Tag: travel

Les Baux

 Les Baux-de-Provence

In 2010 we had a day trip to  Les Baux-de-Provence in France. We arrived via a 40 minute bus ride from Arles, the town we were staying in. The lure of Les Baux is its facinating castle fortification at the top of the hill and its delightful medieval town below. After a day wandering around the castle and town, we gorged ourselves with some yummy cookies.

 One of the interesting things about European history is their use of pigeons for eating and messaging. You can see the holes in the structure for the birds.

Notre Dame and Père Lachaise

During our August 2010 trip to Paris we spent some time at both the Pere-Lachaise Cemetery and the Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris. Below are the pictures from our visit.

Pere-Lachaise Cemetery

 I have a slight obsession with old cemetaries, especially ones with family crypts. A visit to the famous Pere-Lachaise Cemetery did not disappoint me. It felt other worldly. The scenery was beautiful and the gardens were peaceful. We only allocated an hour or two here but I could have spent much more time. Numerous famous greats from literature are resting here as well as the mysterious and talented Jim Morrison.

Jim Morrison’s final resting place.

This one looks middle-earthy.

The trees that are slow to grow bear the best fruit. -Moliere

 

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

The Notre Dame cathedral is amazing as well. This was my second visit and I am still in awe of the stained glass windows here.
I apologize for the blurry photos. The camera was new and I was still learning how to shoot in low light.

I love Paris in the …late summer

Paris

Versailles Gardens

Today’s post consists of photo journey of gardens and garden related things from my recent trip to France. Enjoy!

Palais de Tokyo Gardens

A garden I stumbled upon while lost in the streets of Paris (I think we were trying to get to the Champs Elysee from the Eiffel Tower). It is a lovely mixture of flowers and edible plants.

From Paris
From Paris
From Paris
From Paris
From Paris
From Paris
From Paris
From Paris
From Paris

Père Lachaise Cemetery Garden
Cemetery in Paris where many famous people are buried. I found this nice little garden inside.

From Paris

St. RemyEvery Wednesday, St Remy has a farmers market. It is recognized as one of the biggest and best markets in Provence.
Baby Olive Trees for Sale

 
From St Remy
From St Remy
From St Remy

Dried Lavender

From St Remy

Côtes du Rhône vineyards

From Vineyards
From Vineyards
From Vineyards

Espace Van Gogh in Arles

Monument made famous when Van Gogh was committed here in the 1800’s after cutting off his ear. Gardens are maintained to resemble what it would have been like during his stay.

Nature Watch

Todays post contains mostly pictures from either the yard or trips have I had recently. The pictures focus on bugs, birds and nature in general. Enjoy!

This Yellow Jacket has been buzzing around the bamboo that we now have laying around the yard. I don’t care if he wants to come over to visit, but he better not try to move in.


The Bumblebees love the butterfly garden we created in the front. The bees visit daily to sip on the lovely nectar.

During my visit to my friend’s house in San Diego, I was able to snap some photos of a humingbird. They were dark and blurry but I was able to salvage some to the point where you can make out the bird. This makes me happy because I keep missing the ones that come by my bottlebrush tree.

Honeybees and their other bee friends love the bottlebrush tree in the backyard. They feast on this tree from sun up to sun down every day. When we moved in, I wanted to pull the tree out because I wasn’t a huge fan of them. Now it gets to stay!!!
Finally a butterfly pic from the butterfly garden. This is a Gulf Fritillary Butterfly.

A dragonfly we witnessed while visited the LaBrea tar pits in Los Angelos at the end of July.

A beach bird and some beach crabs my friend pointed out to me while on a nature walk in San Diego at the beginning of August.

LaBrea Tar Pits

During our visit to the LaBrea Tar pits in LA last July, I was able to see some gardening techniques they had on display.
They set up a step like structure where excess water could flow down to lower planters. They have vegetables and herbs planted in here.

Melons were grown on a trellis that also served as a shaded walkway.

Some large bamboo stalks.