 |
|
Home --> 2009
--> Summer Trip --> Paris |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From London, we caught the
Eurostar (only tourists call it "chunnel", as we learned) for a nice
ride under the English Channel and over to Paris. A short Metro ride
took us to the Hotel Acacias Etoile which, as near as we can tell,
translates to "smallest elevator in Europe". We strolled past the Arch
de Triomphe and down the Champs Elysees and had some adult beverages
(you know - when in Paris...). When the sun set (at 10pm!), we headed
back to the hotel and called it a day. Quote of the day: "What did I eat
that was yellow?" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hey, I found the Arch de Triomphe! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We rose early and beat the crowds to the top of
Eiffel Tower. After some great chocolate croissants at a sidewalk cafe,
we made our way over to
St. Chappelle and
Notre Dame (Will gave us a waiver on the "no more than one church per
day" rule). No hunchback, but plenty of other weird
characters made for great people watching there. We soon found
ourselves in another sidewalk cafe, this one found during a stroll
through the Latin Quarter. In the evening, we trekked up to
Montmartre for some shopping, sightseeing and dinner - what a fun part
of town. Quote of the day: "I wonder what those people know that
we don't?" (the answer, by the way, is that by waiting for the elevator
at the Abbesses Metro station (like they did) saves tortuous climbing up
countless, winding steps (like we did)). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
On top of the Eiffel Tower! |
Will negotiates with a street vendor |
The Eiffel Tower |
Chocolate croissants at a sidewalk cafe in Paris - can't do much better
than that! |
Notre Dame |
Hey - those statues at Notre Dame look familiar |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
I wonder if Dolce and Gabbana will let me do ads with my clothes on? |
Elizabeth contributes a piece of wall art to the creperie |
Money (2€ in this case), can buy love |
Sacre Couer at night |
Elizabeth scores a painting in Montmartre |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The girls headed out to Versailles today, while the boys ran all over
Paris: the Musee d'Orsay, the Arch de Triomphe,
where Diana was killed, a tour of the Paris sewer
system, the Army museum, Napoleon's tomb,
and the Rodin museum. After naps, we ventured out into the rain
and had a mediocre dinner at a cafe in otherwise very fun Latin Quarter.
Quotes of the day: "I like the cheese. And the bread. The jambon? Not so much.", and "Men that walk like this once ruled
this country." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
At the Palace of Versailles |
In the Hall of Mirrors |
Bill and Will, atop the Arch de Triomphe |
Will descends the 284 steps from the top of the Arch |
Down in the Paris sewers |
Checking out Invalides (where the Army Museum and Napoleon's tomb are
located) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
Now we know from where Rodin took his inspiration |
Three people and this lift is full |
Elizabeth scores some escargots at dinner. Now if she could just get
those little dudes out of their shell... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We saved the Louvre until our last morning in Paris. An hour was
enough to see the Louvre "big 3" and, after a little souvenir shopping,
we walked down the Rue de Rivoli back to our hotel to pack up.
After lunch and one more climb to the top of the Arch, we lugged our
now-larger and heavier bags to the train station and boarded the
Eurostar for the comfy trip back to London. Quote of the day: "He does." (while pointing at Will, in
response to a gypsy beggar asking "do you speak English?"). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
Coming in to the Louvre |
Elizabeth and Mona |
Venus de Milo |
Will finds where the grail is buried |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NEXT: Travel to Kenya --> |
