Off-Track Backpacking » Cannes

My Trip To France

Nara — Tue, 04 May 2010 05:14:49 +0000

During the month of April I have just spent the last three weeks traveling around the world. Well kind of, I went from Cannes, France to Varadero, Cuba. Although France was a work trip it did feel like a little vacation, only because I was away from the office for three weeks. But Cuba was my vacation and spending it with great friends was amazing.
First I will start with a little about my trip to France. It all started with just a work conference to France for only a week. Yet this week turned into ten days due to the volcano. I really couldn’t ask for better planning and luck. I was a little nervous about the delay in France only because I had a wedding in Cuba very shortly after my work trip.

Monte Carlo

So leaving the Wednesday from France to catch my flight out to Cuba the same day from Toronto was just a little stressful. So with just a bit of luck I made all flights and ended up in Cuba safely. So if you are wondering what I did in France for those extra days, well just guess!! Yes, traveling of course. I have already been to the French Riviera, but seeing it again brought back so many wonderful memories. The first day of finding out that our flight was delayed we headed over to Nice.

Now I was thinking it would all look the same as five years ago, well lets just say the only thing that did look the same was the train station and the beach. Nice has improved so much it surprised me. There were many streets that lend to the train station that use to be slummy and not very attractive, well now those streets have turned into beautiful shopping areas. With the buildings all painted the same bright red colour and modern trains zooming around, everything I remembered about Nice was different.
During this day a few friends and I spent lunch in Nice and wondered around freely to enjoy the warm summer air.
As for the next day, we worked a little on our laptops and for the rest of the day we headed over to Monte Carlo. Monte Carlo hasn’t change but no matter how much time you spend there, it remains beautiful. The scenery is something you just won’t ever find in Canada. I could just sit at the top of the hill where the palace is located and stare at the city for hours without getting bored. A co-worker and I walked around for hours enjoying the scene of the busy people with their flashy cars outside the casino, the grand palace, and people watched. Although during this time the Grand prix was only four days away, so there were many tourists getting ready for this big event.
As for the remaining days, and being a little stressed about my flights and all I spent the days on the Beach of Cannes, enjoying the smell of the sea and the warm sun on my face. As you can tell I love the beach, but being surrounded by beautiful scenery I really could ask for more. Over all I was one of the lucky ones who got stuck in Europe because of the Volcano.

Stuck in Cannes, due to a Volcano

Nara — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 18:45:49 +0000

>>Yes, I am one of the many thousands of people stuck with no flight home. Its really crazy to think that a volcano in Iceland has caused all this craziness and mess all over Europe. I was suppose to leave this morning for Toronto, although all western, northern European airports are closed until Wednesday. So as a result my flight was pushed to Wednesday and get this, I leave very soon after to Cuba! So my fingers are crossed and hoping that I will make my flight to Cuba. Yet on the other hand, this also means more time in Cannes. So I have a weekend to see a few things I missed on the first time I ever came to Cannes. So the plan is to see Nice and Monte Carlo (not get kicked out of the Casino this time) and also visit the island of Saint Marguerite . The island is know to be one of the most beautiful locations of Cannes. It has one of the most extraordinary museum’s called Musee de la Mer. It is the home of the famous prison where the Man in the Iron Mask was held during the reign of Louis XIV. It also holds the Royal Fort that held the war of thirty years, which was built by the Spanish between 1637, until the 20th century. So as result of all this craziness, I am taking advantage of this wonderful weekend. Check out a few photos that I have uploaded.

My Last Few Days Left In Cannes

Nara — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 05:54:47 +0000

After a few days of meetings and chatting with many people, this work event has gone very smoothly, even though there are thousands of people from across the world that are exchanging ideas and creating new ones, the scene can be very overwhelming. However, for me it is a huge learning environment that makes me want to learn even more about producing and the whole concept of the entertainment industry. Plus travelling for work is always a plus for me, considering I am a huge travel junkie. As far as Cannes goes, well I needless to say that I love the French Rivera and everything about the small city feeling. Its great to get away from the busy and the bustle of Toronto and enjoy the laid back, relaxing environment of France. I think that is why I have missed Europe so much is because its so laid back that it filters you to relax and enjoy the moments much more.
The last few nights I have walked through little alley ways of the old part of the old town and enjoyed a latte on the steps of the hill towards the old palace. These building are small, low, wooden, like cottages -stores and restaurants that are located along the cliff of the old town at which slowly crawls to the top of the hill where the palace is located. It is the perfect scene to people watch and admire the view of the sea and the old buildings.
As for last night a co worker and I had dinner and drinks at a small, modern lounge with people surroundings us from many different countries. It was such a strange feeling to see people chatting in so many languages. Although I must say the food was amazing and after a few drinks everything seemed too perfect. Anways I will have to post a few photos soon once I arrive back in Canada on Saturday.

Feels good to be back in Cannes, France

Nara — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 05:13:21 +0000

After 13 hours of flying, I have finally arrived in Cannes, France. As first impression after five years, its a whole lot of wow. Things have change! I know, not very usual for Europe, but its not the buildings that have changed its the amount of stores and resturants that have been added to the water fronts main street. There are now many designers stores, which is what I expected since Cannes is the center of upper class, but at the same time it makes the water front look fuller and has a touch of California feeling to it too.Funny, I know. Yet if you walk down Venice Beach in L.A you will notice window shoppers crawling everywhere, well it feels like that here now too. However, the smell of the Mediterranean Sea with the combination of Gelato ice cream and crepes is a smell that I have missed for so long. It brings me back to when I travelled Europe last. Anyways, so far the weather is okay and the conference is free sailing. As for the hotel I am staying at, well lets just say its a picture perfect, cutie European style hotel. Its place that would never exist in North America, sadly but true. Only because a small, narrow, five story, looking doll house with blue shedders, yellow paint and gardens surrounding the hotel would just not really fit in our large, wide spread cities. So yes I am loving to finally be back in Europe! Well I would love to write more but this keyboard is starting to drive me crazy if you know what I mean. Plus keep toned!

FRANCE – a week long trip!

Nara — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 05:18:21 +0000

This Saturday is the big day!! I am hoping a plane to head over to FRANCE. As mentioned in a pervious post I am going to Cannes, France for work. So no backpacking Europe but at least I will be out of the country and seeing a new city. Well kind of because I have already seen Cannes before, but that was five years ago. So lots of change has happened since than, well for me anyways.
So why am I going to Cannes? Well I work for a Canadian production company and for those who are in the entertainment industry you probably have heard of MIPTV. Those who have never heard of it, well it is a conference to connect to the global entertainment content industry. It is a market that gives you the first taste of the newest programs, freshest formats and the latest technologies to hit TV, Internet, mobile, and online games. People in the industry are producers, sales agents, program buyers, Internet and mobile players, advertisers and licensing executives. This is not just a European conference, it is a global conference, and so everyone who works in this industry will be there! There are about 12,000 participants from over 102 countries and many marketing events. If you are wondering where all these people are going to be held, well imagine the Emmy Awards. Yes, that big building with the red carpet. The Palais des Festivals is mostly only known to hold the Emmy Awards; well it also holds many festivals and conferences during the year. I am guessing if you have already been to Cannes you probably have walked that red carpet and wondered what is this building really called, well now you know! YUP, I will be there! As far as work goes, I will be busy working away and attending this global conference, but when it comes to after work hours, well that’s another post! So you will have to follow my posts next week to see how this weeklong trip is going for me. Instead of writing, I think a few videos will show you how my experience is going so far. So I will keep you posted next week about me visiting a few sites, eating in cute cafes, and networking/meeting lots of people.

Off To Cannes, France In April

Nara — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 05:35:52 +0000

In a few weeks time I am off to another country! Yay! No I am not backpacking or taking a vacation, but I am traveling. I will be in Cannes, France for work!!! It’s going to be about a week long trip of work and little play, but it’s going to be exciting to be back in Cannes again. About five years ago around this time, it was my very first time in Cannes. As I think about that now, wow time passes very quickly, but it still feels like yesterday that I was backpacking Europe. For those who have never been to Cannes, well its one of those cities that you don’t want to miss on your Europe Trip. It’s filled with historic sites, great cafes/restaurants, cutie shops, and most of all the beach/hot weather. Well compared to Canada, right now, it’s going to be hot! It’s a city close to a few other cities that are a must see, such as Nice, Monte Carlo, and Marseille. They are all along the Mediterranean Coastline of France. Plus Its very easy for backpackers to hop on a train to Nice and reach another one of my favorite European destinations, Barcelona, Spain. But before you end up in Spain, you must stop and take a little gander around the second largest city in France, Marseille. It looks nothing like a large big city like Paris, but it is. The only reason for that is because of it’s traditional coastline/port feelings. Take a boat tour and site see some of the most amazing sun-baked beaches and its rough-and-tumble edginess. Yet, not only is this a large city it is France’s oldest too. So you will be surrounded by litter-swirled streets, and its coastal corniches, chicaning around rocky inlets, and little treasures. Trust me you will not want to miss this city. So once you start planning your Europe trip, keep in mind the little villages and cities along the coastline! I will keep you updated about my little adventure over to France shortly.