Marseille - France

Lisa and I recently went to Marseille, France's second largest city. Our pass through Marseille airport was in record time as it wasn't big at all, felt more like a regional airport.

Marseille was famous for a few things, being Seafood, Bouillabaisse - a traditional Provençal fish stew, and Soap (Savon de Marseille) and it's the gateway to the provence region.

After checking into our hotel, we took to the streets and headed for the Port (Vieux Port) passing through the many shops, restaurants, bars, cafes and Pizza joints. Rumour has it, Marseille has some of the best Pizza's in the world, and a restaurant serving the best Pizza in in the world. Lisa and I didn't get to try this restaurant, but we did get to try some pizza nearby a local market, and we can definitely say, it was damn good! and for 1 € a piece, it was great value. I think it was one of the best pizza's we've ever tasted. We would've been happy to live the whole weekend on Pizza.

As we walked through the city, we explored a traditional French Christmas Market, which was essentially and outdoor market with little stores, all decked out in Christmas decorations (a European Christmas tradition), selling normal goods, and also Christmas orientated goods. The smell of roasted chestnut tempted many by passers... yummm!!


Vieux port (the main area of Marseille) streets were lined with heaps of Seafood restaurants . We had dinner in a restaurant by the port, and Lisa order the Bouillabaisse which she throughly enjoyed, and I had the Mussels, which was nice, but nothing out of the ordinary. The only thing we didn't enjoy was the fact it too over an hour to get our meals, and the restaurant wasn't even that busy, maybe it was the French way.

Marseille was a medium sized town, with the traditional French architecture, small alley ways, lined with cafe's and restaurants, dominated by churches, and none bigger and more grand than the Notre Dame de la Garde perched up on the hills, which can be seen almost anywhere in Marseille. We didn't reach this Cathedral as it meant a steep hill climb, and we were in no mood for it. A perfect French get away.

Brrrrrr...tttthhheeee cccoooollldddd

This is today's forecast, and we have only just entered the European Winter season....oh we are so looking forward to experiencing the full chilly winter....not. Lately Lisa and and I have to wear 3 thick layers of clothing, just to go to work.

Every morning I have to check the weather forecast, just so we are prepared for the cold before we leave the front door, and every day the maximum temperature drops 1 degrees. For all those people who know me, I am going white... :(.... and I haven't been this white(r) since I was a kid, a very young kid.

Party time in London

Xmas party – posted by LP

Last Friday night, my company hosted a black tie Christmas party. Everyone at work got all excited about the venue, seating arrangements, menu etc. As many of my colleagues don’t live in central London, most brought their gear in to change into. I excused myself at 3.30pm to go home and pretty myself up. I was abit nervous that my dress is not formal enough, as some girls described their dress as elaborate gowns, but in the end I had nothing to worry about.

The venue was at Il Bottaccio, a posh place in the west end… the buildings here in London are beautiful, and you pretty have to dress up so that you are in the same league as the building itself!!

Overall, a great night, good food, gorgeous venue, and great company! It's nice to get dressed up every now and then!