France

 

“Paris is always a good idea.” — Audrey Hepburn

Bruce asked me to write the trip report--that's why it's two weeks late.

So, two weeks ago we flew home from Paris.  

 

When I stop to reflect,  I remember that we were pickpocketed in the Paris metro, we had to sit on our luggage on the train from Dijon, we were harassed by traffic and misty rain on our bike rides, there were protesters and police outside of our Bastille hotel, the winery we wanted in Beaune was closed.  Therefore, I don't exactly know why, but we had one of our best times ever!!

Our bike and barge was set in Burgundy.  19 bikers, all Canadiens, except us, on the Yonne river/canal.  After the first day, we switched to ebikes because we all rode together and we just couldn't keep up on the regular bikes.  It was pretty great fun.  As you know, Canadiens are all required to be nice people, so our time together was quite pleasant.  And the food--si bon!

We got off the boat in Auxerre and took the train to Dijon.  Burgundians are very proud of their history, as well they should be, so we visited museums, castles, galleries and markets.  The mustard, of course.  We ended up staying 10 days at 2 hotels.  We wanted to extend at the Hotel des Ducs, but they were full, so we moved a block away to the brand new Aloft, Dijon.  If you're ever in Dijon....The staff were so kind and helpful.  They gifted us a nice bottle champagne for our 55th anniversary.  I ate escargots for the first time, and I'd do it again.

Back to Paris.  Time with friends, a very good cocktail at L'Abricot. It is Jen Crain's, women-owned, contemporary bar.  Look for it when you're in Paris. 

Home again. 

Puerto Escondido

 Buenos tardes amigos…….

We just returned and are digging ourselves out. I have a Grand Canyon trip next week, so many things to do and take care of.

 Puerto Escondido has the most extensive coastline in the state of Oaxaca.  It is a surfers paradise. It was quite humid and in the mid 80s, so I will be coming to the canyon in freezing temps!

Land of Alexander the Great

 Save for the wild force of Nature, nothing moves in this world that is not Greek in its origin.

 John Dalberg-Acton

A modern day ELG/Gerry  close to 3 week Odyssey ….1000 road miles thru northern Greece, Albania and Macedonia - land of Alexander the Great and Mother Teresa. 

Thessaloniki, Vergina, Mt. Olympus, Meteora, Metsovo, Zagoria, Vitsa, Vikos Gorge, Butrint, Lonnina, Gjirokaster, Berat, Ohrid Tirana, Tetova, Matka Canyon, Skopje

This trip had absolutely the best countryside and city beauty and culture.  The Mediterranean cuisine was nothing short of delicious and healthy. 

The people were warm and friendly. Albania opened its borders to tourism 10 short years ago and the country has come a long ways.

Most everywhere we traveled was beautiful, interesting and educational.

Our guide and driver were extraordinary.  

There is so much to tell/describe  but alas no  time. For me, two of the many highlights were Meteora Greece and Lake Ohrid split between Macedonia and Albania. (Matka Canyon was also very cool!)

Meteora ….towering rock formations on top of which are built the famous monasteries of Meteora, some of which date back to the earliest 14th century.  These astonishing retreats are perched atop pinnacles that rise about a thousand feet from the valley floor. For centuries these monasteries served as Christian redoubts while the Ottoman Turks ruled Greece. 

The James Bond thriller…”For Your Eyes Only” was filmed here in 1981.

Lake Ohrid….AZURE waters. The lake is very similar to our Lake Tahoe. It is at 6000 feet of elevation and its shape and size almost duplicates Tahoe. The water is crystal clear.

OK thats all I have the energy to write about. We are still feeling a bit of jet lag.  It has been a busy week of Tennis, World Series Game and A Smokey Robinson show. Tonight we have a play that our grandson is starring in.

Men Behaving Badly

A young policeman in Macedonia, stopping us for a false driving infraction, and he wanted 300 Euros. Our guide negotiated the “fee” down to 50 Euros. This isn’t Kansas Dorothy and Toto! It is the land of Alexander the Great and corruption.

A few photos of the hundreds I took.