INDEPENDENT TOUR TO FRANCE ~ June 2011
29 June 2011D Day!
17h00 I can confirm that all 28 students + 2 chaperones + moi are safely through security & emigration and eagerly awaiting our flight on the magnificent A380 bound for Paris! There is such animated chatter and already everyone from the various participating schools are interacting like long lost friends, all so excited to embark on this great adventure together. We will board at 18h00 and we are scheduled to land at Roissy Charles de Gaulle at 06h05 ~ bright and early! Please rest assured that Kim, Kerwin & I will take good care of your precious children and that a wonderful tour awaits them....more tomorrow, once I find internet connectivity!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
30 June 2011 Safe arrival in Paris!
11h00 Nous voila a Paris and all are very excited! The coach trip to the hotel took a really long time as there was huge congestion on the roads, but most of us have been fortunate enough to have our rooms allocated early and we are just waiting for the final few. I will update the site later today.... 22h00 - we’re back and what a wonderful afternoon we had ~ quite amazing where we all found renewed energy! After lunch we made our way by metro to Montmartre, the highest natural point in Paris, where we visited the basilica of Sacré Coeur, before strolling to the Place du Tertre, which was buzzing with activity. Here everyone had some free time to explore the quaint streets, nooks and crannies before enjoying a pre-paid dinner in one of the most famous restaurants on the square, La Cremaillere. The 3 course meal + drinks + service + ambience were superb ~ everyone has become such good friends and the noise level + laughter laid testimony to this! All are now happily in their rooms and will undoubtedly enjoy a good sleep tonight! A reminder that we are staying at the Campanile Maine Montparnasse for the next 3 nights Tel: 00 33 1 53 74 60 00 Fax: 00 33 1 40 47 01 49.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
1 July 2011 Everyone loves Paris!
All were very grateful to be able to sleep in a bit this morning as breakfast was only scheduled for 08h30. By 09h30 we were on our way to the Louvre Museum and all were impressed with the grandeur of this former palace. Fortunately 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. The unanimous decision thereafter was for some ‘retail therapy’ and we headed off to Paris’ most famous department store ~ Galéries Lafayette, which was built in 1912 and is now classified as an historic monument. Laden with parcels we then made out 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. We again were very grateful for our pre-paid tickets and also so appreciated the perfect weather conditions which afforded optimal visibility from the 2nd floor. We then regrouped and enjoyed a cruise on the Bateaux Parisiens, which was very relaxing and so informative. We only returned to our hotel at 20h45 (still daylight!) and everyone opted for take-away pizza + a relatively early night in order to recharge batteries for our final day in Paris tomorrow!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
2 Jule 2011 Our final day in Paris!
After another good night’s sleep and a delicious breakfast, we headed off to the Champs Elysées which extends from the Arc de Triomphe down to the Place de la Concorde. Everyone was given a generous time allowance to explore this world famous boulevard and when we met at 14h00 there were SO many designer packets in hand ~ we could honestly have been mistaken for an H & M advert! All then hopped on board the metro like pros and travelled to the imposing Hotel de Ville, from where we walked to the magnificent Notre Dame and the outrageous Georges Pompidou Centre. What a wonderful day we had and we were home at 18h00 to pack for tomorrow’s early morning departure @ 07h30! The final treat in store for this evening was the Paris by Night tour and I am at this very moment really distressed to inform you that after all the fine tuning to create another flawless tour, some employee at the coach company failed to record this booking…. Our tour guide, Catherine Brouchard had arrived at the hotel well in advance and when she phoned to enquire, she was told that there was no coach scheduled on the planning programme. As a personality you will understand that I find it very difficult to accept less than perfection and I am so very sorry about this ~ I sincerely thank your children for their understanding & support and they will obviously be reimbursed for this inclusion. In fact it seems fitting that we visited the site of the guillotine this morning, because I can assure you that someone’s head will roll for the error …!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
3 July 2011 We're on the Côte d’Azur!
Nous voila ã Antibes and all are delighted to be on the French Riviera! Our coach arrived at the hotel @ 7.15am for our transfer to the airport and all went smoothly at check-in. After a very pleasant flight we were warmly (in both senses of the word!) greeted at Nice, Côte d’Azur by Johan who will be our dedicated ‘animateur’ for the week. He efficiently directed us to our awaiting coach and within 30 minutes we were on Campus Horticole. Without much ado, all were shown to their various rooms and were given time to unpack & freshen up, before eating a substantial picnic lunch by the swimming pool. At 3.30pm our group was transferred by coach into Antibes and as I write they are enjoying an orientation walking tour of the vieille ville which will culminate with a swim in the calm Medit erranean waters. After dinner they will be introduced to the many other international students who will share this week with them on campus and a fun evening of ice-breaker activities awaits. All are very happy and so looking forward to an amazing week ahead ….
Written by: Jenny Peddle
4 July 2011 Assessment + excursion to Cannes!
Meeting new friends last night was great fun and once the adrenalin had subsided, all enjoyed a good night's sleep! This morning they awoke to a beautiful day and after a substantial breakfast they joined the other international students in writing their assessment test which will determine the level they are placed in for the week. We emphasized to all that it was not a competition and that it was just a matter of feeling ‘comfortable’ at their particular level. At lunchtime we were prioritized in the queue since our coach departed campus at 13h00 and once at the station we all hopped on board a train to Cannes ~ what an amazing experience for everyone! The first visit was to Le Suquet, a landmark which affords a magnificent view over the yacht-lined bay & the Estérel Mountains and then all descended to the beachfront where we visited the Palais des Festivals. After a photo-shoot on the red carpet of these famous steps, the group was allowed ‘du temps libre’ which allowed everyone some time to either enjoy ‘window shopping’ in the designer boutiques along the illustrious La Croisette, ‘actual shopping’ along the more reasonably priced ‘back-streets’ or swimming/sunbathing on one of the glorious beaches. Laden with parcels, everyone gathered with broad smiles at 5.15pm and in high spirits they boarded the return train to Antibes. All are greatly looking forward to tonight’s organized activities and no doubt more friends will be made!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
5 July 2011 School + Monaco + Juan les Pins!
After breakfast, all happily made their way to class and when we chatted to them at the tea break, the majority were very comfortable with their designated level. For the 3 who were concerned, we chatted to the educators and negotiated a ‘shift’, which will be implemented from tomorrow. At 13h00 a happy band of travellers hopped on board the coach and departed for Monaco and upon arrival, 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 littering! We all felt very proud as we noted the abundance of South African flags, which marked the occasion of the marriage between our very own Charlene Whittstock to Prince Prince Albert 11! After a visit to the cathedral and the palace, all boarded ‘le petit train’, which is a great tourist attraction, since the informative commentary gives excellent global coverage of the Principality, travelling through the streets of the F1 race track, passing in front of the Monte Carlo Casino and the surrounding luxurious hotels. Upon return to the campus all enjoyed dinner before travelling to the vibrant summer resort of Juan les Pins which is situated adjacent to Antibes. 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! At 22h45 everyone returned to campus in high spirits and all were unanimous in their opinion that this tour is ‘awesome’!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
6 July 2011 Excursion to Fragonard + Florian!
Everyone enjoyed the communicative lessons this morning and after lunch all hopped on board the coach and travelled to Grasse which is dubbed the ‘balcony of Provence’ for its magnificent views. It is also the home of French perfume and they enjoyed a fascinating guided tour of the Fragonard Perfumery ~ judging by the packets & strong scent in the coach many purchases had been made! The tour then continued on to the Gorges du Loup where they visited the Florian confisserie, which is world renowned for its sweets, chocolates & jams. Laden with even more packets, all returned to the campus around 6.30pm with enough time to eat dinner and spruce up for the evening on-campus entertainment!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
7 July 2011 Sailing on the Med!
Once again we woke up to beautiful sunshine and clear blue skies on the Côte d’Azur and after much fun in the classroom & a delicious lunch, we all boarded our coach bound for the Yacht Club in Villeneuve–Loubet. Here, under the tutorship of professional instructors, everyone enjoyed sailing on a catamaran on the calm waters of the Mediterranean Sea, surrounded by some of the most spectacular scenery on the French Riviera. The conditions were ideal and everyone thoroughly enjoyed this amazing experience ~ a real highlight for many! The coach returned to campus at 18h00 and all then had some time to relax, freshen up and eat dinner before tonight’s schedule entertainment ‘Le Cabaret!’ Students from the various countries will be participating and historically Les Sud-Afs have always produced a fine performance and brought the house down, so let’s see what happens this year … NO pressure at all!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
8 July 2011 A wonderful excursion to Nice!
The week in Antibes has flown by so very quickly and today marked the end of their formal French tuition. All were proud recipients of a DELF accredited certificate which attests to the level attained + a comment from their teachers. Once again the teaching staff expressed their delight with our South African students and praised their positive & enthusiastic approach to the lessons. After lunch we all made our way to the train station for our afternoon excursion to Nice, the ‘Queen of the Riviera’ which boasts the newly revamped Place Massena. The majority headed off to the name brand boutiques along the Boulevard Jean Medecin, whilst others preferred to meander through the narrow streets of ‘la vieille ville’ looking for bargains and some chose to soak up the ambience on the seafront. Suffice to say, the day was a real success and at 6.30pm we returned to Antibes ~ all were looking forward to an enjoyable repeat evening at Juan les Pins. But before that, some packing for tomorrow’s departure….
Written by: Jenny Peddle
9 July 2011 Farewell to France!
Today marks the final day of our tour and after breakfast there is the option of a transfer to Antibes for those who would like to do some last minute shopping or have one final swim in the Med! At midday we will enjoy a picnic lunch in the quad as we say a fond farewell to Johan & Annelize, who have been our animateur/animatrice for the week. They have been wonderfully attentive to our group, adding a very special dynamic to our week on Campus Horticole. At 13h15 we will be transferred to Nice Cote d’Azur airport for our 15h55 flight to Paris and once at Roissy Charles de Gaulle the group will remain in transit, where they will undoubtedly enjoy the duty free shops! Flight AF 990 is scheduled to depart at 23h20 tonight and to arrive at OR Tambo tomorrow, Sunday 10 July @ 09h50 where the majority will have a further connection to Cape Town. It has once again been my great joy to escort an outstanding group of South African students to France and I would sincerely like to compliment each and every one on their impeccable behaviour and sense of adventure. All have fully embraced every opportunity and they have been superb ambassadors for South Africa. The ultimate success of any tour depends largely on the chaperones and I would like to sincerely thank both Kerwin Baartzes (Somerset College) and Kim Keely (Springfield Convent) for their valuable assistance throughout ~ your children have certainly been in very good hands! All will return with mixed emotions and whilst they are all obviously looking forward to seeing family and friends back home, everyone will be left with a sense of sadness at having to say farewell to people they have grown so accustomed to seeing on a daily basis. It has been a very successful tour and as parents you can rest assured that you have afforded your children the most wonderful opportunity. I have no doubt that each and every child will return not only academically enriched, but enriched as a person, having matured and grown in confidence and the precious memories & firm bonds of friendships will last a lifetime. It remains for me to say ‘merci beaucoup, bon retour et a la prochaine’!
Written by: Jenny Peddle