Day 33 - A very fast train trip to see the Tower
So today was the start of the return journey back to the land downunder. After 32 fabulous days of doing simply amazing things and catching up with fantastic friends and family it is time to head for home. And there is no better way of doing it than jumping on a train that does 300km/h and heading to the city of romance: Paris.
Sadly we had to say goodbye to Nikla and Dawesy however, I am sure they are relaxing at home in the peace and quiet of their spacious apartment which probably now feels like a mansion after we took up all the space. It was brilliant to be able to spend so much time with them and we will be forever grateful for their hospitality and extreme generosity.
We were extremely happy that we decided to book the Leisure Select carriage on the Eurostar as the seats were fantastic and from the time we hopped on the train to when we embarked we were constantly offered both food and drinks. It was a great experience. The check in was a breeze, the train ride was comfortable, quiet and relaxing and the embarking was also simple. We found ourselves a taxi and made our way to the hotel in which we were staying.
The taxi ride itself was like a tourist bus as to get from the train station to our hotel we passed by the Champs des Elysees, Madeleine, The Louvre, Place de la Concorde and the Eiffel Tower. When we arrived at the hotel our room was not quite ready however the hotel receptionist was quite the comedian and magician and certainly kept us well entertained. He was quite comfortable mimicking a Frenchman and all of the perceptions that some with being French. As it turns out he was actually Hungarian so was really taking the mickey.
As soon as our room was ready we headed straight for the window as we had been promised a view of the Eiffel Tower and there it was. It looked great during the day and now that it is night time that I am writing this it looks even better all lit up and sparkling.
After settling in it was time for some food and a chance to try out the old French. I had spent some time with Dawesy receiving specific coaching (sorry Damian I had forgotten anything you taught me by then) on certain phrases and I was ready to unleash them. As we approached a cafe I was ready to go with: " Bonjour Monsieur Je voudrais une table pour quatre si 'il vous plait" (Hello, I would like a table for 4 please) when the waiter spotted me from the door entering and immediately came out with: "Bonjour, table for 4?" I was devastated. I could not understand how he picked me for a tourist when I was wearing a beret, with a horizontal striped shirt and a cigarette in my hand (just joking as we were all in shorts, t-shirts and thongs (flip-flops) and carrying a camera it was clearly obvious that we were not from these parts). We did manage to successfully order and only slipped in the occasional gracias as opposed to Merci (thankyou).
After lunch (well it was now 5.00pm), we headed back to the hotel, some more organising and as we have a kitchenette again we purchased some basic supplies from the local supermarket. Then it was off for some sightseeing.
A 10 minute walk from the hotel had us directly at the base of the Eiffel Tower and it is absolutely magnificent. Again, to be standing underneath such an iconic world structure was completely surreal and we cannot wait to climb the tower in the next couple of days. As it was nearing dusk we took the time to watch the changing colours of the tower as day turned to night and the lights were turned on to light up this wonderful landmark.
We walked across to the Cite L'Architecture which is directly opposite the Eiffel Tower as it was a perfect spot to take photo's (and to try out the new Manfrotto!!!). I was amazed at the differing changes in colour as the light faded and when the flashing lights came on it was very exciting. Jacqui and the kids took a walk down to the water feature in front of the Cite L'Architecture and watched some guys doing some illegal wakeboarding in the large water area. It was bizarre to see.
After some more photo's (below is only a very small portion) we headed to a place called Trocadero (no not across from the Memorial Square in Colac) to find a restaurant for dinner and to again try out the new found French skills. This time I was on the money with a very quick (although possible fragmented): "Je voudrais steak frite si 'il vous plait" (I would like steak and chips please) with which the waiter responded oui (yes).
After dinner we then headed down to the Metro (rail system in Paris), purchased tickets for the trip back to the hotel and the next 2 days and even managed to read the train maps correct and arrive out our stop (which is directly out front of the hotel).
Tomorrow (or today it is now), we are on a 1.5 hour tour, then will either climb the tower or check out the Louvre (home of the Mona Lisa), Champs Des Elysees and Arc de Triumph.
Sadly we had to say goodbye to Nikla and Dawesy however, I am sure they are relaxing at home in the peace and quiet of their spacious apartment which probably now feels like a mansion after we took up all the space. It was brilliant to be able to spend so much time with them and we will be forever grateful for their hospitality and extreme generosity.
We were extremely happy that we decided to book the Leisure Select carriage on the Eurostar as the seats were fantastic and from the time we hopped on the train to when we embarked we were constantly offered both food and drinks. It was a great experience. The check in was a breeze, the train ride was comfortable, quiet and relaxing and the embarking was also simple. We found ourselves a taxi and made our way to the hotel in which we were staying.
The taxi ride itself was like a tourist bus as to get from the train station to our hotel we passed by the Champs des Elysees, Madeleine, The Louvre, Place de la Concorde and the Eiffel Tower. When we arrived at the hotel our room was not quite ready however the hotel receptionist was quite the comedian and magician and certainly kept us well entertained. He was quite comfortable mimicking a Frenchman and all of the perceptions that some with being French. As it turns out he was actually Hungarian so was really taking the mickey.
As soon as our room was ready we headed straight for the window as we had been promised a view of the Eiffel Tower and there it was. It looked great during the day and now that it is night time that I am writing this it looks even better all lit up and sparkling.
After settling in it was time for some food and a chance to try out the old French. I had spent some time with Dawesy receiving specific coaching (sorry Damian I had forgotten anything you taught me by then) on certain phrases and I was ready to unleash them. As we approached a cafe I was ready to go with: " Bonjour Monsieur Je voudrais une table pour quatre si 'il vous plait" (Hello, I would like a table for 4 please) when the waiter spotted me from the door entering and immediately came out with: "Bonjour, table for 4?" I was devastated. I could not understand how he picked me for a tourist when I was wearing a beret, with a horizontal striped shirt and a cigarette in my hand (just joking as we were all in shorts, t-shirts and thongs (flip-flops) and carrying a camera it was clearly obvious that we were not from these parts). We did manage to successfully order and only slipped in the occasional gracias as opposed to Merci (thankyou).
After lunch (well it was now 5.00pm), we headed back to the hotel, some more organising and as we have a kitchenette again we purchased some basic supplies from the local supermarket. Then it was off for some sightseeing.
A 10 minute walk from the hotel had us directly at the base of the Eiffel Tower and it is absolutely magnificent. Again, to be standing underneath such an iconic world structure was completely surreal and we cannot wait to climb the tower in the next couple of days. As it was nearing dusk we took the time to watch the changing colours of the tower as day turned to night and the lights were turned on to light up this wonderful landmark.
We walked across to the Cite L'Architecture which is directly opposite the Eiffel Tower as it was a perfect spot to take photo's (and to try out the new Manfrotto!!!). I was amazed at the differing changes in colour as the light faded and when the flashing lights came on it was very exciting. Jacqui and the kids took a walk down to the water feature in front of the Cite L'Architecture and watched some guys doing some illegal wakeboarding in the large water area. It was bizarre to see.
After some more photo's (below is only a very small portion) we headed to a place called Trocadero (no not across from the Memorial Square in Colac) to find a restaurant for dinner and to again try out the new found French skills. This time I was on the money with a very quick (although possible fragmented): "Je voudrais steak frite si 'il vous plait" (I would like steak and chips please) with which the waiter responded oui (yes).
After dinner we then headed down to the Metro (rail system in Paris), purchased tickets for the trip back to the hotel and the next 2 days and even managed to read the train maps correct and arrive out our stop (which is directly out front of the hotel).
Tomorrow (or today it is now), we are on a 1.5 hour tour, then will either climb the tower or check out the Louvre (home of the Mona Lisa), Champs Des Elysees and Arc de Triumph.
