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Published: August 25th 2008
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Eiffel Tower
9 o'clock at night - very tired boys. 23rd August
After our fantastic wet day in Paris were wanted to go back for more. That bike tour was terrific for orientating us. The boys were spouting out facts and figures last night. Who died jumping off the Eiffel tower in a bat suit, who built it, the French Revolution all sorts. But today was about going back and visiting the sites that we were really interested in. Gareth and I had told the boys that they had to walk everywhere today as well - no metro.
We ordered two baguettes and 10 croissants (the guy looked at me in horror when I made the order). Packed it into our bag with creamed rice, dried apricots and nectarines and set off for the train station. First problem - we missed the train into Paris. We are staying at a camping ground in Vernouillet Verneuil and it’s a 40 minute train ride into Paris. So we waited the hour in the car park and played soccer.
Anton was in charge of the map once we got to Paris. Walked to the Concorde and saw the Arc de Triomphe down Avenue des Champs Elysees. By which stage we only had the dried
Bastille Market
Prawns and more prawns. apricots and nectarines left in the bag. Not a good sign.
Walked to the Musee de armee. This was absolutely fantastic and we only went through one wing. The World Wars. The kids were fascinated. It’s funny really because most of it was in French but you could still work out what it was about. After going to the memorial of the Battle of Britain and then to this museum the kids are getting quite a good understanding of what went on and who was involved.
From there we went to Eglise Du Dome which Louis built for himself but is now the home of Napoleons tomb (which I might add is huge). Mason is fixated with the gold on the roof of this thing. He wants to know why no one has stolen it. There’s something like 16kg of gold up there.
After this we went to one of the markets but Gareth went in search of a camping magazine he wants. The boys were a little worried about this - I don’t think they thought I could get them to our destination without getting lost. But we did it! The market wasn’t that good. But we did order
Trocadero
The sights from the top of the Eiffel Tower. croissants and coffee in French - and we got it too. No food left now so another croissant and Italian grapes and French apples. The grapes were sweet and delicious. The boys did say they were feeling a little over done with croissants by now.
Gareth turned up much to the boys delight and we headed for the Eiffel Tower. On the way we stopped at a shop selling breads and pastries. We were in much need of more food. You can’t really describe what this shop was like. The cakes and pastries were.......... mouth watering. Blake took one look and when asked to choose he slapped his hand on his forehead and said “so much”. We got to the front of the line and he still hadn’t decided. It took him another minute or two before he could, much to the waiting customers delight. He choose a chocolat éclair. Which he didn’t eat all of and I can say honestly that it was one of the nicest things I have ever eaten. The éclair was light and crisp - the cream and chocolat filling was .... oh it was just beautiful. Mason choose a chocolat croissant and he is
Musee D O'rsay
This museum use to be the old train station. beginning to look like one.
We arrived at the Eiffel tower along with enough people to populate New Zealand. It was 7 o’clock at night. We had been in Paris since 12.30. The sight of the queues had the kids in tears. So we decided to come back tomorrow. We headed for the Metro knowing that if we pushed any harder they would crumble. We walked toward Trocadero and found street entertainers. All in French but still hilarious. Soccer trips, dancing, head spins and jokes which we all laughed at. Brilliant entertainment for 3 euros.
We managed to get home at 10.30 and into bed. Asked the boys what they wanted to do the next day - ‘back into Paris for more bright and early’.
24th August
Left the camp ground at 7.30 this morning and drove into Paris instead of catching the train. We were heading into a flea market in search of bikes so we decided to take Hugo.
The flea market was huge. And we got a bike for Blake called Skippy. Shimano gears, nice and light and only 15 euros. Gareth found 5 euros on the ground so it was only 10 at the end
Eiffel Tower
The Hughes at the top of the Eiffel Tower. Behind us is the NZ flag with how far Auckland is away. of the day. We parked Hugo on some side street and decided to leave him there and catch the metro further into Paris. But some local walked past as we were leaving and explained to us with hand gestures that if we leave it there it would get broken into. He showed us where to park instead. We have found most of the French so far to be friendly and extremely helpful.
We went to the Bastille market and it was brilliant. There was food from around the world and fruit, veggies, sea food, meat, bread ... absolutely everything. Gareth kept disappearing so the boys and I kept buying food to eat straight away because we hadn’t had breakfast. We had something Lebanese - like a pancake, pizza thing with something on it. It was delicious despite the description. Then we found a bakery - pastries filled with apple, others filled with chocolate. Then onto the crepes. Sucre and lemon and chocolat (dark). Mason and I had the chocolat and I have never had anything that good for breakfast before. Both of us had chocolate dripping from our fingers and all over our faces. Then onto the grapes, strawberries and nectarines. We left there with fresh pasta, baguettes, olives and fruit and veg. That is simply the best market I have ever been too.
Third time lucky with the Eiffel tower. Yet again huge queues but the boys were prepared for them this time and didn’t blink an eye. We were fortunate to line up behind a wonderful family from Italy who love rugby. Their son said 75% off NZers are supposed to play rugby and the ones we meet don’t. They have given us their phone number so we can contact them when we get to Florence. 1hour later we were up the top of the Eiffel tower. Unfortunately we lined up for the North Pillar and what we didn’t realize is that this pillar doesn’t have steps so we had to take the lift. We had planned to walk up to the 2nd floor. Oh well. Gareth loved the tower. You can simply see all of Paris from there and it’s not that wide but it’s certainly tall. Mason loved running around. Blake wasn’t fazed by the height. We all managed to walk back down from the 2nd floor after coming back down from the top.
We split up again after this. Mason and I went to the Musee DO’rsay and Gareth, Blake and Anton went to see if Hugo still had wheels and drive home. Mason and I loved the Museum - we saw work by Cezanne, Monet, Klimt, Renoir , Van Gogh and numerous others. He doesn’t like anything with a person in it - goes straight to the landscapes. It was nearly 5 o’clock now and we were exhausted. So we decided not to visit the Louvre and go home instead.
Back at home with Hugo and all his wheels was a fresh salad, fresh pasta and a beer. The end to a terrific day. The boys are outside - Blake on his bike and the boys building jumps for him to go over. They have a couple of French friends that don’t speak English and our French is rubbish so it’s fantastic listening to them communicate. They just shout at each other and laugh.
Looking forward to tomorrow, a day at home (camp ground) catching up on washing, sleep and a little more food.
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