
They have an amazing collection but didn't really enjoy the visit there as there were too many people. The queues stretched nearly 100 metres from the entrance. Fortunately we had already bought the tickets from the tourist information centre. Saw some really strange fishes.




Jaws




My daughter




Sharks


Starfish sticking to the glass wall


A strange yellow fish


Horseshoe crab


???

|A fish with a horn

Plage des Minimes.
The beach just a short walk away.






You can see "the lighthouse at the end of the world" (Le Phare du bout du monde) in the distance.



Place de Verdun
The bus stand




Big merry-go-round



Natural History Museum
Photography not allowed in here.


La Rochelle airport


The small "Aeroport"


Our small family - finally a picture all together.

Romance in the rain

I was driving by the park today and noticed this young couple kissing under an umbrella in the rain surrounded by flowers and I smiled and thought "how romantic"

I then thought how a similar activity would be frowned upon in a few countries. Take Malaysia for example, they would probably be hauled up by the moral police and if they were Muslims, may be charged for Khalwat or close proximity. That is if they were not married. Even if they were married, something like that won't be looked at favourably. It is simply not right for a couple to show public affection like that in public.

It's interesting how the cultural mores and norms differ across countries. Is there a right and wrong?

It's amazing what comes into your mind when you are supposed to be doing something. Well, I am gong back to completing the second draft of my chapter and leave it up to you to decide.

La Rochelle 2

Continued from "La Rochelle holiday 1".

You know the saying, "if anything can go wrong, it will."

Well I knew that the electric plug sockets were different on the continent and had purchased adapters from Argos. However, when we got there found out that it simply didn't fit. On closer inspection, found out that the adaptors was for the US. I knew it was my fault for not checking them out but I am really mad at those guys in Argos who gave me the wrong plug adapters.

Searched around the city tryign to find an adaptor but none of the shops we went to had it. So my digital camera battery ran out after 3 days and we couldn't use our lap top at all. Fortunately we had our 3 Skypephones and used them to take pics for the next 3 days. We also bout two disposable cameras which I have yet to develop and print.

Anyway, here are some more pics:


The shortest and fastest way to get to the centre of the city, the "Vieux Port" (Old Harbour) from Les Minimes, (where we were staying) was via the Bus de mer (sea bus).


The Bus de mer





One way ticket cost us 1.75 € each (children below 5 travel free). Later on we bought the Pass Rochelais (La Rochelle city pass) from the tourist office located at Quai du Gabut. It's valid for 3 days which allows for unlimited travel on the Bus de mer, the electric boat, the local bus and the yellow bicycles. It cost us 7€ per person and we also bought discounted entry tickets for the Aquarium and some museums.


View from the Bus de mer. You can see the the Lantern Tower (La Lanterne) here.


The two towers at the "Vieux Port" ("Old Harbour"), La Rochelle. View from the Bus de mer.



The sea front promenade was a hive of activity every time we went. With stalls selling everything from food to art work and street performers and artists. There are a number of cafes and restaurants as well. The place actually comes alive at night.


Food stalls


This guy's really talented


I think they are musicians from South America. Picture was taken using my 3 Skypephone and is not so clear


Another view of the two towers






Really pedestrian friendly


Some street performers


My daughter having her hair wrap done.


Boats for sale

La Rochelle holiday 1

After a wonderful week in sunny France we are now back in cold and wet Coventry. We flew from Stansted airport on the evening of the 9th. This time we didn't want to take any chances and took the National Express bus from Pool Meadow Bus Station, Coventry. We set off quite early from Coventry (1:15pm) even though our flight was only at 7:25pm.

We decided to go on our holiday because we needed to get away from it all - and to recharge our batteries.


Flying with Ryanair

After a slightly rough flight we arrived at La Rochelle. Our friend Agnes, had kindly hired a taxi to pick us up. There was a communication breakdown but we somehow managed to reach the apartment safely.

The apartment is near the Les Minimes port and we spent the next day exploring the area. As it was a Sunday, most of the shops were closed. Les Minimes is the largest marina for pleasure boats in France. I have never seen so many boats together at one place.


Les Minimes port

Fortunately there were some restaurants open. Found a place with a menu in English. My wife was delighted with the choice of sea food. Unfortunately for me, there wasn't much vegetarian choices and had to make do with bread butter and fries.


Prawns


Moules (Mussels)

Later that evening discovered that the sea coast was just a little walk away from the apartment. They have excellent paths by the sea for walking or cycling.


With the kids near the "La Porte Océane".








On the Altlantic coast.

Had a great time just walking along the path and playing with the kids.



Thus ended our First day in La Rochelle.

Garden needs weeding

The rains have started and the weeds are coming back with a vengeance. Guess I have to get my hands really dirty when I get back:




Some of the weeds have beautiful flowers. I am not sure why but all of them in my garden seem to have pink flowers.

This is my Green Thumb Sunday post for this week.


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Do visit As the Garden Grows for more information.