June in Cannes, Cote d'Azur, French Riviera

The first time out of the past many times that I could have visited this city in summer time.  It was so hot to 30 degree celsius.  The city has become so different - vibrant, crowded and lively (more shops opened and a crowded beach).

Cannes going silent, Southern France

18 years ago when I first came here, even when it was at night, it was still very crowded.  Considering a town with 1km long and 200 meter wide with 40,000 visitors, that was the golden era.  This year, it dropped to 5,000 visitors.  On the last photo, that's Carrefour I often visit for some Evian and fresh fruits.  

A few hours of sun out of a week of rain and wind, Southern France

The first 6 photos were taken on the only sunny afternoon during my stay in Cannes.  Later on it became so rainy and windy that it had been really chilling cold.  The whole European continent has been having some rough weather.  My umbrella has been with me all the time and it almost got broken.

Paris, after the rain

There are times whenever I see some scenes, I would think about my grand parents and parents.  What if they could be with me to see it.  What if they didn't get bothered with their tough living days but simply joined me at these scenes.  What if I see them smile.  What if they see me smile too.

Cafe Boheme, Cannes, Southern France

Noticed this new comer in Cannes and gave it a try. Was impressed and a few days later I brought my colleagues to try it. I took their dinner set at around Euros 36+. I chose a half dozen of live oysters as appetizer. So fresh that it has some crunchy texture. So as to make it less guilty, I ordered a side order for a green salad. Then I took a veal escallop as main course. Very tender and a very nice rocket salad with light olive/lemon dressing. Check photo 6 grilled tuna. It's the best tuna steak I have ever tried! Note that there isn't any sauce on it, simply because it's so fresh. I took their house made ice cream. Very nice texture and not so sweet. Their creme brulee is very aromatic. I'll put this new restaurant in my future eating agenda in Cannes.

Antibes, a peaceful town in Southern France.

Along with Cannes and Nice in Cote d' Azur (coast of the blue), there are some beautiful peaceful towns. Antibes and Juan Les Pins are the two next to each other at around 10-15km east of Cannes. It takes about 10 minutes on train. Since it's in the winter time, the town has become quieter than it should be, but in a relaxing environment.

Au Riche-Lieu restaurant, Cannes, Southern France

This restaurant is one of the very few that I have seen them still surviving in business. It also reminded me of a very good old business friend. He brought me to this restaurant 15 years ago, as he knew that I like small run restaurants. I recall we shared some comments and one is still fresh to me as "don't look down on small and new restaurants, as we were also small and once young. Looking down them means looking down our past.". He was a very senior person and often told me not to stress out myself since he noticed on my hectic meeting schedules in Cannes. He saw his younger time from my shadow making him recall how he was way back in the 70's of Cannes. He sighed "I did make much money but now I use this money for medicine to live on. You have to grab your time to see things other than your job....". I used to buy him some ginseng products on those years of trips to Cannes. Unfortunately for some reason, he got serious sick 10 years ago and we lost contact....

This restaurant Au Riche-Lieu serves some very local dishes. During lunch time, they have a Euros 9.5 lunch set for a main course plus coffee. FYI, taking one main course in many restaurants in Cannes can cost at around Euros 12-20. Tried their steak (photo 1) and seafood pie (photo 2). Both are superb, especially in considering the price. This restaurant is a very solid professional cooking uncle to me after all these years.

Jean Luc Pele cake shop, Cannes, Southern France

The shop was just opened on my latest annual French leave for Cannes. I was tempted to go in because of the strong aroma of its almond tart (photo 2). Out of curiosity, I tried their lemon raspberry tart (photo 1). Both are so much beyond my expectation. Nice texture and perfect sweetness. The lemon raspberry tart is very zesty and fruity but not that sour. Highly recommended!