Château de Valençay (Birthday Gettaway)

The Castle Lit Only by Candles

As a last birthday surprise, Marine took me to this beautiful castle lit only by candles (it was a special event actually, there were people in costume, walking around and I guess they were trying to replicate how the castle may have been a few hundred years ago or whatever). It comparison to the tree house and zoo, it was very “grown up” – we even went on a horse ride. It was a nice end to our weekend away, as tired as we were – but really a nice end (again, apologies for the positive comments, I promise you it won’t last at least another paragraph).

St. Aignan sur Cher (Birthday Gettaway)

Stunning Little Town

I know that I have been quite positive of late, a lot less bitching that usual which is odd I guess (even for me). Gah, it feels weird keeping the racism to a bare minimum (there are basically no ethnics in France besides Moroccans) so I am never in the mood to start complaining about the injustices of the world! But anyway, back to topic – this tiny little town is what girl’s would refer to as “pretty” – I have seen many little towns in France, I guess it looks the same as the others, but it was quite stunning (and an absolutely beautiful Summer’s day)

Zoo Parc de Beauval (Birthday Gettaway)

Been Ages Guys – Sorry

It has taken me freaken ages to get back to updating the site, and when I don’t update, less people visit – and when the numbers go down, so does my pay (yeah right, I don’t bloody get paid for this shit). But I reckon I should!!! Anywho – part of my birthday weekend was a trip to the zoo! (Yes, first tree house, now zoo – it’s a dream for any kid I guess).

The Tree House (Birthday Gettaway)

The BEST Birthday Present!

My actual birthday present was staying in a tree house – and it was a giant one! Seriously – it was something I really wanted when I was young, but because I was ethnic and poor, climbing trees was as much as I could do. It was awesome, this is something that I will absolutely remember, and is also something I will absolutely never do again!

Sainte Catherine de Fierbois (Birthday Gettaway)

Beautiful Weekend Away

Apologies in advance for the lack of updates, I have started a new job (which in France entails a shit load of crap) and we’re moving into a new apartment (which again in France entails a shit load of crap). But we can put that aside to remember the weekend my woman had set up for me, and being the organised woman that she is, was a brilliantly planned birthday retreat. I really do have to consider myself lucky – though I am away from most of my family and friends – the last three birthdays have been in foreign countries. I turned 24 in Denmark, 25 in Austria and 26 in France … all three birthdays I spent with blonde girls too!!! But this was the first where I didn’t have to pay for anything! Whoo!

Napoleon’s Grave

Holy Shit it’s big

One of the things that I haven’t done before in Paris was visit this building. I had no idea what it was, and never bothered finding out because it was a bloody long ass walk to get there. So on my last day as a 25yr old, I decided to find out. It ended up being a giant building with a museum of the French military, with two churches – one of them housing the tomb of Napoleon (called the l’Eglise du Dome) and it ended up being one of the most beautiful churches I had ever seen. I can’t believe I have walked passed this so many times without finding out what the hell it was!

The Last Day as a 25 Yr Old!

Avoiding my late 20s by escaping to Paris!

God – it was panic time wasn’t it? Seriously – you begin to think, “What the fuck have I done with me life?” – and then I think, oh yeah … that’s what I did with it … I now realise that I am slowly devolving into nothingness.  But I am in France, I will do the best that I can to have some fun – or at least have a day that I can remember. I really wanted to go swimming, but there isn’t anywhere to go. So I just basically made it my goal to take a picture in front of every major monument in Paris (as I have never done that before). And as you can see, the day started off beautifully in Orleans!

Big Giant Corn Maze

Making Crop Circles

Ma copine was like, “Do you want to go to a giant maze?” – and I am like, “Hell Yeah” – shit I remember “the Labyrinth”, freaky ass Jim Henson puppets chasing you around and shit, and David Bowie with his pants that are on way too tight. There was also that “Signs” movies with Mel Gibson that would have been totally cool, and of course “the Children of the Corn” – but of course, nothing that exciting happens in France. I guessed that once we got to the centre, we would be rewarded with cheese and Champagne … anyway, she suggested that we go at night, and I am like – “how am I supposed to take photos?” – Fuck I am an idiot sometimes, listen to your woman people! They’re right sometimes!

Orléans – The Loire River

A Beautiful Summer’s Day

I don’t think that I have ever shown you Orléans, (actually I have a post fromwhen I first came to Orléanss back in 2007 – but I was here as a tourist back then, and now I live here). I wanted to show you guys my jogging route (because I am now fat … well, fat for an Asian – I am skinny in comparison to most Australians).

It has been rare to see a perfect summer’s day here, 35 degrees. For me, it’s nothing, I will enjoy this warmth while it lasts – but for the poor French people, I think they were dying. Literally, when the temperature hits around the 40s, people (especially the aged) start carking it. But there are other things here that can kill!

The BEST Cheese Cake in the WORLD!

If you ever feel like killing yourself, eat one of these and living suddenly rocks!

When I came back from London, I had to give ma biche some presents (as always – not that I am forced too, a happy gf a happy couple makes). One specific thing requested was cheesecake – as it is not sold widely in France at all (ironically the land of cheese). Now – I once thought that the best cheese cake ever was at Castle Towers in Sydney.

It is not. If you happen to be in London, get your ass over to your nearest Marks & Spencers – buy your ass some of this shit, you will not regret it. I got them at King’s Cross, then guarded them with my life over the two hour train ride to Paris, than the 1 hour train ride to Orleans. And yes, it was fucking worth it. Hell Yeah!