Last day

For our last day we were again blessed with some lovely sunshine and just a few clouds.  We said our goodbyes to Sophie and her family in Avignon, it seemed such a short stay and a shame to be gone so quickly but we know we will return one day.  Our trip south to Marseille was uneventful and Mike even stuck to the speed limit (mostly).  We again timed our trip to perfection, refueling and returning the car just before the deadline and then found our train to Paris.  The TGV is of course a wonderful way to travel and we saw many reminders of the country we had been touring as the train carved it’s way up the middle of this nation of abundance.

This time we booked a hotel close to the Gare Du Nord in the east of the city and checked in around 2pm, so we had the whole afternoon to revisit Paris and refresh the sense of wonder we felt almost 2 weeks ago.  Sarah suggested we give the Eiffel Tower another crack, so we donned our backpacks and set a trail across the city.  We happened to walk through the 4^th aronddisement and enjoyed a little window shopping as we passed through this upmarket part of town.  On arriving at the Tower we found the queues were quite short so we joined in, hopeful to atleast get to the 2^nd level.  I’d been trying to book tickets online all week but to no avail.  When we got to the ticket wndow, we found we could get tickets right to the top for just 11 euro.  What a bargain!  Try get that sort of value in Sydney!

We walked up to the second level and loved the views from there and then took the elevator to the top.  WOW! We weren’t up there for long and it was quite crowded, but the views were amazing.

We got back down to terra firma around 6 and were both hungry so it was onto Trip Advisor to find somewhere to eat.  We didn’t feel like the full Plat de Jours, so we figured Crepes sounded good and we located a place with good reviews back in the 4^th.  It certainly lived up to it’s reviews.  We had a lovely meal with the best table in the restaurant, gazing out onto the avenue watching life walk us by.

I couldn’t bear to get on the subway it was such a lovely evening, so we walked all the way back to our hotel, we must have covered 10-12 km that afternoon and finally collapsed into bed around 10.

Our last breakfast was again completely appetizing, with breads, croissants, jams, honeys, cheeses cold meats and fresh fruit, then it was into transfer mode to negotiate the metro the trains and the airport to make our flight.  Happily after a few minor hiccups we made our flight.  I know it would have been easier just to pay for a taxi or shuttle, but there really is nothing like taking public transport to really get a feel for a city and it’s people and thankfully Sarah and I both enjoy these kinds of experiences.  It felt sad to be saying bonjour and merci for the last times as we boarded the flight.

We are just 3 hours into our flight from Paris and looking forward to returning home and seeing family and friends again.  Not only have we been blessed to be able to take this trip, but it wouldn’t have been possible without the help of our Mum’s to mind Tom, Liam and Dani, so thankyou to Carolyn and Anne, it has meant the world to us.  Thanks to our wonderful kids, we’ll have to take you with us next time and it was so cool being able to Skype with you whilst away and seeing how you were doing without Mum and Dad constantly watching over you.  We are so proud of you.  There are a few people who have enhanced this trip with their knowledge of France and helped advise the best places for us to visit.  You know who you are, so thankyou.  Also thanks to all the people who helped us along the way, from the friendly stranger in the street to those who we paid for their services and hospitality.  You were all so friendly and went of your way to make sure we had the best time.

And of course thankyou to you for reading.  Your comments and likes have meant so much to us and made it feel all the more special to be able to share our good fortune with those who love us.  I never thought I’d be so lucky to be able to go on a trip like this before I was much older and sharing it with Sarah has made it so very special.

Keep riding

Mike

Paris Blog Day 2 and 3

The past two days, Sarah and I have covered most of what we wanted to see in Paris and it is easy to see why this is the City of Light.  We've seen many grand monuments that make you gasp in wonder at the creativity and ingenuity of humanity, but in many ways it has been the little things that leave a welcome impression on one's soul.  In this post I'll mention of few of the highlights, but I'll also try and share a few of the small pleasures we've experienced here.
Firstly, you may have heard the expression "just grab a baguette for lunch" and that is exactly how it works.  There are hundreds of little boulangeries with delicious treats ready for you to choose from.  Yesterday we each chose a baguette and a sweet treat for lunch.  The bread is the best kind, no sugary soft imitations here.  Crunchy wholesome bread the way it should be with ample fillings.  The treats were a Raspberry tart and a lemon merengue.  We took a short walk and found a lovely quiet sunny park in front of the Basilique Cathedral to savour our lunch.

Decisions decisions

The work from an Artisan of Paris

One with Meringue for Mike and Sarah chose the Raspberries

Basilique Sainte Clotilde

The sidewalk cafe is an institution here, stop for an espresso and watch the world go by in the mid morning or pull up a chair and order a fine Belgian beer as he sun sets on the day.  We've yet to find a bad one and the service is always impeccable.  The footpaths are wide so there is plenty of room, there is no rush, just sit and enjoy.  Do nothing.  Relax.

The Parisians love nature and the outdoors.  They love the sun, their gardens and their florists.  We've had two glorious early Spring days.  The breeze has been brisk at times and it is pretty cool out of the sun with temperatures ranging from 5-15degC.  Perfect for covering lots of miles on foot.

The people here are self assured but polite to a T.  They love nothing more than to share a little joke involving the funny little collisions that take place in such a busy city.  The "Excusez-moi pardon bonjour" .  They love it when you try and speak a little French.  It really is a beautiful language, it is so easy on the tongue.  Whether on the footpath or the subway, people are polite and patient and understand that as a fellow human being you might just be distracted or off your game today and they will cut you a little slack.  On the metro, people chat fluently, not like the deathly silence on Sydney trains.  On the roads, there is no road rage, cyclists are protected and cared for.  Pedestrians and drivers respect each other and dont make a scene if someone doesnt quite make the green light.  It's just all so civilised.  Consequently people respect the rules, because there is more freedom.  I am struck by the lack of signs and traffic lights in this city.  Whilst every council in Sydney is whacking up more and more traffic lights and safety cameras by the minute, there is no such insanity here.  Oh yeah and dont get me started on why doesnt Sydney have an efficient metro system or similar.  Wow!

Paris loves it's artists.  We visited two of the key art galleries and were just blown away by the works of Monet, Renoir, van Gogh, Degas, Sisley, Pissarro, Signac, Seurat, Matisse, Cezanne, Picasso.  The two galleries were Musee d'Orsay and Musee de l'Orangerie.  Just unbelievable.  Not many pictures from these galleries, but I would 100% recommend if you ever get a chance. Pre book tickets, but the queues were not to bad for us.

A sneaky pic of Monet's masterpiece "Water Lilies" in two oval rooms. Space, light infinity

Cezanne - i think!?

Renoir

Musee d'Orsay

Musee de l'Orangerie

Finally the cathedrals are amazing feats of architectural inspiration intended to honour our Creator and Providor.  The pictures cannot do them justice, but here are a few anyway.

View over Paris from Sacre Coeur

The alter of Sacre Coeur

Sacre Coeur Montmatre

Notre Dame, The Islands

Sacre Coeur

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Candles for prayers of the faithful

We are only 3 days into our 2 week trip and it still feels like a dream.  To be in one of the wealthiest most cosmopolitan cities in the world and just enjoying the time with Sarah so much is something I am truly thankful for.  Tomorrow head south to Bordeaux.

Keep Riding
Mike