Ace Hotel Issoire

... reached the Millau Bridge, super structure and amazing piece of engineering, by late afternoon. It was no way I would make the Loire by 7 pm so we reach the little town called Issoire and stay the night at Etap hotel (like formula one). Tomorrow short drive big day.

We arrived at our next campsite, in the heart of the Chaine des Puys, an extraordinary area which consists of 80 extinct volcanoes which were active from 60,000 to 6,000 years ago. There are numerous hot and cold springs, the most famous of which is Volvic. In the evening we decided to drive to the top of the nearby Puy de Dome, at 4806 feet the ...

Hi everyone I survived the bike and barge after completing about 350 ks for the week. The weather was sensational except for one day that we got caught in the rain riding home one day. Luckily we were near a village that had a bar so the group of 18 took the place over and sat it out. Martin the barge pilot and tour director claims he will not be able to go back there again. The food was amazing with a 3 course hot meal everynight, breakfasts and at ...

This morning the sun is trying to put in an appearance. It is still and mild, and we're just about recovered from Friday night's sailing. Ralph has collared the camp attendant and got us a shower token each, and I set out to test the facilities. The shower cubicles are a generous size, and spotlessly clean. There are few instructions on the token machine, so I undress, put the shower head into the wall socket and turn on ...

We had another entire week of French classes, all day every day that week. We thought that we would take it easy and only go to Clermont for the weekend. Clermont is like the big city near my city, think the Toronto to Burlington, well maybe even the Hamilton to Burlington. It has the home university and it is a much bigger city, since we live in a very very small town, I think only 28,000 people in the city alone. Anyhoo we were partying on a nightly basis, whether it just be at ...

I finally have a television in my hotel room. I know, I'm in France and I should be exploring the world around me, blah, blah, blah...but I have a tv!! I'm not just psyched that I can sit and be a couch potato, I'm psyched for the French programs that are on. Let me give you a preview: 1. Secret Story: It's really pronounced like that. Say those words in your head with a French accent (See-chret Stow-ree). There 10 people who live in a ...

... checked our pigeonhole 508-nothing (which is no good coz the winners would be notified earlier) we went back to Athena to rest. Slept a bit and packed. Left for Masion de La Culture again by 5:30pm. The awards ceremony was packed and after a while, we know that the winners are all seated in front. Disappointing even we knew that there's little to no chance. The ceremony was in french so we don't really understand ...

Went to Old Town by bus B. Walked around. Quaint town. Bought some Michelin merchandise as Clermont-Ferrand is the global HQ for the Tyre company. Ate at Pascal Cafe. Then went for our final screening at 4pm at Couteau (the biggest theatre-about 1,400). Attendance was good-packed. Response was better than I expected as many were not that young to appreciate my short. We ...

... young Spanish festival programmer. Went to Film Market for Emily to finish her SYC work. From 4:20-5pm, I was at Videotheque to check out Adults Only, The jap audtion, Tyger, Film Noir, Deviation etc. Then we went back to reception-met Zita and Carlos. Zita suggested we go to the french filmmakers cocktail at Mercure. We did but didn't mingle as we know noone there. Had a nice talk with Zita-actually more than ...

Woke at 12noon. Late as I wanted to do work earlier also late for fixing a lunch appointment with Objectifs. Met the Thai Director and actor of 'In the name of Sin' on the shuttle. Sat down straight away at Filmmart Media Rendevous to work. Nokia Asis Pac Marketing Manager liked our Nokia N93 Singapore version so much he tried to contact us. It's now at 5K plus hits. Amazing. Happy for small victories. Work till 5:15pm. Not finished but had to go ...