Day 3: Sunday 30 March 2014

A little about the hotel, it is called the Grand Hotel des Balcons, and yes every room does have a balcony, if a metal grill across the window counts as a balcony.  As previously stated the room is tiny, I can get from the bed to the bathroom in two steps which is handy through the night.  However, it is very clean, a modern bathroom, friendly and helpful staff and a great location.  So all in all a good place to stay.

The Grand Hotel des Balcons

Today I walked to Le Hotel des Invalides.  This is France's main military museum and celebrates all of France's military victories over the last couple of hundred years.  As you could imagine this is a very small museum, only jokin folks.  I was interested in what they are doing in the way of commemoration of the 100 years since the start of World War 1 (The Great War or TGW) and from what I could see not much.  There didn't appear to be any special displays in the museum or details of any special services.  I suppose when a large part of your country was destroyed by the war and the outcome led to another war in 20 years time there isn't much to commemorate.

Also visited the tomb of the Little Corporal (Napoleon Bonaparte).  Now here's a guy that knew a bit about winning battles, but didn't do him much good in the end either.

Decided to catch the train back to the hotel.  Purchased a Paris Visite pass and conducted the entire transaction a la Francais!!  Also found my way around on the metro without any problems.

 

I have established a relationship with a waiter at a bistro called Tabac De La Sorbonne, I give him money and he gives me beer, a mutually satisfactory arrangement.  Might even go there again tomorrow.

Talking about money, I think I liked France more when it was gripped in a financial crisis, it is very expensive here now.  For brunch today I had a ham omelet and a cappuccino and it cost me 15 Euros. Convert that at .63 to the Euro and you get about $24 for an omelet & coffee.  A 50cl Heineken beer was 7.80 Euros or a bit over $12.

Anyway mustn't grumble, it might get a bit cheaper once I get out in the country.

Day 1: Friday 28 March 2014

Up at sparrow's Friday morning, probably didn't need to be up as early as I was because as per usual I was out at the airport before the check in for my flight had opened.  Anyway once the check in was open I was through there, through security and customs etc with a minimum of fuss.

As I had a little time to spare I headed to the lounge for a light breakfast and a glass of champers.

Once I was on the plane I was heading towards my seat and one of the flight attendants (male) bumped into me, as we apologized to each other he stated it was his fault as in his words he "could have gone either way" and I think that I agreed with him.

You wouldn't believe that Hong Kong (HK) airport still has smoking rooms.  Tiny little rooms with 15 to 20 smokers in them and full of smoke, you wouldn't even need to light up in there, just breath everybody else's smoke.

Day 2: Saturday 29 March 2014

It really is a long way to France (I know that it is a long way to Tiperarry as well, but that is a different story).  The long wait in HK made the journey extremely tiring.  I was so tired when we got on the plane at 12.50am I wen to sleep straight after take off and missed my supper.  I got about 5 - 6 hours sleep and awoke refreshed and ready for brekky.

An uneventful flight from HK to Paris, we flew across the Gobi desert, Siberia, Russia, the Baltic states, Baltic Sea and then that well worn flight path from Germany to France.  I was surprised at how far north we travelled.  I will tell you something else, I also kept an eye on my compass and made sure that we were flying in the right direction at all times.

So after a long trip I have arrived in Paris.  Checked into the hotel (Clair, you were right the room is tiny, but the hotel seems good) and been out to check the area for the essentials; bars, restaurants etc.  It has been a beautiful day, about 20 degrees, very spring like.  The Luxembourg Gardens was packed with Parisians out soaking up the sun.  Flashy can probably guess what the spring sunshine has brought out.

Just a couple of Paris scenes

Lots of the French still smoking and the electric cigarettes seem to be the sophisticated thing to do at the moment.

I have been doing well with my French and making an effort to speak it whenever I can, however the French people I have spoken to have responded to me in English.  I think that they think that they are doing me a favour, either that or they can't put up with my excruciating French accent.  I will keep trying!!

Dinner tonight was at a local brasserie, The Bistro Racine, just around the corner from the hotel.  I had some homemade terrine and entrocote (steak) with fries and salad.  I had forgotten how rare a rare steak is in France!  After a beer and a couple of glasses of wine the old jet lag kicked in.  8.00pm and I was going to sleep at the table, so back to the hotel and an early night for me.

 

The Great War - Centennial Tour 1914 - 2014