My experience in the Arctic and in Chile did not discourage me. I thought that a trip in a Buddhist country would help me to discover a bit of the spirituality that should animate my body. After visiting 3 monasteries and drinking as many cups of yak butter tea, I had to accept the obvious. I will need to search elsewhere in the world to discover myself. The revelation was awful and I tried to drown myself in Lhasa beer! So let's see Pierre-Philippe in Tibet!
Potala, Lhasa, August, 2007
Jokand, Lhasa, August, 2007
At work in a Nunnery , August, 2007
Ganden Monastery, August, 2007
Debating Monks, Sera Monastery , August, 2007
Panda in Chengdu, China, August, 2007
View from Ganden Monastery, August, 2007
The highest lake in the world, Lake Namtso (4700 m) , August, 2007
Around Lake Namtso, August, 2007
Everest base camp , August, 2007
Towards Everest base camp, August, 2007
BAFFIN ISLAND and the auyuittuq park
It was quite late in my life that I figured out that I had to travel the world in search of myself in order to reach Nirvana. A trip in northern Canada seemed appropriate: savage nature. Alone in a magnificent scenery, the divine light will eventually enlighten my few neurons and blind me with the absolute truth about myself. I was cold, I was hungry, I was tired, but not a single photon of knowledge touched my brain. Not finding anything does not imply that there is nothing to reveal. Mind you in my case....
My mode of transportation (the blue boat), August/September 1999
Baffin Island and Auyuittuq park, August/September 1999
Canada map, Iqaluit, capital of Nunavut, August/September 1999
Towards Auyuittuq park, August/September 1999
The arctic circle, August/September 1999
Crossing a stream with Mount Thor at the back , August/September 1999
Windy lake hut. 10 minutes later I had 3 layers of clothing that I kept all night , August/September 1999
Summit Lake hut, August/September 1999
Towards Pangnirtung, August/September 1999
Summit lake, Tête Blanche and Mount Battle (on the right hand side), August/September 1999
Nerutusôa glacier, Umik Mountain, Weeping Glacier and mount Thor, August/September 1999
Summit Lake, glacier Tupermit and its moraine, August/September 1999
It is certainly true that reading the cigars of the Pharaoh influenced my decision to see the wonders of Egypt. I had to leave Savoie to forget. Since I have forgotten, I cannot tell you what I was supposed to forget.
Well, an idea sparkled in my brain one day. Why not visit all the countries that Tintin visited. Let's go then towards the pyramids and the Sinai desert.
Easter 2004
Saint George church in the old Cairo
Dahab on the gulf of Aquaba
Pierre-Philippe of Arabia
Coming out of the white canyon, the desert in all its beauty
Saint Catherine monastery
After the Arctic, I had to explore the southern hemisphere to continue on my quest of the Holy Grail of absolute knowledge. Let's go to Patagonia and Torres del Paine park. Then back to Puerto Montt and eventually Santiago. I still have not drunk at the sacred Cup and consequently, I keep getting old while ignoring my inner self.
Thank you Nathan for the pictures, March 2003
Glacier in Torres del Paine
Iceberg in the Patagonian channels
Cuernos del Paine from Lake Pehoe
I could not pretend that I was going to Torino in search of myself. I needed a break in this continuous quest that eats me away. I knew that with Eugenio and Mia, I will touch, not the ultimate knowledge about myself, but some food wonders. I did and now, I am on a diet!
The bad news is that I did it again in 2008 and in the following years, I guess I shall never learn!
Mia, Eugenio, Francesco in a bar November 1, 2007
At the Mont Cenis pass, November 1, 2007
Around the Palatina gate, November 2, 2007
Regia di Venaria Reale, the beautiful Royal palace, November 3, 2007
Regia di Venaria Reale, November 3, 2007
Eugenio and Francesco, November 2008. The kids eats like his father!
Torino's famous market, November 2, 2007
Truffes before eating, November 2, 2007
Mole Antonelliana, November 2, 2007
A lost man!, November 1, 2007
La vita e bella, november 2012
Lake Wanaka from Wanaka ski resort
New Zealand is a magnificent country. I did not even bother trying to search for myself, as I was enthralled by the beauty of the landscape. After all, I may have found part of myself there! Pictures were taken in July-August 2005.
Mountains close to Wanaka ski resort
Abel Tasman National Park
A kia at 2,500 m. It is a very clever bird that was looking at my lunch.
After Chile and New Zealand, I had to get closer to a cape on the Southern seas. I managed to convince Patrice to come with me. We went looking for the great white shark and the Zulu tribes. Nothing stopped our quest for the unusual. We drove kilometers and at each corner, an atypical spectacle awaited us. We have seen the Cape of Good Hope and after a long meditation facing the oceans, I have come back skeptical with respect to my quest, but enthralled by the beauty of the landscape.
Beach close to Cape Town, mussels for grab
From the top of Sani Pass, 2,873 m
Boat of
Bartolomeu Dias. He originally named the
Cape of Good Hope the "Cape of Storms" (
Cabo das Tormentas)
Stellenbosch winery, before
Stellenbosch winery, after
Mossel Bay, we slept on a train by the beach
La route du parc national Denali
August 2008
This time, I told myself that by exploring the last frontier, I was heading to the very end of the known universe and that I might experiment physical laws that are totally extravagant et unknown to the everyday man. Maybe, I would discover whether the speed of light is absolute. I did not doubt that the strange physical laws that govern that place were going to allow me to peep at a quark of knowledge on my own self. Except for seeing a black bear that showed some tendency to come closer to me, friendly meeting that I managed to postpone, I have discovered a country that is huge in every aspect that is to the power 10 of whatever I had seen before: glaciers, mountains, forests, tundra, et... Basically, I did not come back more crazy than when I left. Would I be the perfect being? Answer in my next trip.
Bonanza mine in St Elias Wrangell park
Meeting on a path black bear
My tent at St Elias Wrangell
Cactus and parasite used for red dye
Towards the second campement
Lake Titicacca, at the back, Bolivia
July 2009
For the first time of my life, I decided to go on an organized trip. I just had to follow the guide who, I thought, could lead me to understand myself. Well, I climbed to 5200 meters at Sirani pass and lost some of my few precious neurons due to the lack of oxygen. Even the magnificent buildings of the Incas could not awake me to my deep unconsciousness. So I enjoyed the magnificent scenery.
From the top of mount Picchu
August 2009
La faune au bord de la route
Magnificence of the Rocheuses
At the top of Mount Temple
Here is the pass to Mount Temple
No canals but lots of tourists
Facing the wind at cape Gris Nez, I expose myself!
Delicious this "assiette boulonnaise"
August 2010
Two ladies salivating in front of the famous belgian chocolates
A friendly Youth hostel (Travel joy) with a warm welcome and a great pub. What else do I need?
When in Rome, do as the romans do!
Do I need to introduce that building?
Japanese art at the British Museum
Tower bridge and London tower
In my youth, when I talked about the past, I used to measure it in terms of days, weeks and at best months. Then, I increased the measuring unit and moved to the year and then the decade. Well, I had not been to London for 30 years and it was with great pleasure that I went strolled and biked in its streets.. Way back then, I used to visit London very regularly. The City is a beautiful place with easy going people and thousands of pubs!
October 2011
April 2012
Everything started by an aeronautical show: the « Air Show Marrakech ». I first started to check in a 4 star hotel. I speak a lot about it since I am not unfortunately familiar with this type of accommodation during my trips abroad. It is very sad since I got used very quickly to luxury. But true to my habits, I went wandering in some places where few tourists, I believe, ever set foot. I managed to negotiate the price of a few leather goods and I believe that the shop keepers were somewhat mad at me. But as I say all the time: When in Rome, do as the Romans do. However, I regret that I was the constant subject of rip off, either in cabs, restaurants or simply to get some directions.
Sculpture en pierre du palais Bahia
Quelques stands du marché Jemaa El Fna
April 2012
L’Aero Friedrichshafen was my second aeronautical show and thanks to it, I went to play the regular tourist on the beaches of Bodensee. That was a very pleasant trip since I slept for the second time in a short period in a 4 star hotel. I am getting used to it. My next trip may be more rugged and I am going to miss luxury. I even enjoyed local food which satisfied my stomach, which, it is true, is quite accommodating. I used that opportunity to brush up a bit on my German and I believed that I managed to look as stupid as I truly am.
My beautiful Dacia on the ferry
Landskrone hotel, a 4 star hotel
A tower and a clown at the topt
A Zepplin about the home town of Zeppelin
SAINT MARTIN DE CASTILLON
July 2011 and 2012
Saint Martin de Castillon in Luberon is an ideal base camp to explore the region by bike. Mathieu the friendly owner of the private aerodrome welcomes you with enthusiasm and rend either bikes or a car. You need however, to register with him before landing there. Then you can go and discover this beautiful part of France. I published a short article in Aviasport on his field.
Saint Martin de Castillon
Lavender field in Luberon
Fort Buoux in the Vaudois country
The charming village of Gignac
July/August 2012
Hobart seen from mount Wellington
Hobart international airport
Was I a convict in a former life? It is a valid question as I always wanted to visit Tasmania. The name of Hobart sounded like a myth to my ears. Or is it the famous Sydney-Hobart sailing race that fascinated the brain of the little guy from Savoie? Maybe I wanted to see if I could eat as much as the famous Tasmanian devil? All these major questions may not find an answer; however, I went far away to look for the awakening. No four star hotel this time, but only my tent. Zero star luxury in my worn out sleeping bag which protected me only slightly against the cold weather that I long for. Tasmania is a beautiful place with very friendly people. I am not sure these pictures provide the best testimony of the extraordinary landscape.
Snow on the road at lake Saint Clair
After the snow, warming up in a pub at Strahan
The famous Tasmania devel
Craddle mountains at the back
People pretend that I am bit of a weirdo, but I must confess that I am just a ridiculous clown compared to the people who live in the outback. They are really crazy. But the positive point is that I can improve quite a lot. I am going to work on it; In the meantime, I went for a visit in this huge continent and unfortunately, I have only see a small part of it.
The australian flag, not to be mixed up with the New Zealand one.
The beginning of the Great Ocean Road
Animal and flowers of the outback
A bit like in Priscillia, Queen of the desert!
View of the war museum from Canberra parliament
Another weird bird (there are so many)
Sydney bridge and the opera
Canberra parliament seen from the War memorial
October-November 2012
Part of the Cinque Terre coast
La Rochelle is a beautiful town worth a visit. The harbour, the old city, the beautiful women (really, unbelievable), Go for it.
June 2013
This page is the photographic proof that yes, once in my life I enjoyed a luxury cruise on a Catamaran (Lagoon 500) in Greece. A skipper (Giannis) and a cook (Zeta) came with us, Cécile and I during a week in the Greek islands. The trip was idyllic and I could if I had wished not touched a single line on board. But, my Glénans education came back to me at the speed of light and I took part in the handling of the boat. We visited the typical Greek villages, we walked in the hills, we swan in the Egean sea even if the water was a bit cold. The trip took us from Athens to Poros, Idhra, Dhokos, then we crossed to the Cyclades and landed in Milos (I had a tender thought for the beautiful Venus). Then we sailed north to end up at Sounio where we offered our thanks to Poseidon for the perfect weather and the excellent wind that he provided us.
From April 26th to May 2nd 2014
Poseidon temple in Sounio
An example of a lunch, no wonder I put on some weight!!!
The crew, Giannis, Cécile and Zeta
Two crabs having sex. The male is beneath!
July 2014
Some of the Galapagos islands and our itinerary over the 8 days.
Sea lion and yes, we swam with them!
Land iguana and marine iguana.
Frigates superbs. The male shows off with his red thing.
Alejandro one of the crew and Cécile
Bartolomé island and a beautiful diving spot near the rock
One of the 30th most beautiful beaches in the world.
Rabida island and its red earth
July 2014
Quito viewed from the top of Rucu Pichincha (4 697 m)
Rucu Pichincha at 4,697 meters high
The famous Cotopaxi. After all, Ecuador is the land of volcanos!
So many choices of these excellent juices
Tungurahua, but forbidden due to eruptions
Ecuadorian food specialty, Cuy (just like in Peru)
Towards volcano Tungurahua
The Ecuador line. In fact the true line is 254 meters away and on top it is a touristic rip off.
Tamarins forest in Mafate
Inside le Piton de la Fournaise
Refuge du piton de la Fournaise
June 2017
Savannah in the Serengeti
I had not sailed the Glénans way for many years. Thanks to Serge I was able to reconnect during a week with my youth's passion. First conclusion, I am the shadow of the sailing instructor I once was. I have lost my bearings, my automatic reflexes were rusty or deeply buried in my memory. Moreover, I got sea sick, which happened once in a while when I was young. Serge, relentlessly and always calmly managed to restore some souvenirs, but the subject, ie. myself, was difficult to bring up to speed. I did not know that Serge was an exceptional sailor with a huge knowledge. He had hidden those competences from me. His 38 feet boat is well equipped and sails nicely. Moreover, she is very comfy and is equipped with modern sailing instruments which make navigating quite a pleasure. Thank you, Serge, for that beautiful experience.
August 2018
Always Belle-Ile-en-Mer, but in a most magnificent place
Mooring at Belle-Ile-en-Mer
Qui voit Sein, voit sa fin!
Who sees Sein, sees his end!
At home (Les Glénan), for the first time of my life
Captain Serge and his crew
Sein, the place is at the mercy of strong winds. The sailors of Sein were true patriots in 1940 and all left for England after de Gaulle called French people not to give up the fight on June 18, 1940.
Last cape before le Conquet
I always have to show off!
October 2018
The A team, Kami, Cécile and our porter
Kami on a typical nepalese swing
Passang's Royal Enfield, our guide's son
Avril 2019
After Tasmania and the south-west of Australia, I wanted to see the Great barrier reef and the center and Alice Springs. I was a bit disappointed by the reef because there is not much animal life and the corals are slowly disappearing. Morever, the boat captain, from Germany, showed us more than once his Bismark side.Fortunately, Nui, a tahitien was always pleasant and joyful. Then, we were off to Alice Springs and the red center. I am never disappointed by the Australian bush which is outsanding. I wonder how the aboriginal people managed to live there, as living condition can be very harsh. That trip was also, and I did not expect it, a spiritual trip which got me closer to mother earth.
Hostel in Cairns, we had a slight problem to get in
A local who seems to be enjoying the sun and is not bothered by the numerous flies
Alone in the middle of a salted lake
Last fuel pump before a long time!
From the plane what is in store for us
Uluru, the main reason for my visit
September 2019
Monkey in the national park
Kamikochi in the Japanese Alps
Suzuki museum, budhist philosopher
Buddha in Nara, when I grow up, I want to be like him!
Garden in the Golden pavillon
Restaurant Udon in Kanazawa, the sisters at work
Tsukiji market, click on the picture to have a look at the Japanese gastronomy
Japanese Alps, Chogatake refuge
October 2019
This is where bad boys end up: Alcatraz
From the top of Mount Hoffman
Venus pool in Hearst Castle
Roman pool in Hearst Castle
After or before the effort!
After my kids asked me to travel with me to South East Asia, we decided to go to Vietnam for about 15 days. The trip was extremely pleasant and I felt more acquainted with Jérémie and Benjamin. We laughed a lot and I was the victim, yes the victim of constant taunts from my kids, but I fought back tenaciously. We were disappointed as we wanted to pay a visit to Uncle Ho, but lack of time and a huge crowd prevented us from achieving that project. Fortunately, Uncle Ho was with us during that trip and we have been able to communicate spiritually with him regularly. This is when my kids realized that I was mentally deranged but unfortunately for them, genetic has spoken and they suffer from the same syndrome. Mea culpa. We had to adapt to Vietnamese culture and learnt to accept lies, delays, etc.. Fortunately, the greasy spoons ‘restaurants’ in the streets have provided us with fairly good food without ripping us off. So, I am ready to start again in another country.
January 2020
Vinh Moc tunnels near Hue
Meal during theTêt celebration
Americain base in Khe Sanh south of the 17th parallel
"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye" St Exupéry
The coast near Argentiera
October/november 2017
San Pietro di Sorres monastery and church. A peaceful place.
Agtriturismo Oasis del Cerdo
My Venus coming out of the water. Botticelli painted a pale imitation!
A typical meal at l'agriturismo Oasis del Cerdo. Click on the picture to view the slide show of the menu and the reason why I gained weight.
July 2018
Even in Croatia, lovelly edelweiss
Cécile at the top of Dinara
Patrice and Cécile made a friend at the refuge!
At the elm, working very hard!
