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Published: August 4th 2013
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Day 1 – Paris, France
Sunday 30th December 2012
We depart from London today and cross the English Channel on our way to Paris. Tonight sit back and enjoy a City Lights Tour.
As the coach trip started in London and were travelling to Paris by Ferry, being the travel sick prone person I am on boats, I chose to pay extra and travel by Eurostar (along with the fact I wouldn’t be able to get to London by 6am on a Sunday morning over Xmas)! With my suitcase packed, my passport in its new funky holder and my lift to the station off I set with excitement, trepidation and a nervous energy that would see me through the whole first day!
Upon arriving at St Pancras, Susie came to have breakfast with me at Searcys Champagne Bar (well I was on holiday after all!), and waving me off on the Eurostar, I settled down for a nap. I was surprised at how quick I was in France when I awoke from my doze and looked out the window. Coming in to Gare Du Nord,
the excitement started to build again. After 15 years of waiting to go to gay Pari’, I was here! I couldn’t wait to get to my hostel and start exploring. My taxi driver spoke ‘Non Anglais’ so 20 euro later I arrived at my accommodation for the night. After being told I had an hour less to meet the group, I asked where the Champs Elysee was and set off for the metro.
Successfully navigating your way on a train in a foreign country with limited French knowledge was a challenge but I managed it. I hopped off at my stop and eagerly raced through the station. Coming up the stairs and walking outside, there it was in front of me…..and 20,000 people! The Louvre! Wow. I was so impressed that I only had 10 mins of staring at it and took a few piccies before I had to make my way back to the train to meet my group. Our tour guide Carly was there with our coach driver Ype! Meeting some of the girls and a lovely couple, Sarah and Kurt, I ended up sharing a room with sisters Emma and Elise and Sarah. This was a
novelty – being a traveller in a dorm room. And I was the oldest! Our group comprised about 50 and we all met for a lovely dinner at the local restaurant across the road. All the people on my table were lovely and I was even daring and tried snails (bit like garlic mushrooms!)
We then had a lovely coach ride around the city, watching the lights and the tourist attractions sparkle. Driving down the Champs Elysee – the Avenue of Diamonds and Rubies as its known – was spectacular. Turning the corner, we were told to look to our left and there it was like a beacon in the dark velvet sky – The Eiffel Tower, lit up like a Christmas tree and as beautiful as all the pictures I have ever seen. Breathtaking view of it as we had a bit of time for photographs, one of which is now my favourite and has pride of place on my wall! A fabulous but tiring first day had in France and with New Years Eve to look forward to the next night, we ventured back to the hostel for a good night’s sleep!………
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