TRAVEL AND LIFESTYLE DIARIES

Back in May I was on a roadtrip in Normandy and I had one of the most loveliest lunch there, in Honfleur. On the harbour where all the pretty restaurants are located, I spied a nice restaurant. I want to sit along the quay but it looks its full, luckily there is a table available on the street. My seating was actually perfect; I had a nice view of the road and the jetty overlooking to the other side and the terraces before me. Checking on the menu I was not sure what to order but saw the chef’s suggestion of the day – Grilled prawns in pesto sauce. Hmm, it sounds delectable. I ordered a small bottle of Muscadet from the Loire Valley as well. I heard about the Loire Valley, a beautiful and historical place with many castles. A place that Dutchman I am sure loathes but I absolutely will admire. Lunch was super lovely! The grilled prawns in pesto sauce were 5 stars out of 5. I cannot have enough of it. The Muscadet white wine, 4 stars. I so love long lunches, sitting und...

After savouring the beauty of Honfleur’s magnetic harbour, I went exploring the narrow alleyways. I found them very charming and inviting. Calvados regional products and bottles of cider are sold in every liquor shop. At the back of the beautiful buildings that adorned the harbour is the Saint Catherine Church that is made of wood. The Church has a very catchy design. I sat inside the church here for a while watching people go in and pray, some take pictures of the interior while others were lighting candles. Sainte-Catherine's Bell Tower beside the hotel covered in moss. The Bell Tower is separate from the church which is located right across the street. The church is all made of wood. The little narrow streets of Honfleur is filled with beautiful houses and I saw this really cool atelier selling stools pimped with shells, plastic trinkets and what have you. There are also so many delightful specialty and gastronomic shops selling locally produced products from the re...

In one word, Honfleur is AMAZING. I fell in love with this seaside town at first sight. From the parking lot, I strolled down the small charming alleyways and then catching a glimpse of the harbour view, all I can say was WOW. Honfleur is like a bigger version of Portofino in Italy! Breathtaking old port of Honfleur, Le Vieux Bassin facing Sainte-Catherine's quay. This is where expeditions to Quebec, Canada started. When Dutchman and I retire or have more than the 26 vacation days that we currently have from work for a year, my plan (maybe I should say “our plan” haha) is to buy a yacht, just a small one that can sail through the canals of the Netherlands and down to warm and sunny south of Europe. Honfleur I know would be a major stop that I will revisit often. Dutchman is remotely enthusiastic about my plan of visiting charismatic villages but when it comes to holiday agendas I am the boss so he might as well shut up =). He actually thinks he has been to Honfleur (h...