Blogs from France, Europe - page 9

I got up at 6am for another early start this morning, following a good nights sleep. More improvements on the health situation. I’m still coughing, but better overall! Until I hit the breakfast area; it was so hot in there, no fresh air, I came over really sickly. I couldn’t even manage my breakfast, or a coffee!!! Which is unheard of!!! I decided I couldn’t eat at that time, so made myself a sandwich, and decided on drinking water. I went outside for fresh air, and definitely felt better for it! I made the decision to go early to the coach, allowing me to stand in the fresh air, rather than struggle in the sickly heat for breakfast. Au revoir Paris! We set off at around 7:30ish… I think! We made good time to get through ... read more

I’m so pleased to say, I am feeling much improvement today. Day 5 of the doxycycline is finally kicking in! Hopefully, it’s a better day ahead! Today is a free day around Paris. I’ve been anticipating this day for a while, so I really want to be able to take it all in, and enjoy it! Breakfast went down so much better today, it’s all adding to relief I feel. I’m fed up with myself for feeling so crap… inwards and upwards, I can see it coming now. Today I am joining about half of the group for a full day of exploration in Paris! The Paris excursion showcases the iconic sights and a few of the experiences this city is famous for including the Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Opéra Garnier and more! After a photographic ... read more

This morning, it’s time to travel from London to Paris. Cross the English Channel and travel through to the French capital. It was an early start, 5:45 alarm. Still not sleeping great due to the constant coughing! But I still think it was an improvement on the previous nights efforts to sleep. So I feel that I’m heading in the right direction. The breakfast area was already buzzing when I arrived. I feel like I should start the day with a hearty breakfast, but my stomach isn’t feeling the same. I decided on the granola, fruit and yoghurt with a fresh orange juice. I considered that the bad bacteria will help the good bacteria with my sickly feeling today! I sat on my own to eat, there are so many people in the restaurant, and I ... read more

Réunion is a tropical island twice the size of Okinawa and half the size of Kangaroo Island in the Indian Ocean. The 210 kilometre coastline hugs 2 volcanoes, one active and one dormant, with 3 glorious collapsed caldera known here as Cirques (circuses). We are here to visit a friend and colleague from Okinawa. Not just visiting for the volcanoes! French is the official language spoken here, but the locals speak Creole. Months of study before arriving, is helping bridge the gap, because many people don’t speak English. Total immersion in the language, plus daily conversation with our host helps. I can talk about food, hiking and volcanic activity in faltering French. I cannot understand Creole! The first week has been busy, visiting markets, hiking and flying over the island. The range of food here is ... read more

The weather in Paris has gradually become warmer during our stay, with the high temperature climbing to 87 degrees Fahrenheit today. We definitely felt the difference as we walked around in the afternoon, but it was tolerable in the shade with the help of some cool breezes. We decided to take a river cruise on the Seine, an experience we have enjoyed on several occasions in the past (most recently with our granddaughter Ashley back in 2017). In order to save some wear and tear on Dee, we opted for a taxi ride from our cottage in Malakoff to the Pont Neuf, a bridge that spans the river Seine, at the western end of the Île de la Cité, in the center of Paris. The Vedettes du Pont Neuf, a company that offers one-hour river cruises, ... read more