Trip to Paris

First, we had to say goodbye to Ali on the Sunday before last and that was a very difficult thing to do. We spent the day with a last visit to family on our way to Madurodam. Madurodam was great and I think Ali really enjoyed it. Afterwards we drove over to Scheveningen beach and then up to the Schipol. We arrived early at the airport, which enabled us to eat and chat before she had to check in. Then it was time. I have to admit that it was so hard watching her walk through and disappear and I shed my share of tears. I don’t often suffer from homesickness but I sure did that night. And not knowing when I will see her again?

I am so glad I got to spend so much time with her though. We didn’t go out sightseeing a real lot because we have had to put all our money into this new house. But we did get to do a fair bit. Apart from our trip to Paris and Disneyland, we went to the Valkenburg and saw the castle ruins and xmas markets in the old caves there. We spent 2 days doing that. Also visited 3 land point and Monschau in Germany as well as some nice drives in the Belgian countryside. We met up with Tera in Helmond one day and she took us shopping and around the castle and cube houses which was great. We also did several other shopping trips around where we live. We went to Efteling one day also but that didn’t go real well as that day was so overcrowded and pouring rain. It was still fun to see. We went to Den Bosch and visited the beautiful cathedral there and the nativity scene, which was incredible. We went to Eindhoven a few times, the movies, and out to dinner a few times. While Rachel was here, they both went ice-skating in Eindhoven and overnight to Amsterdam. We had a lovely Christmas together and New Years Eve was quite an eye opener for Ali ;) While we didn’t get to do a real lot, it was great to spend so much time with her and show her how we live here. How different it is to back home. And Ali did get to see her first snow even if it wasn’t a lot. It was extremely hard for me to say goodbye.

I better get on to telling you all about our Paris trip. It was just a 4 day bus trip but fabulous!!! The first day we left really early to catch the bus to Eindhoven, train to Breda, and bus to Paris. Most of the day was just travelling and we didn’t arrive at our hotel in Paris until about 5pm. While our first opinion was that the city was pretty dirty, that impression soon went out the window as we discovered just how beautiful a city it really is. I think Paris is one of the most beautiful, magical, and enchanting cities of the world.

The first night we decided to do the organised dinner and light tour to see the xmas lights of Paris. The bus picked us up at the hotel and our first stop was at a skyscraper. This skyscraper is on a hill and gives an amazing view of the whole city from its 56th floor (or you could walk to the roof on the 59th floor). What a magnificent view and it was also our first view of the famous sites such as the Eiffel Tower. After dinner it was time to take a tour through the city. We saw all the main sites by night and beautifully lit up but nothing could hold a candle to the Champs Elysees. That was one of those sites that will be with me as long as I live. With the Arc de Triomphe framing one end, its beautiful tree lined footpaths with all the trees covered in fairy lights, the corner with all the magnificent xmas trees and changing colour. It was very special. Unfortunately we only got to drive down it and not walk down it but we did stop at the corner with all the xmas trees for photos. Including some photos looking up the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe. It was so beautiful but something you have to see for yourself. It is also full of fabulous expensive stores including the largest perfume store in Paris. Apart from the Champs Elysees, we also got to see many of the other sites on our evening tour. There was the major store, Les Galeries Lafayette lit up like nothing I have ever seen, the opera houses, the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Bastille, and much more including the site that Marie Antoinette was beheaded. The tour was great and included several photo stops.

The next morning we did the city tour. This was similar in a lot of respects to the night before. We saw all the main sites, those mentioned above and more such as the tunnel that Princess Diana died in. The main stops today were at Notre Dame and for a cruise along the Seine River. First was Notre Dame and, wow, it is just too magnificent to describe. The achitecture is incredible. And the size, I just wasn’t expecting. While there, I was struck by a feeling of awe. The Seine River cruise was also good but VERY cold. However, it was wonderful seeing many other sites that we wouldn’t have seen otherwise. We also drove past the Moulin Rouge, but it was something we were not prepared to visit with the asking price for just the show (not including dinner) being about 100 euro each (AU$200). Some of the sites that were pointed out to us were unbelievable. There was one coffee shop we passed that I don’t think I will be going into unless I win the lottery. They charge 40 euro (about $80 in Australia) for a cup of coffee and a piece of cake. Oh to be so rich! There is just way too much to see in Paris and unfortunately we didn’t have time to even scratch the surface while we were there but we will return in the not too distant future, of that I am 100% certain. We gave the evening tour a miss in preference of an early night before our big day at Disneyland the next day.

Disneyland was fabulous and all I thought it would be. It was a non school holiday weekday so it wasn’t too crowded. We got to experience almost every attraction there. It is more of a family orientated theme park with only a couple of attractions not suitable for little kids. We had a wonderful time. We watched the parade in the afternoon and instead of catching the bus back to the hotel, we stayed on for the Christmas light parade and the incredible fireworks over the castle. It meant catching the train home ourselves but that didn’t take much figuring out and was well worth the effort. For those that havent been, I definitely recommend you plan a visit soon.

The next day it was time to leave Paris and I was quite disappointed really. There was so much more I wanted to see and do such as visit the Louvre, walk down the Champs Elysees, get a close up look at the Arc de Triomphe, go to the top of the Eiffel Tower, the list is endless. However, we did get a couple of hours in the morning before leaving to pay a quick visit to Galerie Lafayette and grab some souvenirs. We also got to see an interesting film on the history of Paris. But it was all over way too quick. There was one big problem with the trip, being a Dutch tour meant all the commentary on the bus was in Dutch and while I didn’t have too many problems, Ali was unable to get a real lot out of it. That was pretty disappointing. Now that we have been once and have a little orientation, in future we will do our own thing when we visit Paris. And in our own time. It is absolutely breathtaking and a real lady and I for one intend to enjoy all her beauty.