Velib'ing

Velib' The best way to see Paris, especially on the weekends with a little less traffic around. Camera strap over the shoulder and shoot from the hip so to speak. Lots of rubbish shots of sky and road, but some worked, sort of ;)

What a powerhouse
















I'm being followed















Football anyone?





















Just do it crossing...















Overtaken by a chick on a postman bike, no wait! It's got gears ;)

When we stopped I got to take pictures that were square in the frame at least.





















The Petit Palais, and look right then left:














I suspect with the weather getting chilly Velib'ing into the night may become a little less fun... beanie anyone?

Italy - Cinque Terre

Apart from the art that is quite surreal, well not the art, but the feeling of standing in font of an original, you get the idea? Well, one of the things about Italy that will stay with me for long time is the beautiful Cinque Terre region. Before we get there though we made a detour via Luka, a very cool walled city, nothing fantastic, but we had great food and a good stroll around. One of the interesting things to see is the cathedral with all its unique columns.

On to the Cinque Terre, in many ways it made me think about some beautiful coastlines in South Africa, although they don’t have vines clinging to the slopes, old pastel shade buildings lining winding cobble roads and the light that just seemed special… the Cinque Terre does.

Not a place to live, but to escape and let the soul soak up some character. The Cinque Terre is national park made up of 5 villages spaced out just north of La Spezia, on the west coast of Italy; Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, Monterosso and finally Levanto. The coastline climbs out of the Mediterranean steeply which is probably what has allowed the region to retain its character. The inaccessibility saved it from being conquered in the ol’ days and nowadays keeps the volume of people manageable, allowing you many a chance to feel all alone with your giant blue swimming pool.

A convenient rail service links all the villages, this is the way to go, buy a day pass and you’re sorted. A road runs along the crest of the coastline affording spectacular views and wish-I-had-an-Alfa driving, but very little else, access to the villages is limited and, I would guess, parking even more so. The boat trip linking all the villages is well worth it, especially as we timed it just right to catch the last launch, and effectively have ourselves a near sunset cruise. Magic! For the more energetic the coastal path lets you forget about trains and the world, this lovers' stroll connects the towns with the occasional strenuous stretch. Aaah and to cool off from a hot mornings walk in the cool blue sea.

The Cinque Terre, a perfect way to bid farewell to Italy and chill the travel weary.














Lovers' walk with the padlocks holding them together, not sure through the eye is the best way...















Stunning blue as we strolled on lovers' walk.





















And an Aloey type flower stem asprouting.
















Hmm tempting... all the harvest is carried by people, no machines on those slopes.





















Pastel buildings of one of the five...





















The Cinque Terre 'duomo',





















and again, 'cause I like it that's why.















Another of the five from the boat.
















Vines and village, quite quaint!















Treated to beautiful sunsets.

If you want to get away and take in some natural beauty go to South Africa... but if you're in Europe and you don't like planes, well then the Cinque Terre is a must, they will even throw in heaps of charm.

Italy - Tuscan Traverse

The plan: head south from Florence, take in some cities of interest and then across to Pisa on the coast before heading back ‘home’ along the coast. First stop after Florence was San Giminiano, perched on a hill with its towers, characteristic of the area. This quaint city is responsible for a fair bit of wear and tear on the camera shutter, couldn’t help it though, everything is so picturesque. Not much there other than charm, but what else does one need, oh did I mention the world champ ice cream shop? Camping in an oak tree ‘forest’ wasn’t too schabby either, the morning shade keeping us in our sleeping bags long enough to feel a bit more like holiday.

San Giminiano from afar, the dusty grey of olive trees in the foreground.





















Not just Asterix and Obelix were into their wild boar...


































The twin towers of San Giminiano.

We finally escaped the tourists on a hot Sunday in Sienna, a quiet day with most shops within the city being closed. What a pleasure, especially after the hustle of Florence and a lesser extent San Giminiano. It seems an interesting city that was once much more prosperous than it is today, partly because of smallpox and partly the invasion from Florence. As with most of Tuscany, very scenic, but also interestingly home to the Pallio; a horse race equivalent of Aussie no-rules. It seems to be the neighbourhoods that enter teams into a no-holds barred horse race that essentially is a few circuits of the ‘track’, the winner being the one that is still on his horse. Of all the cities we had seen, Sienna seemed to be the city most shaped by the locals, they really do still lived in their city despite the tourists.

One of the only town squares I have ever seen that is not flat, sometimes squares aren't squares, but normally flat...

Evening drinks in Montereggioni was enough time to take in this cute village atop a hill, surrounded by scenery that is Tuscan essence. I would go back just for the light.

Montereggioni as the sun goes down.













































The clichéd Tuscan scene does exist ;)

The seaside called; Pisa and camping on the Mediterranean Sea. Suddenly camping returned to the month long caravan variety that we found on the lakes, more of the locals getting away I guess, blah not my idea of fun.





















Baptistere at Pisa.















The cathedral.











Yes, the tourists doing their part to hold up the tower, posing for photies.





















It really does lean...

Pisa was really cool. The tower leans, and that evening out was just perfect, great restaurant in a very simple feeling city. Us, the travel weary took to the beach and soaked up the sun, and chilled…and yip, you would never have guessed it, but we watched the whales. Until we hit Pisa I hadn’t seen a single fat Italian, that title was reserved for tourists from the far west. Pisa beach however was just nasty, and what’s worse is that they had procreated; the not so little ones were doing their best to outweigh their parents. What ever happened to running, playing and burying your brother on the beach instead of stuffing your face?