Around the world

29 avril 2007

Beach in Japan

01 janvier 2007

Welcome to 2007

So here we are in 2007. The year has barely started and we're already full of projects. 2006 was a pretty good year for us: quite a lot of travels - which is what we love -  we're well settled in Congo and enjoy our work here. Our blog has definitely taken off and keeps us busy too. More than 30,000 visitors this year, from more than 120 countries. China and India were truly the highlights of the year.

So what's coming for 2007? Colombia is likely to be our first trip, probably in March. We plan to see more of natural reserves in Congo. Gorillas and Okapi are also on the agenda. I guess the following trip will be in July. We have yet to decide where it's gonna be. Probably in Asia.

We shall stay in Congo until October and then move on. Friends and family are already asking: what's next? Where will we settle afterwards and what kind of job? Well, we don't know yet. All is open. We have some vague ideas. We'll see. What is likely though is that we will take some time off to travel again, around the end of the year. Japan is very high on our list. We may also go to New Zealand or/and Australia. Yes, a first world country, for a change! 

Those familiar with our blog will wonder what's the conclusion of last year's resolutions and whether there are some new ones this year. We'll let you know all that very soon...

21 novembre 2006

That's us!!

Let's be a bit narcissic today... Just a picture of us.

We take this opportunity to say hello to all the ones we love.

And greetings to the thousands of strangers following our blog.

04 novembre 2006

So what does Jeremie do in DRC????

no, no, no, let me reassure you.... Jérémie does not work for the UN... Though this story rings a bell somehow...

27 octobre 2006

Boss is calling!!!

bossiscalling
Vidéo envoyée par jdelage

This video caught my attention. Good point for the technology. As for the employee, I must say his creativity makes up for lies...

25 octobre 2006

Good bye Laptops and Notebooks

Amazing technology from Japan... but can you guess what it is?

Look closely and guess what they could be...

Are they pens with cameras?

Ladies and Gentlemen, Congratulations!!

You've just seen something that will replace your PC in the near future.

Here is how is works: In the revolution of miniature computers, scientists have made great developments with bluetooth technology...

This is the forthcoming computers you can carry within your pockets. This "pen sort of instrument" produces both the monitor as well as the keybord on any flat surface from where you can carry out functions you owuld normally  do on your desktop computer.

19 octobre 2006

Our camera

We are often been asked what camera we are using.

For several years, we've been using this one.

A Sony Cybershot, DSCV1. It's a pocket size camera, but makes quite good photos, because of its good lense (Carl Zeiss), and gives the possibility to use manual feature. (the latter having a great impact on the quality of your photos). We have been using this camera for 3 years (so most of the photos on this blog were taken with this one). It now has a problem, that we need to fix (difficult to find spare parts in this part of the world...). Bear in mind it was a bit pricey (around 600 € when we bought it) so there surely are better deals now.

So we've decided to upgrade our equipment, and be more serious about photography. After much thoughts, we chose a Canon 30D. It's a semi pro camera, but still at an affordable price. (around 1200 € body only) All our photos of India were taken with this camera. Hope you see the difference...

Canon lenses are not great value for money, usually very expensive. We chose two Sigma lenses, both of great quality.

The lense we use the most is a Sigma 17-70, f 2.8-4.5, DC MACRO. (around 340 €)

.

The zoom is a Sigma 70-300, f4-5.6, APO MACRO DG. (around 240 €). This zoom is 480 full frame equivalent.

24 juillet 2006

Countries visited - Pays visités

Okay, we ventured into the political arena those last days, and some readers did not like it much... That was simply our way of showing solidarity for those suffering at present in Lebanon.

Anyways, let's go back to our favourite subject: travel. This blog is mainly dedicated to this, so we thought we would post a map on the places we've been to. (in case you got a question on any of these) A bit of Africa, Middle East, Asia, and of course most of Europe. Our next trip will be India. We're leaving in less than 2 weeks now, for 3 weeks in Rajasthan (and maybe Varanasi). No idea what our nex trips will be. If you got ideas or recommendations, let us know!!

In World 66 you can also take a test and get to know the traveller type you fit into! So here are the results for Rita :

	Your travel type: Travel Yup The Travel Yup likes exotic and adventurous travel, but prefers big cities with fast paced life. He has a keen interest in other cultures and always brings home a few souvenirs. Shopping in Bangkok, getting a tailor made suite in Kuala Lumpur, that's the kind of thing the Travel Yup is into. Even though he likes to get away, he prefers his travels to be comfortable.
	top destinations: Beirut Amsterdam Hong Kong	stay away from: Las Vegas Darien Gap Alaska

Mmmh; not quite sure it's actually really accurate this thing... And that's not cool, I actually wanted to offer Rita a trip to Alaska some day.  :=(

07 juillet 2006

Ali Farka Toure

The problem living in Africa is that sometimes one misses crucial information. We're sad today. We've just learned that Ali Farka Toure - the great Malian artist - passed away. That was four months ago, on March 8th. A bit of a shock really. Certainly my favourite african artist. I've seen him live in Burkina Faso 5 years ago. That was the best concert I've ever seen. His presence, and charisma could be felt all over. Sometimes dubbed the bluesman of the desert, often compared to John Lee Hooker (listening to Toure's music, JL Hooker said: "now I know where my music comes from"), his sound was like no other. He became famous all over the world since his album with Ry Cooder "Talking Timbuktu". Despite his fame and worldwide tours, he kept living in Northen Mali, taking care of is huge farm and cattle.

"Niafunke", and "Talking Timbuktu" definitely are MUST-HAVE albums. (photos below)

Listen to those, you shall land in another world.

Le problème de vivre en Afrique est qu'on passe parfois à coté d'informations cruciales. On vient juste d'apprendre complètement par hasard le décès d'Ali Farka Toure, le grand musicien malien. C'était il y a déjà quatre mois, le 8 mai. Un immense artiste, certainement mon musicien africain préféré. Je l'avais vu en concert il y a 5 ans au Burkina Faso, de loin mon plus beau concert. Il avait une présence et un charisme incroyable. Surnommé parfois le bluesman du désert, souvent comparé à John Lee Hooker (ce dernier, après avoir entendu sa musique a déclaré : "maintenant, je sais d'où ma musique vient"), il avait un son incomparable. Devenue une star mondiale après son album avec Ry Cooder ("Talking Timbuktu"), il en gardé pourtant un mode de vie simple, s'occupant avec passion de sa ferme et son cheptel au nord du Mali.

Les albums Niafunke et Radio Timbuktu sont des incontournables :

"Niafunke"

"Talking Timbuktu"

25 juin 2006

A beautiful day - Notre anniversaire

That was already two years ago. Time flies... Two years ago, on a beautiful sunny day, we got married in Lebanon. Friends and family were there. It was a truly beautiful moment. Since then, we moved around quite a lot: Sudan, Indonesia, Chile, several countries in Africa, etc. But our heart still is in Lebanon. With great memories of this magic day.

C'est il y a deux ans déjà. Comme le temps passe... Il y a deux ans, par une magnifique journée d'été, nous nous marrions au Liban. La famille et nos amis étaient là. Ce fut un moment vraiment unique. Depuis, on a pas mal bougé : Soudan, Indonésie, Chili, et plusieurs pays d'Afrique. Mais notre coeur est toujours au Liban. Et de merveilleux souvenirs de cette journée magique.

Guests are about to come to Rita's house, and my darling decides to have a walk outside, to get some fresh air.

Friends arrive, and everybody seems ready for the day.

Time to go to the church. Alphonse - Rita's brother - drives.

The long cortege eventually makes it to the church. Rita's father gently opens the door for his unique daughter.

The church where we married, in Byblos.

Inside the church

Père César

no comment...

We leave the church, happier than ever. Now, let's go party!

There would be a so many things to say about the evening that followed the ceremony. On the open air, at the beach, with everybody around us, the ambiance was great. We spent the night dancing, drinking, eating, singing.

The end of the night became wild. Shoes, ties, and even shirts disappeared. We all danced like crazy, on the tables, in the garden, on the beach.

A last glass of Champagne, to celebrate this beautiful day.