Jacob

The Amet Haveli is an elegant lakeside villa isolated from the bustle on the tip of a small peninsular in the lake, has rooms on two floors around a small dipping pool, courtyard, and lawn. The adjoining Ambrai restaurant offers good Indian dishes, and has what’s got to be the best view in town across the lake, be it breakfast or supper time.

Most but not all rooms have a lake view. Note electricity does go off for periods, rooms are simple but nice, although 5-6 back onto the restaurant patio so may be noisy until passed 11pm. +912942431085 amethaveli@sify.com

It’s looking like this is where I’ll head to get a new visa in October. The direct flight from Bangalore with JetStar is cheaper (£110) than to Sri Lanka (despite it being nearer), and there’s still ample chance to some mountain biking! (I actually hadn’t realised HongKong has some great parks and trails.)

Bardou is a rareity. An abandoned 16th century hill village on the edge of the the Massif de l’Espinouse, purchased and restored by a couple in the 60’s. When I was there (possibly about ‘93) they had limited running water (now they have communal heated showers), and no other conveniences such as electricity (if there’s something I learnt from my visit, it’s that candles should never be left unattended!). Judging from the attached photo (from wikipedia.de) they have since been connected at least in part.

Access is via a fire track from behind Mons/La Trivalle (near Olargues) and then foot. It’s a popular destination for nature lovers, artists and musicians. There’s a hidden waterfall with pool below the hamlet that’s a great place to chill in the summer but be warned—there’s naked Germans and giant snakes about!

I spent six months during the winter of 05/06 here. I fairly frequently went biking over the Alpilles on the GR. They’re stunning, and the countryside over beyond Les Baux, also. Beware the Mistral though, gets mighty powerful when it blows. This shot reminds me of Van Gogh’s wheatfield with cypress that I later realised was painted somewhere nearby.

Failed to get to the top as I hadn’t booked a room, but I did the Mesilau trail which I recommend in lieu of the main overused trail. The Mesilau Nature Resort is also a great place to stay. Blogged it back in ‘02.

Been through briefly on a few occasions, but must go back and explore the city (town ;) and country properly.

I was waylaid here for a day, and as a contrast to that with which I’m familiar go, it was a fascinating experience. But it’s not really somewhere I’d go intentionally, judging from what I saw out the plane window the are better places to explore in the neighbouring Gulf states.

I’ve been through briefly before, but as an email just popped into my inbox announcing that EasyJet has started a new London/Luton route to Lisbon, it’d be great to go ane explore the city a bit better—perhaps combined with a train trip down to see the Algarve again!

It’s like a weird dream in which The Architect is battling with with a seeping purgatory.

Skip the lift—not beacuse you’ll plummet to your death or anything, but because the stairs are so much more rewarding (providing you’re not claustrophobic)! Also look out for falling marble doves, they don’t look particularly well afixed from up close…

This was my local town for the first six years of my life, I’ve onyl been back once but have fond memories of Hay Bluff and the surrounding country. I suspect the town has become a bit touristic though.