Lance Armstrong & Rafael Nadal

So Rafael Nadal was playing at the Chennai Open last week. Danielle went but didn't really manage to zoom on him (for there was no zoom on my camera...). She did try to get close though!!
(his arm on the left)

Then why Lance Armstrong? because I felt like doing the tour de France when I went with Amandine, to Mahabalipuram by bicycle this week-end. 50 km in 3h. Coming back the following day.

10:00: Starting from IIT
















12:00 "le soleil au zénith" little break along the road for sun cream session and a coconut fresh juice... still 1 h to go!












14:00: Lunch at our favorite place the "bob marley" restaurant with Aurore and Kulpreet who joined by bus...
20:00 In the evening, traditional dance festival in front of the ruins. Magique !!














The return back to Chennai went alright and we arrived just on time for our yoga class. The next day we allowed ourself a little brownie :-)

Management Roof Top

Last week we made a big reunion on the Management roof top so we could gather all together again, after the xmas holidays and also meet the 3 new german girls: Susan, Elena and Charlotte and Iens, a german boy.
The management roof top is better than any other roof top. Big, clean, with a terrace and lights, and... a sink !!

For the occasion, the girls dressed in their prettiest saree !!

Not bad !! (Danielle, Anna, Charlotte)

As you can imagine, it is not easy to put a saree correctly. Fortunately, the indian girls helped them to adjust them.

Oh, I started some ballet dance class that's why there I am showing them the new steps !!
>> notice how graceful Anna is holding her beer :-)

Xmas Rangoli

This is MY first rangoli in my house in Switzerland. Colors directly from India, took 3 hours. Stayed 4 days.

BEFORE & AFTER

Switzerland :-)

Xmas menu: turkey, special home-made stuffing, beans, sweet potatoes, potatoes, cranberry jam, gravy AND a glass of red wine. The cooks: My brother-in-law, my dad and my brother giving them moral support

I flew back to Switzerland for 2 weeks. For Xmas and New year's eve but especially to catch up on my meat diet :-) On the planning:

- the 3 F : Family, Food & Fun !!

- Flammenkueche ( cheese, cream, mushrooms, onions, bacon)

- Shopping in Geneva with Charles

- Indian evening where I tried some Pav Baji and Channa masala...>

TRIP to RAMESWARAM etc.

The day before i flew back for christmas (14th Dec), last day at the beach at our favorite restaurant in Mahabalipuram: the BOB MARLEY restaurant ! Cheers and merry christmas!!

My friend Valerie, from Neuchatel, has visited me on 3rd of december. For 2 weeks we travelled around the south of india. To give an idea:
Night train from Chennai to Mysore (8h)
1 night in Mysore
Bus from Mysore to Ooty (5h)
1 night in Ooty
Train from Ooty to someplace (1h)
Bus from someplace to Coimbatore (3h)
Night train from Coimbatore to Ernakulam (Kochi) (7h)
2 nights in Kochi
Bus from Kochi to Rameswaram via Madurai (15h!!)
3 nights in Rameswaram
Bus from Rameswaram to Madurai (4h)
Night train from Madurai to Chennai (10h)

That is what you will go through if you come to visit me !!








Valerie trying her first SWEET PAN in Mysore


Crossing the Nilgiri Hills (or "3 hours standing up in a crowded bus")









With our friends from the cricket team of Rameswaram, counting the score

The walk to Danushkodi with Malachami, Balamurugan, Angu (& Ramar)...