Page 9 Pics -Saskachewan - Vancouver
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Page 15 Pics - United Kingdom

12th Oct - Holland to Paris via train - 469 klms

I left Jaap's home and he drove me to train station in Rotterdam only to be told the fast train I was booked on couldn't leave from there due to a derailment along the track. I had to catch a train to Roosendaal then change and catch train to Brussels in Belgium then change to get train to Paris. Well all that was no mean feat with the luggage I had and pushing and dragging suitcases in each hand from one platform to another was just exhausting. I'm sorry Jaap we didn't have much of a chance to say goodbye at the station as I was so rushed to get on the train, but I did enjoy my week in your home and touring the countryside with you. When I finally arrived in Paris at least 2 hrs later than expected and dragging my luggage for what seemed to be a mile to find a taxi to get to me to hotel. At least the taxi was a mercedes and the taxi driver all dressed up in a suit...lol was a change from the taxi drivers I know...lmao. On checking into hotel I just crashed out and slept, I was totally exhausted. The next 2 days I spent sightseeing in Paris, I wanted to make sure I would see as much as possible it is an amazing city. I got train into centre of the city and after leaving the station thought where the hell am I...lol Trying to read French is no mean feat....lol I then jumped on the double decker bus tour to be guided around. The first day the weather was kind and nice and sunny. I took so many pics in this city prolly 300 in 2 days the reason it has taken me so long to get them on page...lol

I stayed on the bus until the Eiffel Tower, my first visions of it I was in awe, then just had to go up. The views from up there were unreal, Paris is a concrete jungle for sure as that is all you could see for miles in all directions.

Was then time for back on the bus and more sightseeing, what did send chills through me was driving over the tunnel where Diana lost her life and also passing the Ritz where she spent her last night. The tour took us past Musee d'Orsay, Opera - Galeries Lafayette, up the avenue des Champs-Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe, Grand Palais, Trocadero, down the Champ de Mars past the Hotel des Invalides- Tomb of Nepolean, Musee Rodin, Musee du Louvre then onto Notre Dame. I also got off the bus at the Arc de Triomphe took some pics and walked the Champs-Elysees for a while and had lunch. I stopped at Notre Dame and was simply amazed at the architecture of the magnificent historical cathedral. Was then time to sit n relax at the cafe for a well earned coffee....lol

I headed back to station only to be met by the rush hour and people pushing n shoving to get on the train, of course standing room only. After a good nights sleep I returned back to the city the next day to do it all over again and then some....lol. I started out at Notre Dame, queued up for an hour to climb the 400 steps up the tower. I soon found out how unfit I was...lol but the views yet again were spectacular from the top, along the way I entered the bell tower and actually touched the bell the Quasimodo rang all those years ago. It's not hard to see why it took 200 years to complete, the photos do not do justice to the detail. At least going back down was a lot easier than going up...lol by the time I got back down the 400 steps my legs where shaking...lol. I then went inside and admired the beauty in there.

My next adventure was to climb the Arc de Triomphe, bonus that was only 284 steps up...lol Most of Paris is set in circles, there are 12 avenues branching out from the Arc de Triomphe and it's unusual to see how they use every square inch of land for real estate with the shape of most of the buildings. After leaving there I walked down the Champs_Elysees yet again where I did manage to find my next new car...lol

By this time I still wanted to see more, and decided I wanted to see Paris after dark, so I hung around and did the night tour. Seeing the Eiffel Tower lit up was superb and the light show was awesome. Also got to see Moulin Rogue after dark.

As you can see my time in Paris was jam packed and I was worn out from 2 days of cramming in the most I could. I sure did sleep well and awoke the next day having to pack yet again to head to airport for 11 1/2 hr flight to Hong Kong.

20th Oct - Hong Kong to Melbourne - 9 hrs flight overnight stay in Melbourne then back to Tassie next morning

As the song says......"I've Had The Time Of My Life" and I owe it all to YOU !!!

All of you wonderful Addicts and friends I've met along the way and shared your homes and/or your time in showing me your Country in the past 6 and half months. You are all truly loved and I will never forget the lifetime memories I have. I've shared many laughs, many great times, many tears with several of you. To those who I didn't get to meet, I apologize. Thank You all from the bottom of my heart !!!