26-27 September 2011
Day 1
Bonjour Paris!
We survived another seven gruelling hours travel from Colmar. Dog tired but happy to finally have a place to rest in Best Western Hotel in Maurepas St. Quentin. We need to have full rest, lots of sleep I guess because a ten hours day tour awaits us in The City of Lights.
Right after our sumptuous breakfast, we were briefed by our tour guide on our day tour itinerary. Everybody is recharged. We hopped on the bus and get ourselves ready. Ken keeps on reminding us to take care of our belongings. As we all know, Paris is not a safe city for tourists.
The group first taste of Paris is the Arc de Triomphe. This is one of the world's largest arches, built to commemorate victories in the Napoleonic wars.
The Champs-Elysees is home to expensive and high end shops like Louis Vuitton & Cartier to name a few, fine and authentic French restaurants and theaters.
Just walking down the streets of Paris was an experience in itself.
One advantage of going in a big group is the chance to have a VIP pass and skip the long queue and the crowds. We have a separate lane and the first to go up. Again, taking care of your belongings inside the Eiffel Tower is a must.
This sign all over the Eiffel Tower is a bit disturbing. Aside from this, warnings from all the doors of the lifts upward/downward are flashing the same words. I remember eleven years ago when my husband Jonathan was a victim of a pickpocket here. He stayed here for four months for a business training. It happened in the metro station, when a group of four men took his wallet. Considered himself lucky, one guy returned his wallet by throwing at him taking only the cash inside. Another attempt by pickpocket, this time Jonathan had prevented it. It was a lesson learned, not to put your wallet or cash inside your pocket.
A view from Eiffel Tower on the second level. It is an attraction known for its romantic allure and a place most people dream about one day visiting. It is simply magnificent. Our group had the chance to see the city of Paris in different views.
According to our tour guide, one of the best ways to view the city and to shoot great photos (at night) is from the observation deck of Montparnasse. The tower is 689ft tall and the panoramic viewing deck is on the 56th floor. From here, you can see the Eiffel Tower and the Notre Dame Cathedral. Our day haven't finished yet. After our tiring Eiffel Tower and Montparnasse experience, we headed to Paris' bohemian neighborhood, Montmartre. It is a beautiful hilltop of Paris, with its windmills, cabarets and monuments.
Just across the street, we can see the most famous cabaret in the world - the Moulin Rouge.
The church of Sacre Coeur in Montmartre area. It is the second
highest location after the Eiffel Tower. A cobblestone street which
offers a breathtaking views in all directions. We rode a small train in
going up to the Dome, but we decided to walk on the way down (234
steps).
I was so happy to see flea market in Montmartre. The streets were occupied by street vendors selling different used and collectors items.
The Place du Trocadero is the site of the Palais de Chaillot which sits on top of the Chaillot hills.It is popular for tourists and locals because of the spectacular unobstructed views it offers of the Eiffel Tower. The highlight of our Paris city tour is the Seine River Cruise. While waiting for the sunset, we spent the remaining time eating and taking photos.
Yes its true, Paris is enchanting by night. Its very relaxing cruising down Seine River. It's my first time on a river cruise and first time comes only once in a lifetime so make the most of it.
This is our free day, one whole free day and it's time to shop wohoooo! We first visit Louvre Museum, the most famous museum in the world.
The Pyramid entrance in the center of the Louvre Museum is almost as famous as the museum itself. The glass pyramid allows the sunlight to come in on the underground floor.
There are about 35,000 works of art on display. Some of the famous works of arts in the museum are the Venus of Milo and of course Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa.
We finally reached Mona Lisa. As expected, the crowds are going mad to take a photo of this masterpiece. I can't find any space for myself. I wanted to get near the portrait but with these people in front of me is impossible.
Zooming my husband's cam is the only best way to capture her majestic portrait.
I found myself resting at times. Honestly, I didn't even see at least half of the museum. It is so huge that it would take you a whole day just to walk through all paintings inside the galleries.
My last stop is of course the Galleries Lafayette.
LV's are selling like hotcakes here because of its cheap price (as compared to Singapore). We have a very limited time to shop and I missed the chance to buy one for myself huhuhu. Anyway, there's always a second time.
Paris is all that people say it is. I was very happy to have had this wonderful opportunity. I am looking forward to share more of my Europe adventure in the near future.
Day 2
There are about 35,000 works of art on display. Some of the famous works of arts in the museum are the Venus of Milo and of course Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa.
My last stop is of course the Galleries Lafayette.
 | ||||||
| photo credit - Sharon Lum |
Paris is all that people say it is. I was very happy to have had this wonderful opportunity. I am looking forward to share more of my Europe adventure in the near future.
