Paris

Part 2 of the latest posts! See the previous post for the days leading up to Paris.

We spent 3 nights in 2 hotels in Paris and... loved it! This was Suzi's 3rd trip to Paris and definitely her best she believes. The boys and I also loved the city, its sights and sounds and of course, the metro. We managed to see an amazing amount of the city, as testified by the aches and pains in our legs each night.

Day 1 was a sleep-in followed by a metro ride to the Eiffel Tower where we opted to climb to the 2nd platform (670 steps each way). To go higher was quite a wait for the lift, and with an electrical storm brewing, we decided that was high enough. We climbed down had a coffee/ hot chocolate and waited for the lights to come on and the weather to pass.  Took some beautiful photos and succumbed to the street sellers and bought some cheap souvenirs.

The next 2 days were spent at the Louvre, Notre Dame and another cathedral, (3 Catholic cathedrals in 2 days... started to feel like the Pope! Quite an experience after being raised Uniting) walking the Seine, crossing its bridges and checking out some of the shops. Only got a look at the Champs-Elysees when we drove out.

I can say that driving in Paris is an experience I will remember. Hair raising, but fun at the same time. It seems that to survive, you drive fast and follow your own rules, even when the streets are on the narrow side. Excessive use of the horn is encouraged. Be prepared for the thousands of mopeds that by scream on either side of you or up the wrong way whenever they can, and opportunistic Parisiens who overtake or push in front of you whenever possible.

As a pedestrian, cross on the green or whenever or wherever you dare when red. If you want to take on organised anarchy, drive through the round about at the Arc de Triomphe, where the only organised aspect is that everyone drives in roughly the same direction.  All in all, a fun experience, and one we survived unscathed and with all paint still on the car.

We all enjoyed the local quisine with fresh bread sticks purchased daily and filled with jambor (ham) and whatever other fillings you desired. Ben struggled a little with the crusty rolls with his current gummy look. Yes, he has lost ANOTHER tooth- At least one of the front incisors is coming through. Quite the smile at the moment! We are finding grocery prices quite good with the dollar at its current rate which is a pleasant surprise. Restaurants are a rare pleasure.

We had a cafe (coffee) and hot chocolates and a beer and cokes at a few of the many cafes in Paris. For those who have not been here, cafes and bars are one and the same, and the closer to the street you sit, the more you pay. Still it is much cheaper to buy a bottle of wine at a grocery store than to have a small glass at a cafe. You pay to be glamourous!

We have since moved on to Normandy where we took in the D-Day landing experience. Unfortunately drove past the turn to the Australian war memorials in the dark, but hope to catch them on the return leg of our journey. My hopes of Anzac Day at one of these places looks grim.  The boys are exhausted from the high paced tourist living and have asked for some down time. We have moved down the French Coast looking for somewhere relaxing and picturesque to hang out. Most of France was still closed or in repair prior to the tourist season, so we find ourselves in Spain at San Sebastian which is elevated and on the coast and in one word... STUNNING! More photos of Normandy and coast in the next post.

Thats all for now,

The Wockies