Today, on our 2nd last day of our journey, Linda took us to see the spectacular Plitvic Lakes national park! What an amazing place! It was proclaimed a National Park in 1949 and a Unesco World Heritage site in 1979. The waterfalls are absolutely outstanding and they have created kilometers and kilometers of boardwalks so you can walk around and enjoy the staggering beauty. The park represents a phenomenon of karst hydrography which forms these amazing towers and caves of travertine (I always loved that material and now I know why it is so expensive). We took a tonne of pics so I will happily share those when we get home.
The tragic part was seeing all the damaged homes on the road to the park. The different republics of the former Yugoslavia were at war with themselves in 1991 to 1995. The Serbians, Croatians and Bosnians were battling. We saw many, many homes that have not been repaired yet and you can see the machine- gun spray of bullets and also bombed homes. I remember hearing about the war, but seeing the damage now makes me so sad. We humans can be so cruel.
Now Croatia is doing well. It is an incredibly beautiful country with a stunning coastline. The undulating hillsides remind me of the drive through Salmon Arm. So green, so beautiful! The people are friendly, the cities are clean and greenspace is plentiful.
We are so fortunate in Canada. We have so much: inexpensive housing (yes even in Kelowna), space, and opportunities abound. I will appreciate it more.
This journey we have been on has changed us all. We have all grown as individuals and as a family. I have more desire for the simple pleasures: good fresh food, and good wine and time just being with Derek and the girls (and friends!) And I would like to think that I will need less of the material things.
Tomorrow is our last day... We will savour it like the 59 before... And are ready to come home.
I feel so bloody lucky! Two fabulous months to explore and learn. Thank you for reading our blog and for listening to my rambling... I encourage you all to hug those you love, to travel if you can, and to Carpe Diem!
Much love,
Tamara and the French Moran Clan
Showing posts with label french Morans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label french Morans. Show all posts
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Friday, 24 June 2011
Croatia! What a Finale to this Trip!
Holy smokes this is one of the most beautiful places any of us have ever, ever been to!!! We landed in Zagreb on Wednesday and then Linda and her husband Davor and son Luka wisked us off to the island of Krk! We spend yesterday lounging on their boat (yacht!) in the Med sea frolicking, swimming, sunning and relaxing! Wow!!! After the hustle and bustle of Paris (|and that damn rain) this is paradise!!! Paradise!!! My Mum laughed at me and said that I keep saying that I love each place we've been to best..... but now I mean it. I think!!!
We return to Canada next week and I will upload the best pics of our incredible sabbatical from life at home! We have learned so much! We have grown a lot... we have had the best best best time ever!!!
See you all soon!
Much much love!
Hvala! (thanks in Croatian)
Tamara and family
We return to Canada next week and I will upload the best pics of our incredible sabbatical from life at home! We have learned so much! We have grown a lot... we have had the best best best time ever!!!
See you all soon!
Much much love!
Hvala! (thanks in Croatian)
Tamara and family
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
oh My Aching Feet!!
We had a lovely day in Paris today celebrating Derek and Morgan's birthdays. But we walked, and walked, and walked some more. Oh our feet are done!!
We have a week here but there is so much to see and do that we seem to feel a need to cram it in. Tomorrow will be more mellow I hope :)
We went to Notre Dame (stunning church but it was packed and after seeing some incredible churches in Provence where we were the only people inside, the crowds make it less nice). Then we visited the crypts of ancient Paris (that was cool!) then we took the metro to the Arc de Triumph which is so amazing it takes your breath away, and then we ascended the Eiffel Tower! Morgan and Alexa were very excited to go up there and the views of this enormous and amazing city are unbeatable.
We concluded the day with a great dinner out with Mum and Dad and checked into our funky apartment at 10 pm!
What a day!!
Sleep tight mes ami!
We have a week here but there is so much to see and do that we seem to feel a need to cram it in. Tomorrow will be more mellow I hope :)
We went to Notre Dame (stunning church but it was packed and after seeing some incredible churches in Provence where we were the only people inside, the crowds make it less nice). Then we visited the crypts of ancient Paris (that was cool!) then we took the metro to the Arc de Triumph which is so amazing it takes your breath away, and then we ascended the Eiffel Tower! Morgan and Alexa were very excited to go up there and the views of this enormous and amazing city are unbeatable.
We concluded the day with a great dinner out with Mum and Dad and checked into our funky apartment at 10 pm!
What a day!!
Sleep tight mes ami!
Tuesday, 14 June 2011
Cherie Paris!!!
We arrived yesterday afternoon in Paris! It is stunning!! We took a high speed train and it only took 5 hours to travel all the way from Arles to Paris. The countryside is beautiful here... Even at 300kms an hour!
My Mum and Dad have come to meet us and we are thrilled to spend some time together with them in this incredible city. Today Morgan and Derek share a birthday and we are going to see Notre Dame, then the Rodin Museum and then up the Eiffel Tower!
We have not seen much of Paris yet, but I am sure we will love it. My Mum laughed yesterday and said that I have loved every place we have been to on this trip... And it's true! They have all had different amazing features and history. I feel so grateful for this trip and all the experiences we are having.
Details to come soon!
Love
The travelling Moran Clan
My Mum and Dad have come to meet us and we are thrilled to spend some time together with them in this incredible city. Today Morgan and Derek share a birthday and we are going to see Notre Dame, then the Rodin Museum and then up the Eiffel Tower!
We have not seen much of Paris yet, but I am sure we will love it. My Mum laughed yesterday and said that I have loved every place we have been to on this trip... And it's true! They have all had different amazing features and history. I feel so grateful for this trip and all the experiences we are having.
Details to come soon!
Love
The travelling Moran Clan
Friday, 10 June 2011
Ancient Arles
Ancient Arles
What an incredible day we have had here in Arles. With it's tremendous history of battles won and lost you can't help but be awed by it all. We explored the Eglise Saint Trophine (a church) today and tried to teach the girls what all the carvings and paintings mean. The power of religion in ancient times must have been absolutely omnipresent. Studying the bones of a man declared a saint.... Over 1800 years ago, then the ancient sarcophagus'... Then the marble carvings depicting where one went if they were good.... And where they went if not.... Wow. And trying to explain it all to the girls was a lesson in itself!
We also visited the Roman Amphitheater and there was a school group there watching a re-enactment of a battle between two gladiators. 2000 years ago the Romans held court in the amphitheater and I swear if you listen and look carefully enough, you can see and hear them still.
Then we picked up a few groceries and headed home for lunch. I was excited to get everyone trying fois gras pâté (don't tell them what that is please!) and some crazy French cheeses (they smell so bad but taste so good!). And of course Derek and I enjoyed a bottle of wine (a Demi bottle given it was only noon). After lunch we all had a bit of quiet time (I love that part ) and we then went walking and shopping.
We may head to Avignon demain, or possibly stay here and explore more. There's a massive market here on Saturday mornings and it supposed to be one of the best in Provence. I can't wait! The table cloths are gorgeous and I am going to get something to help me remember this amazing town.
What an incredible day we have had here in Arles. With it's tremendous history of battles won and lost you can't help but be awed by it all. We explored the Eglise Saint Trophine (a church) today and tried to teach the girls what all the carvings and paintings mean. The power of religion in ancient times must have been absolutely omnipresent. Studying the bones of a man declared a saint.... Over 1800 years ago, then the ancient sarcophagus'... Then the marble carvings depicting where one went if they were good.... And where they went if not.... Wow. And trying to explain it all to the girls was a lesson in itself!
We also visited the Roman Amphitheater and there was a school group there watching a re-enactment of a battle between two gladiators. 2000 years ago the Romans held court in the amphitheater and I swear if you listen and look carefully enough, you can see and hear them still.
Then we picked up a few groceries and headed home for lunch. I was excited to get everyone trying fois gras pâté (don't tell them what that is please!) and some crazy French cheeses (they smell so bad but taste so good!). And of course Derek and I enjoyed a bottle of wine (a Demi bottle given it was only noon). After lunch we all had a bit of quiet time (I love that part ) and we then went walking and shopping.
We may head to Avignon demain, or possibly stay here and explore more. There's a massive market here on Saturday mornings and it supposed to be one of the best in Provence. I can't wait! The table cloths are gorgeous and I am going to get something to help me remember this amazing town.
Thursday, 9 June 2011
Paradise Found in. Provence!
Paradise Found in Provence
Okay I am in love! We arrived yesterday here in Arles which is in the heart of Provence. This stunning city is over 2,000 years old. Back in 500 bc it had a population of 100,000 (today 50,000) and there is history and a story everywhere you look. I cannot wait to explore it!!!
We ar staying in the ancient part of the city within the walls. Our home here is huge (by French standards) and has 4 levels including a roof top deck that I am sitting on as I type). We look out over hundreds of red coloured clay rooftops.... Looks the same today as it must have hundreds (thousands?) of years ago (now though almost every home has a radio antenna).
This feels like home to me... I can't explain it but I feel like I have been here before. It is awe inspiring and magical here.
Like in Banyuls sur Mer, there is a boulangerie down the street so Derek and Morgan have gone to pick up still warm croissants and pain de chocolate. Yum yum!
We will go explore this town today making sure to see the Vincent van Gogh museum (he lived here for a year and painted over 200 pieces while here), the Roman amphithéâtre where gladiators fought wild animals 2,000 years ago, and perhaps a picnic along the Rhone river (which I can see at the end of our street.
I have loved all the places we have been to on this amazing journey.... But I think this is my favourite.
(and property is much more affordable here than in Cannes or Momaco! Hee hee)
Bonne journée mes ami!
Okay I am in love! We arrived yesterday here in Arles which is in the heart of Provence. This stunning city is over 2,000 years old. Back in 500 bc it had a population of 100,000 (today 50,000) and there is history and a story everywhere you look. I cannot wait to explore it!!!
We ar staying in the ancient part of the city within the walls. Our home here is huge (by French standards) and has 4 levels including a roof top deck that I am sitting on as I type). We look out over hundreds of red coloured clay rooftops.... Looks the same today as it must have hundreds (thousands?) of years ago (now though almost every home has a radio antenna).
This feels like home to me... I can't explain it but I feel like I have been here before. It is awe inspiring and magical here.
Like in Banyuls sur Mer, there is a boulangerie down the street so Derek and Morgan have gone to pick up still warm croissants and pain de chocolate. Yum yum!
We will go explore this town today making sure to see the Vincent van Gogh museum (he lived here for a year and painted over 200 pieces while here), the Roman amphithéâtre where gladiators fought wild animals 2,000 years ago, and perhaps a picnic along the Rhone river (which I can see at the end of our street.
I have loved all the places we have been to on this amazing journey.... But I think this is my favourite.
(and property is much more affordable here than in Cannes or Momaco! Hee hee)
Bonne journée mes ami!
Saturday, 4 June 2011
On avez arriver en Cannes!
We have arrived in Cannes! Wow it's so different from Banyuls sur Mer. This is where the world's biggest film festival is held every year (we missed it by about 2 weeks). It's glitzy and shiny. Our apartment is small but ideal for us with a miniscule kitchen, a bathroom (tub no shower) and bunk beds for the girls near the front door. We have a gorgeous view of the Med sea and there's a train station literally 2 seconds away (yep we can hear and see the trains coming and going).
Yesterday we walked around the town and admired the fancy hotels and cars. We saw a photo shoot taking place in front of the Ritz Carleton hotel which was kind of cool. The majority of the beaches are private here in Cannes so you must rent a chair. The weather is not great so we didn't beach it yesterday or today. But we will one day we hope as it's gorgeous!
We don't have wifi here in our room so I won't be able to email/ blog as often. Maybe that's a good thing?
Today we are going to catch the train into Nice and we'll explore the museums and galleries there. We want to go see Saint Paul de Vence and Vence (two hillside ancient towns about 2 hrs from here) this week as well as Monaco / Monte Carlo. Lots to see and do and explore!
Carpe diem my friends!
Xoxo
Sent from my iPad
Yesterday we walked around the town and admired the fancy hotels and cars. We saw a photo shoot taking place in front of the Ritz Carleton hotel which was kind of cool. The majority of the beaches are private here in Cannes so you must rent a chair. The weather is not great so we didn't beach it yesterday or today. But we will one day we hope as it's gorgeous!
We don't have wifi here in our room so I won't be able to email/ blog as often. Maybe that's a good thing?
Today we are going to catch the train into Nice and we'll explore the museums and galleries there. We want to go see Saint Paul de Vence and Vence (two hillside ancient towns about 2 hrs from here) this week as well as Monaco / Monte Carlo. Lots to see and do and explore!
Carpe diem my friends!
Xoxo
Sent from my iPad
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