Hello everyone! How's this week going? Today, why don't we head off to sunny beaches along the Vendee Coast to bathe under the sun. This part of France is very sunny, so it was called Côte de Lumière which means Coast of Light. I am surprised by the amount of sun and heat this summer. Ah-huh and that's coming from someone who survived 45-50 degree Celsius summer heat in the Middle East. 

Exposure to sun during walks and hikes, I have been called french toast, brown sugar and bronzée on social media lately for my big change in skin tone. I don't mind though and this change was in spite of using sunblock regularly. All of my friends back home must be shaking their heads right about now, ready to spread sun block lotion SPF 100 (yes they exist) all over  their body like jam on a toast while under a huge umbrella for fear of the sun's rays causing a dent on their naturally or artificially light complexion.  Note to self, I need to buy myself a hat at least and this explains why I see "chappellerie" or hat shops at the town centre's market street.

Our walk begins here..

It's Father's Day today! Since it's the celebrated day for all Dads out there, I'll write about one of the many lovely walks we did as a family this week. I chose this one in particular because I got to step back from time to time, to watch my husband and my daughter.  I wanted to freeze these moments.

"In every walk in nature, one receives more than he seeks." - John Muir. Walking heals the soul. As we all know it, it's cheaper than therapy. This is what got me started on the Happy Walk Series. Life is not perfect and much as we radiate perfect bliss on social media, more often than not, it's not always what it seems. On the contrary, this is when nature, for me, steps in. A reminder that a Higher Power, Someone in control, beyond our own effort and knowledge did create such magnificence. With the reassurance of every tree caressed by the wind,  He can transform my life, my unknown future into something "meaning"-ful and yes, magnificent.    

The sandy circuit of Le Sentier de l'écluse is 5.3 km long. Guess what? 

Today, we will explore a longer walk and a more difficult one. This circuit is called "Les Bourbes" that starts at Aire de La Tantouille.  It is a 6.3 km walk with inclined paths and lots of it are sand. It was not very easy with a stroller but it is definitely a good leg workout.  The positives points of this circuit are the possibilities to explore a forest, a beach and a swamp and the tranquility you'll get from the absence of bikes. 

I am starting a series called "Happy Walk".  I have been suffering from depression quite often lately for reasons unknown to me. Hence, I found it to be an awesome cure for blues. I was surrounded by an uplifting energy within the greens and the water. It felt like nature's embrace. This made me decide to pursue and explore the different circuits nearby. 

Deja vu. Well, almost. Five years ago, we stopped here for a picnic. I remember wanting to explore the park after an early dinner on the park benches but the sun was quick to leave and we had an hour's worth of drive left. Needless to say, I missed that chance. Yet, life has its way of throwing in surprises and saying,"Cuckoo!" I daresay one of the happiest weekends I've ever had was yesterday when the family decided to spend an afternoon for a reflective walk here under the same canopy of trees, in the same forest park in Orlonne Sur Mer called Les Gravelots.

Stepped rice paddies as a honeymoon destination? Why not? Well, it was ours. After our wedding 9 years ago, we took the entire family with us for a trip to the rice terraces of Banaue. One week spent in this tranquil landscape , hiking and exploring made my family and in-laws happy.

There are many rice terraces that can be found in Banaue. Batad is my favorite.