Bora Bora

Bora Bora is a beautiful island.

Bora Bora -- simply beautiful

Before Leaving

• Allow plenty of time to get the relevant visa.
• Read up about your destinations before leaving so you can enjoy yourself straight away on arrival. Check out travel deals that are available on the Internet.
• Don’t buy loads of new clothes – be ruthless when packing – most people can manage with half what they take.
• Take an extra duffel bag – it can be used as a day bag and to bring back a few souvenirs.
• Don’t pack your passport in your suitcase – keep it in your hand luggage with your tickets.
• Try and memorize your passport number in case you lose it!
• Make 2 copies of your passport identification page. This will facilitate replacement if your passport is lost or stolen. Leave one copy at home with friends or relatives. Carry the other with you in a separate place from your passport.
• Leave a copy of your itinerary with family or friends at home so that you can be contacted in case of an emergency.
• Write down addresses of friends and family, you may want to send postcards to, in a small address book. If you can, it’s even better to make self-stick labels in advance.
• Arrange for diabetic/vegetarian/vegan meals for your flight with your travel agent.
• Remove old destination tags to avoid confusion
• Confirm your flight a couple of days in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises.
• On the day of your flight call the airport to check that your flight is on time.
• Find out how many ‘carry on bags’ your airline allows – luggage 20″x15″x10″ is average
• Purchase some water purification tablets if you are planning a stop over in a country with suspect water sources. But really, water bottles are the safest!
• Pack essentials such as a toothbrush, clean underwear and money in hand luggage, in case your check in bags get lost.
• Wear shoes that are comfortable and easy to remove for when you pass security.

During Journey

• Reduce the pain of popping ears; suck a sweet, chew gums, swallow hard or gently blow your nose.
• Try to drink plenty of water to avoid becoming dehydrated- the cabins highly pressurized air is very dry.
• Ask cabin crew if you can move to a row of unoccupied seats so you can travel in style.
• Minimize jet lag by adjusting your watch to ‘local’ time along your journey.
• It doesn’t matter how good the movie is, sleep!
• Walk around a little on the plane to help circulation and make the most of any refuel stops for a good stretch.
• Move your feet as much as possible to prevent them from swelling too much.
• Ear plugs can be a real ‘God send’ when there is a loud snorer, or a todler, next to you

On Arrival

• Try to be as alert as you can; weary travelers make easy prey for pickpockets etc.
• Avoid making long distance calls from your hotel room; it’s likely to attract a huge premium.
• Make sure any taxi you get into is legitimate. Ask for rates before you step in.
• If renting a car carefully check it for dents, scratches etc and insist the rental company makes a written note to confirm.
• Carry a 2nd ‘dummy’ wallet with a small amount of cash in case you are mugged.
• Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the countries to which you are traveling. Remember, the U.S. Constitution does not follow you! While in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws.
• If you get into trouble, contact your nearest embassy.

It is a Good Idea to…

• Book internal airline tickets at least three weeks in advance for discount.
• Get vaccinations for other foreign destinations before leaving.
• Never let a stranger look after your bag – they may steal or put something in there.
• Use reduced rate phone cards to phone home.
• Travel in a group, it is safer, cheaper and more fun.
• Plan a rough itinerary of where you would like to go.
• Buy a map if you are planning on driving.
• Find the suitable Insurance policy that covers money, medical and activities.

Equipment

• Camping/sports towels are extremely small and lightweight, they don’t smell and can be packed damp.
• Shaving oil rather than shaving cream saves valuable storage space and weight.
• A small first aid kit could be very useful for minor injuries.
• Swiss army style knives are a good idea for peeling fruit, cutting toe nails etc.
• A hat or cap can be very useful for preventing sun stroke on very hot days.
• High factor sun cream will help to minimize the risks of sun burn and skin cancer.
• Good quality sun glasses will make you look cool and stop you from cooking your eyes
• Headache tablets.
• A lightweight rain jacket can be useful.
• Clothes that don’t run (so you only have to do one washing load for everything).
• Comfortable shoes that don’t take up much room, and are suitable for various occasions.

Cognates are words that have a common etymological origin. We have compiled a list of French English cognates. These are true or semi-true cognates in that they have the same or similar meaning in both French and English. Sometimes language evolve separately and so cognates will not have the same meaning, in which case they are called false friends or faux amis.

Feuilles de Basilic au Chèvre et aux Pignons
Basil Leaves Stuffed with Chèvre and Pine Nuts

Makes 20 hors d’oeuvres Preparation: 25 minutes

Ingredients

• ½ cup pine nuts
• 4 ounces soft goat cheese (at room temperature)
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 20 large basil leaves (about 3 inches long)
• 1 medium tomato, finely chopped
• Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling

1. In small skillet, toast the pine nuts over low heat, shaking the pan occasionally, until golden (about 3 minutes). Let cool.
2. In a small bowl, mix the goat cheese with the heavy cream, salt and pepper (I also add “herbes de Provence, just because…)
3. Spread 1 teaspoon of the cheese on each basil leaf. Sprinkle with pine nuts, pressing them into the cheese. Scatter the chopped tomato on top. Pinch each leaf together near the center to form slightly rounded bowls. Drizzle with olive oil and serve.

haikulala.com: learn something about France and its culture with French haikus

• French expression = literal incorrect translation
  English equivalent
• Filer à l’anglaise = To spin in the English way
  To take a French leave
• Nous ne sommes pas sortis de l’auberge = We are not out of the inn
  We are not out of the woods
• Avoir le cafard = to have the cockroach
  To have the blues
• Casser la croûte = to break the crust
  To have a bite
• Appuyer sur le champignon = to press on the mushroom
  To accelerate
• Aller au petit coin = to go to the little corner
  To go to the loo
• C’est du tout cuit = it is all cooked
  It’s in the bag
• Un froid de canard = a cold of duck
  Perishing weather
• Pas folle la guêpe ! = Not crazy the wasp!
  I’m/You’re/He’s/She’s no fool
• La fin des haricots= The end of green beans
  The last straw
• Rire jaune = To laugh yellow
  To give a hollow laugh
• Etre marteau = To be hammer-like
  To be crazy
• Broyer du noir = To crush black
  To be depressed
• Ça ne mange pas de pain = It doesn’t eat bread
  It is not important
• Une poule mouillée = A wet chicken
  A coward
• Donner sa langue au chat = To give the cat one’s tongue
  To give up
• Passer un savon = To pass a soap
  To tear a strip off someone
• Se mettre sur son trente et un = To put oneself on one’s thirty one
  To dress up in one’s finest clothes
• En voiture Simone = In the car Simone!
  Go ahead!