Skip to main content

Bill, I hope you're having a great trip. I'm curious if you are finding some places closed? A few years ago we went to the Loire region in late November-early December and found some gites and many restaurants were closed for the season. I should note we made very few reservations before we arrived, preferring to play it by ear.

@steve8 posted:

Bill, I hope you're having a great trip. I'm curious if you are finding some places closed? A few years ago we went to the Loire region in late November-early December and found some gites and many restaurants were closed for the season. I should note we made very few reservations before we arrived, preferring to play it by ear.

Hey Steve.  I hope all is well with you. The houses we planned to visit were all good. Tried Henriot but they weren’t taking visitors for a few weeks. Did cave tours at G.H. Martel, (LOVED their wines) Veuve and Moët. Latter two aren’t houses we are fond of but the visits and tours were excellent. Just about every place on the Avenue du Champagne in Epernay was open for tastings. We tasted with some great small producers and for the most part really liked everything. Restaurants have been a bit of a challenge, especially today (Sunday). And coffee shops don’t open until 8 or 9 in the morning - WTF?

There was a one day rail strike in Paris last Wednesday when we landed. Instead of getting pissed trying to figure out how to deal with getting to Reims cheap, we ended up taking an Uber. I will often pay $ to remove pain in the ass factor from my life. Got a nice drive through the countryside, at times approaching 170 km/hr.

Plan was for a day trip to Strasbourg yesterday, but return tickets in the evening were sold out. So instead we made a second trip to Epernay for the slightly insane Luminaire festival. If I don’t get Covid after that, then I’m for sure never getting it.

@irwin posted:

Billhike:  That Uber must have cost a bundle, and too bad you didn't make it to Strasbourg.  These rail strikes in France are common and irritating as heck.  They have reduced the number of trains, so they sell out quickly.  Enjoy the rest of the trip and have a safe trip home.

Yeah, it wasn’t cheap. Much smoother transport back to Paris. 34 Euros each for 1st class seats on the high speed TGV.

Recently back from the trip of a lifetime- a 2 1/2 week safari in East Africa visiting the national parks of Amboseli, Masai Mara, Serengeti, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire. Camps were incredibly luxurious with wonderful food and service and a nice selection of South African wines. The one Tanzanian Chenin Blanc we tried was forgettable.

@bman posted:

As one who has offlined several times with Haggis I say without hesitation that one should travel to wherever one must to offline with him!  Though Ithaca is one of the loveliest towns in upstate NY and so worth a visit even if Haggis wasn't (occasionally at least!) there!

Sorry that I missed this until now!   Anyone who wants to hold an Angkor Wat, or other, offline in Ithaca, just let me know!

Thank you bman, my friend, for the kind words.  Ithaca is an even lovelier town when you and your better half are here

Taiwan.

Here for 2 weeks, some in Taipei.

G-man (and Powell, if he were still around) might like this:  I'm going to spend some time on Lanyu Island (aka Orchid Isl.) and learn from some of the Indigenous communities here.  TINY island with 6 villages and 6 languages (or dialects, depend on your linguistic bent).

Last edited by haggis

Add Reply

Post
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×