Paris

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Our flight home from South Africa took us through Paris - so, why not stay a few days?

Brother Garry and his wife Jan were also planning to spend some time in Paris before their river cruise and week in the French countryside - so we arranged to stay in the same hotel.

We did LOTS of walking around this wonderful city and saw all the highlights we could in 4 days. A highlight for me was a Seine River cruise with 3 course gourmet lunch, to celebrate my birthday. The first time I have spent my birthday with my brother since leaving Australia 43 years ago. (It sure beat marking for EQAO as we have done for the past 10 years on my birthday!)

Within a city block of our hotel there must have been 30 restaurants to choose from - the decision where to eat was the hardest part!

Paris is an expensive city - a small pot of coffee cost us 9 euros (about $13!) - I could have enjoyed a dozen oysters in Florida for the price of one in Paris.

We flew home yesterday after an amazing adventure; Pat & Claire's wedding, Mashatu, Cape Town and Paris - all in just 3 weeks.

In August we are planning the Canadian edition of the wedding, with invitations to all those who couldn't get to South Africa - so until then.....au revoir!

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Photos

Notre Dame
with Jan in front of the iconic 1000 year old cathedral

Seine
the locks on the bridge symbolize the commitment of the couples who have placed them there

lunch
we enjoyed many meals in Paris - we shared this light lunch in one of the many sidewalk bistros

Lenox
with Garry & Jan in front of our hotel

lunch cruise
a birthday highlight was this 2 hour cruise with delicious lunch - on the Seine

Paris liveaboard
sure beats a mooring ball in Marathon!

64
enjoying a French beer on my birthday

oysters!
Garry and I shared this platter which had a bowl of dry ice in water in the centre for effect

Liberty
this is the original - a larger copy was given to the US to celebrate the centenary of their independence

tour Eiffel
apparently Eiffel got all the credit for the collaborative design because he raised the money to build it

Invalides
in front of Napoleon's tomb

the Thinker
Rodin's famous sculpture is displayed in a beautiful rose garden surrounding a museum displaying his work

Mona Lisa
the famous lady attracts massive crowds in the Louvre Museum - it was a battle to get close to her

where next?
Jan & Marlie plan the next move in the Louvre - there are 18 km of hallways to cover!

Venus de Milo
another famous lady - we spent a full day in the Louvre but only saw a fraction of the displays

strike!
the first baseball player...?

yum!
we passed this tempting display case on the way home to our hotel - it would be a great place to stock up for a picnic

Lenox lounge
our hotel had a comfortable sitting area with an honesty bar including draft beer - nice touch!

Paris bikes
there were numerous banks of rental bikes which could be picked up and dropped off in different locations

Arc de Triomphe
taken from the middle of the Champs Elysees

Comments

[Rasso]

Memories of Paris ...
Liked the photo record - we're way behind - but what memories!!

[Lin]

Gay Paris!!!!!
Trusting your book will be coming out soon. Spectacular pics. LUV LIN

[Garry & Jan]

Ah! Paris
Isn't it great to have had such a wonderful experience together?