我的人生旅途!!! Journey of my life: 法國之La Ciotat & Marseille!!!

Tis week onwards we are very busy with our work as my boss is coming this weekend. Therefore, actually not much time to write blog, yet still addicted, ha ha...

Anyway, I've the content already that I wrote before to my friend, now just paste here and insert some pictures, should be easy yah=>

Well, let's begin!!!

Hey,

Let me tell u some activities that I did in La Ciotat, France. La Ciotat is a small town, It's only happening in Friday night, ie, yacht club, others than that, it's just like a death town. Just right behind the dock yard, there are few hills. These are the places I always jogged to. There is one called Le Mugel Du Parc. I took around 15 minutes jogging to that place. It's actually a park reserve by the government for tourism. From there u can see the sunset down to the sea, quite beautiful. There is another place called La Garde where I used to jog as well. It took me around 20 minutes reach the place. There is an abandon church down there, behind the church, there is a small rock hill where we can walk thru by following the small track. It's quite dangerous as I got little bit of height forbia, there is nothing to hold while going up the hill and it's always very windy existing someone is pushing u, however, when u reach the top, I can actually see the entire town and the sea view from the top, very nice feeling. Only hard for me is when coming down, have to concentrate and extra careful so that won't slip down. There is another mountain I used to jog and walk to, So far it's the farest and tallest one among 3. There are 3 side ways to going up the mountain, one is follow the main road, cost me 50 minutes jog to reach the top, there is another way to go up by across the mountain follow the big track, took an hour of walking all the way up to the top, quite tiring even just walking. And the last one is follow the bush track to the top, also took around an hour to reach the top. On top, there is a control tower by the government and lots of car travel up just to see the beautiful scenery of sunset. So far, I've been there for 4 times=> Even La Ciotat is a death town for everyone here, but for those who like to jog or see scenery, it's still alright coz it give u a peace of mind.

The above photos taken by myself when I try to walk thru

the Mountains from La Ciotat to Cassis.

Took me around 3 hrs to reach my destination.

攀山越岭!!! 我成功了!!!

These photos with my colleagues Gavin (in green), Dinesh (in blue),

Stephen and me going to the mountains and come to half way of Cassis for the first time!!!

Took us around an hour & half to reach there.

Today, I've took bus from La Ciotat to Marseille, one of the big city in France. The bus journey is around 55 minutes. The first impression when I reach there, I'm think of Penang. Why? Reason being is because from far, u can see there is a church with a statue on the hill. In Penang, there is one called ""Kek Ro Chi" in Cantonese but at Marseille, it called Basilique Notre-Dame de La Garde. in English called "Basilica Lady of the Guard". This place of workship dates back to 1214, when Master Peter came to live as a hermit on the hill of the Guard. In 1218 he built a chapel which he dedicated to "Our Lady of the Guard". Over the years it was enlarged and rebuilt as the number of pilgrims increased.

佛光出現!!!

Actually 是走光, Ha ha!!!

In 1851, Saint Eugene de Mazenod, then bishop of Marseilles, undertook the building of a new chapel. Its construction was entrusted to the Architect Esperandieu and the basilica was consecrated in 1864.

The gigantic statue represents Our Blessed Mother carrying her Son who is blessing the city and its harbor, as well as all those who come to Marseilles.

Above the main altar stands a statue of Mary who is presenting her Son to us. This silver statue is work of Chanuel.

The mosaics are particularly beautiful and the numerous ex-votos (paintings, boats, plaques, etc...) bear witness to the pilgrims' faith and thanksgiving.

The Panorama is certainly one of the most beautiful urban landscapes in France. On one side the sea, with the Frioul and Chateau dÏf islands, stretches of beaches and the old port, and on the other the city of Marseilles encircled by mountains.

The town of Marseilles is well developed, there are underground trains called Metro all rounded the town. There are monorails on the surface of the road following the track. There are a stretch of shopping arcades around the town. I took around 5 and half hours to explore Marseilles and I believe I just cover half of the town. Well, that's about all, with tis opportunity wishing u Happy New Year 2008. May ur hopes and dreams come true!!!=>

Always,
Kim Wah Teo

Below photos are taken at the town of Marseille.