The "Old Lady" of Paris and the view from the Notre Dame towers.
Sunday, 8 September 2013
Saturday, 7 September 2013
Why would a travel sickness tablet make me sleepy today but do nothing on the plane?
I left the window open (didn't realise how amazing double glazing is) and woke to the sounds of a strange city. Snippets of conversations, children chatting away, motor cars (they even sound different), bikes and scooters and the quiet swoosh of push bikes going past. The narrow streets and very Parisian buildings added to the strange feeling. It took a couple of minutes for it all to sink in. We're in Paris!!!
One of my favourite parts of the day was sitting in the Jardins des Tuileries watching the world go by. Love the green chairs scattered around the ponds and fountains and in the shade under the trees. There were so many people out and about in the lovely weather. I guess we take a beautiful day for granted - warm sunshine, gentle breeze and lots of places to laze about.
A couple of hundred people on a barge, a cheesy commentary and add the threat of feeling seasick meant I wasn't too sure about the whole touristy trip along the river but it turned out to be worth it. Again hundreds of people along the canals - sitting, walking and enjoying the sunshine. Must find an interesting walk to do.
Learnt something new last night, just because it's a very french looking bistro and the dish has an impressive french name doesn't mean it will taste good. I ended up with chicken chips and a rather sad little salad. Hope I do better next time.
We dropped into the chocolatrie next door. We told the proprietière that we got a delicious whiff every time we walked down the stairs so were offered a sample of the product. Long story short we walked out with a tiny box of the most delicious chocolate ever. Cost a bit but very worth it. Unfortunately it will probably become a regular stop, just like the patisserie that has the macaroons and the boulangerie. Lots of walking ain't gonna be enough!
We are heading out early (yes Brodie, early) in the morning, jumping on the RER and Metro and going to a marché (local market) that has incredible food and wares by all accounts. More eating and walking, hoping one is cancelled out by the other.
Steph
Paris a samedi
First, an apology. Yesterday's entry sounded sooo boring. I'll try to be a bit more upbeat with this one but after the election news, it will be difficult. Steph is very upset about her Swans losing to my Hawks in the AFL too.
Saturday dawned bright and sunny, 21 degrees maximum predicted.
Frst agenda item was a metro trip back to the Pompidou centre to pick up some postcards we promised to the kids, then a nice wander down to the banks of the Seine.
Then a walk through the grounds of the Louvre into les jardins de Tuileries for our standard packed lunch.
Sitting in parks and people-watching is one of the best parts about being a tourist. Just near us were a young couple from Manchester. The guy had brought his girlfriend over to Paris for the weekend and proposed to her in the Tuileries gardens. She was crying, he was smiling, so we figured they were happy tears and offered our congratulations and took a photo for them to remember the moment. We are softies at heart!!! They were a very nice young couple and we chatted to them for a while before wandering down the rue de Rivoli to the metro station at Place de la Concorde and back for a quick afternoon rest.
Brodie is getting quite good at working out the Paris metro so we think she'll be ok when we put her on the Eurostar to London next Tuesday. She has big plans for an extended stay in London and the UK and I think she will be fine.
This afternoon we took a tour on the Bateau Parisienne (tourist boat) on the Seine. Steph was a bit worried about motion sickness so took a pill for it. Now we are back at the apartment and she has secumbed to the effects of the pill and is having a little nap.
Cheeses: we've had some pasta before and again tonight, so there's Parmesan (oops, Italian).
Dinner (tortellini with goat's cheese - shh) is on the way so "au revoir" for now.
Saturday dawned bright and sunny, 21 degrees maximum predicted.
Frst agenda item was a metro trip back to the Pompidou centre to pick up some postcards we promised to the kids, then a nice wander down to the banks of the Seine.
Then a walk through the grounds of the Louvre into les jardins de Tuileries for our standard packed lunch.
Sitting in parks and people-watching is one of the best parts about being a tourist. Just near us were a young couple from Manchester. The guy had brought his girlfriend over to Paris for the weekend and proposed to her in the Tuileries gardens. She was crying, he was smiling, so we figured they were happy tears and offered our congratulations and took a photo for them to remember the moment. We are softies at heart!!! They were a very nice young couple and we chatted to them for a while before wandering down the rue de Rivoli to the metro station at Place de la Concorde and back for a quick afternoon rest.
Brodie is getting quite good at working out the Paris metro so we think she'll be ok when we put her on the Eurostar to London next Tuesday. She has big plans for an extended stay in London and the UK and I think she will be fine.
This afternoon we took a tour on the Bateau Parisienne (tourist boat) on the Seine. Steph was a bit worried about motion sickness so took a pill for it. Now we are back at the apartment and she has secumbed to the effects of the pill and is having a little nap.
Cheeses: we've had some pasta before and again tonight, so there's Parmesan (oops, Italian).
Dinner (tortellini with goat's cheese - shh) is on the way so "au revoir" for now.
Abbott!!!!??!???!
What's going on Australia? We leave you alone for one minute with an election, and you stuff it up!
We may become political refugees in Europe.
We may become political refugees in Europe.
Friday, 6 September 2013
Tourists at large
Ok, I've given up on trying to load photos in this blog until I can work out why it doesn't like iPads.
Anyway, today, Friday, started out looking pretty bad as there were early thunderstorms and occasional rain. It was a bit of a relief after the heat of the previous days and we started out on the Metro once it eased around 9 am. Got off at Opéra as we and seen it the day before and knew it was near les Galleries Lafayette.
For those who don't know, think of a Myers store, times ten - with prices to match. Lots of clothes for Steph and Brodie to look and drool over. The central part of the store opens into a glass domed gallery all done in coloured patterns. Difficult to describe - needs a photo!
We found another store nearby and Brodie was able to add to her wardrobe with some bargains. As the rain started again, we took shelter in a cosmetic store (yawn) then headed out to the local stop for Les Cars Rouge (the tour bus we had also used yesterday).
This took us back to les Champs Èlysèes and we got off up the top near l'Arc de Triomphe. I don't know how the cyclists in the Tour de France can ride on these cobblestoned streets; I know I felt every one as the bus drove over them.
We gave the calf muscles a workout climbing the helical stairs in l'Arc but the view from the top was really worth it. The detail in the stonework is incredible too. We then ate our packed lunch before heading back down les Champs eyeing off the shops and the people. I did find the Paris Saint-Germain (football club) store and bought another t-shirt.
Then on to the Louvre. Just another big Wow! Yes to the Mona Lisa, yes to the Venus de Milo, but so much more. After many hours we were really flagging and decided to head back to the apartment via the Metro to Pont d'Alma - our nearest stop.
In the evening we has a drink at our local, Les Vielle Vignes (the old vines), then treated ourselves to a meal in a nearby bistro.
Then crashed!
Anyway, today, Friday, started out looking pretty bad as there were early thunderstorms and occasional rain. It was a bit of a relief after the heat of the previous days and we started out on the Metro once it eased around 9 am. Got off at Opéra as we and seen it the day before and knew it was near les Galleries Lafayette.
For those who don't know, think of a Myers store, times ten - with prices to match. Lots of clothes for Steph and Brodie to look and drool over. The central part of the store opens into a glass domed gallery all done in coloured patterns. Difficult to describe - needs a photo!
We found another store nearby and Brodie was able to add to her wardrobe with some bargains. As the rain started again, we took shelter in a cosmetic store (yawn) then headed out to the local stop for Les Cars Rouge (the tour bus we had also used yesterday).
This took us back to les Champs Èlysèes and we got off up the top near l'Arc de Triomphe. I don't know how the cyclists in the Tour de France can ride on these cobblestoned streets; I know I felt every one as the bus drove over them.
We gave the calf muscles a workout climbing the helical stairs in l'Arc but the view from the top was really worth it. The detail in the stonework is incredible too. We then ate our packed lunch before heading back down les Champs eyeing off the shops and the people. I did find the Paris Saint-Germain (football club) store and bought another t-shirt.
Then on to the Louvre. Just another big Wow! Yes to the Mona Lisa, yes to the Venus de Milo, but so much more. After many hours we were really flagging and decided to head back to the apartment via the Metro to Pont d'Alma - our nearest stop.
In the evening we has a drink at our local, Les Vielle Vignes (the old vines), then treated ourselves to a meal in a nearby bistro.
Then crashed!
Thursday, 5 September 2013
Day 2 - still jet lagged
rRNA
Day 2 and I'm not sure if it's still jet lag or climbing up all those stairs at Notre Dame. By about three o'clock I was pretty much wiped out. We were at the Pompidou Centre and some of the art was just confusing. I know everyone has something to say, but I don't always need to know what it is. On the whole, though, it is an amazing building with thought-provoking art set in an incredible place. You have to admit the French do old really well but also embrace modern with enthusiasm.
We sat in the park at the la tour Eiffel during the heat of the afternoon and watched the passing parade, assuming most of the strangeness was tourists rather than locals. The 5 minute walk back to our small but comfortable apartment gives me time to be impressed by the parking skills of the locals. With only centimetres to spare they manage to get in the tightest places. The occasional bump seems acceptable and it usually takes 3 or 4 manoeuvres. It takes me more than that with metres to spare.
The local area is great. More restaurants than you could possibly go to if you had a month of eating out. A local supermarket with what seems like reasonably prices, a great boulangerie and just around the corner a patisserie with macaroons to die for. Brodie and I love the chocolate ones. 5 for 6 euros seems like a bargain.
We are on the first floor, high enough to watch the passing parade but not too high to find climbing the wonderful old staircase a chore. On one side of the front door is a chocolatrie and on the other side a friendly bar, what more could we ask for?
We were going to go on the river cruise tonight but a couple of wines downstairs and a late dinner means it will happen another night. Chris can manage a wonderful meal with 2 pots, 2 burners and basic ingredients. What a star!
An early start tomorrow will have us back on the Les Cars Rouges, a walk along the Champs Élysées (if it's not too hot) and onto the Louvre.
Day 2 and I'm not sure if it's still jet lag or climbing up all those stairs at Notre Dame. By about three o'clock I was pretty much wiped out. We were at the Pompidou Centre and some of the art was just confusing. I know everyone has something to say, but I don't always need to know what it is. On the whole, though, it is an amazing building with thought-provoking art set in an incredible place. You have to admit the French do old really well but also embrace modern with enthusiasm.
We sat in the park at the la tour Eiffel during the heat of the afternoon and watched the passing parade, assuming most of the strangeness was tourists rather than locals. The 5 minute walk back to our small but comfortable apartment gives me time to be impressed by the parking skills of the locals. With only centimetres to spare they manage to get in the tightest places. The occasional bump seems acceptable and it usually takes 3 or 4 manoeuvres. It takes me more than that with metres to spare.
The local area is great. More restaurants than you could possibly go to if you had a month of eating out. A local supermarket with what seems like reasonably prices, a great boulangerie and just around the corner a patisserie with macaroons to die for. Brodie and I love the chocolate ones. 5 for 6 euros seems like a bargain.
We are on the first floor, high enough to watch the passing parade but not too high to find climbing the wonderful old staircase a chore. On one side of the front door is a chocolatrie and on the other side a friendly bar, what more could we ask for?
We were going to go on the river cruise tonight but a couple of wines downstairs and a late dinner means it will happen another night. Chris can manage a wonderful meal with 2 pots, 2 burners and basic ingredients. What a star!
An early start tomorrow will have us back on the Les Cars Rouges, a walk along the Champs Élysées (if it's not too hot) and onto the Louvre.
Day 1 and a bit ...
Finally! We arrived in Paris after a quick stopover in Singapore with a bit of shopping therapy in the terminal stores. Stephanie and her niece, Brodie, required this therapy. I just wanted a good lie down.
First 2 cheeses were included in airline meals: 1) hard, rubbery and tasteless. 2) soft, rubbery and tasteless. I don't think they merited a varietal name.
Our arrival in Paris was at about 9:30 am following a quick train ride from the airport. Unfortunately, we couldn't pick up the apartment key until 5 pm so we took the Metro to the Champ de Mars and lazed under the Eiffel Tower. I later took the Metro back across the city, collected the key, back to the girls, then a 10 minute walk to the apartment.
Found that the cable wi-fi wouldn't work until we disconnected it from the TV. Now we're flying.
First 2 cheeses were included in airline meals: 1) hard, rubbery and tasteless. 2) soft, rubbery and tasteless. I don't think they merited a varietal name.
Our arrival in Paris was at about 9:30 am following a quick train ride from the airport. Unfortunately, we couldn't pick up the apartment key until 5 pm so we took the Metro to the Champ de Mars and lazed under the Eiffel Tower. I later took the Metro back across the city, collected the key, back to the girls, then a 10 minute walk to the apartment.
Found that the cable wi-fi wouldn't work until we disconnected it from the TV. Now we're flying.
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