We love Paris in the Springtime

Julie and Carolyn at the Ritz
see all photos »

Day 15 - Saturday 19 May 2007 ( 366 hours down 522 to go)

Up early to pack, check out, order taxi and off to the airport with plenty of time to spare which was just as well because as we are approaching the airport motorway we hit a traffic jam that has traffic from all directions at a standstill. Taxi driver is more upset than we are and after a while he attempts to try another route which produces same result but on another on ramp and provides more frustration for the driver, thought he was going to have a heart attack he was puffing, moaning and groaning so much. As we eventually get to the source we see that a 5 series BMW has been sideswiped and put into the dividing wall by a truck. The truck has lost its load of structural steel beams which are spread over the motorway for about 50 metres. Easy check in at airport and as we are travelling to another EU country there is no immigration to worry about so it is straight in to the  Iberia Club Lounge for a coffee and light breakfast. We take off at 11.50am and we are the only people in Business Class, lunch is served and it is to our liking, smoked salmon, rare roast beef and salad with an acceptable Spanish blanc to wash it down. Flight was just over 90 minutes and clearance through Orly was just like getting off in Melbourne. Catch a taxi into our Hotel in Paris and we soon have the amazing sight of the Eiffel Tower in our vision for most of the trip.

Vincent Van Gogh self portrait
see all photos »

Hotel is a nice surprise and is much better that we expected. Room is quite large for Paris standards and a great view of the Eiffel Tower from the balcony. We heard that friends from Mount Gambier, Peter and Carolyn Gazzard, are in Paris on a Mercedes Benz trip so we make contact with them and arrange to meet up. We grab a taxi to the Ritz Hotel for afternoon tea, but as we failed to make a reservation there is no chance, but they do allow us to have a good look around at the magnificent surroundings and floral displays. www.ritzparis.com We do have a quick drink at the Park Hyatt which is also very flash then onto the Musee d’Orsay for a touch of Paris culture looking at paintings by Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir and many others. Today is a special Museum Day so access is free to all museums which is a bonus but attracts a large crowd.

Us at Dinner with a great view
see all photos »

We all agree that dinner with a view of the Eiffel Tower would be nice and Carolyn knew where to find one that had been recommended to her the previous day by an American girl living in Paris. We manage to find Café de L’Homme and get a table with a view that could not have been better and the strobe light show at 10.00pm was just perfect as was the food and wine.  www.cafedehomme.com

Peter and Carolyn getting romantic
see all photos »

We say goodnight and farewell and walk back to our Hotel across the Seine under the Tower thinking how good it is to be back in Paris.

Day 16 - Sunday 20 May 2007 ( 390 hours down 498 to go)