Fri, Feb 16, 2007
Beginning of the journey at la Pointe des Châteaux: a very wild area.Then Sophie travels to Pointe-à-Pitre where she visit the market: a Guadeloupean fruit vendor explains her the different types of bananas (pink banana, green banana, plantain banana,etc).Then Sophie travels to La Bouillante: there she goes on the Nautilus, a glass bottom boat and sees the coral reef, the sponges: Fabrice Bertin , the guide explains that the coral reef is very delicate and the divers must be very carefully.Then we discover the marine reserve of Grand Cul de Sac with the mangrove: the guides explain the importance of the mangrove s shelter for the small fishes and also as protect of the coast against the big waves caused by hurricanes or tsunamis.In the National of Basse-Terre there i great biodiversity of plants: trees, ferns, lianas and orchids.In the National Park of "La Petite Terre" , park rangers as Lydie Largitte are observing the lesser Antillean iguanas.Then near Pointe-Noire Sophie meets Bernadette Benzelin, who manages a coffee plantation.The coffee trees were introduced in Guadeloupe between 1720 and 1730.Then Sophie travels to the Island of Saintes where she rents a scooter and visits the Fort Napoléon, she eats the "Tourments d'amour", famous cakes of this islands and meets a fisherman with a great sea bream.Finally Sophie enjoys in Point-à-Pitre the gwo-ka music, a musical practice played mainly with drums, a musical practice which emerged in the seventeenth century during te transatlantic slave trade. Besides we have the story of Philippe Fiston, a Guadeloupean skipper who participated in the "Route du Rhum", a transatlantic single-handed yacht race and who explains to the young Guadeloupean people that they mus forget their fear of the sea (bad memories of the slave trade) and take now advantages of the sea around Guadeloupe.
Fri, Mar 2, 2007
A nice journey of Sophie from Le Mongie (the ski resort) and the Pic du Midi ( the panorama from the terrace of the observatory, the talks with Jean-Jacques Vedere and Daniel Soucaze) to St-Lary Soulan (the meeting with Isabelle and her friends , the men and women singing and the preparation of the "garbure"-carrots, cabbages, turnips, beans and pork- and the supper ,moment of friendliness) passing by St.Lary Soulan (Isabelle Mir , the Olympic medal in the Groble winter games, the visit of the church with the Father Francis, the "brown bears", the snowboarders Manuel Bernia and Patrick Pesquet, Xavier de Le Rue , two times world champion), by Vier-Borde (Benoît Cockenpot and the breeding of the "Patous"-Pyrenean mountain dogs, the livestock guardian dogs and by Lescun in the Valley of Aspe (the talk with the mayor François Baye about the history of the village and the potential for hiking). Besides zooms about the Pyrenean gastronomy and about the caves in the Pyrenean mountains.
Fri, Mar 30, 2007
A nice journey from the high of a skyscraper and the talk with Keiko Aoki in the floating restaurant about how to behave with Japanse people to Kamakura (the excursion with Maggie, the meeting with the painter, the Shintoist temple, the beach and the surfers) and the Senso-Ji temple of Tokyo (the entrance by the Kaminarimon-Thunder Gate-, the offering of incense and the souvenirs shops) passing by the public park of Yoyogi-Koen (the artists, the eccentric girls), by Ginza (the kimono shop, Sophie wearing a visit kimono), by Minato-ku (the Nô theater, the Nô master explaining this Japanese theater), by Shibuya (the games centers - a way forget the stress of the day-, the shops where girls rent dresses and have a photo session, the !Alcatraz bar). Besides we see zooms about the life of the generations in Tokio (the childhood, the secondary private school, the university, the salary-men and the retirement) and about the neighborhood of Yanaka (Mrs Kaneko and her nephews preparing and selling spices made from seaweeds, fishes and fruits, Kazuo and the "sento"-bathhouse- and the temple,center of the neighborhood).
Fri, Nov 16, 2007
Beginning of the journey in Brussels: Sophie enters in the "Chocolaterie Neuhaus", the first chocolaterie of Brussels founded by 1857 and she tastes the "praliné de Bruxelles".Then Sophie meets the cartoonist Johan de Moor who shows him his workshop, then they go to the "Café La fleur en papier doré", a cafe where draftsmen , cartoonists and surrealists used to meet: they drink a beer and then go to the Belgian Center of the comic books, during the walk they see on the walls of some houses paintings of Tintin: in the center they mention some of the most famous cartoonists: Hergé (Tintin), Franquin (Gaston Lagaffe, Spirou et Fantasio): Johan de Moor explains that in Belgium the editors and the printers believe in the comic books and so Belgium exports each year a lot of comic books.Later Sophie meets Yves Peters in the neighborhood of the "Marolles": they visit a flea market and drink a beer.Then Sophie go to the Atomium: the centerpiece of the 1958 Brussels world's Fair: the director Henri Simons tells her that this 102 meters high monument represents an iron-crystal, the 9 spheres are connected to a central sphere: besides in one of this sphere there is a place for children with the nests of the "Marsupilami" as dormitories.Later Sophie travels to Bruges where she meets Hilde Lobelle, curator at the Memling Museum; she explains her the paintings of the Flemish Primitives (oil painting on oak wood) and shows her a triptych of Hans Memling. Finally Sophie travels to Ghent where she meets Xavier Pernell, on a place they meet a public crier announcing the openings of the markets.They make a bike tour and also gastronomical tour: Belgium is not only the famous mussels and fries, in a first restaurant Sophie eats prawns on a Belgian endive leaf, Xavier a smoked trout, in the second restaurant Sophie eats the waterzooi and Xavier the Flemish stew (beef meat marinated in Belgian beer) and in the third restaurant Sophie tastes a chocolate pastry. Besides we see zooms about the North Sea Coast (the tramway connecting the coastal towns of La Panne, Oostduinkerke, Oostende, and Knokke-le Zoute, the prawn fishing with horses, the kite surfing and the story of Jacques Brel when he was waiter, then pianist and later singer in Knokke-le-Zoute), about the Belgian humor (some great names as the Devos brothers and now Louis and Louise), the Belgian people are able to laugh about themselves), about Antwerp (the second biggest town of Belgium and also the second biggest port of Europe), a place dedicated to the diamonds trade and since 1980 a town dedicated to the fashion with the School of Fashion and about the Belgian Ardennes where people can make hiking, rock climbing, cave explorations , kayak trips and mountain bike rides).
Fri, Nov 23, 2007
A nice journey of Sophie from the neighborhoods hit by Katrina hurricane ( Ginnie Baumann Bilotta and her "Disaster Tour", about 200.000 houses have been damaged by the hurricane) to the French Quarter (Jesse Mc Bride, the jazz-man playing in the Snug Harbor) passing by the WWOZ radio station (Maryse Dejean and Andrew Grafe, the New Orleans jazz, Kermit Ruffins, Ellis Marsalis and Freddie King), by the Mississippi river (the Natchez steamboat, the chef Dominique Macquet and the Seattle caviar), by Lafayette (Barry Angelet and the "Festival Acadiens, the alligator meat, Christine Balfa-the Cajun singer, the Cajun music and dances) , by New Orleans (Miriam Chamani-the voodoo priestess-the connection with the spirit and the finding of God, the consultations for sentimental or economic problems) and by the Kern Studios (Ptrick Porter-the guide- , the carnival floats, Blaine Kern-the founder of the Studios-and the story of the studios). Besides we see zooms about the Katrina Hurricane, about the gospel, the blues and the jazz in New Orleans, about the old plantations of Louisiana, about the growing of sugarcane, about the twins sisters Audrey and Maudrey (the Cajun language and about the Houma natives speaking also French.
Fri, Dec 7, 2007
Beginning of the journey in Sète: Sophie meets Michel Barillon (La Lance sportive sétoise) who explains her the water jousting, a very important event in this town.The water jousting is a form of jousting where the adversaries, carrying a lance and protected only by shield stand on a platform on the stem of boat.They go to a wharf where fighters are training using a moving cart instead of a boat.Then in Port Cassafières Sophie meets Trevor Donaghy (called also Denny), the captain of a small barge and they begin to navigate on the Canal du Midi: the maximum speed is 8 kilometers /hour.They cross a bridge over the river Aube and arrive at the locks of Montserrane: the lock keeper Djina Martinez receives them and is always happy to meet people traveling on the canal.Next stop Carcassone: Sophie meets Jean-Pierre, the "king of the cassoulet": this night Jean-Pierre has prepared a cassoulet (white beans, pork, clove, duck breast , onion and garlic) for the brotherhood of the cassoulet: the eat the cassoulet and Sophie receives a diploma of good cassoulet taster. Then Sophie arrives at Toulouse: she meets there Sylviane, the captain of the Saint-Sauveur de Toulouse port who receives the visitors from all parts of the world who will make a cruise on the Canal du Midi.Later Sophie sees the Festival Occitan: the celebration of the Occitan culture with disguised characters (Raymond VI , count of Toulouse), the giants of Catalunya, fireworks,songs and dances.Finally Sophie visit Montech water slope (a type of canal inclined plane built on the canal of Garonne (two locomotives pull the barges through the slope). Besides we see zooms about Joël Barthel, the lock keeper at the Aiguille lock, about Luc Boudric, the captain of a touristic barge, about Jean-Marc Samuel , a carpenter and also freight captain, about Pierre-Paul Riquet and the Canal du Midi (Unesco world heritage site), about Carcassone and its town ( Thierry Houdayer, the postman,Philippe Décaud the barman, Jean-François Albert the primary school teacher and the Occitan language) and about the Cathar crusade (castle of Lastours and Peyrepertuse, the Occitan cooking).
Fri, Dec 14, 2007
Beginning of the journey in Colombo: some explanations about the country: in 1972 the country formerly called Ceylon , adopted the name of Sri Lanka.In the neighborhood of Pettah Sophie meets her guide Wimal.They visit an craftsmen village: batik workshop, jewelry (silver bracelet), wood carver (masks used as amulet to protect the house against bad spirits).Then we go to the Sigiriya fortress: there the King Kashyapa build a fortress on a great rock (AD 477-495); after his death the fortress and the beautiful gardens were abandoned and the place was used as Buddfist monastery until the 14 the century, now it's an Unesco world heritage site.Sophie goes a cricket, Tylke a cricket player ex'plains the cricket is a very popular sport in Sri Lanka.Then Sophie travels to Nuwara Eliya, a place of tea plantations: the women who harvest the young tea leaves and other workers are Tamils, they have their own temple and speak Tamil language, but a little outside the plantations there is a school for all the children of the workers of the plantations: a hope to get education and to get later a better job.Then Sophie takes the train to Kandy, a very crowded train: Sophie speaks with Lakeesha who recommends her to visit the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy.There Sophie meets a Buddhist monk who explains her the story of the relic and the important of the great feast every year (singers, dancers, decorated elephants).Finally Sophie goes to the Pinnawala Elephant orphanage where she sees how people are taking care for these elephants. Besides I enjoyed two reporting: the first one about the gemstones, the mines near Ratnapura, the cutting and the trade of these gemstones.The second one about the 2004 tsunami: there a French surfer Yannick has lived this moment and later has helped the people of the village to build again their house and also to build a primary school for the children.Besides there is a center of tortoises protection where they collect tortoise eggs and help the young tortoise to reach the sea.
Fri, Dec 21, 2007
A nice journey of Sophie from Malé ( the fish market , the sea plane flight with Gérald Marco) to the Atoll of Ari (the meeting with Brandon Corcoran at the Dhoni Mighili resort and with Laurent Schenk at the Rangali Hilton) passing by the Huvafen Fushi hotel ( the spa, the massage with coconut oil) , by the diving with Irey , by Teethi Raa Island (the meeting with Michael Payne). Besides we see zooms about the seaplanes in the Maldives (the Soneval resort), about the International airport of Gan, about the fisherman Mohamed Shiaf and Aminath Najeeb, the journalist, about the Urumalé new town, about the coral reef in the Maldives (the diving among the sea turtles and the rays, the Professor Azeez Hakeem and the protection of the coral reef.
Fri, Jan 18, 2008
Beginning of the journey in Hanoi: Sophie meets her guide Nguyen Manh Ha : they go to the temple of the Mountain.Then Then Sophie explains the new boom of the Vietnamese youth; break.dance, rock bands , modern artists at the "Maison des Arts".Sophie visits also the old part of the town: the neighborhood of the 36 corporations (goldsmiths, music instruments,etc) and they enter into a traditional Vietnamese house in which 3 or 4 generations are living together.Then they go to the terrestrial Halong Bay: the local guide Tran Thi Le explains that Hoa Lu was the capital of Vietnam for 40 years, two kings reunified the country and were fighting against the Chinese invaders.Later the capital was transferred to Hanoi.Around Hao Lu rice fields and a beautiful landscape.Back to Hanoi: they meet a puppeteer, Chu Luong who explains them how works the puppets on the water and they see a nice puppets on the water in a theater.Then Sophie goes to Hue: they visit the Imperial City, meet the historian Phan Thuan An who explains the great interest of the people of Hue for their history: they meet metal founders and sculptors and a young student of traditional Vietnamese music.Return to Hanoi: visit of the temple of the Literrature and see how a calligrapher is writing calligraphy (that people have in their houses or that we can see in temples). Sophie and Ha go to Sapá, in the market there many people of several minorities: they spend with young black Hmong women (their traditional is black) who are weaving clothes.Then Sophie and Ha visit a ceramic factory on the way to the Halong Bay.They made on boat tour, arrive at a floating village where people are fishing and finally the visit the Cave of the Surprise in the Titov island.
Fri, Feb 8, 2008
A nice journey of Sophie from the Léman lake ( the arrival at Lausanne on board on the "Général Guisan" steam boat, the cathedral , Renato-the sentinel of the cathedral-) to Château d'Oex (Marie-Jeanne Rosart and her sledge dogs, the fondue prepared by Christophe) passing by Château d'Oex (Pierre Turrian, the boilermaker and cow bells maker) , by Gruyère (Olivier Philipona the cheese maker, the Giger Museum). Besides we see zooms about the Swiss gastronomy , about the watch industry in la Chaux-de-Fonds and Geneva, about the Protestan Geneva and about the ski resort of St-Moritz.
Fri, Feb 22, 2008
Beginning of the journey at Victoria Peak: Sophie sees the archipelago of Hong Kong: then Sophie take the Peak Tram ( the funicular railway that connects the Central District to Victoria Peak, it's operated since 1888) and arrives at the Central district. Then she takes a two floor tramway asks to a lady about the ticket and the lady answers that she must pay 2 Hong Kong dollars when she goes out of the tramway and wishes her a good stay in Hong Kong.Sophie visits an area of small restaurants.Then she takes the ferry and arrives at Kowloon where she visit the Peninsula Hotel (80 years of history): the barman Chung Johnny remembers when Clark Gable ask him for a screw driver.Then Sophie meets Marton Oxley who is in charge of the Phantom Rolls Royce collection.Sophie has then a little trip in a Rolls Royce.Near Shanghai Street Sophie enters in the traditional Chinese medicine center: she sees how the physician receives a patient (she has headaches) and recommends three ingredients: the physician explains that he must ask many questions and analyze then considering the five flavors (earth,metal, water, wood and fire) and the patient must cleanse her liver and her gallbladder.Then Sophie is in Lantau at the monastery of Po Lin: there is a great statue of Buddha: a young man explains that he offers incense for this happiness and good health and also for happiness and good health of his family. Later Sophie goes to a bird market: the people of Hong Kong are very fond of birds (in Indonesia there are singing bird competitions).After that Sophie goes to Temple Street, she eats fried sea food cake and talks with a fortune teller.She also listens to the street musicians. Besides we see zooms about Miss Akina Fong, about Justin Lo Ting Wei , about the Fen Shui, about the freedom of expression, about the fortune teller, about the Hong Kong cinema , about the horse-racing and the gambling , about the "Tanka" (fishermen living on their sampans), about the Jumbo restaurant and about the island of Cheung Chau.
Fri, Mar 14, 2008
A nice journey of Sophie from a mountain near the sea (her guide Quais Abdulaziz, the panorama of the Djebel Akhdar-the Green Mountain-) to Mascate (the visit of the Qabouss Grand Mosque with Emilie, the women's room and the main hall with the 6 tons chandelier), and the the visit of the souks-bazaar- also with Emilie, the scarfs,the hats and the silver items) passing by Nizwa (the cattle market-the camels, and the goats-, the Bedouins women are good traders, the market every Friday), by the camp near Bidiyah (Hamad Said, the camp manager, the camel ride, the quietness of the desert, the delicacy of the sand, the evening with traditional dances), by the Oasis of Wadi Shab (the walk in the wadi, the natural swimming pools,the canoeing, the climbing of the cliffs or the hiking) and by Soûr, the city of the fishermen and the shipyards (the dhows made with teak wood, the drinking of tea in a cafe, the female tourists can drink tea at the terrace without any problem). Besides we see zooms about the frankincense in Oman (Salalah, the trade,the harvest in the Dhofar, the use of the frankincense) , about the after petrol era (the diversification of the economy, the promotion of the tourism, the tour operator), the cattle breeders ( the camels for the camel races, the purebred Arab horses for the horses races and the bull fights at the arena of Barka) and about the Bedouin people in Oman (the fishermen of Mirbât, the the tribe chief in his new village, Saïd Al Mri and his traditional Bedouin camp).
Fri, Mar 28, 2008
A nice excursion of Sophie Jovillard from Rennes ( the walk through the old town, the antique store owner Jean-Yves Thiboumery and the objects made by the mariners, Rémy Le Donge explaining the story of the Parlement de Bretagne-the fire in 1994,the restoration and now Palais de Justice-, William Chauou and the making of the parlementin pastry) to Guérande and La Turballe ( the "paludier" Laurent Boulo showing the salt marshes of Guérande, Marie and the association "Au gré des vents" and the restoration of a old schooner, the "Sonneurs de la Turballe" and the Breton folk music) passing by Carnac-Morbihan- (the horseback riding-Ludovic Kerzerho and the Centre Equestre des menhirs-, the alignments of the Ménec-Jean-Michel Bonvale speaking about the menhirs and the dolmen at the Kermario alignment, the legend of Saint Cornely), by Vannes (the bike path from the Gulf to the town, Gilles Turlan and the bookstore Lenn Ha Dilenn-the promotion of the Breton language and culture-) and by Baden (the oyster farmer Francks, the boat tour to the oyster farm and the tasting of oysters). Besides we see zooms about the fishermen of Paimpol, about the Pointe-du-Raz, about the Breton identity and about the island of Bréhat.
Fri, May 9, 2008
A nice journey of Sophie from the square of the Reichstag (the meeting with Sandrine Ribeiro-her guide in Berlin-) and the Charlie US Army checkpoint ( the separated families in Berlin, the fall of the Berlin Wall) to the ride in a Trabant (Lisa-the driver, the gift of a symbol-the green man of the traffic lights) passing by the fallout shelter (Silvia-the guide- telling the story of this shelter) by the New Synagogue of Berlin-built in 1859- and the Holocaust Memorial of Berlin (about 2.000 concrete slabs, opening in 2005, some comments of the visitors-a very abstract place or a very sober place), by Goerzallee (the brunch in a cafe-the herring for Sandrine-, the flea market , the talk with artists bout this friendly neighborhood, and the urban art), by Sophie's hotel (Lars Stroschen and the creation of 40 original rooms) and by the Cabuwazi Circus (Fabian Gröger and the circus school, 2.000 children of Berlin training in the school, the work in team and the mutual respect). Besides we see zooms about the Berlin Wall Dr. Sälter explaining the story of the wall and the causes of its fall-the coming to power of Mikhail Gorbatchev and the demonstrations in East Germany), the presence of the wall ( Barbara Tchiboukdjian-the guide- the memorial with the crosses of 249 people killed on the wall, the artists and the wall, the blowing of the Reconciliation Church), about the foreign artists in Berlin and about the green spaces of Berlin (Christian Wendt and his organic farm, the filtration of the sewage, the recovery of the green spaces for gardening).
Fri, May 16, 2008
Beginning of the journey in Buenos Aires: in the neighborhood of "La Recolta" Sophie meets Pauline who manages the tea house "Chez Pauline": they drink maté, a symbolic beverage in Argentina: then they visit the neighborhood of San Thelmo: a bohemian and nostalgic place: a lot of antiques shops, the famous restaurant "Desnivel" and then they go to Palermo Viejo: on a place 40 painters are showing their painting (Sonia Kovalivker explains the advantages of this exhibition every Saturday and Sunday).Then Sophie goes to the neighborhood of La Boca: two important things: the tango and the soccer.Sophie buys a soccer ball and goes to the stadium of the Bombonera, where she kicks the soccer ball and says loudly "goal".Later Sophie goes to Tigre, a town built on the delta of the Parana river with many houses on stilts : she visits near the port the bar "El Taller" and she talks with Eugenio Ramirez (the bar owner ) and Daniel Schneck (guitarist) about the José Luis Borges who wrote texts about this neighborhood and and about Carlos Gardel.Finally Sophie goes to the "Confiteria Ideal" , a famous tango dance hall , talks with Viviana Sousa and Facundo Rodrigez about the tango and dances tango with Facundo. Besides we see interesting zooms about the economic crisis of 1998-2002 and the new energy after this crisis (the new luxury hotels of the Faena group, Veronica Fiorini , a fashion designer, about the garbage collectors (El Ceibo Cooperative ), about the urban art (Pum Pum ), about Marc-Antoine Calonne, a French man who became gaucho in Patagonia and also Céline Renault who manages the Estancia Santa Thelma, about the glacier of the Perito Moreno (where tourist can walk with crampons on the glacier), about the soccer ( the inhabitants of each neighborhood are supporter and fan of the team of their neighborhood and about the polo (a growing sport in Argentina).
Fri, Jan 9, 2009
Beginning of the journey in Chassigny: Sophie visits the farm of Gérard Betton, a Charolais cattle breeder: they speak about the Charolais beef meat and about the Charolais red label: then they go to the meadow and give to the cows alfalfa.Later Sophie travels to St-Laurent d'Agny where she meets Pascal Nalin, one of the 350 traveling licensed distillers of France: Pascal distillates the fruits that the farmers bring him (grapes, apples,pears): today he will distillate William pears and Sophie can taste the product.After that Sophie travels to Lyon and goes to the "Halles Paul Bocuse", a great market: she meets there Colette Sibilia who sells delicatessen and Sophie buys a "petit mâchon" , a cured "saucisson": she meets there the chef Joseph Violla and they walk through the market, Joseph tastes some oysters and then they arrive at the cheese shop (Saint-Marcellin cheese) and at the shop of the "tartes à la praline".Finally they drink a coffee in the market. On the next day Sophie meets Sandrine Clauzier, a guide and they cross a "traboule" , a secret covered passageway .They speak of the Italian merchants who came to Lyon because there was fair place without taxes and have built many nice buildings.Later they take another passageway and arrive at a courtyard and at the Rosa Tower.Later Sophie goes to the "Guignol" theater where she meets Thomas Tettamanzi (Compagnie des Zongons": in this 200 years old theater Sophie sees a puppet spectacle.After that Sophie arrives at the "Fresque des Lyonnais" where Michel Djaoui, a photographer explains her that famous people of Lyon have been painted in this wall.After that Sophie goes to the restaurant "Daniel et Denise" where she meets again Joseph Violla who has prepared for her a "pâté en croûte": they drink a glass of red wine and Joseph speaks about his nomination as "Meilleur ouvrier de France".Later Sophie goes to the basilica Notre Dame de Fourvière: the guide Jean-Paul Baey and Sophie climb to the top and see the panorama of the city (many illuminated buildings).Then Sophie goes to the Townhall of Lyon and Jérôme Donna, who is in charge of the lightning of the buildings and parks, speaks about the 8th de December (the festival of the lights in Lyon).Later Sophie goes back to the Halles Paul Bocuse to buy a sausage, Saint-Marcellin cheese and a "tarte à la praline".Besides we see zooms about the calves market in Saint-Laurent du Chamousset, about pig farming and sausage production, about the Saint-Marcellin cheese, about the "poulet de Bresse", about the vineyard of Condrieu (a precious wine), about the vineyard of the "Côteaux lyonnais", about Paul Bocuse and his heritage , about the mural paintings in Lyon and about the famous "bouchons lyonnais" (small restaurants where people eat in the morning meat and cheese).
Fri, May 8, 2009
Beginning of the journey in Belgrade: in a public park Sophie meets Pedja Ranitovic and they begin to walk through the town : the see the Danube river (770 kilometers in Serbia): the cross the historical part (Austrian buildings) and Pedja speak about the bombing of Belgrade by the NATO in 1999.Then they enter into in a cellar: it was a clandstine bar : Andjela Stamenjovic (manager of the Gajba bar) explains the story of the place: a refuge of many intellectuals at the end of the 90th years.Later Pedja and Sophie go to the Copacabana Bar where they meet the painter Pesic Miodrag who is inspired by the people in the bar and makes painting.Then they go to the restaurant Rible and listen to musicians playing Serbian love songs.On the morning they go the shores of Danube river and meet fishermen.Later they travel by car to Topola to visit St-George Church: a church built at the beginning of the 20th century and full of frescoes maid with mosaic.Then they travel to Cacak and meet at Kujan Monastery the Orthodox priest Jovan Iguman: they speak about the Orthodox religion in Serbia and the priest shows them a beautiful icon.After that Sophie travels alone to Kütendorf, the place where the director Emir Kusturica lived for some years: Sophie is received by Tomislav Mitrovic who tells her the story of this village and set location (the grave where Emir Kusturic buried the movie "Die Hard and the statue of the Serbian Nostradamus).Later Tomislav and Sophie travel to the Tara National Parl near Valjevo: they arrive at a mountain cabin and as welcome they eat bread soaked in milk.In the supper the Serbian people invite Sophie to drink rakia and to eat goulash.On the morning Sophie travels with Tomislav to the Petnica Cave: there they meets speleogists who enjoy exploring the cave (they say that Serbia has not seasides but very nice mountains): besides the Cave i also an archaeological site.Back to the mountain cabin Sophie and the guests ( Pedja Ranitovic) enjoy the meat of a grilled piglet. Besides we see zooms about the B92 radio, about the cultural life in Belgrade, about the brass bands in Serbia, about the painting of the icons, about the Sumadija region ( the traditional cheese, the corn bread, the rakia and the ecotourism), about the griffon vulture protection.
Fri, May 29, 2009
Beginning of the journey in Nicosia: in the shop of Andreas Savva Sophie tastes a hot almond beverage and candied quince: then she meets Christina Mita who spoke about the division of the island and shows her the map of the demarcation line crossing through Nicosia.Cyprus has become a touristic destination (about 3 millions of visitors each year ). Then Sophie and Christina take a collective taxi to Larnaka: they arrive at the Saint-Lazarus church where the people celebrate the Palm Sunday.They speak with the father Nektarios, bishop of Arsinoé about the Greek Orthodox faith and the importance of Easter in this religion. Then they travel by car to Lefkara: they walked through the village and meet women making embroideries ( Leonardi di Vinci came in 1481 to the place for embroideries for the cathedral of Milan as Maro Rouvis told them). Then they travel to Tochni where they meet Sofronios Potamitis who has promoted the restoration of the old houses of this village: they visit a restored house with bougainvilleas and later they visit the farm of Loulla, the "halloumi" cheese maker : Sophie bought a kilogram of "halloumi" cheese and later they taste the grilled cheese with pita bread. Next stop: Anogyra where they meet Feorgioo Despouylla who produce pastries made with the carob tree fruits: they walk through the village with its stone houses and arrive at the workshop of Christalleni Makri who produce orange pastries and who is also engraver.They pay a visit to Hambis Tsangaris, the engraver who shows them his works (the tragedy of the country).Later they arrive at Petra Tou Romiou where they meet Jacqueline Karageorghis who spoke them about the legend of Aphrodite and they enjoy the sight of Aphrodite's Rock. Finally Christina and Sophia arrive at Paphos, the capital of Cyprus in Roman and Greek times: they have a walk on the promenade and visit a mansion with very old mosaics. Besides we see zooms about the promotion of the reunification ( Lena Melanidou and his choir), about the coexistence in the village of Pyla (the Greek Cypriot mayor and the Tourkish Cypriot mayor), about the Christian faith in Cyprus (the importance of the Easter week, the family meetings and the daily life of the priest Borotis Panayotis), about the Troodos mountains with their craftsmen), about Hans-Jörg Wiedl, the former UN-peacekeeper who fights now for the protection of the reptiles in Cyprus and about the wedding "industry" in Cyprus (the wedding planner Ruth Walton and the marriage of the Israeli bride and groom).
Fri, Sep 11, 2009
A nice excursion of Sophie Jovillard from Jerusalem (thge visit of the old town, the Wailing Wall) to Masada ( the cable car, the historical fortress) passing by Tel Aviv and Jaffa, by Tsora (the archaeological site, the kibbutz with its vineyard, the wine tasting), by the Dead Sea and By Ein Gedi (the botanical garden).
Fri, Oct 2, 2009
A nice journey of Sophie from Cracow (the meeting with Dorota Trudo,the old Jewish neighborhood, the cafe with the klezmer music, the travel with Piotr Bruchal in the old Trabant to Nowa Huta) to Zakopane (the visit with Aga Baczkowska passing by the salt mine of Wieliczka (the story of the mine by Marek Czyzowski), by Auschwitz with the guide Jaroslaw Menffelt (the story of the concentration camp). Besides we see zooms about the cultural life of Cracow ( the journalist Jadwiga Polus, the architect Kazimierz Kwasek, the 120.00 students of Cracow and the nightlife in the 200 bars and clubs of Cracow), the artists in Cracow and Nowa Huta, the production of vodka (the Lancut factory), about the Catholic faith in Poland, and about the Polish Tatras ( the "goral" people, the "oscypek" smoked cheese, the wooden houses and the "goral" music ).
Fri, Oct 16, 2009
A nice journey from Boston (the Boston Duck-Tours, the meeting with Alexandre Terrien-the law student at Harvard-, Boston, the university town with 300.000 students, the Freedom Trail, the Massachusetts State House, the Old State House) to Sandwich, Cape Cod Bay ( the glass blower Michael Magyar, the ideal place for the artists, the fishing tour with Don and Jason-the striped bass-and the fish eating with Alexandre Terrien), passing by the travel in the underground train and the arrival at Harvard University (the statue of John Harvard and the three lies about the statue, the Widener Library, the mention of Barack Obama), by the "Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe" (Chris Manjourides, the turkey hash), by the whales observing tour ( Melissa Rocha, the naturalist, the migration of the whales to the the tropics in the winter), by Beacon Hill (the visit of a typical English house with its little garden), by Fenway Park ( the buying of a baseball cap , the talk with Eunice Cha, another student of Harvard), and by the John Fitzgerald Presidential Library and Museum (Katherine Farrior explaining the construction of the museum-Ieoh Ming Pei, the architect-the importance of John Kennedy). Besides we see zooms about the Freedom Trail (the Paul Revere House and the Old Town House) , about the Charles river , about the Boston Aquarium, about Nick the journalist of the "Improper Boston" and about Province Town at the Cape Code Bay.
Fri, Oct 23, 2009
A nice journey of Sophie from the "Savoie" steamboat arriving to Geneva ( Yves de Siebenthal telling the story of the steamboat built in 1914, the glamour of the steamboats navigating on the Léman Lake) to the Le "Rhône" steamboat arriving to Lausanne ( the talk with the captain Didier Lacroix) passing by Yvoire (Alain Guichardot-the plastic artist, Joël Baillif and the flowered houses, the castle, the fishing moment with Laurent Carraud-the European hakes-, the restaurant du Port, Christophe d'Hervé preparing the Arctic char for Sophie, Stéphanie Kung and the family business of the restaurant), by Evian-les-Bains ( Florine Hernandez and the golf course, the training place and the playing of golf), by Le Bouveret ( the Swiss Vapeur Parc", Yves Marclay and the miniature trains) , by Montreux (the terrace ad Jo Le Saxo, Norbert Muller speaking about the Montreux Jazz Festival, the statue of Freddy Mercury, the recording studio and the Casino of Montreux) and by Vevey (Sabine Carruzzo, the fork in the lake,the story of the "Fêtes des Vignerons" every 25 years) and by Puidoux-Chexbres ( the meeting with Eric and Vincent in the vineyard. the "Chasselas" grape variety, the visit of the cellar and the tasting of the white wine). Besides we see zooms about the lake brigade of the police of Geneva, the rescue team of Lutry and the collaboration between Swiss and French rescuers, about the fishermen of the "Lac Léman", about Evian and its mineral water, about the palaces of Montreux, and about the Glion Institute for hotel managers.
Fri, Nov 13, 2009
Beginning of the journey in the Blue Cave (Plava Spilja) near Herceg Novi: Sophie and Jack Delf are diving in the blue waters of this cave.Jack tells about the beauty of the Bay of Kotor (an inlet with with a length of 28 kilometers) with a wild nature and also palm trees.Then Jack and Sophie are in Kotor: they look at the parade of the Brotherhood of the Mariners: the people of Montenegro know their history and enjoy celebrating the important historical moments.Then Jack tells about the earthquake of 1979 and the help of the Unesco to rebuild the historical center.Then Sophie travels to the village of Njegusi to meet Petar , the smoked ham producer: Petar shows her how he makes the hams and the cellar where he has 4.000 smoked hams: later there is a dinner: smoked ham, cheese and red wine.Héléna Videau accepts to go with Sophie to Mount Locven (1.749 meters above sea level), a national park: they climb the mountain, see the Petar Petrovic Njegos's Mausoleum and enjoy the panorama of the mountains.On the next day Sophie is at Budva where she meets Natasa Spiric (a Serbian woman who has live for some years in France): they walk through the town, Natasa explains that Budva is like Saint-Tropez in France: a lot of boutiques (shoes, dresses, jewels) and the beaches.The they go to Montebay Villa, the hotel managed by Natasa who explains that Montenegro has become a new touristic destination. After that Sophie travels to the troglodyte monastery of Ostrog: she climbs the steps to the monastery and meets Pere Sergije, an Orthodox monk who tells him the story of Saint-Basil and his miracles: at the beginning of the 17th century the Christians were fleeing from the Ottomans and hiding in the caves of Ostrog: then Saint Basil begin to make miracles: since then the Montenegro people come to Ostrog to touch the relics of the saint, to thanks for his miracles and to ask for a good health for their family.Then Sophie travels by car to Podgorica: in a public park she listens to Milan Filipovic singing and playing the gusle (an instrument made with maple wood): Milan sings songs about the history of Montenegro.Later Sophie travels to the Skadar lake where she meets Radovoje Raicevic (a man who has lived in Switzerland for years and has come back to Montenegro): they look at the lake and later they go to a vineyard: there Milo Klisic and his brother Ilica Klisic are harvesting grapes: Sophie ask about the variety and they explain that the grape variety is called vranac:besides the brothers have a lot of fruit trees(fig tree, apple , peach trees, plum trees. Then Radivoje, Sophie and the Klisic family are together and share ham and cheese and they make a toast to the friendship with red white. Besides we see zooms about the bay of Kotor and the exotic plants, about the Brotherhood of the Mariners, about Vesna, the female shepherd in the Durmitor mountains and Milic Jancic the park ranger, about the rafting , about the real estate boom at the seaside, about Ulcinj, the town with people of three religions living in peace,about Dragan Cicvaric , the fisherman in the Skadar lake and Nela Vesovic, the ornithologist observing the migratory birds at the Skadar lake.
Fri, Nov 20, 2009
Beginning of the journey in Sidi Bou Saïd (the blue and white paradise): Sophie meets Karim Bey, the manager of the Hotel Dar Saïd and they walk though the town: they enter into a cafe, listen to young Tunisian boys playing guitar and drink a tea with pine nuts.Later Sophie travels to Carthage where she meets Mohamed Masmoudi and they visit the Roman thermal baths of Antonin: Carthage was a important town and about 2000 persons were coming to the baths every day: there were tepid and hot baths and also gyms for the visitors.After that Sophie travels to Tunis where she meets Sadika Keskes and the visit the glass blowing workshop: Sadika explains that she studied fine arts,but one day she saw a documentary about glass blowing: then she studied this art in Murano and came back to Tunis and opened this workshop.Later Sophie meets the French photographer Jacques Perez, they have a walk through the Medina and visit the Dar Lastram, a traditional palace with its three spaces (the family, the guests and the servants): now the palace belongs to the "Association de sauvegarde de la Medina).Finally Jacques shows Sophie his book made in collaboration of a draftsman (the drawing can be a picture and the picture can be a drawing).Then Sophie travels to Nabeul and meets in the market the potter Slim Gharbi: they see the traditional hand and star potteries and they go to the workshop: Slim turns a pot and then decorates the pot with paintings.After that Sophie is in Zaghouan: Skander Zeribi, manager of the hotel explains that the Roman aqueduct begins in Zaghouan and ends in Carthage: they have a horseback riding and a picnic: bread and olive oil and some dates.Later Sophie travels to Kairouan where she meets Afifa Bousseranel Beji and her daughter near the great mosque: they listen to the call for prayers and then walk through the Medina: in the market they buy cloves, cinnamon and rosebuds for the makroud.Afifa shows Sophie how she prepared the makroud: a layer of semolina and flour and a layer of date paste, then she gives the shape of lozenge to the pastries.Sophie makes also some makrouds and then all relatives of Afifa and Sophie are together to enjoy the makrouds. Besides we see zooms about the music in Sidi Bou Saïd (Baron d'Erlanger, Riadh Fehri), about the women's emancipation in Tunisia ( Inès the rapper, Synem the choreographer, the film festival dedicated to female directors), about the agriculture and cattle breeding in the area of Nabeul, about Hammamet and its mass tourism and about the production of dates in Tozeur.
Fri, Nov 27, 2009
A nice journey from the center of Munich (the meeting with the surfer Simon Strangfeld at a river, then the meeting with Thomas Hohenacker in the English Garden, the talk about this park and the quality of life in Munich, the Marienplatz , the town Hall and the moving carillon, the "weisswurst", the market with the mushrooms, expensive truffles and the potatoes and the visit of the Brewery Paulaner, the talk with the brewer Uli Schindler and the big glass of beer) to Berchtesgaden (the visit of the salt mine with the guide Florian Bauer (the tunnel, the toboggan and the tasting of salt) passing by Schwangau (the pumpkin sale ),by the cable-car from Eibsee to the Zugspitze (Anne Reinhold waiting for her boyfriend who climbed the mountain), by Oberammergau (the wood carver Tobias Haseidl-the statue made for the pope Benedict-, Frederik Mayet-the role of Jesus- in the Oberammergau Passion Play), by the farm of Mrs Wenger (the orchard and vegetable garden in organic farming, the chef Christl Kurz looking for fresh vegetables), and by the Fraueninsel in the Chiemsee (Georg Ferber the fisherman, the boat tour, Georg Klampfleuthner the potter of the Fraueninsel, the bell tower, the park with the linden trees). Besides we see zooms about the English Garden of Munich, about the Oktoberfest, about the transhumance in the Bavarian Alps, about the protection of the nature, the organic farming and the solar panels in Bavaria, about the National Park of Berchtesgaden and about the castle of Herrenchiemsee-replica of the castle of Versailles-built by Ludwig II of Bavaria.
Fri, Jan 15, 2010
A nice journey of Sophie from the Gheto Vecchio (the meeting with David de Venezia-the painter, the quiet neighborhood, the talk about the fragility of Venice,the travel by vaporetto and the meeting with Giovanni Giusto at the Rialto bridge) to the cemetery of San Michele (the guide Iris Pezzuli speaking about the writers Marcel Proust, George Sand and the musician Igor Stravinski) passing by the San Marco neighborhood ( the Florian cafe and the Quadri cafes, Daniela Vedaldi and Alberto Nardi fighting for the survival of the shops, the Santa Aopolonia convent, the "Alkta Acqua" bookstore), by the mask store (Guerrino Lovato-the sculptor and mask maker, the theater of "La Fenice"), by the osteria "Il Paradisio perduto" (the owner Maurizio Adamo, the polenta and the music) , by the Palazetto (the aristocratic palace managed by Leodoldo Ferri,the efforts to maintain a palace), by the meeting with the cellist Claudio Ronco in a palace (the Vivialdi music) and by Murano (the meeting with the glass blower Simone Cenedese). Besides we see zooms about the population decrease in Venice, about the water rising (very high tides), about the Venetian rowing, about the navigation in the water canals, about Burano (Lucia Constanti,Giuseppe-the old fishermen, the singing fishermen in the bar) and about the island of San Erasmo (the truck farmer Carlo Finotello delivering vegetables to the people of Venice).
Tue, Feb 9, 2010
Beginning of the journey at the Prague Castle: there is change of guard: Magdalina Dvorakova explains that the Prague Castle is the residence of the president of the Czech Republic: then she shows her the cathedral (beginning of the construction on 21 Novembre 1334).Then Sophie walks down through the old town and meet Richard Rezek: his car is a Trabant and they have a car trip through the town (Sophie drives also the Trabant).THen they go the Letna Park: there is a restaurant with a nice panorama over the bridges of Prague.The Chef Buric Frantiske prepares for Sophie "canard à la bohémienne" and for Richard "la pièce du boucher".Later they make a boat tour on the Vltava river (crossing under the Charles bridge).After that Sophie meet the singer and rabbi Michal Dushinsky who spoke about the Jewish culture : they see the synagogue, the Memorial and the Jewish cemetery.Later Richard and Sophie go to a dance academy to learn to dance waltz.On the morning they see the Prague Astronomical Clock, Sophie listens to a song of Richard's father and by car they cross the Venceslas square and go to bar for drinking a beer. On the next day Sophie meets Vaclav Cerny, the supervisor of collective works, they visit the underground galleries of Prague and arrive near the Astronomical Clock.Then Sophie goes to the puppet theater : they play Don Giovanni of Mozart.Finally Sophie and Richard are in a skating rink where they see the training of the Sparta Pragu hockey team: Jakob Koreis speaks about this training and about his wish to play ice hockey in the United States.End of the journey on the banks of the Vltava River near Charles Bridge. Beside we see zooms about the museum of communism, about the dissident Ivan Havel, about the people living in boats, about the fishermen and the River Squad, about the great student balls, about the mezzo soprano Stanislava Jirku and the National Theater, about the Czech beers (the small brewers, the industrial brewery and about the puppet theaters in Prague.
Fri, Mar 5, 2010
A very pleasant excursion of Sophie Jovillard from Mouthe-Doubs-( the gendarmerie adjutant Nicolas Vergeot reading every day the temperatures, the record of minus 36 degrees in 1968) to the Lac Génin ( the frozen lake, Michel Borneat and the ice diving) passing by Pontarlier ( Christelle Carmillet and Fabienne Poux-Daude, the "Simplement chocolate" store, the tasting of a "caramel à la morille, of chocolate with absinthe and of a macaron with absinthe) , by Labergement Sainte-Marie ( the Obertino bells foundry founded in 834 by workers of Northern Italy, Bénédicte and Thomas Paulin and the making of bells), by Montbenoît (the stop at the border of the "République du Saugeais", by Les Rousses-Jura department-(the Fort des Rousses, Jean-Charles Arnaud, the cellar with the 150000 comté cheeses) by Prémanon (the Centre Polaire Paul-Émile Victor, Stéphane Niveau-his recent expedition to Greenland-, the cross-country skiing), by Bellecombe and La Pesse (the musher Gilles Balandras and the dog sled tour, the llama farmer and the guesthouse in la Pesse- Martine Chazotte showing the gypsy caravan and the cabin in the tree-). Besides we see zooms about the making of the absinthe, about the "République du Saugeais", about the Pôle France training center, about the sound engineer Boris Jollivet and the saxophonist Olivier Rambaud and about the forests of Jura.
Fri, Mar 19, 2010
A nice journey of Sophie from Quebec-City (Michel Langlois,-the snow removing in the streets of the town-, Jean-François Lachance-the pleasant life in this town, the Champlain neighborhood, the Frontenac castle, the ice canoes, the ice hotel with its chapel) to Notre Dame du Rosaire (Gaëtan and Elise Fournier, the trappers, maple syrup makers and touristic guides- the snowshoe walk in the forest, the trapping of a beaver, the taste of the fir sap-a good medicine-, the trapping of a hare and the preparation of the furs of various animals) passing by Montmagny (Jean-François Lachance and his father François,the boat tour on the the iced Saint Lawrence river) and by Le Bic ( Daniel Saint Pierre, the shipyard, the rowing boat tour on the Saint Lawrence river, the life of the people and the the river). Besides we see zooms about the icebreaker "Les Groseilliers", about the winter carnival in Quebec-City, about the Isle aux Grues , about Clément Pelletier, the maple syrup producer and about the wild fauna in Quebec.
Fri, Mar 26, 2010
The journey begins in Tamanrasset where we welcome Khadjia. At the market, she meets an artisan who shows her around his Tuareg house. The evening ends in music with a local band. The next day, Sophie Jovillard discovers, in the company of Sister Marie-Jo, the Catholic religious community of the city. Then, with her guide, she takes the road aboard a 4x4, towards the Sahara and its capital Tamanrasset, the red city of the blue men. There she discovers the spiritual attraction of the Assekrem plateau, the majestic Ahaggar National Park and meets the Tuareg of today: between modernity and tradition.
Fri, Apr 2, 2010
A nice journey of Sophie from the Austrian Alps (the paragliding moment with Ralph) to Vienna (the meeting with Adeline Hulin, the visit of the Spanish School of riding, the talk with Andreas Hausberger about the training in the school, the Haschmarkt and the tasting of choucroute, the Café Central with Pierre Reboul, the ice rink and the "Eistockschiessen", the shop of the snow ball and Erwin Percy II, the shop of the ball gowns and Julien Flossman and the masked ball with Florian Felber) passing by Bad Goibem ( Edith Grit-the organizer of the local carnival-) and by Hallstadt (Clemens Aschauer, the lumberjack, the guesthouse managed by Verena Lobisser, Arnold Lobisser ,the wood carver, the supper with grilled Arctic char from the Hallstadt lake). Besides we see zooms about the carnival in Telfs, about the Austrian cuisine, about Vienna and the music, about Pierre Reboul, the pastry chef and the Café Central, about the waltz (the Elmayer school dance, the ball of the hunters and the traditional dirndls).
Fri, Apr 9, 2010
Beginning of the journey in Koh Samui, an island of the eastern coast of Thailand: Sophie meets there Saithip Noochsamnieng, her guide who explains her the development of Koh Samui as touristic region ( 1 million of visitors each year en 2010): they go to a meditation place: a beautiful park.Then Sophoie meet the visitors Carlos Moll and Foued Said who have come to Thailand for the full moon: on the beach of Adrin (Koh Phangan) island there is since 1985 a full moon festival created by Khun Phoom: a great party under the full moon with techno music.Later Sophie and Saithip visit a Buddhist temple of the New generation (adaptation to the touristic trade), but in the south of Koh Sambui they visit quiet villages and a lonely Buddhist temple. In the same island Sophie and Saithip eat a coconut ice cream, there are a huge coconut trees area (about 3 millions of coconut trees) and the Thai people trained the pig-tailed macaques to harvest coconuts ( a monkey can harvest 500-1.000 coconuts each days).Later in this Gulf of Siam Sophie meets Patrice and Serge Coué of the Bophing Diving: Sophie goes snorkeling among the fishes.On the Kho Tao Island there are many diving schools: Guillaume Fargues explains that here the diver can see whale sharks and also the sandbar shark.Then Sophie goes to the Khao Sok National Park.Her guide, Nopporn Naonan, shows her the artificial lake of Cheow Lan, one of the oldest tropical forest of the world.She spend the night in a floating hotel on the lake and on the next day they see gibbons and macaques in the forests.On the next day Sophie sees with Anna and Tara two biologist the Rafflesia kerrii , a strange flower living in this park.Later at Ao Phang Nga, another national ark Sophie rides on the back of an elephant.Her guide , Nopporn Naonan shows her a village with house on stilts.They go to the Surin island where are living the Moken, nomads of the sea: as they live in a National Park unfortunately they cannot anymore cut the trees to make their floating house.Later Sophie meets Jaroen (alias Jiji) who shows her Khao Phing Kan , a famous island for a James movie, later they go go to a Muslim fishermen island and to an island with caves (oysters and bats).Finally Sophie ends her journey in Phuket in the temple of the four faces Buddha where she makes the offering of a wooden elephant.
Fri, May 7, 2010
Beginning of the journey in a school of Bangkok, it's 8 o'clock in the morning and the pupils are singing the national anthem.There Sophie meets Wasinee Kunlawat, her guide.The go to the Wat Pho temple and speak with the monk Phrarachavetee about Buddhism: they see the Reclining Bhudda, later another monk explains that generally monks are teaching Buddhist religion in the schools, but also secular can do it.In Bangkok there are 300 temples and people come to pray o to consult an oracle.Early in the morning barefoot monks receive food from the population.Later in a market they encounter chef Jasvir Sanghera of the Balpal cuisine school, she is buying products for Pad Thai, especially green curry paste: at the school Sophie and Wasinee learn to prepare a Pad Thai.Then they go at Maeklong Station, a suburban train station where the fruits and vegetables vendors are very near of the railway line,later they go to a floating market.Then they are at the Muaythai Institute: they meet a French fireman who have come for a practice.Kesbumrung, a Muaythai champion explains her about the philosophy.With Pensak Sri Sung, a professional boxer they see a professional fight in a famous arena of Bangkok.Later Sophie and Wasinee visit Chinatown: they take the underground train and see the night life at Khao San Road.On the next day they take the boat to see a flower market.Early in the morning they go at the Lumpini Park: there some people make aerobics, other tai chi or Tak Row ,another popular sport in Thailand, some people learn singing and other meet with friends to take a breakfast.Last stop Sophie and Wasinee go to a school for massage and enjoy this moment.
Fri, May 21, 2010
Beginning of the journey in Shanghai: Sophe meets Cynthia Ping Zhou and they talk about Shanghai , the biggest town in China with a strong economic growth.They go to the "Maison du thé" where they drink a cup of jasmine tea.On the morning at 7.00 am they are on the promenade of the Bund and they see a lot of people practicing Tai Chi: a solitary man explains that Tai Chi was an martial art ,but now it's a way to keep fit.They take the boat to cross the Haungpu River and arrive at the Pudong district.They go the Shanghai Worl Financial Tower (492 meters high) and enjoy the sight over the town.Later they go to Barbie store and speak about the birth control policy (one child) and Cynthia explains that in Shanghai the girls have now better opportunities of studies and of jobs (but in the countryside the families hope always to have a boy).On the night they go to a restaurant where they sing karaoke (a common leisure in Shanghai).On the next day they visit the old neighborhoods of Shanghai; narrow streets, two floor houses: an antique market (with a lot of figurines and posters) and then a pet market: a bird vendor explains that the birds give happiness to their owners,they see a lot of cricket and also a cricket fight.Sophie and Cynthia enjoy a traditional Chinese massage (there are relaxing massages and therapeutic massages) and later they go to a public park, where they people playing go , a popular Chinese game (also played now in Korea and Japan).With Cynthia's mother they go to the market where Sophie can see some vegetables and spices (coriander), tofu , fishes and prawns.In tee supper they eat fish, prawns, tofu prepared with mushrooms and later they go to a theater and see a Chinese circus.Besides we travel to Lonjing where people grow tea and product an excellent green tea.Also we know the story of two millionaires: Huang Yiangxan and Gu Jiemin: the Chinese government encourage innovations and specially the Chinese businesses abroad.We travel also through the old neighborhoods of Shanghai (the famous "lilong"): and see how a couple goes to the cemetery and makes offerings to the parents of the husband.Then in middle of these places a Taoist temple, a Taoist monk explains that now people look also for a peaceful life.In the suburbs families are flying kites and we can see a 54 meters long dragon kite.
Fri, Jun 11, 2010
A nice journey of Sophie from Beirut (Chadia Attieh and her colored taxi, the traffic jams, the meeting with Tania Haddjithomas Mehanna-the editor-, the walk through the town,the lighthouse-Victor the warden telling the story of the lighthouse, Mona and the story of the Yellow House) to Saïda (Hania Osta, the abandoned synagogue and the falafel) passing by the Grottos of Jeita (Johnny Tawk, the speleologist, the boat tour, the upper part of the grotto) , by Tripoli (Elias Khlat, the coffee in the souk), by Bcharrie (Aline Tawk, the reforestation with the Lebanon cedar), by Baalbek ( the visit of the temples with Mouhamed Wehbe) and by Kefraya (Michel de Bustros, the manager of the Château Kefraya, the tasting of wine with Frabrice Guiberteau. Besides we see zooms about the Lebanon civil war, about the unemployment in Lebanon, about the Lebanese society , about the nightlife in Beirut, about the the protection of the architectural patrimony, about Tripoli and the making of soaps, about the valley of Qadisha (the monasteries and the Maronites sisters), and about the traditional cuisine of Lebanon (the labne, the Tawlet project , the growing of roses for the rose water).
Sun, Sep 5, 2010
A nice journey of Jérôme from the flight over the Massif de l'Oisans with Jack Porte to the Glacier de la Girose ( Abdou Martin-the mountain guide-, the visit of the ice cave ,the walking on the glacier with crampons, the crevasses and the beautiful panorama-the Mont-Blanc-) passing by Bourg d'Oisans (Didier Gérard and his bison farm, the high quality of the bison meat, Dany Sautes and the ascent by bicycle of the road to Alpe d'Huez, the tremendous physical effort), by La Grave (the talk in the Lou Ratel Bar with Michèle "Michou" Castillan and Jacques Mathonnet about the life in the mountains), by Besse (the "accompagnatrice en montagne" Sandrine Buffin-the yarrow and the edelweiss- the bivouac at the "Lac Noir, the picnic the bread and cheese and rose hip wine), by the Col du Lautaret ( Véronique Riche , the beekeeper and her honey products, the Alpine garden-botanical garden with 2.000 plants-, Serge Aubert speaking about the diversity of mountains flowers of all the world), and by La Grave (Eric Loubie and the the climbing of the via ferrata, the old lead mine and its galleries). Besides we see zooms about the return of the young people to their home country (Jean-Baptiste Berlioux and the paragliding, Julien Richard,the mayor of Villard-Reculas, Nicolat Cordat in Besse), about the famous ascent to the Alpe d'Huez , about the abandoned village of Dormillouse), about the shepherd Michel Bissou and his daughter Étoile, about the National Park of the Écrins ( Robert Chevalier, the park ranger, Marion Didier, the biologist and Christophe the photographer) and about the first ascent of La Meije (the generations of guides and mountain refuge wardens, the promotion of the tourism).
Fri, Sep 17, 2010
A nice journey from Los Angeles (the meeting with Luca at Venice Beach , the mural painter, the graffiti wall, the Hall of Fame) to Pescadero and San Francisco (the meeting with Freddy, the musician, the jazz camp, the Golden Gate Bridge, the tramway, the hills of San Francisco, the Gay Pride Parade) passing by South Central and the Watt Tower (Alfred Lomas and the "Gang Tour Los Angeles), by Pismo Beach ( the camping-car park, the ride in a Hummer on the beach and on the dunes, the talk with the lifeguard Lauren Smith), by Big Sur (the saloon and the female bikers), and by Pebble Beach (the wedding o the beach). Besides we see zooms about the American dream (Jean-Marc Dedeyne, the young comedians hoping the get a role in a movie), about the Latino community in Los Angeles (Kevin Ramirez, Carmen Castro, Alejandro Martinez, the "clandestinos" who work in the buildings and in the agriculture), about Dillon Beach, about the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the elephant seals and the blue whale , about Big Sur (the wild coast, Henry Miller, many artists) and about San Francisco (the Big Generation, the gay neighborhood of Castro, Sister Sparkle, the drag-queen in the town of Guerneville).
Fri, Sep 24, 2010
Beginning of the journey in the lighthouse of Saint-Vincent Cape: Sophie meets Luis Miguel Ferrira Batista, the head warden of the lighthouse who tells her the story of the lighthouse (a former convent, the importance of the lighthouse and the life of the team of the lighthouse).Then Sophie is kayaking with Trent Morley at the coast near Lagos (cliffs, natural arches) and is received in Lagos by Brett Ringsell (the associate of of Trent).Later Sophie travels by car to Péra where she visits a park with sand sculptures: Zeka , the sand sculptor tells about the International Festival of Sand Sculpture (the arrival of great sculptors and the biodiversity theme of the year).After that Sophie enjoys in Albufeira the fado music; Mafalda Arnauth , the fado singer speaks about the fado music and they have a walk through the streets of this town.Later Sophie travels by car to Monchique: at the road side she meets Paulo who was harvesting arbutus fruits and invites her to his house: there Maria Helena (Paulo's wife) has prepared "asadura de Monchique" , a dish of grilled pork seasoned with lemon and olive oil and enchidas (rice and pork meat).Later Sophie taste the arbutus liquor (23 degrees proof) and Paulo the arbutus spirit (50 degrees proof) and they pay a visit to the potter Leonel Pelo who is working with sandstone and shows how is is painting the potteries.After that Sophie meets in Carrapateira Claude who manages an organic farm: volunteers work on the farm and they received food and accommodation (Claude uses a solar powered oven for the cooking). After that Sophie is at Faro where she meets Manuel José Pereira, a biker who speaks about the "Motoclub" of Faro (since 1982 the bikers of all Europe have a meeting in Faro), and gives a ride to Sophie to Casto Marim: there is a great medieval fair in which all population of the town is participating as the Mayor José Fernandes Estevens told her.Later Sophie travels to the nature reserve of Ria Formosa: he makes a boat tour with the biologist Barbara Abelho who explains her that there are 214 species of birds in this lagoon, then they meet Fabia Pinto, caretaker at the birds rescue center (an eagle owl have been injured): they see also the storks and the gulls of the center.after that Barbara and Sophie visit the village of Arraial Ferreira Neto, a former village of tuna fishermen which has been transformed in a touristic center, Carlos Belhy, who has lived in the village tells her the story of this tuna fishery and later Barbara and Sophie visit the cemetery of the anchors. Besides we see zooms about the great Portuguese navigators, about the Boa Esperança caravel, about the tuna and sardines fishing times, about the re conversion of Luis Lourenco (the solar powered boat for tourists), about the the equilibrium between mass tourism and nature protection, about the Dutch family who organizes dinners for tourists, about the the Portuguese cuisine ( Arminda Badalo preparing the traditional cod fish with potatoes, the revisited Pruguese gastronomy by the 2 two Michelin chef Dieter Koschina), about the new vineyard and cellar of Patrick Agostini, about the horses in Portugal (the hitch races in Estol, the Lusitanian horse) and about the salt marsh in the Ria Formosa nature reserve (traditional production of salt and the "fleur de sel").
Fri, Oct 1, 2010
Beginning of the journey in Riga (Latvia): Jérôme is navigating in a pedalo boat on the canals of Riga with Agnese Klava and her sister.Then they walk through the town and arrive at the Monument of the Liberty: Agnese tells that Latvia has been invaded by Poles, Swedes, Germans and Russians and finally got its Independence on 18th of November 1991: so the Latvian celebrate this anniversary every year laying flowers in the monuments.Later they stop at a restaurant , Jérôme tastes a strong garlic snack and arrive at at the apartment of Agnese's family.A girl is singing a traditional song (the Latvian folk enjoys singing songs).After that Jérôme travels to Jurmala, the sea resort where he meets Nicolajs Kuzmins in his dacha (summer residence of the family) at Varnukrogs: Nicolajs tells him the story of his family dacha where he spent all his summers.Then Nicolajs and Jérôme travel to the Villa Emilija Benjamin where they are received by Peter Archer, the grandson of Emilija Benjamin; Peter tells about the famous guests who have stayed in the villa.On the next day Jérôme travels to Rundale Castle where he is received by Imants Lancmanis, the manager of the castle.Imants Lancmani tells him that he came in 1963 to restore the paintings of the castle, that he enjoyed so much the place that he stayed there to take care for all the castle and to create the "jardin à la française" in the 72 hectares park of the castle.Then Jérôme travels to Lithuania: at Siaulai he meets the sculptor Kazys Bimba who usually makes religious items: a client, Vlkadas, arrived for a wooden cross and they go to the Hill of the Crosses: there the Lithuanian people are celebrating their dead persons in this place.After that Jérôme travels to Kernavé where is received by Patrick Lion (Président of Taïga Euro Baltika), there is a former kohlkoze transformed into into a museum of the history of Lithuania: near Kernavé there is an important archaeological site classified Unesco World Heritage site.After that Jérôme travels to Vilnius where he meets Vytautas Ratkevicius, the sheriff of the Uzopio Republic who gives him a temporary passport for entering into the Bohemian and artistic Republic. Later Jérôme meets Darius Laumenis, a painter, they walk through the town and arrive at a shop with amber jewels and pay a visit to the former KGB Prison of Vilnius: there Edvardas, tells them his story of politic prisoner in this prison.After that Jérôme travel to Trakal where he meets Juri Spakovski, a member of the Karaite community (Turkish people who have come to protect the castle of Trakal 600 years ago).Later Jérôme travels to Klaipeda and the Curonian Spit: at a restaurant he meets Jonas Marozas and they eat smoked eel.Then they travel to Nida , meet the guide Matas Mizgris and are canoeing in the lagoon. Besides we see zooms about the singing of the dainas in Latvia, about the rock singer Mara, about the Russian minority in Latvia, about the castle of Rundale and its rose garden. about the amber , treasure of Lithuania and about the Curonian Spit (the forests and the fauna).
Fri, Nov 19, 2010
On a beach of Dakar Sophie meets Raoul Coly, a chef who manages an African restaurant in France and Raoul invites Sophie to visit the Casamance.So they take the ferry from Dakar to Ziguinchor.When they arrives it's raining in Ziguinchor, they cross the old town ( colonial architecture) and they meet "Kéba Rumba " Djidjaly , a drum maker and also musician who plays for them a drum and sings a nice song.Later they go to the market and they buy a dress for Raoul's mother.When they enter into the neighborhood, some nephews of Raoul appear and later they meet Raoul's mother and a lot of women (in Casamance the women used to form associations, to get together, to raise finds and to make donations in the social events such as burials or marriages).Later Raoul and Sophie pay a visit to the Abbé Jean-Marcel Sambou who spoke about the tolerance between Christians and Muslims in Casamance.Then they go to the football stadium where the Casa Sport will play against a team of Dakar: the football coach Athanas Tendeng is managing the Casa Sport and there is a great ambiance in the stadium (songs and dances).Later Raoul and Sophie make a dugout trip through the "bolongs" of the Casamance River, they see the mangrove and the oysters: they arrive at the touristic camp of Affiniam: they are received by Nestor-Jacques Sambou who shows the traditional huts for the guests, at the supper they eat a dish of algae and okra.Then Roul and Sophie travel to Kagnobon, there Pape El Hadji Sonko, a villager explains that the Koupu spirit, covered with palm fibers will dance to protect the harvests against the bad spirits.Then Raoul and Sophie travel to the Farm of Djibelor , managed by Gérard Martraux, who lives in Casamance since 42 years and grow ornamental plants, has a crocodile farm and a pineapple field.Then they go to Cape Skirring, a beautiful beach where cows are walking around (there Raoul began as touristic guide), they speak with a fisherman and buy cashew nuts and peanut.Finally the arrive at the Diembereng village, young boys are dancing the "Ekonkone " traditional dance before the wrestling flights. Besides we see zooms about the Casamance (the treaty of Berlin 1885 which gives to Portugal the Guinea Bissau territory and to the United Kingdom the Gambia territory), about the sinking of the ferry between Dakar and Ziguinchor on 2002 and about the measures to prevent a new disaster, about the female potters in Casamance, about the island of Karabane, and its new dock, about the mutual aid in fields, the men preparing the soils and the women sowing the rice fields, about the reforestation of the mangrove , about Joseph Diamacoune and his production of cashew nuts and the Indian traders who are very interesting in this product.
Fri, Nov 26, 2010
A nice journey of Jérôme from the Mount Aigoual (the meteorological observatory at 1565 meters about the sea level, Francis Truel-the technician of the observatory-, the nice panorama-at the north the Lozère department and at the south the Gard department and the snack with the meteorologists of the observatory) to Lanuejols (the Randals Bison restaurant, Murieland Laurent Balembois, the cowboy hat and the boots,the tepee for the night, the bison farm, the horseback riding for gathering the bisons, the supper with bison meat and the country folk dance) passing by L'Espérou (Dédé, the shepherd, the flock of 1400 sheep, the transhumance, the Col du Minier and the snack) by Saint-Martial (Françoise and Philippe Leonard-the farmers-, the professional retraining, the harvest of the onions, the tasting of the fresh and cooked onions), by the Grotto of the Demoiselles ( Paul Remise-the speleologist-, the abseiling and the zipline in the grotto, Pierre Boissier- the climbing guide- and the pleasure to discover new caves), by Saint-Jean-du-Gard (the "train à vapeur des Cévennes", David Hagen and the stem locomotive), by the "bambouseraie d'Anduze (PhilippeFuster, the main gardener-, the bamboo forest, the bamboo is not a tree, the Japanese garden, the houses made with bamboos, the Laotian chicken prepared with ginger and bamboo shoots), by the Corniche des Cévennes ( Dominique Foubert-the forester-, the trail for the donkeys, the National Park of the Cévennes), by Le Pompidou ( the unique grocery of the Corniche des Cévennes) and by Le Pont-de-Montvert (the walking with a donkey with Annie Van Rousselt , the ascent to the Col de Finiels and then to the Mont Lozère, the granitic rocks and the snack with bread and goat cheese). Besides we see zooms about Philippe and Sylvie, their chestnut-tree plantation and the sheep-the help of Martin the shepherd-), about Christelle the cellist at Ganges who is playing cello in the village, about the hippies who came to the Cévennes ( the hippie commune, Anne and Ndou, the good relationships with André, the local healer, Claudie-the photographer- who spoke about her integration in the region), about the gold diggers in the Cévennes, about the "Plantes infuses" association, about Loïc and David and the restoration of the hamlet of La Drèche and about the life in the Causse Mejan.
Fri, Dec 10, 2010
A nice journey of Jérôme from Cardiff ( the meeting with Rhiannon Michael on the boat crossing the Cardiff Bay, the walk through the town, the Millenium Stadium, the Bute Park, the Cardiff castle and the National Assembly of Wles, the talk about the Welsh identity, the meeting with Robert, Tracey and Deon Mota, the passion for the rugby) to Ruthin (the meeting with Ben Etchells-Rimmer, the psychology student and the seeking of ghosts in the old prison) passing by Saint-David's and Crymych (the meeting with two Welsh girls, the "Eisteddfod" meeting, the girl reciting a poem, the girls singing a Welsh song), by Dolgellau (the meeting with Bethan Gwanas, the writer, the gardening program at the television, the visit of Portmeirion-the village created by the architect Clough Williams-Ellis- and the excursion to the lake-the local legend-), by the train from Tan-y-Bwich to Blaenau (the meeting with Twn Elias and the visit of the slate-mine and the slate workshop), by the island of Anglesey (the photographer Glyn and his gallery, the excursion to the sand dunes and the beach and with Philippa Jacobs (the travel with the Landrover Defender through the hills, the house near the Irish Sea , the need of solitude after the death of her husband and her son, the paintings of Philippa). Besides we see zooms about the life in Cardiff, about the Welsh language, about about the Center for Alternative Technology, about the Bardsey Island, about Iolo Jones, the sheepdog trainer and about Kristopher Hughes the druid of the Anglesey Island.