Sunset in Corsica

Corsica
Originally uploaded by fangie2000.

Sunsets in Corsica are always a pleasure to the senses.

Bande Dessinée - French manga

Unknown to me for a long time, French not only loves Japanese manga, but are avid comic readers. In fact, France has a thriving comic industry, that I wouldn't be too surprise if they give the Japanese and US comic industry a run for their money.

Bande Dessinée is comic book in French. Unlike Japanese manga, they come in hard cover and A4 size, fully coloured. Price wise, they're definitely more expensive, each issue costing over 10 euros. However, unlike manga, they don't seem to run into ten over issues.


Step into a French comic shop and you'll be spoilt for choice. There is a comprehensive selection of creators, styles and genres, so much so that beginners would have difficulty in finding where to start.

The biggest problem perhaps is the language barrier. Most French comics are not translated into English and it's hard to find English editions, unfortunately. Maybe that's why many comic fans are unfamiliar with French comic. The most familiar French comic series to the English world could possibly be Asterix. Tin Tin is in French, albeit originating from neighbouring Belgium, which has a pretty robust comic industry as well, or so I heard.

So, it's a pity I'm still a far way to mastering French beyond bonjour and merci to enable me to read their comics.

Hiking for real

I've been an experienced "hiker" of concrete jungles, with real stamina for indulging in every female Singaporean's favourite pastime of shopping. Alas, the training I've received at Orchard Road is way insufficient in preparing me for my first hike with my bf's family.

It was an introductory hike for me, so it was expected to be easy. The plan was to hike at a plateau beside "La Meije", one of the highest mountain in the Rhone Alps. The idea was, after reaching the peak of the plateau (which is not very high by French standard), the road will be pretty flat and we will reach a lake. The whole adventure would last only around 3-4 hours.


The choice of hike is perfect, with a wonderful scenery to die for, which I almost did (in a way).

The reality: within short while, I was already having difficulty keeping with the rest of the group (which includes 1 grandmother and another young lady, both with an injured foot). :-P




Difficult it may be, all the sweat and pain has not gone to waste. La Meije is so beautiful that I couldn't resist taking photos after photos of it.

The day I jumped off the cliff

I don't mean suicide of course. Life is too beautiful to end it prematurely, especially when I'm enjoying almost every minute of it (especially when I'm on holidays).

Well, I've made up my mind to jump from the cliff, literally, before going to France. Since I'm planning a visit to the Alps, and a country full of paragliders, tandem paragliding would be a good, easy and relaxing way to enjoy the mountain scenery.

Truth is, the height does freak me out initially. But there's always a first time and I've always harbour a secret desire to jump off a helicopter next by trying sky diving. So the plan is fixed and there's no turning back.

Standing at the edge of the cliff where I'm about to jump does make legs feel wobbly at first. It's no joke, considering that it's a steep drop of probably a thousand metres high.

The instructor was reassuring, telling me that I do not even have to sprint to catch the wind. True enough, after "walking" a few steps with him, we were lifted onto the sky within seconds, before reaching the edge of the cliff. Soon enough, my feet were already running in the air and I was comfortably seated in the parapente, securely strapped to the instructor. The village and valley came in full view underneath me, while we glide effortlessly along the cliff of the mountain for close to half an hour, aided by the stream of ascending wind blowing against the mountain edge.

"Wow, you've really got the most wonderful job", I exclaimed to my instructor, who couldn't agree less. Putting all fears of height behind me, I was soon busy clicking my camera away, totally awed by the thrill of being in the air.


The last few minutes of my flight adventure was to give me further new sensations when my instructor decided to let me experience freestyle paragliding. Without any warning, the world was suddenly spinning at full speed around me. Thankfully, the spinning didn't last long (but the effects of it did not wear off immediately).

Hmmm...I wouldn't mind taking up paragliding lessons next time.