According to Camera Guy, Roussillon has a magic light about it ...which means we return to this place each time we are in France. The village is a little touristy, but it is definitely worth a visit. Pay for the entrance to the trail (2.50 Euros). Even if you don't do the whole walk, you will see some spectacular views that you would miss otherwise.
Circus signs were posted all over Banon when we drove through, so when our neighbours, Linda and Paul, from California, mentioned that they were going to check it out, we decided to join them.
Camera Guy and I were the first in line - ok we were the first ones there. The circus was starting at 6:30 and at 6:15 we still didn't see another person. Goats were roaming around as were llamas, horses, ponies and even some cats. Were there going to be trained cats since there were no lions???? Dan caught one of the stars in mid-poop!
At 6:25 Linda and Paul showed up and the tent opened at 6:30. We splurged on the most expensive seats, 14 Euros with plastic chairs ringside!!! There were about 60 people in attendance and the show was unlike any I had ever seen before. The animal trainer was also the juggler who was also the ring gymnast and also the clown. He was actually pretty talented.
The female tightrope walker was a little tense as she made her way across the wire, a death defying height of about 2 1/2 feet.
She seemed like she really didn't want to be there. Camera Guy said she looked like she wanted to run away and join the real world:) She also had other jobs - like sweeping up the dirt in the ring and folding and unfolding the cover for the center ring ...several times. She also was the hula hoop star who managed about 3 rotations of the hoop before it hit the ground.
The children in attendance had a great time and watching them was very entertaining...we were the only adults in the audience without children...
and we had a lot of fun too. This was rural France at its finest. We love these unique opportunities that present themselves when travelling. What will we stumble upon tomorrow?
From Toronto I flew to Zurich where I connected to Paris. Dan met me and off we went to our hotel in Montmartre. After dropping off my things, we took the Metro to Notre Dame and walked over one of the Paris lock bridges. Thousands of locks line the bridge...yes romance is very alive in Paris!
The story goes that the couple writes their names on the padlock then toss the key into the Seine to demonstrate their true love. The only way the love can be broken is to find they key to unlock the lock. Good luck! There are thousands of keys at the bottom of the Seine... Dan and I bought a lock today!
There's always interesting performances by musicians, buskers, mimes etc when walking around Paris. A great jazz little quartet had our attention for a while.
Dinner in Montmartre...and a early night. Tomorrow we take the train to Avignon, rent a car and head over to Forcalquier where we will spend a week.
Dan and his daughter Meredith left for Paris on Sunday. I am plugging away at work and finishing off things that neeeeed to get done before I leave - you know how it is. They chatted yesterday with me from their hotel in Paris and are having a great time. They went to the top of the Eiffel Tower Monday night and walked a gazillion miles around Paris yesterday. Meredith convinced her dad that an evening bicycle tour around Paris was a good idea, but I'm not sure Dan agreed. Still off they went - fun but a little hectic!
They also have a small private evening tour booked for the Louvre to see some of the highlights there.
I leave tomorrow and unfortunately will cross paths with Meredith in the air. She leaves at 9:00 AM Friday and I arrive at 10:00. There is something very romantic about my handsome husband greeting me at the airport in Paris! Maybe I should run to the washroom and change into something before I see him...what shall I wear? À bientôt ... Penny
What impressed us most at Likuliku was the staff and the service. We have been to great hotels around the world, but this was different. It wasn't "taught" customer service...it was sincere. It was from the heart. I believe it was and that is what is important. They wanted to help or accomodate us all the time. Even when they were unable to do something, they made every effort they could...and that makes LikuLiku unforgettable.
I spoke above to Tulia, the Hotel Manager about what makes LikuLiku so special.
I loved it here...
Yes they sold snorkelling excursions, but Tom recommended that we check out the snorkelling from the pier first. It really was spectacular. Dan could have stayed in the water all day.
One excursion we did purchase was the Sunset Cruise. We highly recommend it! It was Coolie, the guitar player , Sam- our pilot , Dan and me. They served champagne and a beautiful antpasti platter...it was soooo romantic- an amazing sunset, floating in a stunning lagoon, music and the love of my life.
Pinch me...is this a dream?
And Sam...you promised me the next clam you brought over to the lagoon, you would name Penny...We will be back someday...Thank you - Vinaka to all the staff at LikuLiku.
Two more nights on the mainland before our journey back to Canada.
Once upon a time across the bluest of oceans, an island was born of lava and sand - an untouched paradise whose heart was a turquoise lagoon of unimaginable beauty and tranquility. The first visitors came and explored. To honour the magic of the place, they named it "Likiliku", meaning "calm waters"
(taken from www.LikulikuLagoon.com)
Our beautiful room at Likuliku. The bed faced huge picture windows facing the lagoon.
A plunge pool and day bed outside of the room with a view of the lagoon-simply paradise...
We found this in our room upon arrival and took it to dinner the first night.
Below the Executive Chef, Ihaka Peri and his team present exquisite dishes...
We loved it here...and the service levels here were simply outstanding.
Dan took this picture when we were snorkelling off the pier of Likuliku. There were a gazillion fish - it was almost overwhelming....
The torches were lit each night. The resort is so romantic....
More on Likuliku to follow.
