My friends and I, we stayed in Chisinau, but we tried to visit a little bit of everything. First of all, I wanted them to meet my family, and to visit my grandparents. I had concerns regarding my friends’ reaction at our lifestyle, our society. But, to my surprise, my friends left very happy with their holiday in Moldova, promising to come back!

     In Moldova is always sunny

Even if we don’t have mountains and seas, the charm of the colorful relief concurs its tourists. We didn’t get to visit many of the historic places, but we did visit Orheiul Vechi and Cetatea Soroca. What regards the capital, my friends from France appreciated it as a “very green city”. 

      Tasty food, great wines and virtuous musicians! 

The traditional moldavian cuisine is moderately spiced and surprises with its tasty combinations. But the most important, all the fruits and vegetables are bio, they taste as they were just picked from the granny’s garden. If you visit somebody who is living in Moldova, do visit their grandparents’ garden, you will remember the long time forgotten taste of a good tomato!

I always loved our moldavian wines. I thought my french friends will like it too, but actually they loved it! My recommendations: Chateau Vaterly, try them all! (a bottle of wine costs about 5 euro) Unexpectedly for me, my friends loved also the beer CHISINAU! (a bottle of beer costs less than 1 euro) For our way back to France, we packed our car with bottle of wines and beers

The traditions are the greatest treasure of a nation. Our popular dance and music impressed my french friends. We were very lucky because during our stay in Chisinau was scheduled a concert of the great orchestra named Lăutari. The concert was held in memoriam of our great singer Nicolae Sulac, so during 2h30, we were enchanted by Moldova’s virtuous musicians.Click to view slideshow.

I would like to thank my friends for the desire to discover Moldova! And to add that for the next their visit there are many surprises to attend!

I could tell you more, but it won’t be enough! The best would be visiting Moldova, with its history and traditions! 

Today it was a busy and interesting day. It started with a cool rain. From Gorizia to Ljubljana, we crossed hills and mountains, enjoying the cool air of the slovenian villages. Then we joined the FREE autoroute! (not very common in Europe) We did not enter in Ljubljana as it was raining a lot (very sad about it), but we continued the way till Maribor. Great place to be! The slovenian people have nice houses and good cars (that look as they were bought yesterday) and they respect the traffic regulations. In conclusion, I know that my top list holiday destination is Slovenia!

From heaven to earth, we arrived in Hungary. Nice places, but a little bit disappointed, as nobody from people we met knew english, and I do not understand a word they are saying! I do speak four languages, but no hungarian-sorry! Well, I look forward visiting Budapesta tomorrow! 

And as I was hoping, we are near  Slovenia. Gorizia is the Italian-Slovenian border, and tomorrow will be heading to Ljubljana! Can easily say a presto, Italia!  Yuhuuu!!! Meanwhile, these are today’s photos!

hope you’ll enjoy it, cause I am  Click to view slideshow.

We decided to stay in the small city called Desenzano Del Garda, which is situated along the Garda lake. The region reminds me a lot of Nice, the same beautiful architecture, same atmosphere (got the impression it’s the rich italians’ piece of heaven).

Great place to be if you are rich !Click to view slideshow.

Tomorrow we hope to pass Italy, and to arrive in Slovenia. Is quite too ambitious, but fingers crossed I saw some great pictures taken in Ljubljana, Maribor (Slovenia), can’t wait to discover those unknown places to me.

Good night…

I hope my friends will find  Moldova as great as France seams to me! I am charmed by this country, totally in love!!! Yesterday we went for a walk, somewhere near Monestier Clermont, till a place they call La table d’orientation. Click to view slideshow.

Tomorrow we leave home at 6am, at the plan is to arrive to Milano by the evening. Have a gooood night and talk to you soon

Let’s talk about the artistic part of the Eurovision. Not that interested? Well, may I present you an artist which will make you enjoy this year’s Eurovision edition! He is talented, charismatic, young and handsome, the Moldova‘s 2012 representative:    Pasha Parfeni. 

Cheers and hoorays for Pasha Parfeni, Moldova! 

For more photos and updates, connect with Pasha on Facebook:                                                            https://www.facebook.com/PashaParfeny,

or on the Eurovision official page:                                                                                                                               http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=pasha…

                                     Like and vote for Pasha Parfeni!!!!

I found out that I can read maps and I can be a good co-pilot! 

What about the moroccans, we met from people that were about to throw with things in us for taking pictures (happened in Chefchaouen, in a carpet workshop. Maybe because of the religion, or might be because we said we are out of money – can’t buy a carpet, the old man that was working on the weaving machine, almost threw in my direction with its working utensils, only because I wanted to take a photo of him);  to people that welcomed us in their family and were ready even to take us home! And in conclusion, a piece of advice for the moroccans: Love your country as the tourists do! It is sad to see a such a beautiful and rich country as Morocco, buried in waste!

Je voudrais dire un grand MERCI à mon ami Jean Jacques !  Merci pour me laisser conduire le 4×4, comme ça je sais à quelle vitesse il faut prendre les virages ! Merci pour prêter ton appareil photo, comme ça je peux montrer le monde vu a travers mes yeux!  Merci pour avoir eu confiance en moi et de me prendre avec toi pour ce voyage ! Merci pour ton amitié ! Et, aujourd’hui, je voudrais ajouter: Joyeux  anniversaire, Jean Jacques ! De ma part et toute ma famille , on te souhaite bonheur et bonne santé ! Et on va vous attendre cette été en Moldavie! Bisous…

In an arabic country, where the severe muslim religion has the power, the keyword of this reunion was freedom and joy. 

The berbers call themselves “free and noble”, and I would agree with that. I do not know much about their history and customs, but that family would deserve these words. At the opposite table, what I saw was a man- the head of the family, surrounded by his women. There were representatives of at least three generations. We were admiring them and they were admiring us!

After several minutes, we decided to ask them if they would agree me to take photos of them.And with smiling faces they all agreed. I tried to capture the way all the family shares a plate of tagine, but the best picture, of the three gorgeous berber women, was taken before we left. 

I was impressed by their kindness, politeness and happiness!Click to view slideshow.

We stayed in Marrakech about one week. It’s a nice city, but there are several things you can be bothered as a tourist. 

• The pollution! Morocco has a huge problem with the plastic bags, there are everywhere and in huge quantities. It’s a situation caused by the people, and expanded by the wind. It shocked me! Some changes have to be done urgently! In Marrakech the pollution is caused by the huge number of cars and motorbikes! They drive like crazy! Crossing over a street its a great adventure in Marrakech!
  

  Larache: the picture for the tourists versus the reality

• In Marrakech you can see two extremes: the traditional moroccan area –  Medina – where are all the souks, Place Jemma El Fna the minaret; and the modern Gueliz area (the print of the French Protectorate in Morocco) – a more european area with cafés, pizzerias and shops like Zara, Stradivarius, Etam etc. This two extremes are situated across the street, it can be seen as a social classification or as a journey in time. 
• Shooping in Marrakech? The traditional babouch (shoes in leather) are a great souvenir or present from Morocco. The price starts from 7 euro, and of course is negotiable. What regards the clothing – the prices vary, and the negotiation is compulsory! Sometimes, the moroccan vendors get quite carried away by the touristic fever, they lose the sense of reality, and the prices are much higher then in Europe. I have limited my shopping list at some pairs of shoes, two pairs of moroccan pants and three scarfs. I do not recommend to buy jewelry, as you never really know if it’s authentic.
• What I really enjoyed in Marrakech was the food and the tea! When coming to Marrakech, prepare yourself to a non-alcoholic holiday. Because of the religious reasons, in most of the restaurants of Marrakech they do not serve alcohol. But they have the traditional and absolutely delicious mint tea! In the food menu you can choose from traditional moroccan plate like tagine or couscous; to an european plate. The thing to remember Not to do in Morocco is: DO NOT drink the tap water! 

Marrakech is a city to visit, but not more than a week. Better, hire a car, get a GPS and explore the authentic Morocco: the Atlas Mountains, the board of the Atlantic Ocean and the desert!