法國波爾多的城堡與美酒
BORDEAUX, MAY 2003 - The name appears on millions of bottles of wine, one would almost forget it is also the name of a town in France. The place is crowded with cathedrals, statues and other monuments that remind you of its great history and cultural importance. The city became rich some centuries ago thanks to the two rivers 'Garonne' and 'Gironde', as overseas ships from many continents used the port for trading. Nowadays the port has lost its importance, but the name of Bordeaux did not lost its prestige, thanks to the sweet gold... wine !
波爾多，2003年5月—一個在酒瓶上出現了百萬次的名字，人們幾乎快忘了它還是法國一個小鎮的名字。這個地方到處都是教堂，雕塑和其它讓你憶起這個城市的偉大歷史和文化重要性的遺蹟。在幾個世紀前，由於加隆河和紀龍德河流經這裏，所以來自各個大陸的商船都把這裏作爲交易的港口，因此波爾多變得富裕了起來。現在港口已經失去了它的重要性，但是波爾多的聲譽卻一點也沒掉價，正是由於那甘甜的瓊漿—金黃色的葡萄酒！
A visit to the vineyards is a pleasure in many ways. The landscapes are just fantastic - this countryside is ideal for abicycle trip - it is great way to explore the little villages, meet the locals, experience the 'couleur locale'...
參觀葡萄園在很多方面都是一種樂趣。風景真的是太迷人了—這裏的郊野特別是自行車旅行的理想之地—那正是一種探索小村落，偶遇當地人，經歷地方色彩的絕佳方式。
The landscapes are dotted with castles (chateaux) , which makes the experience sometimes like being in a fairy tale. A lot of these 'chateaux' can be visited, often a guided tour with explanation about the wine making process and wine tasting is offered - this is really the good life ! A little word of warning however : it can become hot , very hot, and when with a bicycle, one better not exagerate wine tasting along the way...
地平線上各式各樣的城堡聳立着，那樣彷彿好像就是置身於神話的世界當中。當中很多的城堡是可以參觀的，通常會有導遊解釋葡萄酒的製作工序，並且可以提供品嚐—那真是一種多麼美妙的生活啊！但是，一個小小的警告：葡萄酒可能會變得很烈，非常烈，所以當你騎着自行車旅行時，最好別沿途誇大你的酒量……
But don't worry , the good life can be continued when one comes back in the evening and can enjoy the richness of the French cuisine. Oysters, 'Foie gras', different 'Patés', of course with the appropriate choice of Bordeaux is difficult to make a choice from the menu here and did I mention the deserts yet ? Many nice restaurants, often at great locations with a nice atmosphere. And dfter dinner a nice stroll in town, watch the sun set, and then a nightcap in the hotel - good life can be simple !
但是也不必太擔心，當夕陽西下踏上歸途時，美好的生活仍然可以繼續，你可以享受到豐富的法國菜，牡蠣，鵝肝，和其它各式各樣的東西，當然，適度的波爾多葡萄酒更是一個不錯的選擇…要從這些菜單中做出選擇那真是一件爲難的事情，對了，我有提及甜點嗎？有許多優雅的旅館，通常坐落在很好的位置並且氛圍都不錯。晚飯過後，在小鎮的路上緩緩而行，靜觀夕陽西下，然後在睡前於旅館裏喝上一杯—簡單的生活也是一種幸福！
Bordeaux, a place to remember and return to !
波爾多，一個令人懷念和想重返的地方！
