This post is diverging from Europe to completely focus on Vanuatu. It’s been a great holiday with the gorgeous resort location, lunches on the waterfront, a short dive to post postcards at the underwater post office just 3m from the shoreline of Hideaway Island, a climb up Mele Waterfalls and a dip in Blue Lagoon (including a rope swing into the refreshingly cool water!). Kayaking was pretty cool too, and then there were all the cocktails in the pool and fireworks on new years (although beware of the compulsory new years eve dinner and Xmas day lunch, if you’re thinking about making other plans).

Things to skip: turtle bay and the “swim with turtles” (you swim and then you go see the turtles) and eating at the resort (costly).

Things to remember: suncream and insect repellent, Chill is a brilliant restaurant in town run by an Aussie (great food!), scuba diving isn’t for everyone BUT it’s super cheap to do the PADI open course in Vanuatu. Especially with Nautilus Watersports (love the staff- super super nice and patient!). Also alcohol is sooo much cheaper duty free in Vanuatu than in Australia.

Anyway, I had a blast! And can’t wait up return! Happy holidays everyone!!

The main language spoken is Bislama, although the majority speak English and a portion of the population are fluent in French too. There are hints of French on billboards and a few restaurants and bakeries are appropriately named (ie. au peche mignon). There are also a few French travelers at the resort and attending some of the same activities.

Anyway, whether you’re after a taste of France or a relaxing tropical holiday, Port Vila is the spot!

So what are you doing this Christmas break?

France is a tough topic though. Right now it feels a lot like window shopping (pointless and cruel!) to research places that I’d much rather be exploring and talking about real-time rather than fantasizing. The current plans involve two scenarios for 2012:

1. My boyfriend moves to France and I get a lovely few holidays there with him after mid 2012.

2. My boyfriend doesn’t move to France in May/June/July and instead we enjoy a white Christmas in France.

Either way, I’m  thinking about a white Christmas in France or Europe: skating under the Eiffel Tower, midnight mass at Notre Dame Cathedral, exploring the Christmas markets in Prague, watching live nativity scenes in northern Tuscany, or enjoying a divine hot chocolate after skiing the Swiss Alps. There is also the opportunity to visit Santa Claus in Finland (and this has to be much better than sneaking a peek at him over the heads of queued children at the local shopping centre!): http://www.santaclausvillage.info/

There are so many wonderfully magical options for Christmas celebrations in Europe it will be hard to cut the list back. What’s been your favourite Christmas experience (at home or away)?

Let’s start with the latest and roll my way backwards. I’ve been superbly busy with work of late which has really taken my eye of off France (unfortunately!). Until now that is…

To start with I have a HUGE congratulations to send out to one of my wonderful friends whose fabulous [now] fiance proposed to her… under the Eiffel Tower! How’s that for super romantic? And naturally it’s an engagement with plenty of pictures! And there will be gorgeous hints of the proposal location scattered through the engagement and wedding celebrations. Too cute too boot!

Second, which is how the subject of my terrible blog-womanship came about, my boyfriend spent the afternoon sending a translated (from English to French) rugby union resume and introductory letter to the clubs that we’d previously emailed in English. I have to say a MASSIVE thank you (MERCI BEAUCOUP) to Sophie for the fantastic job she did in translating these documents. Fingers crossed we see a response! He also signed up as a “player seeking a club” to a couple of the previously mentioned (in another blog, what feels like a decade ago) third party businesses that connect players and clubs. So again, that might see some awesome results – specifically a Half Back position in a French rugby union team (hint, hint if you think you can help out, we’d love to hear from you!).

Speaking of goals, since mine changed a few months ago I’ve had a rethink about what I would like to achieve and that now includes running the Paris Marathon. Yes, I’m aware that’s a little ‘folle’ [crazy] but I have to do something after I complete my first Half Marathon in November and that leaves a marathon… and Paris is as good a place as any, if not better, for running one! Not that I’m saying that I wouldn’t also try to run one on the Gold Coast, or London, maybe Boston… the options are limitless!

I’m also going to be close to France for a second time this year – visiting Copenhagen, Denmark. Unfortunately, with my Half Marathon planned for mid-November and my Copenhagen trip starting the end of October there just isn’t enough time in between to visit France, overcome jetlag and return in time to run. I’m just going to have to imagine it instead and not think too hard about how close and far away I am all at the same time. I’m just going to have to distract myself with the sights of Copenhagen, taken in during a running tour of the city and then follow that up with a day trip away (not quite sure on the logistics of this one yet) and maybe a local ice hockey game.

And if that isn’t enough to distract me, then I’m going to think about Vanuatu and practicing some of my French skills with the locals over the Christmas period. I can’t remember if I’ve already mentioned my holiday trip with my boyfriend to Port Vila, if not, that’s the plans! That’s something else that requires a little more planning too… again time has become something of a luxury lately (I hate crying “poor me” so I’m going to fix this problem by inventing more time. Stay tuned for that one! Plus it’s a little hard to be upset with all these fantastic destinations awaiting me!)

So what else that is French can I share with you today? Here’s a summary:

• Want to know about the top 10 French markets? Check out this article: http://blog.hotelclub.com/10-best-markets-in-france/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HotelClubBlog+%28HotelClub+Travel+Blog%29 Top of the list is Nice, my favourite place!! And not much further down is Lille – the town I named my car after since it cost me an overseas trip (boo that!)
• I didn’t really have plans around Dijon (that would probably make for an excellent next blog post) but here’s a little summary for a 24 hour visit: http://blog.hotelclub.com/24-hours-in-dijon/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HotelClubBlog+%28HotelClub+Travel+Blog%29 (apparently it’s not all about the mustard!)
• Roadtripping France (on the days I choose to hire a car): http://blog.hotelclub.com/france-road-trip-tips/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HotelClubBlog+%28HotelClub+Travel+Blog%29 (note: must have an international drivers licence/permit)
• Last to be mentioned – food! Check out some of the hot spots to eat in France: http://blog.hotelclub.com/best-culinary-hubs-in-france/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HotelClubBlog+%28HotelClub+Travel+Blog%29 Since I tend to be a fussy eater this is probably a good one to return to at a later date (kind of a where-not-to-go-or-risk-starvation guide)

So if you know of a French rugby union club that’s looking for a new player in 2012/13 footy season (preferably Hooker position) please feel free to get in touch! All help is very much greatly appreciated!

To start with Australia is part of the Schengen Agreement – I’m not exactly sure what that is, but what it means is that as an Aussie I can travel into Europe and visit for up to 90 days without requiring a visa. So that addresses my travel needs. If I stay for longer though, then I’ll need a tourist visa – so basically proving that I won’t have to mooch off of their medical or employment office (they have a 16-20% unemployment rate, so I can understand their reasoning there!). That makes my visiting my beau pretty simple.

He’s a little trickier though. He will require a 12 month working visa, which means finding a company to sponsor him (of course, that’s where playing rugby in France comes in). This site provides a little bit of information about the different types of visas (there’s quite a few!): http://www.immigration.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/immigrationprofessionnelle_etrangers_anglais.pdf Based on this form there’s a few different types that could be applicable. I guess we’ll need to see what type of team we can find him first and how much assistance they can offer before we know which will be the right type of visa. Although it’d be easier if the form just says “working visa” check here rather than selecting a particular type. Will have to wait and see with this one. The weekend is getting nearer so the emails to rugby clubs will be issued very soon!

So there really isn’t as much involved in visas as I thought there would be… chat later!

Bastille Day is fast approaching – in fact it’s just a week away and so most of the emails that I’ve been receiving have been about what to do as a tourist for the Bastille festivities. This site recommends the best vantage points to see the evening fireworks: http://blog.hotelclub.com/best-vantage-points-for-bastille-day-fireworks-in-france/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HotelClubBlog+%28HotelClub+Travel+Blog%29 Most important of all the locations is the one in Nice: “See Grenoble party in style from the south end of the Chartreuse mountains.”

As part of the Bastille celebrations, Brisbane puts on the French Festival at South Bank. I’m all ready to go to this one. The stands look fascinating, ranging from food to artwork, homewares and travel agents. I’m particularly keen to chat with the travel agents to discuss the options available to my boyfriend and myself – we’ll have very different circumstances for visiting France and it’s really important that we understand all the ins and outs of travelling there. Anyway, you can check out the exhibitors here: http://www.brisbanefrenchfestival.com.au/

OK check out this image… not just the modern boats but also the backdrop: http://blog.hotelclub.com/24-hours-in-saint-malo/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HotelClubBlog+%28HotelClub+Travel+Blog%29 and WOW! Saint-Malo looks like an amazing weekend away… it’s definitely going on the to-do list.

The Tour de France is also running at the moment. Well as you know I’m a runner not a cyclist however I’d really like to watch it, even just briefly as they ride past, cheer for the Aussies and all that!

OK that’s probably enough randomness for yet another email… as I said there will be a proper review of a single topic next time!

Bisou!

• I’m starting to think with an accent
• Cabs don’t take credit cards – WTF??
• I got lost in Harrods twice; which is half the number of times I’ve been lost today
• I stepped on a paver, it flipped and splashed mud up my leg and over my feet (I need new flats now!)
• It randomly started raining – it was perfectly sunny when I left the hotel in the AM
• Someone tried to pick pocket me – I’m smarter than them though – they picked a pocket that dings when open AND never has anything in it so HA!

1. Stay in current job role until it’s no longer fun or advantageous.
2. The beau will travel to France to play rugby for 12 months from about July 2012. I will fly over with him to help set up and for a bit of a holiday. Was hoping for 8wks but the boss laughed at that, so most likely 3-4 weeks which at least leaves me with some annual leave to take the next hols sooner again.
3. Spend Christmas in Vanuatu (all approved, now to book flights an accommodation!)… now to keep on polishing up my French and save to pay for the trip.
4. If the office moves to Sydney as planned for later this year, I’ll get to work from home. So might move in with the beau until he departs for France.
5. Possible move to Sydney (there’s a bunch of other plans mixed into this but none worth discussing just yet)
6. Live in France when I can afford it outright and no longer love my current employment.

So it came down to merging 2 dreams: the ideal job with the cultural experience of a lifetime, which I think I’ve done. Plus… There’s always retirement in France on the Powerball lotto my mum hopes to one day win (and has predicted will happen when she’s too old to use it!)