This week took us to Paris the city of love, for our first overseas trip - whilst overseas! After a long day teaching for me, we rush to the airport to catch our flight - a whole 50 minutes airtime (any flight now seems short in comparison to the horrid 21 hour flight over here). By the time we are up in the air, we start our descent 20 minutes later. A beautiful sunset in the sky casts golden glows over the rows of white apartments tightly fitted together. I am in awe looking out the window of just how many buildings there are in such a small area - white terraces as far as the eye can see!
We finally find our airport transfer and head to the hotel, Luke and I are easily amused by the the cars driving on the opposite side of the road! Soon we are treated to our first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower. We reach our hotel which is situated a street away from the Eiffel Tower!
The following morning we wake up rather early to start our sightseeing - so much to do in just 48 hours!!! The first thing we do is head to a nearby cafe to grab breakky. We go to pay and get a ridiculous shock - 32 Euros for 2 crepes, a pot of tea and orange juice!!! We look at the bill and realise that Luke's oj has cost more than the crepes - 10 euros. Um $15 AUD?!? Luke is fuming!
We decide to get over the price shock of breakfast by heading to the Eiffel Tower, to our surprise its only 5 Euros entry (well to climb the stairs anyway), we decide to take on the challenge of six hundred and sixty-nine stairs! I make it there - just! But the view is totally worth it, an amazing sunny day in Paris makes for blue skies above the city.
Luke and I are proud of navigating our way round the Paris metro and find ourselves visiting the Arc of Triumph, and strolling down the Champs-Elysees. To be extra fancy we decide to eat Al Fresco at - Maccas!
Back on the metro and we are on our way to our city bike tour in Le Marias - we get completely lost in trying to find the place, but the silver lining is that allows me to practise my French asking for directions from locals that only speak french! They are all very helpful and happy to listen to me and we do eventually find the place. On arrival we discover that Luke and I are the only ones booked in for today so we get our own private tour of the city!
We meander through the narrow village streets where I live up to my name and look awkwardly deer like in my riding style trying to avoid the pedestrians and other obstacles!). Our guide Hélène, where she shows us beautiful places of both locals and tourists! She takes us to the Marché des Enfants Rouges, a hidden market where we get to look at cheeses, and traditional French food.
Although our legs and feet feel as if they will fall off, we decide to push on and still take the long way home, looking at the River Seine and going across the various bridges. I have fun taking lots of different photos with my new camera! We then head to a little Italian restaurant for dinner and after take a brief stroll in the park looking at the Eiffel Tower for sunset - a beautiful close to an epic day!
Our second day in Paris, is just as filled as our first! We wake up early once again and head to the Louvre. We are able to skip the line as I bought last minute entry tickets online, so we just meet our guide and enter straight away!
The place is amazing, ginormous in size so we get lost multiple times. We get to see the Mona Lisa and many other pieces. I loved looking through the Egyptian exhibition - the little ancient history nerd came out in me! We decide to take the typical touristy shots outside the Louvre, where I stack it face first in front of a whole tour group - a tad embarrassing. Luke thinks its the funniest thing in the whole world!
A bit of a cruisey afternoon relaxing and later we head to Montmartre. We walk through the town, and up the hill to Sacre Coeur (Sacred Heart Cathedral). It is absolutely amazing looking at the Cathedral but also at the panoramic views of the city! We relax on the hills for a little while and after begin our journey to find 'Place du Tertre'. On the way we discover a brass band playing in a lovely outdoor amphitheatre.
We make it to Place du Tertre which is a busy little square which looks authentically French. Artists are painting portraits of people and other artworks. I buy a beautiful artwork off a lady, she had combined my two loves music and dance!
I even got to have an entire conversation with her in French! This instantly becomes my favourite place.
We sit down at one of the little cafes and order drinks and just watch the artists work. Luke even attempt to order the bill in French, but it doesn't come - not too sure what he said then!!
Off to the main reason why we came to Paris! - Of Monsters and Men. Their concert is also in Montmartre at Le Trianon a beautiful 19th century theatre. They sound amazing, just like I remember the first time. Its great to listen to their new album coupled with their first. I wonderful way to end our trip in Paris!
A whirlwind trip so much down in such a short time, Luke and I really enjoyed it. Until next time - a tout a leur!
Upwards and onwards we continue our journey through the countryside. Caitlin and I have fun playing spotty of the many castles we see along the way as well as trying to say the Welsh town names - which we were very unsuccessful in doing! Luke has a lightbulb moment where he realises that they actually do speak Welsh in Wales - what am i dealing with here! He is mind blown. Lauren (as usual) makes everyone jealous with her ability to have sneaky car power naps. zzzz's for days!
