Trip to France (Part two)

September 12th, 2008

Blue Windows Trip to France

Part Two

Friday September 5th, 2008
While hiking, touring, dining is certainly a lot of fun, the whole purpose of the trip was to meet my folks and also attend a family reunion near Lourdes. Today was the day where we were supposed to meet up with my folks and also my brother Alain and his life-companion, Beatrice.

We rendez-vous in a village especially known in the winter as a ski resort and in the summer as a stage of the famous bicycle race "le Tour de France": La Mongie. Located just below the Col du Tourmalet, this village is also the starting point for the ascension of the Pic du Midi (12 000 feet) which can be access by a 15 minute cable car ride (30 euros per person). Unfortunately, due to winds in excess of 100 miles an hour at high altitude, the ride was closed. Oh well! Now that we had met my family, we had not other choice but to party!

I reunite with Mom after over 2 years...

Dad on the left. The Party has arrived!


My Bro...

Le Pic du Midi

Le Col du Tourmalet, a stage of the Tour de France

Dangerous mountain road...

After a well deserved lunch, we drove back down the other side of the mountain to meet up with the rest of the family, specifically my cousin Chantal and her husband Christian and many people for her side of the family. They have a lovely chalet with a breathtaking view of the valley:

Happy hour at Chantal and Christian

Burr! The wind picked up that night...

Dad working hard...

Accommodations in the village were simple, rustic and lovely!

Morning view...

The whole purpose of this trip was to attend this family gathering happening that evening to celebrate Chantal and Christian's 20 year anniversary. The dinner took place in a restaurant in town called 'Le Printania" and about 60 relatives and guests attending the party.

After the traditional Kir (Black Currant and White wine), we all sat down to enjoy the evening event. Mari and I felt special as we sat at the table of honor with Christian and Chantal. To my left, Michelle, my late Aunt's sister told me many things I did not about that side of our family. Living in the Bordeau region, Christian and Chantal had brought some amazing wines. This bottle, pictured below is called a Nebuchadnezzar and hold 8 liters:

Ma Cousine Chantal et moi

Christian et Chantal

Christian and the Winemaker with the bottle of 2002 Chateau-Ste Croix

And for Dessert: Champagne Rose

Mom and Dad

My brother Alain and Beatrice

Dance with Mom

Everybody is dancing!

And the next day, everyone says "Good Bye"!

It is time for us to head back to Paris for a short visit to the Champs Elysees.

L'Arc de Triomphe

Place des Ternes... Stop here and dine at "La Lorraine" for the freshest Seafood!

Haute Couture in Paris

It was time for us to head back to Charles de Gaulle and after a short night at our hotel near Champs Elysees, we went back to the metro and the R.E.R. to arrive at the airport an hour later.

Check-in was mostly uneventful and the 10-hour ride back to Atlanta, while long and tiring, was mostly pleasant. We arrive in Ft Myers later that evening, relived that hurricane "Ike" was no longer a threat to Florida.

Wanna go to France? Travel with us, we will take you places you never dreamed of!

Christian and Mari

239 849 0622