Selestat/Schlettstadt, 22.07.2016 Alsace

First stop on our route to the southwest of France.

Beaune, 23.07.2016 Hospice

First a local market, then an impressive hospice, Hotel Dieux, built in 1443. Exciting place to visit!

Lachapelle-Auzac, 24.07.2016 Perigord

We had both listened to the crime stories of Martin Walker about Bruno, and fell in love with the region because of the narration of its great food and wine. We were not disappointed. Staying in a small village called Blagour, we experinced living with dogs, donkeys, trouts and chicken. As tourists, we started in Sarlat-le-Caneda with an indoor market in a former church and a fascinating elevator within its former bell tower. Afterwards, we especially enjoyed the jardin de Cardiot.

Dordogne, 25.07.2016 Canoeing

Tiregand/Monbazillac, 26.07.2016 The wine road

Lachapelle-Auzac, 26.07.2016 Village life

I mentioned the animals. I forgot the pool. Both were really great, among the animals especially one hen named Anni. She was so tame we could just put her on one of our shoulders and could walk around and feed her by hand. In return, we just had to guard her against the big rooster, who constantly chased Anni around.

Eyrignac, 27.07.2016 ... et ses jardins

Stunning!

Limoges, 28.07.2016 Porcelain

Beynac, La Roque-Gageac, Castelnaud, 29.07.2016 Castle tour

Padirac, 30.07.2016 Spelunkers

The gouffre de Padirac is a giant chasm, that was created at an undetermined point in time when the roof collapsed into a large internal cavern. It is known that the cavern existed in the 3rd century, and was inhabited during the 15th and 16th centuries during which time Potassium nitrate was excavated from the area. The chasm itself is approximately 100 m around its rim with a diameter of approximately 35 metres. The cave, at a depth of 100 m, contains a subterranean river system that is partly accessible by boat.

Rocamadour, 30.07.2016 Le rocher des aigles

We watched some bird shows before, but for us it was the first time to see birds of prey in such large groups and to observe tropical birds roaming through European skies.

Le Puy-en-Velais, 31.07.2016 Discovering the Auvergne

Even more secluded than our accomodation in the Perigord, we enjoyed a couple of days in Brousse, a small village in the beautiful Auvergne. The first city to visit was Le Puy-en-Velais, with its famous Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Puy clearly recognisable as part of the route of Santiago de Compostela in France, and the chapel of Saint Michel built in 969 on top of a hill.

Puy-de-Dome, 01.08.2016 Volcano hike

My favourite spot, because of its breathtaking views. We took a cog railway uphill and hiked along a former volcano. Even though it was a beautiful summers day, it reminded me of Icelands vast landscapes we visited in february. And the lush light green hills reminded me of the chocolate hills in Bohol/ Philippines. Both lovely places to be reminded of!

Paris, 03.08.2016 15 years

Tobi and I had been to Paris in the summer of 2001, and this trip was crucial to all the following years of our relationship. We had set on the stairs of Sacre Coeur, with a glass of red wine each, and had enjoyed the view, the wine and each others company so much, that our backpack got stolen without us realizing it. We were young, and had booked some inexpensive hotel that seemed so little trustworthy that we had all our valuables with us, in that exact backpack. The flight tickets, my passport, my wallet, my diary, both of our favourite jumpers, and on top of it a Nikon F2, the camera that had accompanied Tobi through all his childhood. (We are still sorry for that, Rolf!) To sum it up, there was basically nothing left, and we were more than punished for it, too. It was a time when flight tickets were printed on paper, and we had paid about 400 DM for them. So we were astonished the flight company charged us another 250 DM to print the return tickets for us anew. When I complained to the Lufthansa staff, she unapologetically replied I should be grateful that they were letting me board at all without proper identification. So there we were, sad and bankrupt, and we had one more evening to spend. Tobi walked straight to the next FNAC, and bought a Paris gourmet guide (at least, he still had his wallet with a credit card) and we chose an expensive restaurant to have dinner, where we spent a great evening and enjoyed one of the best meals I ever had. Tobi summarised, we were basically flat broke, so it didn`t matter how flat. This was our first trip as a couple, and the lesson I learned (despite from you just need to drink more alcohol if your stomach is too full to order new courses): shit happens, but it is our choice to react to it. Whenever I think of Paris, I fondly think about that massive heap of Mousse of chocolat that the waitress served last, and it was a big pleasure to show that wonderful metropolis to our kids. Even though I was also happy we were not robbed this time!

Chateaux Rouge

Citè des Sciences et de l´Industrie

Institute du Monde Arab

Sainte-Chapelle

La Defense

Musee d'Orsay

Palais-Royal