Réserve Africaine de Sigean

Just a few km off Narbonne is the Sigean African Wildlife Reserve. We were really excited about coming here, but it didn't look like it was going to happen because, as in many small cities in the South, transport by anything other than cars is non-existent. Taxi drivers were quoting us damaging prices to bring us there and back. Finally, after a dramatic and sorrowful explanation of how we had come all the way from different parts of the world just to see the reserve, without any clue that there would be no cheap modes of transport to take us there and we would be so very upset and depressed if we didn't get the chance to go, a kind taxi driver took pity on us and offered us a 'student discount. It was well worth any cost, because it was absolutely beautiful, and well, as close as I'm going to get to a real African reserve in a while!

The Sigean African Wildlife Reserve is a huge wildlife park located south of Narbonne, with more than 4000 animals. With 300 hectares of land, the conservation park has tried to recreate the natural habitat of wild animals and has been open since 1968.

We went first on a guided tour in a van along the 'wilder' parts of the park, where animals roam freely and occasionally, the curious ones came up to the van for a closer look. We took a short walk around the park as well, enjoying the sun, animals and the beautiful landscape.










Why hello there friends!


























A two week old fawn, hiding behind his mother.














Pink flamingos!




The soul white peacock.

Vineyards in Boutenac, Narbonne

Last weekend, some friends and I took a train to Narbonne, down in the South of France, to visit the vineyards and learn about wine. We stayed in the small town of Boutenac, where wine is a way of life!








We went off-season so the grapes had not grown out yet. Harvests take place in August/September every year.


Château la Volle-Gasparets - a family run winery where we had our wine tasting session.


Wine is stored in these barrels for about a year.






Rosé. I bought back a bottle of this for 5 Euros!


Blanc(White)


Rouge(Red)


Taking a walk around the little town. This is the town church. Apart from the church, there is only a small grocery store and a hairdresser.




Since transport back to the town was non-existent, we packed our days and spent our two nights with our hosts, or back in our room playing cards.


Typical French breakfast with bread, croissants, cakes and jam.


Our hosts' two adorable kids, Amandine and Alice. Look at that grin!


Before leaving, we took a little tour around the main city of Narbonne.


A church


The Cathédrale of St Just and St Pasteur. This is the most magnificent church I have ever seen in my entire life. The interior was breathtaking and I really wish I could have taken photos inside.




Cloisters that linked the cathedrale to another.


Hôtel de Ville - it literally means City Hotel, and you find them in each city. I thought it literally meant it was a hotel and was sorely disappointed when I found out in fact, that it was the city hall. All the ones I've seen so far have been beautiful and I had secretly hoped to stay in one during one of my trips.


Taking a break at the park.

Sunday in Annecy!

Last Sunday I spent the day with some of my Polish friends at Annecy, an hour(by car) North of Grenoble. Annecy was once part of Geneva and home to the Counts of Geneva and the Princes of Savoy.




The famous Lac d'Annecy








A picnic by the lake!


Pedal boats!



Oh la la.. C'est la vie!




Le Pont d'amours. Lovers Bridge.



Trying to play "Chicken"












When the sun comes up, out come the people! Unfortunately it was one of those days where the sun was out but it was freezing cold. I was deceived that morning into thinking it was going to be a nice, warm day and I wore far to many clothes. Result: I spent the whole day freezing or trying to find random warm spots under the sun to thaw out.





The artists along this stretch were amazingly talented.
I wanted to get a charcoal portrait of myself but the queue was too long.



Le Palais d'Isle- one of the most photographed monuments in France. It used to be a prison during WW II.







Le Chatêat d'Annecy - The castle of Annecy, home to the former Counts of Geneva.