Happy New Year!

Before most people on this planet, we just entered year 2013. For this special occasion, as we did for Christmas, we have added a Sundae caramel to our Mc Donald's set ;-)

We wish you all a Happy New Year.

More pictures are available by clicking here.

We did it!

Because Queenstown is the world capital of extreme sports, it would have been a shame not to signal our stay there through the practice of one of them. We chose to jump from an airplane flying at 12,000 feet meaning 45 seconds of freefall over an incredible landscape: HUGE! This lively city has also been the starting point for a beautiful hike on the "Routeburn Track" and a ride in "Fiordland National Park" to "Milford Sound". Today, we leave Queenstown for Tekapo.

More pictures are available by clicking here.

Never ending story!

After being completely conquered by the northern island, the southern island confirms that New Zealand is definitely a dream destination. Although much remains to be discovered, since our arrival in Picton we have been very busy hiking through the beautiful beaches and trails of the Abel Tasman National Park and admiring - again and again - the different landscapes on the road leading us right to the two glaciers Franz Josef and Fox : a unique opportunity to spend a white Christmas in the southern hemisphere. Speaking of which, we only have a few hours left to wish you all a Merry Christmas!

Several pictures have been added available by clicking here.

Promise made, promise broken

After exploring the Tongariro National Park and walked Sauron's lands in the middle of Mordor, we promised ourselves to reach the capital in less than three hours. But this was without taking into account the many photographic stops required by the incessant beauty of the landscapes. The emotion met facing New Zealand scenery is unfortunately impossible to share through the few pictures added to the gallery. We travel tonight for the southern island, happy to have been the first to escape the end of the world ;-)

More photos are available by clicking here.

Aotearoa : on the other side of the world!

Here we are : by setting feet upon New Zealand ground, we reached the farthest point from our city during our journey. First observation, almost everything here is beautiful, so much breathtaking that it is difficult to progress in driving with all the stops you have to make so you can admire the landscapes. Like many here, we try to identify some "Middle Earth" parts : this country is now linked to the "The Lord Of The Rings".

First pictures are available by clicking here.

Melbourne : an easy crush!

Once again, this year, Melbourne has been designated the most pleasant city in the world by "The Economist" and one can easily understand why: a mixture of buildings, huge parks, lakes, sports facilities, small lively streets where it's a pleasure to hang out, etc. In the end, this city lacks two things to be perfect: quality internet connections and the "Stanislas Square" ;-)

More photos are available by clicking here.

Sydney's postcard

From the Sydney's Tower, we spotted this weird building. It seems to be called the "Opera House" which deserves to figure among the city emblems ;-) We carry on with our discovery of the city through different activities such as aquariums, markets, shops with their Christmas decorations a bit surreal according to the high temperatures, and walks around the bay. Melbourne is waiting for us.

More pictures are available by clicking here.

Seeking Crocodile Dundee ...

... we found ourselves lost on the Great Barrier Reef. Still no clue in our quest for the Australian adventurer but we are now able to share with you our discovery of the seabed with these breathtaking pictures. Our first three days in Cairns were also filled with more earthly landscapes especially through a little journey in the middle of the Rain Forest right to Cape Tribulation :  Australia is not only made of drylands and beaches. Tomorrow we fly to Sydney.

First pictures are available by clicking here.

Sayonara Japan, Hello Australia

After two days in Kyoto, more traditional than the capital, we have to say goodbye to Japan and lead to Australia : second thermal shock in less than two weeks. One thing for sure, this country and its culture have conquered our heart.

More photos are available by clicking here.

Let's sing...

You can't come to Tokyo without visiting a karaoke. A  tremendous songs catalog will allow you to perform in place of The Beatles, Green Day or Muse... We carry on with our exploration of Tokyo, zen city, through its parks, temples, towers and autumn colors gardens. Tomorrow, "Aligato" and "Sayonara" Tokyo, "Kon'nichiwa" Kyoto. "Gomennasai" all for not having posted sooner.

New pictures are available by clicking here.

In the Empire of the Rising Sun ...

... nothing stops you from admiring the sunset especially when you can do it standing on the 45th level of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government featuring, as a guest star, Mount Fuji. Since our arrival, we have been able to not get lost in an extremely complex public transport network, to assimilate multiple functions and yet awesome Japanese toilets (heated seat, music, integrated water jet, etc.) and to familiarize ourselves with the basics of Japanese language. Despite a permanent state of turmoil, we are impressed by the tranquility in the Japanese capital - except maybe these weird casinos, noisy and smoky, in which players have replaced the chips with small steel balls : the famous "Pachinko" - as well as the cleanliness that reigns supreme in this megalopolis. Two observations which could partly explain the famous "Paris Syndrome".

First pictures are available by clicking here.

Last days in Bali

After a few days visiting temples such as Tirta Empul or Gunung Kawi, to marvel at the rice terraces, to play Indiana Jones in the rainforest in search of the waterfall where you can swim forgetting the high warmth, to imagine we're Jacques Cousteau snorkeling among the infinite amount of fishes, we'll soon be back in the northern hemisphere with more familiar temperatures to us  for this month of the year :  we will be in Tokyo on Monday morning.

More pictures are available by clicking here.

For a few "millions" more!

One of the first sensations when you arrive in Bali is to feel rich: our first cash withdrawal was one million! You'll then have to get used to driving a scooter in the middle of a horde of crazy drivers, practice body boarding and prepare your stomach to endure spicy food. In the end, a lot of new sensations and not so much time to update a blog. Tomorrow, we move towards Ubud to enjoy the "rice terrace" landscapes.

The first pictures are available by clicking here.

From popular demand ...

... here is a picture of the both of us from front ;-)

As you can see, we safely traveled to Bali, but without any time to add pictures. Don't worry, we will soon correct this.

King [of Hong] Kong

Hundreds of buildings among the mountains, banks next to dried ducks for sale in the markets, shops opened until 11pm even on Sundays, lights everywhere, that's Hong Kong. Peoples crawling all around and yet you feel like a king ... a King of Hong Kong!

First pictures available by clicking here.

Once upon "1Time" becomes "0Time"

Bad surprise when arriving to Cape Town airport at 3am, our flight has been canceled. The low cost airline company "1time" just applied for business liquidation and all flights has been grounded without any refund. First big stress moment of our adventure and our wallets now lighter. It would have been so easy to stop selling tickets while ensuring the continuity of flights. Finally, we found another flight to Joburg without breaking the schedule.

One week in Cape Town

An extraordinary city which helped us completing our photos album. In a few days, we've been amazed by Waterfront, Kirtenbosch Gardens, Green Market, Signal Hills, Boulders, Cape Point to end up with an eventful "climbing" of Table Mountain.

We'll soon leave South Africa with our mind filled with beautiful landscapes and wonderful encounters. If you are looking for a dream destination, you definitely have to put South Africa on your list!

On the road again

A week filled with kilometers. See for yourself : we went through Belfast and Newcastle, and close to Amsterdam, Utrecht, Frankfort, Metz, and even Lorraine (the region in which we live in France) to end up not far from Belville. Since we left Lydenburg, we stopped in Durban, East London, Swellendam and finally Cape Town : a 2500 kilometers journey through beautiful landscapes, typical South Africa colors, impressive weather phenomenas,  and a lot of Townships or Ghettos.

As promised, the answer to our question about the "Big Five" through this photo.

More photos has been added available by clicking here.

Kruger or not Kruger?

That is the question. Huge park, without any certainty of seeing any animal. Kruger is kind of a bet. However, with the beautiful landscapes, it's a sure win bet. Finally, during these two days among the wildlife, animals won't deceive us as you can see from the photos. One of the most intense sensation can be felt by playing hide and seek in search of the fiercest animals through the secondary roads with little traffic.

While we still had a head full of beautiful images, the landscapes discovered on the road from Sabie to Lydenburg carried on the dream. Breathtaking!

More photos are available by clicking here.

Reaching South Africa

With few access to the Internet, it has been a long time now without any post. Let's correct this right now!

During our first days on South Africa ground, our eyes has been busy in search of wildlife while visiting the park "Rhino & Lion". Four of the five "Big Five" can be found there, in semi-freedom, that's why we had no excuse not to see them. Anyway, do you know what these five animals are? You'll find the answer in one of our next posts. 

It's also difficult to spend a few days in Joburg without visiting, at least in part, Soweto. The opportunity for us to discover the home of Nelson Mandela and the "Hector Pieterson" museum, the boy killed on June 16th, 1976 who became the symbol of the black uprising during the same year. To ease our mind, we also went to Soccer City & Monte Casino.

First photos are available by clicking here.

Walking along the southern coast

Yesterday's plans : Rochester falls - where a blogger was courageous enough to bathe in icy waters - Gris Gris - where the same blogger had to restrain himself from jumping in the waves - and finally "La Roche Qui Pleure" (the rock which is crying). Next step : South Africa.

More photos are available by clicking here.

Back to Mauritius ...

... for some relaxing and swimming on the paradise beach of "Flic en Flac". An opportunity for us to participate in a sea trip that allowed us to swim with the dolphins, admire the corals and colorful fish processions, and finally enjoy a delicious meal.

A few days left before flying to South Africa.

More photos available by clicking here.

Raindrops keep falling on Salazie

If you can contemplate waterfalls, marvel at the variety of shades of green, it's because it often rains in the Salazie Circus. No exception to the rule yesterday but without regrets. Back now to "Saint-Denis" for a very entertaining street theater afternoon and a "night market" evening reminding us of a fun fair.

More photos available by clicking here.

Facing the Ocean

Back on the coast to verify that you can't improvise been a "Blower" photograph, meaning you sometimes have to come back with a wet shirt.

More photos available by clicking here.

A Journey to "almost" the Center of the Earth

"Some point of view have to be earned". Once again, today, in front of the landscape beauty, we didn't regret our alarm clock ringing at 5am. Sometimes, when walking toward the "Piton De la Fournaise" crater, you feel like you're on the moon.

More photos are available by clicking here.

On our way to the volcano

A beautiful day along the coast that will take us from "Saint-Benoît" to "Saint-Pierre" : points of view, ancient lava flows, waterfalls and beautiful beaches. Tomorrow, the "Piton De La Fournaise" should provide us with a new view of our old mother Earth.

More photos are available by clicking here.

One beach and three basins

Hermitage's Beach, protected by the reef barrer, offers a great diversity and quantity of marine animals which is a feast for the eyes. A small piece of bread in hand, one   finds himself harassed by dozens of fish. The ballad of the three basins (Aigrettes / Cormorans / Malheur), closed to the public, is however recommended in all the guidebooks : a reminder of the Corsican natural pools of  Polischellu.

Many photos have been added, available by clicking here.

Head in the clouds

Early and painful return to athletic activities, but the "Grand Bénare" and its view on "Mafate" are worth the effort you have to pull before reaching the top. We are tired but happy that the island reveals its treasures.

More photos has been added available by clicking here.

Back to France for 15 days of "Réunion"

Note : in french, "Réunion" means meeting, that explains the title ;-)

If we say to you that, for our first days in Reunion Island, we were greeted by a charming hostess, that Stéphane has been owned at "Guitar Hero" and that we ate with our fingers singing "Hare Krishna" : do you believe us ? And yet it's the truth.

No later than tomorrow, beginning of hiking with a early departure at 5am.

First photos are available by clicking here.

Our first steps in southern hemisphere

Safely arrived to Mauritius only for a night as we fly again tomorrow to Reunion Island. The afternoon will see us walking in the commercial streets and the beach of Mahebourg (literally small village).

First photos are available by clicking here.

Back home before the great departure

Back in France before leaving it for a long time. Last days in Russia, more precisely in Moscow, were delightful with a boat tour at night on the Moskva river and the visit of the most important Russian monastery :  "Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius".

More photos have been added available by clicking here. A small video is also available by clicking here.

Russian has been a good test, but serious things will start on September 20 with our departure for the Reunion Island.

Moscow, first impressions

Finally the Red Square is in front of us, and we're kind of disappointed with the lack of harmony : a mixture of styles and colors often inappropriate.
But you know what they say : different strokes for different folks...

The good surprise will come from the Tretiakov Gallery, the work of some Russian artists had totally impressed us.

First photos are available by clicking here.

From Saint-Petersburg to Moscow

Hard to say if our vote will go to Pavlovsk Palace or Catherine Palace : carved gilded wood in the first one and, guess what : carved gilded wood in the second one. Let's hope not to return home blinds. On the other hand, the performance of five choirs in an annex of the Catherine Palace's garden has resulted in a real emotion.

Let's give young lovers a piece of advice : if you have to go to Moscow from Saint-Petersburg and feel like spending a romantic night, why not using the train ? No washing in the morning, tiny breakfast and when you're lucky a bunch of foreign peoples screaming and talking during the night. What a glamor experience!

More photos are available by clicking here.

Moscow, here we are !

Saint-Petersburg with Селин and Стефан

First contacts with our Russian friends in the streets of the cultural capital : Saint-Petersburg. A pretty town with pretty girls and palaces often covered with gilding which tend to burn your eyes. We especially liked this long walk alongside the channels and we can't wait to see the "Rising Bridges" night show which promess to be awesome.

You can find the first photos by clicking here.