INDEPENDENT TOUR TO FRANCE ~ JULY 2010
1 July 2010 D Day!
There was great excitement as the Capetonians gathered at Cape Town International @ 10h00 this morning, with a long wait at ORT until our scheduled check in at 16h00! All went smoothly and once through emigration I had a chance to meet quietly with everyone and outline the procedure for the next 24 hours. I will try to update you as soon as we arrive in Paris, but will need to find some internet connectivity ~ so please be patient! A wonderful tour awaits your children and all are really excited!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
2 July 2010 Safe arrival!
10h45 ~ a quick note to say that we had a really enjoyable flight and have arrived safely in Paris ... more details later today! 23h00 ~ Oh my goodness…where to start on a day like today?! I must firstly say that this update is so very late not primarily from our tardy return to the hotel or my delayed internet connectivity, but because of the nail-biting soccer game we have just watched in the hotel reception! We were trans-fixed to the screen and in tears as we saw Ghana exit the 2010 World Cup, but we all acknowledge how hard they fought and how high they proudly flew the banner for Africa! Turning now to our stoic group, I would like to inform you of their far less traumatic (but equally exhausting!) day! We arrived in Madrid at 6.30am and had a relatively easy transfer to our connecting flight (that is if we exclude losing Meegan as she ran back for her jersey and missed the connecting domestic train…parents please not to worry ~ she is fine!) The flight to Orly was calm and many took advantage of these 2 hours to relax ~ not so for Kalley who joined us as a new-comer in Madrid and kept the whole plane alive with her graphic stories of her holiday in Spain (guess who she is shouting for in the World Cup!) Upon arrival at Orly with so much to accomplish in such a relatively short time, planning was of the essence, so off we sped to our hotel with Dominic as our coach driver and here we were pleased to welcome Kieron and Bronwyn to our tour! Only a few rooms were available but these were wonderful sanctuaries to freshen up in before dashing off to the Hotel de Ville, which lies in close proximity to the magnificent Cathedral of Notre Dame, which everyone loved! At 3.00pm we made our way to the Eiffel Tower and I never tire of the shrieks of joy as the children see it in all its majesty for the first time. After ascending to the 2nd floor for a wondrous view, we all reunited on the River Seine and enjoyed a cruise on the Bateaux Parisiens ~ so very relaxing and so very informative. As if the day had not been challenging enough (bearing in mind that this is written by someone more than 3 times the average age of each group member!) all were were given the choice of a visit to Galéries Lafayette or a direct return to the hotel ~ 1/5 opted for the former and 4/5 for the latter! The hotel is lovely and the evening was very relaxing, with many opting for Chinese takeaway or a pizza, but the ultimate favourite was, yes you guessed it ~ MACDONALDS! All are now safely tucked up in a very comfortable bed and looking forward to a lovely relaxing sleep!I will write again tomorrow night, but on the cards we have a morning along the Champs Elysées + a visit to the Louvre Museum + Montmartre + an Illuminations coach tour in the evening ~ WOW! I can assure you that everyone is very happy and thoroughly enjoying the tour ~ à demain!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
3 July 2010 Another wonderful and very full day à Paris!
Everyone had such a good sleep last night and all awoke refreshed & eager for another very full day! The morning was devoted to 3 hours on the Champs Elysées and the general consensus was that ‘time just flies by when you’re having such fun’! A happy band of travellers re-grouped at 12.45pm and armed with several designer-label packets, we all headed off to the Musée du Louvre, which was packed to the brim with visitors. Fortunately for us we were able to fast-track the queues and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the tour which was led by a specialist guide/conférencier who used the latest ‘whisper system’ to communicate with them. All arrived back at the hotel at 4.30pm and they were really pleased to be able to off-load the many parcels and to freshen up, before heading off to Montmartre. What a wonderful experience this was for everyone and the vibe on a Saturday evening was indescribable! At 8.15pm we met with our guide and coach driver who, as I write, are treating them to an unforgettable experience as they explore Paris by night! I have returned to the hotel to share our day’s activities with you and I can only imagine their shrieks of joy as they snap away at the Eiffel Tower at 10.00pm, when it bursts into light and sparkles for 10 minutes ~ it is a wonderful sight to behold! Phew ~ what another very full day and no one can believe how much we have packed in to such a relatively short time frame! If the aim were to whet their appetites for this beautiful city, then this would certainly have been achieved, as everyone has unanimously expressed a desire to revisit as soon as possible! We have a very early start tomorrow, with our coach transfer to the station scheduled for 7.00am ... yawn! Our journey to the south on the TGV will be relaxing and the second very exciting phase of their tour will formally commence. I will not have internet connectivity until tomorrow evening, perhaps even Monday morning, but please know in the meantime that your precious children are all in good health and very happy! I will update as soon as possible….
Written by: Jenny Peddle
4 July 2010 A wonderful welcome to the South of France!
Congratulations to the group ~ we had no late sleepers and the coach was packed & ready to roll by 7.15am! At the Gare de Lyon we had such a pleasant surprise, as a member of the SNCF approached me and asked if we were ‘le groupe Personal Touch’, offering us prioritized assistance. I had secretly been quite concerned about the logistics of loading 38 suitcases + the hand luggage + all the accompanying packets into a limited space whilst vying for position with an onslaught of other travellers, so this unexpected offer was quite literally a God-send! The group had an entire carriage to themselves and everyone took full advantage of the 5 hours to bond calmly, to write up journals and most importantly to SLEEP! As we arrived in Antibes, there were the brightly clad, yellow T-shirted members of the Centre International d’Antibes, headed up by my dear Caroline. She is an animatrice of enormous energy and enthusiasm, who has a gift of relating to the students. I had specifically requested her, given her repeated popularity with previous groups ~she is a real gem! We loaded our cases into the 2 awaiting coaches and made our way to our accommodation at La Residéal. With the temperature in the high 30’s, there was great delight at the sight of air-conditioning and a fridge, not to mention the 2 huge swimming pools ~ one with a panoramic view! They had some time to settle in, freshen up and then armed with swimming costumes, towels, hats and sunscreen, Caroline led the group on a brief orientation walk around the vieille ville, followed by a swim in the Mediterranean Sea! Imagine if you can, clear blue skies, calm azure waters bedecked with yachts and with the lofty Alps keeping guard in the distance ~ it was a sight that will be indelibly printed on everyone’s memories forever. At 6.30pm we gathered on the beautiful Place de Gaulle to wait for our coach and here many people were cooling off in the central fountains ~ it was such a fun, relaxed and holiday atmosphere! Onward then to Campus Horticole and the start of a whole new period of making friends and having a great experience! All were astounded by what was on offer for dinner and a brief summary includes 2 delicious ‘plats principals’, a selection of 5 salads, a vast array of cheeses, cold meats, an incredible fruit display, tarte aux pommes and so much more … actually unbelievable! It is no surprise that everyone left the dining room in great spirits and thereafter all made their way to the volleyball court in the central courtyard with the more adventurous embarking on an informal game ~ with much laughter and screeching! At 8.00pm there was a talk in the theatre, where the workings and rules on Campus Horticole were explained and thereafter all enjoyed some ice-breaker games, which are a wonderful way of introducing newcomers to other friends from all over the world. I remain infinitely proud of my long association with Le Centre International d’Antibes and applaud their exceptionally high standard of service & organization. The evening will come to a close around 10.30pm and the group will then be transferred to their comfortable sleeping arrangements at La Residéal. They are all really looking forward to the exciting week ahead…!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
5 July 2010 A wonderful day + outing to Cannes!
What a good night’s sleep we all had and everyone was ready and waiting for the coach transfer to the campus at 7.45am. After a healthy breakfast, Caroline directed all to their various classes, which were determined by the results of the tests written prior to their arrival. The majority really enjoyed their first 3 hours of interactive, communicative French, with only 1 or 2 informing us that they found the lessons either very challenging or a tad too easy. The chaperones and I communicated these impressions to Sylvienne, who is in charge of pedagogy and she suggested that all stay as placed until the end of the day and she would then confer with the educators concerned and make any changes tomorrow. Then it was time for another sumptuous meal, before boarding a coach to the station in Antibes, where we hopped on board the train to Cannes. Upon arrival, Caroline led the group directly to the Palais des Congrès, where we had a wonderful photo-shoot on the red carpet, singing WAKA WAKA with typical SA enthusiasm! This was received with great joy by the many spectators and Kieron even seized the moment by humorously laying his cap on the ground for a few centimes! All then had ‘du temps libre’, which allowed everyone time to either enjoy ‘window shopping’ in the designer boutiques along the illustrious La Croisette, ‘actual shopping’ along the more reasonably priced ‘back-street shops’ or swimming/sunbathing on one of the glorious beaches! In addition Caroline also offered an optional visit to Le Suquet ~ the highest and most ancient neighbourhood of Cannes, which offers a panoramic view over the Bay of Cannes and the Estérel Mountains ~ only 4 takers for this seemingly energetic proposal! Laden with parcels, everyone gathered with broad smiles at 5.00pm and in high spirits we all boarded our return train to Antibes. Everyone so welcomed the relaxing hour at the residence, with many making the most of the pool facilities and the air-conditioned rooms. All spruced up, they departed for campus at 7.00pm with a wonderful ‘soirée barbeque’ awaiting them ~ an evening which is always guaranteed to be great fun!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
6 July 2010 Excursion to Monaco and Juan les Pins!
After breakfast, all happily made their way to class and everyone is really enjoying interacting with students of varying nationalities & making cultural comparisons! At 13h00 a happy band of travellers hopped on board the luxury coach and departed for Monaco ~ unfortunately there was an accident en route which caused considerable delays but once on the road again, all cameras were out as they marvelled at the beautiful scenery along the ‘route du littoral’! Upon arrival in Monaco, everyone was struck by the cleanliness and obvious wealth of this small principality ~ with 1 policeman per every 60 tourists, no one even thinks of dropping a sweet paper or anything of the kind! After a quick visit to the Cathedral where Prince Rainier and Princess Grace have been laid to rest, all made their way to the Palace, from where there are spectacular views ~ white yachts bobbing on the calm azur blue sea, picturesque villas in various shades of terracotta, vibrant green lawns and all set against purple mountains! The highlight was riding in the ‘petit train’, which is a great tourist attraction, since it gives excellent global coverage of the Principality, travelling through the streets of the F1 race track, passing in front of the Monte Carlo Casino, with glimpses of the abundant wealth of the Monégasque residents and the surrounding luxurious hotels. The commentary is so very informative and a tour of this nature saves a great deal of physical energy ~ something for which the group was extremely grateful! Tonight we have an excursion to Juan les Pins ~ a small town adjacent to Antibes which transforms into a wonderful tourist destination during the summer holidays, attracting many rich and famous personalities. The beachfront is strewn with colourful stalls and the sight of diners enjoying a meal on the beach in the moonlight with the waves lapping at their feet, is always so romantic! Everyone is very excited about this outing and the coach will collect our group from Campus at 21h00, returning us to the residence at 23h15. Bonne soirée….!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
7 July 2010 Sun, sea, sand and sailing!
Once again we woke up to beautiful sunshine and clear blue skies … which actually translates into sweltering heat as the day progresses! Everyone is loving the classes and at lunchtime I overheard comments like: “Oh my teacher is so cool”/ “I’m really enjoying speaking French ~ and they understand me!”/My class is the best” etc! At 1.00pm all hopped on board the coach and made their way to the beach for an afternoon of sun, sand, sea and SAILING! This is always such a highlight and I never tire of observing the sheer delight of the children ~ they simply cannot adequately express the beauty of the surroundings + the amazing experience of sailing with friends on a catamaran on the Mediterranean Sea! The conditions today were ideal and EVERYONE had such a great afternoon! For the homeward-bound leg we offered a choice of a direct transfer to the hotel for 2 hours of relaxation + pool or an hour of shopping in Antibes … only 10 opted for the latter! At 7.00pm a very happy group boarded the transfer bus to campus and tonight we will be watching the semi-final match of the World Cup in the auditorium ~ with both German and Spanish students on campus, this promises to be great fun ... place your bets! For those who are not particularly interested in the soccer, games + music will be organized by the pool and I am sure that everyone will gravitate there at half time + after the match to cool off! A shorter than normal entry tonight, but you will understand my excitement and haste to get to campus …!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
8 July 2010 Glorious Grasse + WAKA WAKA!
The colours & fragrances of summer in this magnificent part of the world are indescribable and everyone awoke to another picture-perfect day. After a substantial breakfast, much fun in the classroom and a delicious lunch, all boarded the air-conditioned coach for their afternoon excursion to Grasse, which is known as the ‘balcony of Provence’ for its magnificent views. It is also known world-wide as the home to French perfume and everyone thoroughly enjoyed a fascinating guided tour of the Fragonard ‘parfumerie’, before having the opportunity to purchase authentic products from their on-site boutique ~ judging by the many packets, all had great fun! Then on to another ‘petit train’ they hopped and this one miraculously weaved its way through the very narrow streets of the charming ‘vieille ville’. On the agenda for tonight is a widely advertised Cabaret/Spectacle which will be held in the amphitheatre on campus and many different countries will be taking part. I know from experience what a fabulous evening this is for everyone and it is guaranteed to be great, great fun! Les Sud-Afs will be performing WAKA WAKA and so much rehearsing has gone into what I have heard through the grapevine will be an exceptional contribution ~ the chaperones and I can’t wait to bask in reflected glory! Everyone is so very happy and all are thoroughly enjoying interacting with the many new friends they have made on campus!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
9 July 2010 Final morning at school + excursion to Nice!
Today marked the end of their formal French tuition and everyone received a DELF accredited certificate attesting to the level attained + a comment from their teacher. All the educators at Le Centre International d'Antibes adore our South African students, always praising their positive & enthusiastic attitude and genuine desire to learn ~ once again the chaperones and I bask in reflected glory! After lunch we made our way by train to Nice, ‘Queen of the Riviera’ and everyone displayed great will power as we walked down the Boulevard Jean Medecin, flanked with a multitude of name brand boutiques! We proclaimed the newly revamped Place Massena as our 5.00pm meeting area and then we followed Caroline into the vieille ville for a delicious ice-cream at Fenoccios, which is renowned for offering 96 different flavours! The group was then afforded ‘du temps libre’ and whilst many immediately back-tracked to the name brand boutiques, others chose to head to the beach and cool off in the calm azure waters ~ with a few complaints about the uncomfortable pebble beaches! It was a wonderful afternoon and all boarded the homeward bound train with broad smiles and parcels! After a quick swim/shower at the residence + a change of clothing, all made their way to the Campus for dinner and at 8.30pm we have our 2nd excursion to Juan les Pins ~ there is GREAT excitement for their final night in France!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
10 July 2010 Homeward bound!
We’re all wondering what has happened to the last 10 days, as they have simply flown by and no one can believe all we have done in such a relatively short space of time! The tour has been filled with such happy & valuable memories and the firm bonds of friendships which have been formed will last a lifetime. All were able to leisurely pack their cases + tidy their rooms this morning and at 10h30 everyone made their way into Antibes for a final visit. Some chose to meander through the vieille ville + the marché provenc?al, whilst others chose to make their way to the beach for a swim on yet another hot & beautifully sunny day. At lunchtime we will gather at the swimming pool on Campus to enjoy lunch and to say a fond farewell to our 2 exceptional animateurs ~ Caroline & Antoine. We have pooled all the presents and they are both in for a real treat ~ well deserved I may add! We will depart for the airport at 15h00 and I have confirmed our return flights on IB 8755 which departs Nice for Madrid @ 18h35 and we connect to IB 6051 which departs Madrid at 01h30 (!) arriving at ORT @ 11h30 on Sunday 11 July. I will then accompany the remaini ng Capetonians on their final leg and we are scheduled to arrive in the Mother City @ 16h30…just in time for the FINAL GAME! It has been a real delight to once again escort an outstanding group of South African students and I would sincerely like to compliment each and every one on their impeccable behaviour. They have fully embraced every opportunity and they have been superb ambassadors for our country. Whilst your children are tired and obviously looking forward to enjoying the comforts of home and seeing family + friends, everyone will be left with a sense of sadness at having to say farewell to the special people they have grown so accustomed to seeing on a daily basis. The many tales of the tour may not be immediately forthcoming, but they will certainly continue to reveal themselves in the days, months and years to come! To act ‘in loco parentis’ is no mean task and it has been my great pleasure to once again work alongside 2 very experienced chaperones, Mme Marianne Scholtz and Mme Rose Markantonis. I thank both my dear friends for their dedication, compassion, professionalism and their valued ‘personal touch’. Both certainly went far beyond the call of duty to ensure that your children were well cared for & happy and their passion for the French language is inspirational. Our young teacher, Mlle Jeanné de Kock gained so much from this experience and my sincere thanks to her for so ably assisting in a variety of ways ~ both seen and unseen. Without reservation, I can attest that this was a formidable team! It has been a joy and privilege to be associated with St Stithians Girls’ College, Pretoria High School for Girls, Somerset College, Chesterhouse & Herschel Girls School and it remains for me to wish you all a very happy home-coming ~ ‘merci beaucoup, bon retour et à la prochaine!
Written by: Jenny Peddle