Pomaria in Casez, Italy

This year's celebration of Pomaria- apple harvest - in Val di Non took place in Casez on October 8 & 9.  Pomaria typically showcases the various types of apples Val di Non is so well known, as well as all sorts of produce from the region.

We arrived at the hill top town of Casez before noon.

Stacks of fall produce such as in the photo greeted us at the entrances to Casez

The entrance roads were closed and police officers directed the drivers to park their vehicles at designated spots.  In our case, we parked our car right by one of the apple orchards which bordered the town.  Just as we were heading to the center of the festivities, we noticed several people huddling over a few crates of Melinda apples at the edge of the orchard.   We eventually found out the fruits were for sale at an unbelievably cheap price of Euro18 per box.  Melinda, to me is one variety which is hard to beat.  It's huge and juicy and unfortunately, can't be found in Asia, where I come from.

The town was thronged with people from all walks of life.  Booths were gaily decorated and there was a variety of produce on display.

The guys were demonstrating how cheese is made.

Artists too were present.  This guy was sculpting a voluptuous woman in between an apple core.

Apple cider

All kinds of cheese from Val di Non

What would an apple festival be,without a homemade apple pie?

Melinda booths

An exhibit which really caught my interest was that of the variety of apples grown world wide.  I was baffled and excited by the multitude of names and colors that a simple fruit can have.

Apples, apples, everywhere!

Not forgetting a little corner for pears!

OK, I went crazy snapping photos of these babies... 

We also entered what looked like a barn and to our surprise, there was an exhibit on special apples around the region.

Look how big the apple is compared to a fist

Apple freak show: all sorts of deformed apples. 

This variety is very peculiar.  It's red inside!

Even the garlands are made of crabapples

Crabapples

Overall, Pomaria was a colorful experience to us. We certainly look forward to check it out again in 2012!

These apples remind me of the ones illustrated in a fairy tale I read when I was a kid.  You guess it: Snow White!

La lumière en Provence/ the light in Provence

or why we traveled to Provence.  Ever since I watched the movie Jean de Florette back in school, followed by a few viewings of its sequel, Manon des sources, with Jack, we've always wanted to head to that country to witness first hand the savage beauty of the land. Provence, in the splendor of the bright sunlight, its sometimes barren rocky landscape, with tall cypresses, oak lined streets and gnarled olive trees didn't disappoint me.

We stayed at an idyllic, rustic olive farm in Maussane les Alpilles from Oct 1 to 4.  The olive mill and residences were off the grid; Google map only showed the turnoff leading to the farm.  The B&B was about to shut in a few days as the proprietor and her crew were preparing to begin the olive harvest.  The first night Jack and I were at Mas du Boutonnet, we felt we were missing something.  Yes!  Noise! Stark silence reigned over the place.   Our hostess apologetically told us we should be aware that sometimes her two Labs would bark, an indication the wild boars were at bay.  We were dead tired we couldn't hear the dogs.  In fact, I was certain I couldn't even hear a cricket!

See Jack, Miriiam's acting cool and I ain't gonna bother her.  I just want to be in the photo.

Olive farm stretches at the far end of the oaks

We drove southeast of Maussane les Alpilles the next morning and rejoiced spending Sunday at the various markets(food/books/flea) which to our delight sprung up in the sprawling town of Aix-en-Provence. Be aware that finding parking space is a total nightmare here.  It's best to leave your car at the train station.

Food market at Place Richelme.  It usually ends at 1p.m.

Cheese and cuts

Flea market at the town's ring road

Our curiosity made us detour to Isle sur la Sorgue on the way to Luberon country.  An antique market was in full swing when we arrived at the rather touristy town bordered by canals.

One of the pretty canals

We then rushed to Gordes, Bonnieux and Apt to catch these age old towns bathed in dazzling sunlight before sunset.

Gordes, a town nestling on a bed of rocks.  There's some Greek influences to it.

Gordes

Bonnieux

Bonnieux from afar

On Monday, we visited Arles and its Roman ruins,

Theatre antique where only 2 columns have stood the test of time

Part of Les Arenes which has undergone major restoration

Les Arenes, now used to stage bullfights

St Etienne-du-Gres for a short stop at Les Olivades Factory Story(very Provencale fabrics by the yard, table linens, shirts and blouses) on Chemin des Indienneurs,

 Les Baux for a striking view over Val d'Enfer

and St. Remy to catch the famed ruins of Glanum.   Sadly, we missed the last allowed entrance party and had to console ourselves walking among the publicly-available ruins.

Part of the remaining mausoleum

Archway

Now, I have to make a personal opinion on the light in Provence.  It's fantastic!   It has always been so Van Gogh went crazy when he came to this region that he painted in circles, reflecting the state of his mind.  Well, that's just my 5 centimes worth of opinion!