KZN/CAPE TOUR TO FRANCE ~ MARCH 2006
30 March 2006 Allons-y!
I am very excited to be chaperoning the first of many tours in 2006 and I know that the students are going to return enormously enriched from this wonderful experience. All went according to plan and check in was efficiently facilitated by the Air France Duty Manager. The flight was enjoyable and the service was friendly and efficient. (--- Written in haste upon arrival -- will embellish tomorrow!)
Written by: Jenny Peddle
31 March 2006 Arrival in France-quelle journee!
We arrived in Paris, Charles de Gaulle a little later than scheduled, but without any panic, since our connecting flight was only due to depart at 10.30am (There is now no time difference with SA, by the way!) The girls enjoyed shopping and some bought phone cards to chat with their parents. All was fine until, 15 minutes prior to boarding our AF flight to Nice, one of tour party lost her green pouch containing her air ticket, boarding pass and passport! This was one experience I have never had to deal with before, so I can now add it to my list of 'chaperone challenges' !! To cut a long story short, some knight in shining armour (I call him God!) found the pouch and delivered it to us, minutes before we were due to depart!! So, the relieved and happy group made their way to Nice, where we were met by Claudio, a member of the school's management team. We boarded the luxury coach and were taken to the school, ' Le Chateau' where everyone was treated to a superb lunch. Thereafter, they were introduced to the teacher who had been designated to assess them and they were given both a written and oral test. Michelle and I then gave them a short orientation tour of Antibes, introducing them to the beauty of 'la vieille ville' and the shops ! At 5.00pm we returned to the school where their ' famille d' acceuil' were waiting for them. They all looked lovely and I felt very comfortable saying good bye to the group, knowing that they would be in good hands. Needless to say, by this time, I was EXHAUSTED and enjoyed an early supper + a glass of wine! I slept with my cell phone on and am pleased to report that I received no 'nocturnal alerts' !
Written by: Jenny Peddle
1 April 2006 All so happy!
I am always anxious to meet the group after the first night with a host family, merely because it's a new experience for everyone and some cope better than others. However, when we met in ' La Place de Gaulle' the next morning, I was overwhelmed (and in fact tearful!) with the positive and happy response from the entire group. They have all been made to feel so welcome and are delighted with their families. Carine, our dedicated 'animatrice' took them on a full tour of Antibes in the morning and everyone seemed so very happy. The weather , although overcast, is fine - no rain and not that cold! At lunchtime we all gathered at the Marche Provencal, where we enjoyed the ambiance of an authentic French market. Then we boarded the coach and made our way to St Paul de Vence, an artists' haven which enthralled everyone. We arrived back in Antibes in the early evening and everyone did a little window shopping before returning to their host families. What a wonderful day we had!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
2 April 2006 Iles de Lerins
We all met bright and early at the train station, where we boarded a train to Cannes, home to the rich and famous! At the port, we caught the ferry to Les Iles de Lerins, where the ' Man in the Iron Mask' was incarcerated. The weather was superb and we all had such a relaxing and enjoyable morning. Carine suggested playing a game of introduction and each person paired with someone they didn' t know prior to the tour and introduced them to the group --- in French! The group has bonded so well and Christopher is delighted with all the attention from our 'mother hens!' Since the weather was so good, we decided to return to Juan les Pins - a ' vibey' town which lies adjacent to Antibes. They loved this and whilst some chose to shop others chose to relax on the beach. It is now 7.00pm and I have just said goodbye to a very happy band of travellers!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
3 April 2006 Grasse et Gourdon
The group thoroughly enjoyed the first day 'en classe' and came out bubbling with enthusiasm --- Jaydean's sparkling eyes said it all! They loved their teacher and found the lessons stimulating, challenging and exciting --- " Wow, learning can actually be fun!" At 12.30pm we ate a very substantial lunch in the school restaurant and then had some free time to relax in the sun and socialize with other students from all over the world. At 1.30pm we boarded the coach and made our way to Grasse, where we visited the Fragonard perfumery. The girls really loved this -- be prepared for some lovely gifts! We were then given a litt le free time to wander around ' la vieille ville' in Grasse' and the St Cyp's girls managed to 'sniff out' an amazing boutique which sold everything for 5 euros!! We then wove our way through spectacular scenery en route to the perched hilltop village of Gourdon. This is one of the oldest medieval villages in Provence and is situated 800 m above sea level. After a very full and enormously enriching day, we returned to Antibes in the early evening and everyone looked forward to spending the evening with the host families.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
4 April 2006 Boulevard de la Croisette-Cannes
Once again we woke up to a beautiful, sunny day! I chatted to the group during the mid-morning break re their class placings and I was able to orchestrate a few changes. The educators are all aware that it is vital for each individual to feel comfortable with his/her level of instruction. After another very substantial lunch, we were driven to Cannes and dropped in front of the famous Carlton Hotel on the Boulevard de la Croisette --- ooh la, la!! We made our way through the vibrant streets to Le Suquet, the oldest distict on the Cote d' Azur and from this elevated vantage point, there was a magnificent view of the Mediterranean coast and the Esterel Mountains. Then, some "temps libre" - a phrase the girls have come to love, meaning free time to shop!! The happy band of singers arrived back in Antibes just after 6.30pm, having thoroughly enjoyed their day!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
5 April 2006 Promenade des Anglais - Nice
After another stimulating morning in class and yet another delicious lunch, the group gathered at the train station for our outing to Nice. The shops were so enticing, but before being granted du "temps libre"(!) they all had to climb to a high vantage point in 'la vieille ville', from where there was the most splendid view over the Promenade des Anglais. They confirmed that it was definitely worth the effort, but oh, the moans and groans en route!! After a refreshing ice cream (ranging in flavour from Ferrero Roche to avocado, to tomato and olive!) they were let loose on the shops -- apparently sales in H&M, Nicetoile, Virgin and Galeries Lafayette soared! Laden with packets, we all caught the 6.15 train back to Antibes, having thoroughly enjoyed another day on the Cote d'Azur!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
6 April 2006 Monaco
As an educational exercise, two groups went into town during class to conduct a survey. This was a valuable experience and they really appreciated the cooperation of the locals. After lunch, we all took the train to Monaco and everyone was so impressed by the obvious pride the Monegasques take in their small principality. There is 1 policeman per 16 people, so understandably everything is spotless and orderly! The flag was flying at the palace, indicating the presence of the royal family, but unfortunately we didn't get to see any of them! It was exactly 1 year since the death of their beloved Prince Rainier and a Mass was in preparation at the Cathedral. Most of us decided to take 'le petit train' for a scenic ride through the streets of Monaco, where the famous Grand Prix will be held in May. We arrived home in the early evening and then eveyone met at the school where a 'soiree casino' had been organized. It was great fun and provided an excellent opportunity for all the international students to socialize. Some even managed to 'win' enough to pay for their trip -- pity it was not for real!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
7 April 2006 The final day in Antibes
The final day at the school is always an emotional one, as the students exchange email addresses and say fond farewells to their new-found friends. They were all so proud of their certificates, which testify to their hard work during the week! Carine, our 'animatrice' has been such an integral part of our group and she was overwhelmed by the generosity of the gifts which were given to her at lunch-time today. Everyone chose to spend the last afternoon in Antibes, soaking up the ambiance of this 'bijou' on the French Riviera. We have truly been blessed with superb weather and one can only hope that it follows us up north! We leave on the 7.27am TGV tomorrow and are due to arrive in Paris at lunchtime. So, 'a demain'!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
10 April 2006 Paris ---- c'est super!
Bonjour de Paris! My apologies for no entries over the weekend, but phew, what a hectic time we've had since our arrival!To recap --- we caught the 7.30am TGV train on Saturday and many were in tears as they said farewell to their host families and to Carine. The 5 hours on the train seemed to pass so quickly and it was a lovely time to relax, catch up on some sleep and update the journals. Our hotel is very comfortable and clean, beautifully situated near la gare de Lyon. We just had enough time to put out things in the rooms and then flew off on the metro to the Musee d' Orsay, where we had a reservation at 3.00pm. After this we walked through the Tuileries Gardens towards La place de la Concorde, where we split into groups and arranged to meet at the Arc de Triomphe at 6.00pm. This gave everyone the flexibility to explore the magnificent Champs Elysees at their own pace. Needless to say, we were all then utterly exhausted and were glad to climb into our very comfortable beds with some take aways! The next day, after a substantial continental breakfast (with some rolls in pockets for lunch!) we boarded the RER to Versailles, which was wonderful. On our return journey, one of our group was the victim of a very clever pickpocketing ruse, but thanks to some ultra quick action, a near disaster was averted --- Dieu merci!We then made our way to Montmartre, where we spent three hours wandering around la Place du Tertre, Sacre Coeur and the intricate winding streets of this ancient district. Everyone loved this and the few xxx rated shops were cause for great laughter! Once again, we all returned to the hotel quite exhausted, but having had a really enjoyable and enriching day. Today the group has gone into the Louvre and I have left them in the competent hands of Michelle, whilst I sought out this internet cafe -- they're like hens teeth in Paris! We will meet at 11.00am and then we will go to Notre Dame, La Conciergerie, L' Hotel de Ville and the Georges Pompidou Centre. A cruise on the Seine is scheduled for 3.00pm and then we will go up the Eiffel Tower --- all very excited about this! The weather is lovely, so we should have a wonderful view. I will try to write again before we leave, but if it proves impossible, please know that your children are all safe and very, very happy.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
12 April 2006 We're home safe and sound!
Nous voila en Afrique du Sud --- and what a superb tour we have had! Our last day in Paris saw us in Galeries Lafayette, Printemps and H&M, before strolling past the Opera Garnier, the Ritz Hotel and finally our last hour spent on the Champs Elysee s. Our flight was really comfortable and with so many free seats, we were all able to get some sleep. We have just said a very sad and tearful farewell to the last of our group, as they board their connecting domestic flight. I can only imagine how excited you must be to see your beloved children again and to hear all their stories. Each and every one of them is so grateful to have been afforded this amazing opportunity and Michelle and I are left with a deep sense of satisfaction and joy. So, a la prochaine ---!
Written by: Jenny Peddle