1st Jan - Bus Trip to London

We had a bus trip booked to London the next day. The train trips that day were soooo expensive, the bus was the only viable alternative (really did feel like hitching a ride). We got to the bus terminal well before time, picked up the tickets & had a bite to eat for brunch. But we boarded the bus far too late to get a seat together & so had to make do with sitting across the aisle from each other cause no one was prepared to move.
Then about an hour or two into the trip, we came to the border. It was snowing quite heavily but, nevertheless, we had to unload all our gear from the bus & line up to go through a customs check. Bec was not at all impressed by this particular process! I liked feeling the snow land on my face though.
Back on the bus, we tried to get a bit of sleep – almost impossible for me – despite a couple of American yobbos who insisted on being load so others could hear them.

31st Dec - NYE in Paris

I’d chosen Paris cause it was widely rated as the 2nd best place to be at New Years Eve in the world. Come NYE, Bec & I went to a nicer restaurant in St Germain & had a lovely very French meal – bring on the snails for me!! We then walked all the way back to hotel & were there by 10pm. Then couldn’t really be bothered going down to the Eiffel Tower for a look see at the fireworks, so stayed in & watched a movie. Not the planned event, but it was raining heavily outside, & standing in the rain in the middle of a drunk wild crowd neither of us fancied. So, a relaxing night in seemed a great way to celebrate the end of a wonderful year & introduction of an even better new one.

An Eerie Adventure - Paris Catacombs

I’d heard that an unusual place to check out were the catacombs. I’d missed out on visiting the ones in Rome, & got there too late in Paris to see these last time I was here. But we headed out there, a bit unsure of what to expect, & lined up for an hour to get through the entrance.
After the experience of going deep inside the pyramid a Giza in Egypt, I realised quickly while descending the steps down into the bowels of Paris that I had become somewhat claustrophobic. Interesting – never been claustrophobic before. After the descent, we came upon millions of human skulls & bones all arranged in patterns along the tunnel walls. Built in the 18th century after residents complained about the lack of hygiene from local cemeteries, the bones of over 6 million Parisians were moved here deep underground.
It’s a very eerie, creepy experience walking around down there in a semi-dark environment. No wonder there were so many more guys than girls there.

Living the Bohemian Life in Paris

Long sleep ins...late, late nights...writing, reading, writing...cafes, cafes, cafes. It must have been Bec’s influence cause we almost seemed a bit like locals, especially chilling out in local cafes here & there. We did lots of walking, mostly to St Germain to check out shopping opportunities, or cute little cafes. A very relaxed, artistic existence – just what we both wanted here.
One day we found a little cafe which served coffees from all over the world. Unfortunately we stumbled upon this late in the afternoon & because of the strength of the coffees, we were both bouncing off the walls till late into the eve. And that’s only with one each under our belts!
Another day, another little cafe located in St Germain that was just incredibly decorated in this old world style – so quaint - & served to-die-for hot chocolate & other chocolately tarts that filled us both to the brim. Had to roll out of there later.

28th Dec - Arrival in Sweet Paris, Again

It was quite a way by train to Paris via Zurich. We had time enough at Zurich train station to grab a quick bite to eat in a smoke-filled cafe before connecting on to Paris.
Arriving in Paris late at night, there was no other acceptable option than grabbing a taxi to our hotel. I wasn’t expecting the high quality of Austria, even though it was still as expensive. And I’m glad my expectations weren’t set too high. The hotel was ok – clean & fairly roomy in a quite central location. We unpacked for the 4 nights we would stay there, then crashed. My second time in Paris this trip – people might think I’m becoming Bohemian!

Arche de Triomphe

I got out here on my last day in Paris & there was some type of war ceremony happening at the time with a band & decorated soldiers holding flags in remembrance. The details on the monument were beautiful, but it was not as spectacular as I’d expected. There were people everywhere & it was difficult to move around, so maybe this stifled my opportunity for further discovery & appreciation.

Sacre Coere

A famous cathedral on the top of a hillside in the same district as Moulin Rouge, there were oodles of people milling about on what was a beautiful sunny day in Paris. The walk up the stairs to the church was an event in itself. People sunning themselves on the grass, make do stalls selling trinkets on the side, buskers singing ‘Bye, bye Miss American Pie’ & getting a hundred or more others to sing along, it was a feast for the eyes with more people outside than in.
No, I’m not Catholic (or even Christian really) but I was really moved by this church, & after feeling more than a bit homesick, I shed a few tears while sitting on one of the pews looking around. Quite weird for me really, but somehow comforting.

The Louvre - Spectacular!

What can you say about the Louvre but ‘wow’. You really need at least a full day (or two) here to take in all the artwork. I arrived at about 2pm & was pleased that the line was small & took really no time at all to enter. I spent only 4 hours there & became completely overwhelmed by the end. So much magnificent art to view, so many details, my attention tired after scouring so many details. Remember to take comfortable shoes too.

The Eiffel Tower

Not a favourite landmark for Parisiennes, of which many are really quite disgusted by it. Imposing as it is, it is also quite an ugly figure. I decided to avoid the enormous queue of people waiting for the lift & walk the first two levels, which also ended being much cheaper (9 euros to the top, I think). There weren't too many people walking up (wonder why?) & the journey was quite lovely. The lift from the 2nd level to the top was a bit scary - moves really quickly & you can see out & down.

I fondly remembered the doco I'd seen with Nigel at my place back in Sydney about the woman who married the Eiffel Tower & consumated her relationship on one of its pylons (which I, strangely enough, didn't look out for).

It was on the 2nd level that I met an Australian woman from Melbourne called Michelle & we tagged along with each other for the rest of the day. It was around dinner time when I think Michelle & I realised that we had some interesting value clashes & both silently decided not to exchange contact details.

28th May - Notre Dame

My first stop on the tourist circuit in Paris was Notre Dame, the second cathedral on my tour after Westminster Abbey. There were quite a few people mingling about the square outside with almost as many people perusing the church on the inside. Although not a religious person, I do at times feel peaceful & reflective when visiting these places. I guess because of all the hope, grief, prayer & faith that is shared by so many within these walls. Not sure really, but I am moved.

27th - 31st May - Around Sweet Paris

As soon as I'm in a new city, like Paris, I like to wander around & get my bearings before seeing the sights. I walked past oodles of patisserie shops, trying to stop my mouth watering & remembering my gluten-free diet. And there is just so much to see here - everywhere there is history & monuments & activity - it's bustling. Of course, this comes with an insane amount of tourists (like me) to boot, & the monuments can get really crowded.

There is a definitely cool chic to Paris that oozes from its residents. A rebellious streak underneath an almost arrogant temperament that demands respect & attention. The people are mostly stylish & beautiful, or try vainly to be. The biggest fad is sipping a cafe expresso on the sidewalk & watching the people go by. I was more than happy to join the locals in doing just this (except for my cafe creme order).

Note: Didn't find a good coffee in Paris...

My Hotel Treat in Paris

After feeling a bit low over the last few days, I'd decided to treat myself to a nice hotel in Paris. Don't get excited, I'm only talking about a 3-star instead of a 1 or 2-star. I'd found a great deal on booking.com for a place called Hotel Gabriel near the Republique in Paris (not too far out & easy Metro access). It was 139 euros per night - not bad for Paris.

So it was with great pleasure that I first beheld the sight of my room - ahhhh. The bed was exquisite, especially after the bloody hard beds in China & the too soft beds in London. I was sleeping on a cloud. The only issue I had with the hotel was the noise that you hear in the mornings from the cleaners - they do start their vacuums a bit too early for my liking.

Nevertheless, I looked forward to coming back to my comfy room every night!

27th May - London to Paris on the TGV

Zvroom!!! This train really does go fast. I was unlucky enough to be leaving London for Paris at a peak time & so had to pay peak rates (ouch). But I did get to sit in 1st class as they were the only seats left.
On arrival in Paris I first needed to change over some Pounds Sterling for Euros. I started a heated argument with the change bureau guy when charged 7 euros for changing 42 pounds - what a rip off! Lesson - don't change money at airports or train stations.
The ease of switching from the TGV to the Metro (Paris underground) made travelling easy & it wasn't long before I was nearly to my resting place for the next 5 days.