AGHAST !!!
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Tuesday, 11 June 2013
Pont Neuf and the Palais du Louvre exteriors
Today we really got into the "nitty gritty" of Paris. Metro to Chatelet where we popped up out of the ground into the worst traffic I've even seen. If a driver does something wrong he doesn't just get tooted here. They will keep right on tooting until such time as he corrects the problem. If it takes 5 minutes he can expect to be blasted by others for the full 5 minutes worth.
The Pont Neuf is a well known bridge across the Seine, made famous as the subject of many impressionist paintings. We crossed the Seine here and walked along the banks to the Pont des Arts, also famous for all the padlocks fastened into the protective mesh of the railings. They are put there by young lovers as a symbol of permanent and unshakable love for each other. In Paris that is fairly wishful thinking. At one end of the bridge in the Institute de France and at the other is the Louvre. No amount of words can describe this astonishing converted palace. Check out the photos and you'll see what I mean.
Click here for pictures of the Pont Neuf and exterior of the Louvre.
Click here for pictures of the Pont Neuf and exterior of the Louvre.
Monday, 10 June 2013
Bastille and the Marais
Only a couple of kilometers east of Notre Dame is an area called Bastille and this is where the old fortress stood. It's not there now of course. It was stormed and trashed during the revolution and never rebuilt. Now there is a column there in memory of the brave citizenry who took part in that historic event. In fact many public buildings even today are inscribed with the motto of that period. Liberte, Fraternite, Egalite.
Bastille is also a good starting point for exploring the Marais.
This is one of the oldest and certainly one of the wealthiest areas in Paris. This is readily seen in the buildings and attendant park lands, the shops and the galleries. There are also some impressive medieval churches in the area and some VERY impressive synagogues. This is definitely the Jewish quarter of Paris.
It seems a characteristic feature of the architecture here that there is an entry courtyard behind some heavy large doors opening onto the street.
Bastille is also a good starting point for exploring the Marais.
This is one of the oldest and certainly one of the wealthiest areas in Paris. This is readily seen in the buildings and attendant park lands, the shops and the galleries. There are also some impressive medieval churches in the area and some VERY impressive synagogues. This is definitely the Jewish quarter of Paris.
It seems a characteristic feature of the architecture here that there is an entry courtyard behind some heavy large doors opening onto the street.
Sunday, 9 June 2013
Notre Dame, the Latin Quarter and Montparnasse
The pace has picked up. Today we covered three locations and did it in style.
Hey, this Metro in Paris is amazing though at times it can make you feel a bit like a gopher. E.g. We travel for miles and then pop up out of the ground not knowing what will be there waiting for us. Arriving at Saint Michel for instance, the first thing that greets you as you come up into the light is the very imposing presence of Notre Dame. While I have seen any number of photos and movies about it, nothing but nothing can match the impact of seeing it there before you.
We were lucky here too as a mass was in progress when we arrived. The organ and choral voices soared around the vaulted ceilings as can only happen in medieval gothic cathedrals. A truly spell binding experience.
The latin quarter of Paris extends south from the Isle de Cite where Notre Dame stands. It is probably the most cosmopolitan area in Paris with restaurants and shops selling foods and products from dozens of countries. Don't think you could find a good kebab in Paris. Think again. Does japanese take your fancy? Or Indian? Or Tibetan? They're all here and readily available.
Heading further south we stopped for a breather at a small park called Square Painleve. We didn't get much rest though as a friendly border collie wanted us to throw his toy for him to fetch. We never saw his owner so we figured he just takes his toy to the park and asks anyone there for a game.
This area is also the location of the Sorbonne university which we skirted because we had really come to see the Pantheon. Originally dedicated as a shrine to St Genevieve it was converted to a memorial for famous French patriots during to revolution. Thank God it survived the "Terror". It now stands just outside the Sorbonne as a reminder of glorious French history and achievements in science and literature.
Not far from the Pantheon is Montparnasse and the best location to see Paris from a great height and it is NOT the Eiffel tower. The Tour de Montparnasse is the only 59 story building in Paris and it has a brilliant observation deck. From here you can see Paris for 40 km in any direction. Getting there is great too as you cross the Luxembourg Palace gardens. It's classical French layout has an artificial lake at it's centre where you can see kids sailing toy yachts. If you want to have a go yourself there's a guy there who can rent you one. Parisiennes must love this park as there were people relaxing everywhere. Some played tennis, some volleyball and even some older guys playing petanque. A real highlight was the very small children being lead through the park on ponies. I haven't seen that in years.
Click here for pictures of Notre Dame
Click here for pictures of the Latin Quarter
Click here for pictures of the Pantheon
Click here for pictures from Montparnasse tower
Hey, this Metro in Paris is amazing though at times it can make you feel a bit like a gopher. E.g. We travel for miles and then pop up out of the ground not knowing what will be there waiting for us. Arriving at Saint Michel for instance, the first thing that greets you as you come up into the light is the very imposing presence of Notre Dame. While I have seen any number of photos and movies about it, nothing but nothing can match the impact of seeing it there before you.
We were lucky here too as a mass was in progress when we arrived. The organ and choral voices soared around the vaulted ceilings as can only happen in medieval gothic cathedrals. A truly spell binding experience.
The latin quarter of Paris extends south from the Isle de Cite where Notre Dame stands. It is probably the most cosmopolitan area in Paris with restaurants and shops selling foods and products from dozens of countries. Don't think you could find a good kebab in Paris. Think again. Does japanese take your fancy? Or Indian? Or Tibetan? They're all here and readily available.
Heading further south we stopped for a breather at a small park called Square Painleve. We didn't get much rest though as a friendly border collie wanted us to throw his toy for him to fetch. We never saw his owner so we figured he just takes his toy to the park and asks anyone there for a game.
This area is also the location of the Sorbonne university which we skirted because we had really come to see the Pantheon. Originally dedicated as a shrine to St Genevieve it was converted to a memorial for famous French patriots during to revolution. Thank God it survived the "Terror". It now stands just outside the Sorbonne as a reminder of glorious French history and achievements in science and literature.
Not far from the Pantheon is Montparnasse and the best location to see Paris from a great height and it is NOT the Eiffel tower. The Tour de Montparnasse is the only 59 story building in Paris and it has a brilliant observation deck. From here you can see Paris for 40 km in any direction. Getting there is great too as you cross the Luxembourg Palace gardens. It's classical French layout has an artificial lake at it's centre where you can see kids sailing toy yachts. If you want to have a go yourself there's a guy there who can rent you one. Parisiennes must love this park as there were people relaxing everywhere. Some played tennis, some volleyball and even some older guys playing petanque. A real highlight was the very small children being lead through the park on ponies. I haven't seen that in years.
Click here for pictures of Notre Dame
Click here for pictures of the Latin Quarter
Click here for pictures of the Pantheon
Click here for pictures from Montparnasse tower
Saturday, 8 June 2013
Montmartre and Sacre Coeur
After a continental breakfast we took the metro to Montmartre district and Sacre Coeur.
We had fun learning the ways of the Metro system and even survived to tell the tale. Walking is by far the best way to view that characteristic Parisienne atmosphere with buildings, cafes and the street artists that Montmartre has been famous for generations. We walked onward and upward until we came to Sacre Coeur. Mon Dieu! Such a sight.
Sacre Coeur was completed in 1914 and its bell tower is one of the highest points in Paris. We ventured inside and a mass was being held. The church is breathtaking and the singing created an atmosphere that was very moving. We visited the crypt below the church and then ventured up to the dome......300 steps later! We like to think we are healthier for it. The views of Paris from that vantage point are without equal.
Our final port of call was at the Cafe de Deux Moulins. For any fans of the movie "Amelie" you will instantly recognise this as the cafe where she worked. And yes, the creme brulee there is to die for.
Taking the train back to our hotel, we caught our breath before buying a bottle of wine, some fruit and baguettes for dinner, which we had on the banks of the Canal de Saint Martin with hundreds of other like minded Parisiennes.
Seeing a man riding his bicycle with a bottle of wine in one hand and going the wrong way down a oneway street while not common in Melbourne didn't even draw attention in Paris. And stylish girls in short dresses and stilletos on the back of vespas by the dozen. Ah Paris.
Click here for pictures of Sacre Coeur
Click here for pictures of Montmartre
We had fun learning the ways of the Metro system and even survived to tell the tale. Walking is by far the best way to view that characteristic Parisienne atmosphere with buildings, cafes and the street artists that Montmartre has been famous for generations. We walked onward and upward until we came to Sacre Coeur. Mon Dieu! Such a sight.
Sacre Coeur was completed in 1914 and its bell tower is one of the highest points in Paris. We ventured inside and a mass was being held. The church is breathtaking and the singing created an atmosphere that was very moving. We visited the crypt below the church and then ventured up to the dome......300 steps later! We like to think we are healthier for it. The views of Paris from that vantage point are without equal.
Our final port of call was at the Cafe de Deux Moulins. For any fans of the movie "Amelie" you will instantly recognise this as the cafe where she worked. And yes, the creme brulee there is to die for.
Taking the train back to our hotel, we caught our breath before buying a bottle of wine, some fruit and baguettes for dinner, which we had on the banks of the Canal de Saint Martin with hundreds of other like minded Parisiennes.
Seeing a man riding his bicycle with a bottle of wine in one hand and going the wrong way down a oneway street while not common in Melbourne didn't even draw attention in Paris. And stylish girls in short dresses and stilletos on the back of vespas by the dozen. Ah Paris.
Click here for pictures of Sacre Coeur
Click here for pictures of Montmartre
Friday, 7 June 2013
Canal de Saint Martin, Paris.
Wow, we are actually here!
After a long flight we arrived at Charles De Gaulle airport and found our way on to the Metro, which took us to the nearest station to our hotel near the Canal de Saint Martin. After a freshen-up we took off to explore. We found the Chez Prune next to the canal which is a popular watering hole and of course we stopped to check it out. The canal itself is a very popular meeting place for Parisians. Each evening you can expect to see literally thousands of people sitting by the canal in animated conversational groups picnicing and enjoying a bottle of wine with friends in the cool of the Parisian evening.
It is wonderful to see and I think we will join them tonight with our own bottle of wine and baguette.
Click here for photos of Canal de Saint Martin
After a long flight we arrived at Charles De Gaulle airport and found our way on to the Metro, which took us to the nearest station to our hotel near the Canal de Saint Martin. After a freshen-up we took off to explore. We found the Chez Prune next to the canal which is a popular watering hole and of course we stopped to check it out. The canal itself is a very popular meeting place for Parisians. Each evening you can expect to see literally thousands of people sitting by the canal in animated conversational groups picnicing and enjoying a bottle of wine with friends in the cool of the Parisian evening.
It is wonderful to see and I think we will join them tonight with our own bottle of wine and baguette.
Click here for photos of Canal de Saint Martin
Dubai International Airport
The shiekhs of Dubai have decided that they shall have the worlds best airport along with world's best everything else. This involves a new terminal building with capacity for 20 A380-800 airbus aircraft at any one time. The new terminal building is also to be the world's most beautiful!
Click here to see the new terminal at Dubai.
Click here to see the new terminal at Dubai.
Wednesday, 5 June 2013
Today's the day
Well, all the planning, research, booking and rebooking has been done as best we know how.
We are just now waiting our pickup to go to Tulla (thanks Rosie T) and we can get this circus on the road.
Wish us well, good people, and stay tuned to this blog for the next thrilling instalment, probably from Paris or Dubai.
We are just now waiting our pickup to go to Tulla (thanks Rosie T) and we can get this circus on the road.
Wish us well, good people, and stay tuned to this blog for the next thrilling instalment, probably from Paris or Dubai.
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