What a trip - we left Wgtn at 1.45pm Monday, had 3 hours in Ak and stopped for an hour in a transit lounge in Melbourne. After a 14 hour flight from Melbourne we arrived in Dubai at 5.30am, to a temperature of 33 degrees. At 5.30 in the morning!!
We spent three hours in Dubai airport enjoying the air conditioning, before another 7 hour flight brought us to Paris at 1.30pm.
The ‘city of light’ is currently a city of strikes. Train disruption meant our expected 45 min train ride from the airport to the left bank took us 3 hours!!! But never mind.
Despite everything ever heard, we are finding the people of Paris are willing to be quite helpful.
The apartment is as small as I expected - possibly a wee bit tattier - but such a great spot. One minute walk to great cafe, bakery, crepery - and 2 mins to the Luxembourg gardens.
Paris is fantastic - a bit of rain, but warm. So much to see and do, and with Dan with us at the moment we are out and about from early until late.
Yesterday we saw the sights from the tourist bus, which is great for getting an overview of things. We jumped off at the arc de triomph, champs d'elise, eiffel tower and the louvre.
Stopped for a glass of wine and a something to eat, then rode bikes - we were supposed to be going to the eiffel tower to see the city by night, but didn’t quite make it as we went around in circles instead. C'est la vie!! We saw it the following night instead.
Bordeaux
After a quick visit to England to visit family, we had a couple of lovely days in Bordeaux - where we did lots of walking and biking. The city is brilliant for bikes with cycle lanes everywhere and I felt much safer than in Paris!! Also, along the riverside there are very wide boulevards and gardens, both well used by people promenading, rollerblading and cycling. We had a picnic in one of the gardens there one evening.
Our hotel room was quite good, with a separate toilet and bathroom, and was probably the same size as our whole Paris apartment!!
Today, Saturday 18, we got the train to Toulouse at 12.30 and arrived just after 3pm - it seems very different to Bordeaux - less beautiful and a bit more of a real working city - but still heaps of history of course. We look forward to exploring!
We spent three hours in Dubai airport enjoying the air conditioning, before another 7 hour flight brought us to Paris at 1.30pm.
The ‘city of light’ is currently a city of strikes. Train disruption meant our expected 45 min train ride from the airport to the left bank took us 3 hours!!! But never mind.
Despite everything ever heard, we are finding the people of Paris are willing to be quite helpful.
The apartment is as small as I expected - possibly a wee bit tattier - but such a great spot. One minute walk to great cafe, bakery, crepery - and 2 mins to the Luxembourg gardens.
Paris is fantastic - a bit of rain, but warm. So much to see and do, and with Dan with us at the moment we are out and about from early until late.
Yesterday we saw the sights from the tourist bus, which is great for getting an overview of things. We jumped off at the arc de triomph, champs d'elise, eiffel tower and the louvre.
Stopped for a glass of wine and a something to eat, then rode bikes - we were supposed to be going to the eiffel tower to see the city by night, but didn’t quite make it as we went around in circles instead. C'est la vie!! We saw it the following night instead.
Bordeaux
After a quick visit to England to visit family, we had a couple of lovely days in Bordeaux - where we did lots of walking and biking. The city is brilliant for bikes with cycle lanes everywhere and I felt much safer than in Paris!! Also, along the riverside there are very wide boulevards and gardens, both well used by people promenading, rollerblading and cycling. We had a picnic in one of the gardens there one evening.
Our hotel room was quite good, with a separate toilet and bathroom, and was probably the same size as our whole Paris apartment!!
Today, Saturday 18, we got the train to Toulouse at 12.30 and arrived just after 3pm - it seems very different to Bordeaux - less beautiful and a bit more of a real working city - but still heaps of history of course. We look forward to exploring!
Hey guys, I just read out your blog to Lisa and Mike. We are visiting Mike at his new house. It is really nice. Sounds like you guys are having great adventures. Keep safe and we look forward to your next post. Love from Mike, Lisa and Alex.
ReplyDeletegreat to 'tag along'. We have disasters 'to Africa; here with the CHCH earthquake and huge storms closing many orads including State Highway 3 from W to Bulls - Slip on Ratana hill. The Paraparas were closed to as was state hightway one at Calico line - but all seem to be a go now some with detours.
ReplyDeleteWe are off to Kaikoura Friday to stay with step cousin. 94 yr old Aunt was coming down but she decided it was too hard. So now we have to go back via CHCH and all te shakes still going on!
Happy days
Love Fliss
Hey Stephen and Karen - Great to hear from you Sounds like you are having a fab time. Hope all continues well for you. You'll love the Cinque Terre!
ReplyDeletePlease note our new email address scott_ruth777@clear.net.nz - This message came through on the old one which will be cut off soon!
Thanks for comments and have now added photos
ReplyDelete