Aline's virtual garden

Aren’t they sweet? Look at these flowers I ‘gathered’ in Saisies and Pralognan-la-Vanoise. ;)

Little flowers...

And wild ones:

Keep trekking!

Saturday morning: my baby boy wakes up with something that in Portuguese is called « estar com a Macaca »! Sorry the ones reading this who are not Brazilians but this is not something really explainable. A little bit too naughty, almost unbearable… But hopefully it gave us a wonderful idea: to visit the Vanoise forest!

After eating some Brazilian meat in Buffalo Grill restaurant, we got the route to Pralognan-la-Vanoise. I got the car because Régis ate too much (by the way, he got a giant Canadian Buffalo burger!)

We were prepared to trek and by chance (as always!) we discovered a trekking path called “Sensorial route”! It was really nice, something which was probably made for children, but which was completely adapted for adults like us! ;)

To play the sensorial “game” we needed to follow the small hands painted around. And the trick was to find the next little hand. Little hand found, we needed to discover the nature around using our senses: scented trees, smooth rocks, rough ones, soft lawn… so much sensations! One part of the route we needed to do with closed eyes, just let us be guided by a rope!

We discovered some little caves done by the rocks. Observing the rocks I had the impressions that they were all in a mess! And yes, I had the guess! Actually, a long time ago, a glacier has passed there and it transported a lot of things, including the rocks which were let all in a mess. But it was not the only amazing thing which happened in this place!

In 1988 a big avalanche slipped in this valley, destroying all it found in its way. Exactly where we were they could find about 10 meters of snow! But look how sharp are the montains:

We also discovered the river which collects the melted snow and that sometimes gets very angry and comes out of its stream bed. Take a look how water is so clear and almost blue!

And we also saw so many beautiful flowers! But these ones you’ll need to wait a little bit. Be back soon and you’ll found then in the “Aline’s virtual garden”!

Giullieta e Romeo

The most fascinating part of this trip was a discovery we did: Verona is the town of Romeo and Juliet!

Walking on the streets we saw an entrance plenty of people who was even climbing in the gate!

In the entrance tunnel we found love messages written all over the wall.

Everyone was agglomerated there, trying to find a little space to write his/her own. Sure we let ours as well! As we hadn’t think about putting a permanent marker in our backpacks, we wrote our love post in small papers and we glued with chewing-gum!

Crossing this entrance, we discovered Juliet’s balcony! Just below it we found her statue: I don’t know if it’s a tradition or if it brings lucky to lovers, but EVERYONE was taking a photo holding Juliet statue’s breast! Take a look on the photo: her right breast is even polished!

After a wonderful pizza at S. Matteo Church ristorante, we did a walk in the castle close to the river to take some more pictures.

Time to go home, back to France.

But before leaving Verona, we passed in front of a Ferrari shop, just for a classy “arrivederci”! ;)

Buon giorno Verona!

Next day, early morning we started a new exploration at day’s light. At the piazza Bra, the first thing which amazed us was the bike’s parking. Take a look on it:

Actually, Verona’s habitants can let their cars parked and get a public bike to go around!

They have a special key to unlock it and Eureka! : A simple, ecological, cheap and sportive way to go shopping!

We went shopping as well as shops are opened on Sunday. Italian times, but opened, as Italians are doing the siesta ;)

9h30 – 12h30 a.m.

15h30 – 19h30 p.m.

An ancient coliseum is the centre of this square and it’s currently being restored.

We could also appreciate a panoramic view of the river which embraces the downtown and a beautiful cathedral close to it.

And ...

Salve, ciao!

That’s Verona’s habitants manner to say hello!

The 4 to 5th September we did an Italian weekend. This is the second time we visit this country and I’m getting keen on its language!

When we cross Petit St Bernard’s pathway, we immediately receive Italian frequency in the car. Italian sounds like music in my ears, even if it’s a rugby match commented in the sport radio station! You see, I’m even able to distinguish what they’re talking about! ;)

Petit St Bernard is a magic place. A mountain’s ocean populated by marmots, such funny creatures. But we were much far than that! Aosta, Torino, Milano, Monza, Bergamo, Brescia: after facing the biggest storm of our lives and almost crossing Italy, we arrived in Verona! No hotel booked, first reaction was to find a place to sleep. Not easy once hotels are not as cheap as in France! But we are lucky adventurers! We got something really correct, right in downtown! Good shower and we went out by feet to explore the town at night!

It was pretty amazing to see that everyone is outside till late at night! Children, seniors, adults, teenagers: people are in the streets, in the restaurants, it is vacations’ ambiance. Girls are dressed like Brazilians, people are talking like Brazilians. I felt at home, like in Savassi square, with twice more people!

We were in Italy! For dinner, Régis took lasagna and I took a Hawaii pizza, garnished with pineapple and delicious mascarpone cheese. Red wine and so romanticism in the air!

We walked around to get to know the bars, cafés and ‘ristorantes’. Bars there are so style!

We finished our night with a giant yogurt ice cream, covered with a lot of Chantilly and red fruit cream! The final detail was a giant straw on it, which was about one meter high! I hope you can imagine the scene; it was really funny!

Comme back soon to hear the best part of this trip!

Tignes

We’re trying to visit most of the ski stations around, to go right in the aim when the winter time arrives! I can’t wait to try my new ski boots!

This time we were in Tignes, a very beautiful place, with its impressive dam and view.

Unfortunately, it’s not a ski station for Lili as it doesn’t have many easy slopes. but we'll keep searching!

Lili : the Giraffe

Such work of art!

Produced by Mathieu, Régis’ friend (thanks Mathieu!)

I think Picasso could be jealous about that!

Lili is getting famous!

'... «Il faut s'astreindre à écrire régulièrement, trouver des astuces pour animer sa page, attirer des commentaires. C'est un vrai défi», reconnaît Aline De Almeida Andro, l'une des participantes, en deuxième année à l'Ecole nationale supérieure des mines de Saint-Etienne. ...'

Take a look at the whole article 'Le blog en vogue', written by Valérie Lion, appeared in the French newspaper L'Express .