vinc_bilb's VirtualTourist Home Page

"It was on the edge but we made it!" Ouuuff: I was stressed during all the week-end :)

After three intense days Sebastien Loeb and co-driver Daniel Elena were able to claim victory at the Wales Rally GB and with it their sixth consecutive World Rally Championship crown.
The battle over the title against BP-Ford's Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen was amazing and terrible.
"I'm really happy for this one because Mikko is strong," Loeb, 35, told World Rally Championship radio. "It was an incredible battle all season. Today was tough mentally as Mikko gave everything. It's been a season of highs and lows ... and it's a huge moment. The battle was so intense."

Hirvonen, who had to make do with second place in the race and the overall standings, said: "I need to go back to work and try to find more speed for next year. It was definitely the best year I've ever had but a big disappointment in the end. All I can do is try again next year."

I didn't expect to be admirative in front of a modern bridge but ... the viaduc of Millau is a real success in my view

New travel pages: (Sept 2009)
The elegant château of Chenonceau
The royal château of Chambord (Loire valley)
The Mont Saint-Michel: the shock
The Puy du Fou
Belle-Île en mer

Updated travel pages:
France (new travelogue+tips)
Paris (new travelogues)

It is rather rare to hear about the Philippines on the French television. Regrettably, that was the case these last days, in the "top news" section.
As I'm trying to stay connected with this country (and thanks to my pinos friends who updated me), I'm reading more and more the Manila times website (www.manilatimes.net)
OK, I still have the PPS (Post Philippines Sadness) symptoms.
I already received a lot from my pinos kaibigan, so ...:

The Prophet: Giving (extract)
You give but little when you give of your possessions.
It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.
And what is fear of need but need itself?

There are those who give little of the much which they have - and they give it for recognition and their hidden desire makes their gifts unwholesome.
And there are those who have little and give it all.
These are the believers in life and the bounty of life, and their coffer is never empty.
There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.
And there are those who give with pain, and that pain is their baptism.

It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding;
And to the open-handed the search for one who shall receive is joy greater than giving

A hughe variety of landscapes, traditions, monuments galore, constrats, making it one of the most popular tourist destination in the world, this is a fact, somehow surprizing for ... French.
France offers mountain ranges, coastlines such as in Brittany or along the Mediterranean Sea, cities with a rich cultural heritage, châteaux (castles) and ... vineyards.

Music (jazz, classic, rnb) with a dedicated enthusiasm to Ray Charles, Johny Clegg (the white zulu), the Santana brothers, Debussy, Mozart...

I'm used also allow my mind to travel through the books. My preferred could be the "lord of the rings" (J.Tolkien) and "the prophet" (K.Gibran) but I appreciate several kinds of types.

A specific comments for race cars: it was my dream and I'm really a "fan" of Sebastien Loeb, 5 times WRC champion. Photo credit: http://www.sebastienloeb.com/

Does facebook makes sense: my psychological profile...
I'm really not additcted to facebook but I'm impressed by the background marketing strategy they are puting in place. Amazing US compagnies which are able to create or catch some unexpected business great opportunities!

So, according to FB quiz - "THE INNER NATIONALITY QUIZ: WHAT ARE YOU REALLY?" with the result I'm Swedish. . (sorry Mam. No misunderstanding, I've nothing against Swedish!)

"Vincent, You are friendly, gentle, and modest, with a good heart and a lusty nature. You laugh easily, have a well-developed sense of irony, and tend to understand people intuitively. You are interested in new people, but will always maintain notions of insider vs. outsider, and this will lead you to commit to a group of friends and lovers who will be with you your entire life. If you have a weakness it's your timidity -- you feel pressure to remain 'lagom' -- on an even par with others. But this is also your strength..."
I'm blushing. Up to my friends to tell me if it matches with there own views! (I've my own opinion)