My last night in London was spent with two special ladies.. Zannah (my gracious hostess with the mostest when I arrived in London) and Michelle (sister of a very dear friend Danielle) at Ping Pong at Southbank. A quick visit to Joshi Thomson to give him his keys the following morning and off to the train. 2 hours later, I arrived in Paris with my pocket size picture French dictionary on hand.
So far so good.. My favourite phrase “Bonjour, Vous parlaz anglais?” is getting the results I’ve hoped for, my first few hours in Paris and I haven’t encountered a single rude Parisian. A quick dinner of baguette, camembert, ham and salad and into the hostel bar for a drink and check emails followed by a walk along the canal for a bit and retired for a big day tomorrow.
Time for a quick breakfast – if you can call it that! A choice of coco pops or bread & jam. Really??? A stop at the store to get a few supplies, plus left over’s from last night and I’m off.
First stop the Louve. When I saw the line, I almost turned away! After closer observation, I noticed it was moving pretty quickly. With a ticket and map in hand, I went in search of a few things... After 2 or 3 hours I sat down to have a drink of water and snack, gathering my things together and start moving again I looked up, who was walking in my direction through the walkway dividing the Italian paintings of the 1300-1500’s and the Apollo Gallery– Ali Bronts.. “No.. it can’t be” I thought but then I saw John just a step behind her. I grabbed my things and walked the 5 meters. I greeted them and after the few seconds it took to register it was me, we had stepped out of the crowds so that we could properly catch up. Now, after a week – I still find it amazing we crossed paths. What are the chances? And to think, out of the 12000 visitors per day, I was sitting in the right spot, at the right time and looking in the right direction at exactly the right moment?? I should add that they didn’t know I was in Paris, and I wasn’t aware they were here.
After a 30 minute run down of whats been happening, where we’re going & where we’ve been, where we’re staying etc, arrangements were made spend the following day with each other. Ali & John had only just arrived in Paris (from Aus) the day before. Seeing Ali & John was clearly the biggest highlight of my visit at the Louve, and Paris for that matter! Other features included; Aphrodite (Venus de Milo), Pysche and Cupid, Colossal statue of Ramessess II, Captive by Michelangelo, The Wedding Feast, The winged victory of Samothrace, The Sphinx, The Mummy and of course Mona Lisa.
By 2pm, I had enough of the Louve. The crowds – especially around the Mona Lisa were insane. I decided to keep moving but not before I had lunch in the square... I love people watching. A little surprised to see army personnel with machine guns parolling. Just as I was finishing lunch, it started to rain a little so I made my move. Wandering along Rue Rivoli then past ‘St German L’auxenois, over the Pont Neuf and along the Seine to Sainte Chapel. Seeing the long line, I continued along towards the Notre Dame. A ridiculously long line but it moved pretty quickly. Once inside, I walked around then sat to appreciate its grandeur and 3 people sat behind me. After a minute or so of them talking at full volume – I turned ‘shhhhhh’! OH MY.. Its official – I’m now considered old in the eyes of teenagers and people in their early 20s.
Still raining, I sought refuge under thick trees in a lovely garden behind the Notre Dame, with a piano accordion playing in the distance I thought it a perfect time to sit and write in my travel diary. When the sun started shining less than 20 minutes later, I made tracks along the Seine, past Hotel De Ville that had beach volley ball courts in the square infront.. and thru random streets that were just beautiful. Back to the hostel for a meal, shower and before I knew it – I’d passed out. This sightseeing business is exhausting!
Meeting Ali & John for breaky before heading to the Eiffel Tower. By the time we got there, it was a little later than we had planned, but the line was ok – much much much better than 30 minutes later – when the line had probably tripled in length! We didn’t know much about the Eiffel tower so I grabbed my Kindle to consult ‘Sights of Paris’.. this proved extremely handy over and over again! Plus, much lighter than the 600g Europe lonely planet guide! The views were nice, but views are views – we all agreed it was nicer from the ground. BUT thats not saying you shouldn’t go to the Summit – a must! We walked along the Champ de Mars which to get a more distant view of the tower and some photos. Lunch in a lovely little restaurant where we called Marg & Pete Osment (Aunt & Uncle living in France) then off to the Arc De Triomph. By the time we meandered along Avenue De Champs (like Collins St on steroids), more people watching in a little park (John spotted a drug deal) we were all pretty spent. What a spectacular way to see Paris sights – with people I care about! Such a treat for a solo traveller!
My last full day in Paris (until the end of my trip) and I’ll be spending it with A & J. A lovely brunch (albeit the waitress forgetting my croissant).. a visit to the Bastile which none of us knew what it was or why it was erected (I have since determined this), a walk along a little canal where boats are moored. A walk over to the Notre Dame as they hadn’t seen it but we bypassed the line and walked around the exterior before walking back over the Siene and on the Metro. A quick afternoon tea near the Ibis and maybe this time I can get my croissant... Hmm.. the waiter forgot. Do the French have something against me eating their pastries??? I know I don’t ‘need’ one, but I WANT one!! We all had a good laugh, suppose you had to be there J Back to the hostel for a nap before our last hurrah – picnic dinner and drinks at the Eiffel Tower to admire it in all its glory – lit up and sparkling. It did not disappoint! It was such an amazing end to a wonderful time with Ali & John in Paris!
Now its July 31 and the first day of my BusAbout adventure (hop on-hop off) around western Europe. The ride to Brugges was a short 4 hour trip, and they stop every 2 hours so it was quite manageable. At checkin, there was still no room in the female dorms so I was in a mixed.. actually with 9 men and ALL Australian in their early/mid 20’s. God help me! Lucky for the privacy curtain on each of the bunks. One was actually very sweet and sacrificed the bottom bunk for me and they were polite, quiet and respectful. More than I can say for a different group of young Aussie guys of the same age. An embarrassment to Australia! Everything in Brugges is closed on Sundays, so no hope getting some cough medicine – at least there is one thing beneficial about having a persistent cough – a good ab workout!
I spent much of the following morning on Skype with my big brother David.. great to chat with him- its been a while. Then off exploring this pretty little medieval town that is Brugges.. I just strolled aimlessly through the cobblestone streets and over the many canals. I visited the Markt (Main Square), Basilica of Christs Blood, and resisted for as long as I could – but caved and went into a delectable chocolate shop. A box as a gift for a friend who I’m staying with in Amsterdam and three pieces for me! By far, the BEST chocolate I’ve ever tasted!!! A nice dinner in the restaurant next door, a great chat to some fellow travellers, double dose of cough syrup and I was out.
The following day we had miserable weather, a good opportunity to get a few things in order. Loading photos and typing a blog is time consuming work, let alone the accommodation reservations etc. You can easily spend a full day on the computer if you fall behind as I have.
My last full day in Brugge, and feeling a little better – was to be the day that I ventured further afield to Antwerp or Ghent. Oh well, I have to remind myself that I can’t do it all. Instead, I did the remainder of the touristy things here. Including; The Belfry Tower (as featured in the 2009 movie ‘In Brugges’), They’re not kidding when they say that the tower stairs are narrow.. throw in impatient tourists that just barge through causing sever congestion – it was rather unpleasant. Next stop was the ‘Choco Story’. A museum dedicated to cocoa and chocolate. I had no idea that the cocoa bean was once used as currency. The life size chocolate statue of President Obama was interesting, but the highlight would have been the chocolate demonstration and of course the free chocolates afterward. This was an interesting way to spend an hour or two. A canal boat ride was a lovely addition to my afternoon that I hadn’t planned. It really is a very pretty city and to see it from the waters, gives another perspective that I was so very pleased to get. The Church of Our Lady is almost a art gallery with all the paintings and sculptures they have on display.. also home to Michelangelo’s ‘Madonna & Child’. No signage forbidding photos, so i was shocked when I got in trouble from the attendant.. at least he didn’t make me delete the photo. Again, I hit the cobblestone and walked around the permitter of the old city, stopping off at Begijnof and the hospital museum. By this stage my cameras batter was flat. A few Belgian Beer samplers with dinner and meeting more travellers, this time a couple of Aussie (no surprise there) women that have been travelling for 9 months through South America and Europe. Not part of the busabout tours and doing some off the beaten path things, it was great hearing about their experiences. Pack up everything for my departure to Amsterdam tomorrow (4th).
For photos, click here >> Photos <<
I hope you're all well. xoxo
PS. I'm a few days behind - Last night in Amsterdam tonight (8th) and leaving for Berlin tomorrow. I will work on my blog on the bus tomorrow and hopefully i will be making my next post more promptly.
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