After the wedding season was over it was time to return back to the UK for a short while but beforehand I decided to spend a few days and nights with a friend in Angoulême to enjoy a well deserved mini break and to experience the night life of course, we sure made good use of our tip money. We opted for and stayed three nights in a budget hotel (Ibis budget) at only 30 euros per night for a standard twin room between the two of us located in easy walking distance to the train station and the centre of the main town.
Angoulême Cathedral
Angoulême is situated between La Rochelle and Bordeaux and has long been associated with animation, illustration and the graphic arts as well as being internationally known for The Angoulême International Comics Festival. You can admire and see classic French comic book characters in there humourous forms brightly painted on walls down the side streets and alleyways, covering majority of the sides of tall buildings (don't forget to look up) and in the comic book museum itself. You will also see other works of art around the town like in The Contemporary Art Museum situated near the Charente river. Angoulême is also the capital of the Charente region and is nicknamed the 'balcony of the southwest' because it overlooks the Charente river from high up on a rocky outcrop. You will also come across a giant head located in the centre of the town, this giant head will be of Hergé, the creator and author of TinTin.
Aaand then came the food... It would be rude not to go out and experience the night life Angoulême has to offer along with its fine food choice and not only from the French cuisine. If your looking for something a little spicy to warm you up then I would highly recommend paying a visit to The Garden of Kashmir, they offer yummy authentic Indian cuisine in a beautifully traditional Indian style setting. But beforehand make sure you drop into Le Café Chaud en route to the Indian for an enjoyable selection of cocktails, I can't resist a good old Mojito to start the night with.
A few doors down you will discover a Japanese restaurant (I don't remember the name of the place and can't seem to find any info), we went for the Caramel Pork option accompanied with rice, side salad and samosas, I know, it sounds very unappetising but believe me when I say it was absolutely divine. I'm always up for trying new food being the big foody I am, the pork literally melted in your mouth and every bite was bursting with flavours, the ingredients definitely worked well together to deliver such satisfaction.
The last evening meal consisted of Salmon, rice and seaweed... SUSHI Time!!! I've always been a big fan of Sushi even though I'm probably the only person amongst my family and friends back home that actually eats and likes fish. The only ingredient when it came to sushi that I've never tried is the all famous Wasabi, it pleasantly complemented the sushi very well giving it that extra kick and if I remember rightly, it was of similar taste to hot mustard.
