Wonderful pictures.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Via Mediterra - The Journey around the Med on a HP2
- Thread starter kimangao
- Start date
Mort
Registered user
Fantastic, for the first time I can see what all the fuss is about with quality camera's
Fantastic photos - subscribed 
kimangao
Registered user
Thank you all for your encouraging comments! Here we go on:
It is a bit of a hangover that wakes me up next morning. Farzin (iranian) and his wife Simona (italian) have fuddled me properly. The kids (iralian or itanian) insist on a "cool" picture before setting off. And I swear I'll never say a bad word about motor homes anymore.
The Itanians have left the place and I'm still there admiring that incredible coastline.
... and I finally get the picture I've wanted 12hours ago
The Route des Crêtes winds on top of that red cliff for decent 15kms
Natural harbour design.
I turn inland to one of the most spectacular places in France. Les Gorges du Verdon, the Verdon Canyon. On the way I pass several of these mobile-home parkings. I'm happy that it is still March and all of them remain in their position. Once they're unleashed proper riding becomes a nightmare in some spots. I'm not sure if I can keep the promise I made to Farzin and Simona ... oh, I'm sure I can't
Closer to the canyon the villages turn out to be as beautiful as you would expect them to be in a holiday catalogue.
There are two roads follwing the canyon. Whichever I take: This is one of the places where I can't decide: Ride or take a pic. Most time I do both enjoying a good road twice.
I've made this one a bit larger. And yes, there's a bike in the picture.
The Verdon leaves the canyon into magnificent Lac de Sainte Croix. On the shore of the lake a friend of a friend runs a little restaurant, Bernhard. He's just arrived with his ancient 2CV from picking fresh herbs in the nearby forest.
Bernhards restaurant is so small that the kitchen offers space for max 2 persons to work. And for his guests, well there's no space at all inside. So everyone sits outside on a little terrace admiring the splendid scenery.
Almost ready to be eaten ... Bernhard has been working as a cook in a pub for ages. A few years ago he realised his dream of his own restaurant at Lac de Sainte Croix. I want to know if he has ever regretted. he replies with a big grin: "Man, don't you see? I live in paradise!" How many can claim that?
Ok, lunchtime!
Not to be misunderstood: This is not a RRR (RestaurantRideReport) :lol3 But somehow I have to waste my time waiting for the other bike. Can't take long ....
It is a bit of a hangover that wakes me up next morning. Farzin (iranian) and his wife Simona (italian) have fuddled me properly. The kids (iralian or itanian) insist on a "cool" picture before setting off. And I swear I'll never say a bad word about motor homes anymore.
The Itanians have left the place and I'm still there admiring that incredible coastline.
... and I finally get the picture I've wanted 12hours ago
The Route des Crêtes winds on top of that red cliff for decent 15kms
Natural harbour design.
I turn inland to one of the most spectacular places in France. Les Gorges du Verdon, the Verdon Canyon. On the way I pass several of these mobile-home parkings. I'm happy that it is still March and all of them remain in their position. Once they're unleashed proper riding becomes a nightmare in some spots. I'm not sure if I can keep the promise I made to Farzin and Simona ... oh, I'm sure I can't
Closer to the canyon the villages turn out to be as beautiful as you would expect them to be in a holiday catalogue.
There are two roads follwing the canyon. Whichever I take: This is one of the places where I can't decide: Ride or take a pic. Most time I do both enjoying a good road twice.
I've made this one a bit larger. And yes, there's a bike in the picture.
The Verdon leaves the canyon into magnificent Lac de Sainte Croix. On the shore of the lake a friend of a friend runs a little restaurant, Bernhard. He's just arrived with his ancient 2CV from picking fresh herbs in the nearby forest.
Bernhards restaurant is so small that the kitchen offers space for max 2 persons to work. And for his guests, well there's no space at all inside. So everyone sits outside on a little terrace admiring the splendid scenery.
Almost ready to be eaten ... Bernhard has been working as a cook in a pub for ages. A few years ago he realised his dream of his own restaurant at Lac de Sainte Croix. I want to know if he has ever regretted. he replies with a big grin: "Man, don't you see? I live in paradise!" How many can claim that?
Ok, lunchtime!
Not to be misunderstood: This is not a RRR (RestaurantRideReport) :lol3 But somehow I have to waste my time waiting for the other bike. Can't take long ....
the 12 hr wait was worth it,it would not of been the same with a camper van in it well done,p.s. im not envious.
kimangao
Registered user
So this will be the end. Of the prologue ...
You'll remember that I was waiting to swap the grey HP2 into a white one. So I had to waist a bit of time till it arrives. A month in the end. A space of time a lot of people would like to have it as their holiday. And I had it to wait. But I don't regret a minute. I saw places I already knew and had the chance to see them from a different angle. Like magic Nice on the Côte d'Azur.
This is the beach of the rich and the beauties. Interesting that they've chosen a pepple beach and a six lane road for their sunbath.
Legendary Negresco Hotel. The basic room (if you can call it basic) starts from $225.-. Thank God I had better place to stay!
Francois and Valery are my hosts in Nice. Francois rides his 1200GS everyday from Nice along the shoreline to Monaco to work. There are worse duty strokes I guess.
I took some time to stroll around and found that though it is famous Nice it's like almost anywhere else. Among all this wealth there's also all that poverty. But Nice took it for me to a new level as far as Western Europe is concerned ....
... I was really struck by these people living on the edge between two highways.
A few meters away you'll find some ads for your (next) luxury wedding in Monte Carlo. I enjoy contrasts in photography. But in real life ...
Some more fun along the way was this signpost which I would have expected somewhere in Greece. But not in a French forest. Athens is roughly 2500kms from here. It will take me half a year going there via Northern Africa and the Middle East.
Anyway, I'm getting a bit impatient. Spring has arrived but not the bike. What the heck ....
Then the redeeming phone call: The bike is ready to be picked in Orange, 270kms from Nice. Francois and Valery accompany me and we meet with Thierry and charming Frédérique near Orange.
And there she is! Just swapping the panniers and off we go!
HURRRAAAYYY! That's it! Now the journey around the Med can start.
From now on there seems to be nothing that can interrupt my journey. But my destiny already works on different plans ...
Hope you'll enjoy!
Cheers
Dirk
...You'll remember that I was waiting to swap the grey HP2 into a white one. So I had to waist a bit of time till it arrives. A month in the end. A space of time a lot of people would like to have it as their holiday. And I had it to wait. But I don't regret a minute. I saw places I already knew and had the chance to see them from a different angle. Like magic Nice on the Côte d'Azur.
This is the beach of the rich and the beauties. Interesting that they've chosen a pepple beach and a six lane road for their sunbath.
Legendary Negresco Hotel. The basic room (if you can call it basic) starts from $225.-. Thank God I had better place to stay!
Francois and Valery are my hosts in Nice. Francois rides his 1200GS everyday from Nice along the shoreline to Monaco to work. There are worse duty strokes I guess.
I took some time to stroll around and found that though it is famous Nice it's like almost anywhere else. Among all this wealth there's also all that poverty. But Nice took it for me to a new level as far as Western Europe is concerned ....
... I was really struck by these people living on the edge between two highways.
A few meters away you'll find some ads for your (next) luxury wedding in Monte Carlo. I enjoy contrasts in photography. But in real life ...
Some more fun along the way was this signpost which I would have expected somewhere in Greece. But not in a French forest. Athens is roughly 2500kms from here. It will take me half a year going there via Northern Africa and the Middle East.
Anyway, I'm getting a bit impatient. Spring has arrived but not the bike. What the heck ....
Then the redeeming phone call: The bike is ready to be picked in Orange, 270kms from Nice. Francois and Valery accompany me and we meet with Thierry and charming Frédérique near Orange.
And there she is! Just swapping the panniers and off we go!
HURRRAAAYYY! That's it! Now the journey around the Med can start.
From now on there seems to be nothing that can interrupt my journey. But my destiny already works on different plans ...
Hope you'll enjoy!
Cheers
Dirk
I've been a member of this forum for coming up 5 years and I can say without doubt your photos are the best I've seen on any ride report on here.
Stunning, just stunning
Whilst you obviously have some good gear the composition and technical use of it is fantastic
This is a masterclass in how to do a ride report!
Stunning, just stunning
Whilst you obviously have some good gear the composition and technical use of it is fantastic
This is a masterclass in how to do a ride report!
modelman
Registered user
More, more, more please, please,please
A fabulous report
please, please,pleaseA fabulous report
Absolute quality post, keep it coming.......
Swiss Mike
Registered user
Great pictures
Will you be at the T.T. (Germany) weekend ?????
Gruss Mike
Will you be at the T.T. (Germany) weekend ?????
Gruss Mike
Ach I just found this thread. As has been said before, stunning pictures, and a great eye for a photograph. I've spent many, many days riding the route des Cretes and never seen it look so beautiful in a photograph. Subscribed
Hello Dirk, just wonderful photographs, thank you for sharing.
I have to ask, do you know Possi (Claus Posseburg)? as the HPN/travel world is quite small! Another German HPN traveller and great photographer who I know through Europrez.
Possi's website
Adrian
I have to ask, do you know Possi (Claus Posseburg)? as the HPN/travel world is quite small! Another German HPN traveller and great photographer who I know through Europrez.
Possi's website
Adrian
CANT STOP READING
AND RE-READING THIS THREAD,
AND RE-READING THIS THREAD,
kimangao
Registered user
Great pictures
Will you be at the T.T. (Germany) weekend ?????
Gruss Mike
As far as I know now, yes!
Hope to see you there
Cheers
Dirk
kimangao
Registered user
Hi Adrian,
thank you. I know Possi by name but we've never bumped into each other.
Cheers
Dirk
kimangao
Registered user
Because Marseilles was supposed to be the starting point of the Via Mediterra I need to do a proper start picture there. So welcome again to Marseilles.
My host this time is Victorine, as beautiful as intelligent.
I move up to the landmark of Notre-Dame de la Garde. It can't be bad to ride protected by the golden lady on top.
From now on the sea will accompany me, the waves, the spray, the coastlines. In eight to nine month I hope to stand here again.
Farewell Marseilles for now.
My host this time is Victorine, as beautiful as intelligent.
I move up to the landmark of Notre-Dame de la Garde. It can't be bad to ride protected by the golden lady on top.
From now on the sea will accompany me, the waves, the spray, the coastlines. In eight to nine month I hope to stand here again.
Farewell Marseilles for now.
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That was a quick read
Not got a lot of time on your hands today??
Not got a lot of time on your hands today??
kimangao
Registered user
Sorry about the quick one ;-)
Before I cross the border to Hispania I stop over at a friend of mine, Oliver Zehner, who runs a nice guest house for riders, called Bikers Paradise, at the foothills of the Pyrenees. As usual there are a lot of guests and Thierry and me enjoy the company of Oliver and his guest for some rides.
Olivers guest house for riders
Only Oliver went over the bridge.
In the background you'll spot the snowy Pic du Canigou. Almost impossible not to have it in the picture. Just watch the following ones.
Quick stop at the Eremita de Forca Real that offers a splendid view.
Me'n my toy at Forca Real. Thank you Oliver (or was it Thierry?) for the picture.
Ok, roads are nice in the area but off-road as well. Oliver knows some decent tracks.
Time for a brake. Jürgen asked for a proper ice cream. There you go!
Though it's already some time ago I still remember this moment with Jürgen in a Café in Prades. Man, we had fun!
Hope you're enjoying your day as I did in Prades.
Cheers
Dirk
Before I cross the border to Hispania I stop over at a friend of mine, Oliver Zehner, who runs a nice guest house for riders, called Bikers Paradise, at the foothills of the Pyrenees. As usual there are a lot of guests and Thierry and me enjoy the company of Oliver and his guest for some rides.
Olivers guest house for riders
Only Oliver went over the bridge.
In the background you'll spot the snowy Pic du Canigou. Almost impossible not to have it in the picture. Just watch the following ones.
Quick stop at the Eremita de Forca Real that offers a splendid view.
Me'n my toy at Forca Real. Thank you Oliver (or was it Thierry?) for the picture.
Ok, roads are nice in the area but off-road as well. Oliver knows some decent tracks.
Time for a brake. Jürgen asked for a proper ice cream. There you go!
Though it's already some time ago I still remember this moment with Jürgen in a Café in Prades. Man, we had fun!
Hope you're enjoying your day as I did in Prades.
Cheers
Dirk
kimangao
Registered user
On Good Friday I'm in Perpignan, close to the Spanish border. The annual Procession de la Sanch takes place and thousands of spectators line the streets.
The origin of the Procession lies in Medieval times when those sentenced to death are taken out of the city to ascend the scaffold. To avoid prisoners to be lynched by the crowd they and also the judges and the deathsmen were hidden under black robes. Only the leader of the procession wears red.
The whole scenery appears to be a real funeral and it's, surprisingly to me in such a crowd of people, a moment to realise that we all will go the same way in the end. I couldn't get rid of the impression, that many others thought the same.
Well, religion, church, dying are difficult subjects and no wonder that nearby a lot of churches there's a pub. Same here. After the Procession people have a cigarette or gather in pubs and bars to celebrate life.
To this effect: Cheers!
Dirk
The origin of the Procession lies in Medieval times when those sentenced to death are taken out of the city to ascend the scaffold. To avoid prisoners to be lynched by the crowd they and also the judges and the deathsmen were hidden under black robes. Only the leader of the procession wears red.
The whole scenery appears to be a real funeral and it's, surprisingly to me in such a crowd of people, a moment to realise that we all will go the same way in the end. I couldn't get rid of the impression, that many others thought the same.
Well, religion, church, dying are difficult subjects and no wonder that nearby a lot of churches there's a pub. Same here. After the Procession people have a cigarette or gather in pubs and bars to celebrate life.
To this effect: Cheers!
Dirk
