My Uber upon arrival in New Zealand
No matter what anyone says, Uber is incredibly convenient when it's available, especially when arriving in a new country. Which was my case yesterday: no worries about the price, being ripped off, safety, or waiting—it's like being at home. Whether by taxi or Uber, one of the joys of this mode of transport is finding a chatty and interesting driver. I was particularly lucky yesterday. A gentleman with a beard and a thick, white, but neatly trimmed head of hair, handsome, dr
Celebrating Mother's Day in the Marquesas Islands
This was undoubtedly the most moving moment of my stay in Polynesia. It's difficult to capture in a video the atmosphere of this magnificent place, so full of color, with people in reverence singing melodies… I'm speechless. Listen for yourself, trying to get good sound and picture quality; perhaps the magic will work.
Let's not kill the beauty of the world
Reflecting on and researching the plight of young Tahitian women also means discovering, through this journey around the world, new variations on the ways in which men dominate women. Everywhere, men have effectively capitalized on their physical dominance to subjugate women and girls into a state of economic, psychological, and sexual subjugation. A kaleidoscope of horrors that is slowly killing the beauty of the world. And for once I will contradict Brel: "And I'm not sur
Tahiti, the France at the end of the world?
I thought I'd find myself in a faraway France in the South Pacific, but no, this is Polynesia, French Polynesia certainly, but first and foremost Polynesia with its indigenous population from Asia who still speak their language, part of a large family spread across the Pacific. They have their own president and their own laws. While everyone, except for a few elderly people, speaks French, they don't have a Parisian or Radio-Canada accent. More so than in Quebec, the informal
Fishing in Polynesia…
It's not like in the Gaspé Peninsula
Tattooing at the heart of culture
Tattooing is to Polynesia what maple syrup is to Quebec: a pillar of cultural identity. Almost everyone here has a tattoo. The word "tattoo" comes from the local language and is related to Rome… So I took the opportunity to get my first tattoo: a turtle. A powerful symbol in their mythology, it represents for me slow travel, traveling at a human pace. My tattoo artist, Félix, speaks to us with passion about his profession.
Jean-Marie the sculptor
I interview people I meet, the collaboration is exceptional, a great experience.
Reading in the Marquesas
I wanted to leave my mark on the land of Brel and Gauguin without losing my life, so I donated my "Pommes de route" to the village library. This led to a meeting with a passionate book lover.
Around the world, around oneself
The world is a vast mirror that reflects us back to ourselves; running away is not an option.
Hymn to the Marquesas
Brel's song drew me here and I made a music video for it
Gauguin, the mischievous painter
That's what the priests of his time called him, a polite term to describe this artist who left his mark on the history of painting. It's worth reflecting on…
Clin d’œil à David Hockney au Marquises
Draw on my IPad
Tahuata Island
I thought to myself that this small island, with no airport and only 600 inhabitants, might take me back to the Brel era; I was right. I stayed with Félix, the mayor of the municipality and headmaster of the small primary school. I slept in a very modest but clean room. The common areas consisted mainly of a large terrace overlooking equatorial vegetation and the Pacific Ocean, which roars day and night, and with a perfect angle for watching the sunsets, which are admittedly
Reflections on Brel's grave
Throughout my journey, I will be posting clips with minimal editing. These will serve as a basis for more elaborate videos produced by my collaborator, Lilou Moreau-Champagne. Here are some reflections where Johnny Cash pays homage at Jacques' grave. Instant english subtitles are available on Youtube
Creating a Facebook group
To make it easier to follow my journey, I've created a Facebook group. I invite you to join us and share it with your friends and family. THANKS https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1DxtJCqp9c/
Day 8 Hiva Oa, the island of Brel and Gauguin
I walk, I explore, I film it and I draw. Slow travel at its best.
Perle de Brel
je n’ai pas de « perles de pluie venues de pays où il ne pleut pas » à vos offrir, ici il pleut régulièrement, mais plutôt une perle d’entrevue avec une dame qui, gamine, a connu Brel.
Day 5 Reaching the ends of the earth is something you have to earn.
The island at the end of the world, where Brel and Gauguin came to end their days, is something you have to earn. After more than ten hours of flying, I finally managed to land there. This rocky outcrop, a volcanic remnant, does not give itself up easily. With an area 50% larger than the Magdalen Islands, its summit rises to over 1200 meters, higher than Mount Albert in Gaspé. Building an airport there was not easy, as it is wedged high up between two peaks. Clouds clung to i
Day 4 en route to the Marquesas Islands
Brel and Gauguin fled to the ends of the earth, and going there was a must for me, but the ends of the earth are earned. The bad weather remained stuck on their little island peak; five landing attempts and ten hours of flying later, we were back in Papeete. Panic, but not too much. I unleashed my charm on the Air Tahiti staff and finally managed to get a reservation for the next day. During the flight, I edit a video and work on finalizing some iPad creations.