Author Archives: JJS

Unexpected paradise

Posted on February 14, 2025 by JJS

🇬🇧 Unforgettable escape to Sanya Tropical islands—they’re the stuff of dreams and the source of endless holiday envy. During my expat stint in Shanghai, I found myself with a few days off and a hankering for something different. Enter Sanya, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Beach Destinations, Expat Life, Personal adventures, Team Building, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Imagine

Posted on February 13, 2025 by JJS

🇫🇷 Un rêve toujours en attente de se réaliser Il y a plus de 50 ans, John Lennon sortait Imagine, une chanson devenue un hymne à la paix, à l’unité et à l’espoir. Ses paroles simples mais profondes dessinaient une … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture and Knowledge, Hope, Music, Peace, Personal Reflection, World & Society | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Back to the emerald isle

Posted on February 12, 2025 by JJS

🇬🇧 Guinness, Gaelic and grand adventures Ireland is calling again, and who are we to ignore the siren song of the Emerald Isle? Especially when there are direct (and dirt-cheap) flights from our town to Dublin. Now, I may have … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Food and Drink, Ireland, Road Trips, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The week that was – 06/2025

Posted on February 9, 2025 by JJS

🇬🇧 Time certainly flies—perhaps because I keep myself quite busy. This past week was no exception, packed with unexpected twists, delightful reunions, and a touch of American culture to round it all off. A week ago, a train cancellation forced … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture & History, France, Personal experiences, Travel, Weekly recap | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Merveilles Parisiennes

Posted on February 6, 2025 by JJS

🇫🇷 J’ai fait quelque chose de monumentale stupide, j’ai supprimé mon article de blog original. Paf ! Disparu. Volatilisé dans l’éther numérique d’un simple clic maladroit. Et laissez-moi vous dire que je ne suis pas ravi. Cependant, comme les souvenirs … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture & History, Food & Dining, Paris, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Retromobile 2025

Posted on February 5, 2025 by JJS

A live letter to chrome, exhaust fumes and aching feet More photos here Some people start their day with a brisk jog or a green smoothie. I, on the other hand, took an Uber to Porte de Versailles, ready to … Continue reading →

Posted in Automotive Events, Car Exhibitions, Classic Cars, Collectible Cars, Travel & Experiences | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Paris

Posted on February 4, 2025 by JJS

🇬🇧 A day of culture, nostalgia and a dash of gastronomy in Paris Perhaps it was the proximity of our hotel to the Sorbonne, that grand temple of knowledge, that inspired us to dedicate the day to culture. Or perhaps … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture & History, Paris, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The curse of compliments

Posted on February 3, 2025 by JJS

A train tale Did I, by any chance, mention how smooth and delightful our train journey was yesterday? If so, I would like to formally retract that statement and accept full responsibility for what has followed. This morning, the train … Continue reading →

Posted in Life's Little Surprises, Personal reflections, Slow Travel, Train Journeys, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Train ride

Posted on February 2, 2025 by JJS

🇬🇧 There’s something delightful about old-school train travel. Currently, I’m comfortably settled in a first-class carriage on the Intercités, gliding from Carcassonne to Bordeaux. I’ve been looking forward to this trip all week, and so far, it’s living up to … Continue reading →

Posted in France, Personal reflections, Slow Travel, Train Journeys, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Nostalgia

Posted on January 29, 2025 by JJS

Every bar in France counter had this hard boiled egg holder together with a salt dispenser. I wonder why it disappeared. Dans chaque bar en France, le comptoir était équipé de ce porte-Å“ufs durs accompagné d’un distributeur de sel. Je … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment