NSW COAST 2003
13th November Wednesday
Left Sydney in Volvo – traveled down South Coast thru’ Sutherland and National Park area. Weather hot, areas burnt over in National park. Stopped at top of hill overlooking Bulli – Wollongong etc. Great view.
Thru’ Bulli, Wollongong and Port Kembla. Shopped for provisions at Pt Kembla mall. Thank goodness for good ol’ Salies as we had forgotten cutlery and crockery, bed linen and pillows. Diverted through Southern Highlands and Mittagong on way to Canberra. Stopped at YHA for night. As usual very comfortable. Tried to get hold of Ginny Davies without success again.
Left ACT and drove across to join Pacific Highway just above Batemans Bay. Stopped at small town (Gidgeringoo??) for petrol. Long drive for day. We tented just outside Batemans Bay in a large caravan park with a decent salt water 25 meter swimming pool in an idyllic setting among eucalyptus trees. A must to return to Island View Beach resort just south of Narooma. Walked along the beach after tea.
Friday 15
Drove via Tilba and Tilba Central both delightful heritage towns full of arts and craft shops and cafes. So easy to linger and be tempted to buy. I was delighted with the entrance of one shop to lure in buyers with a sign saying. All things bright and beautiful, all things great and small, all things priced to sell for one and all! Hey I thought maybe one day I may do a copy cat.
Continued on down the Sapphire coast and on to Bega, a town that survives around a cheese factory. We visited the factory. Stayed in Eden. Twofold Beach Resort campsite. Excellent and pots and pans provided so I give that campsite the thumbs up.
Saturday 16
Relaxed in Eden. A promotion by the Navy down on the wharf. A couple of minesweepers in Port. We went on board and had a good look around. Life at sea sounded great for girls.
Eden Museum- Tom the Orca whale, unique insofar he aided the whalers in herding the hump back whales into the harbour for slaughter. Also recognition for “Pelorus Jack “ Can’t remember what sort of whale (Dolphin!!) he was but he helped Captains to safely navigate the Pelorus sounds in NZ for 40 years. Amazing. There was also real life Jonah who survived after being found in a whale stomach.
Stayed at Ocean View campsite.
Sunday 17
Onto Lakes Entrance arrived for lunch and what a beautiful setting and superb weather. Cont. driving on the Alpine Road which is a tourist drive to a lovely Alpine town called Omeo. Wandered up to the Tourist Information Centre and gift shop which stocked almost exclusively German clocks and artefacts. Fancied a clock so I know to phone Leonie on 0351591552 when I am ready to settle down. Stayed in campsite by river which we had to ourselves except for one other camper. Enjoyed relaxing watching TV that night.
Monday 18
Cont. into the mountainous countryside on the Alpine Drive. Evidence of drought everywhere. Arrived at Dinner Plains at mid day. Dinner Plains is a purpose built alpine village and a ski lodge would set you back 500k. It was easy to imagine the setting during the ski season but there was not a blade of grass to be seen. Wandered around the village, nice place but totally deserted (apart from builders). After a walk drove on to Mt Hotham ( which is Victoria’s prime ski resort ) and finally stopped for lunch by the river in Bright with the temperature soaring in the 40’s Didn’t even go for a swim. Silly me!! The town is lined with avenues of deciduous trees such as Beech. Kept cool hanging out in a Tourist Info Center/café till 4pm before traveling on to Healesville (popular nature sanctuary) nr Melbourne. Eventually found a campsite called Badger’s Creek Holiday Park with a 5 star rating and deserved it.
Tuesday 19
Peter slept in but I was awake early and with the cooler weather grabbed the opportunity for a delightful early morning run passing numerous vineyards and life style allotments. After breakfast drove into St.Kilda where we parked the car. Train into the city with the intention to repair my Thermarest mattress as it had a small hole and consequently a slow leak. Out of luck. I shouldn’t be so hopeful but I was almost desperate to get it fixed as I was getting sore hips every morning. Peter did I think gallantly offer to swop mats. Visited Ackland St. in St Kilda as I wanted to temp the taste buds on the tantalizing sweet shops found there owned by the Jewish community. Met Ross our Accountant at 5pm for business and chat, later went to the pub Ross included.
Wednesday 20
Awoke to rain. Much needed as Australia was suffering the worst drought in years. Left early and drove( with Peter at the wheel as usual, excusable as Company car and a Volvo at that ) north to Mansfield, Wangaratta via vineyards to Beechworth – an old gold and mining town to Cooryong via Tallangatta. Stopped at Beechworth for lunch. Again this is another lovely Ozie mountain town. Here I purchased Emu oil products. Love to return here one day and stay awhile. Meantime we pressed on to Corrong and arrived in the pouring rain to set up our tent in camp site just outside town. Very friendly elderly husband/wife Proprietors.
Thursday 21
6am Peter snoring! I am up with the birdsong and sunshine and not to waste the magic of the time donned my running shoes and out into the beautiful tree lined park and along the running track which surrounds the park and is exactly one kilometer in length and around I went counting to 21. It was so much fun. After breakfast into the car and drove along The Snowy Mountain Drive as seen on the map. Stopped at the Murray Power Station 1 and gleamed some knowledge on the Snowy Mountain Scheme. Onto Thredbo with the aim of making it to summit that day which we did JUST! In truth we didn’t quite make it to the top as it was getting late and we didn’t want to be caught in the dark so we did the sensible thing and turned back. There is always another time! Great chair lift from the resort to the top of the ski runs. Took probably ½ hour to get up. Instead we continued a long drive in the evening to get to the coast and stayed the night in the seaside town of Tathra. On the way stopped at this small shop which sold a special water which is supposed to prevent aging. All the local cows apparently live to be the bovine equivalent of 150.
Friday 22
Up early alone for that early morning walk along the beach. Actually one is never alone as there are always others enjoying the sunrise as well, and personally it’s the best time of the day.
When traveling it seems as thou’ you meet the most interesting people and I thought the French chef we chatted to at breakfast time was one of those people or perhaps you connect better with some and therefore can still recall them even months or years later even thou’ you may have only spent an hour with them. After breakfast we traveled back to Bega and again visited the cheese factory and again sampled and took more than our fair share of their delicious cheeses on display to taste.
Stopped awhile back in Tilba and then onto Narooma and stayed the night back at Island View Resort. I had a say in that so I could enjoy the salt water pool which is a real treat to have in a camp site.
Saturday 23
You have guessed it. Up again for that early morning walk along the beach. Drove to Pretty Beach. Snapped our first photo posing with the beach in the background. Onto Racecourse campsite. Only curious as one of Peter’s colleagues has a holiday home there and it evidently has a reputation for good fishing. It was a good spot. Onto Bateman’s bay and stopped for the night at Pleasurelea camp site. Sunshine Bay. Had a good kitchen but we were camped by the river with mosquitoes as company.
Sunday24
Up early fo a walk. Stopped at Ulladulla on the coast then onto Swanlake at Sussex inlet. Decided to stay put for two nights which was welcomed as the temperatures had soared and must have been in the 40’s. We felt familiar with the campsite site as we had stayed there before and remembered the great facilities which included a fully equipped kitchen, books and TV. This time thou’ it was Spring and the birds were very protective of their young especially the Plover bird. The Plover stupidly lays its eggs on the ground and continually circles its nest and aggressively advances towards you if you approach it. The campsite in the evening and at night is full of kangaroos so you are never alone. I think we were the only people camping. Fantastic spot.
Monday 25
Scorching temperatures.. Found relief down at the river at Sussex Inlet. Great river swimming. Rested there till 4pm – a nice change from driving.
Tuesday26
Up early to travel to Wollongong via Novra and Kiama. Stayed at Bulli campsite which is approximately 25kms north of Wollongong. There is a very pleasant walk/cycle way along the coast from Bulli to Wollongong which we did as a way to get to the city and to keep fit. Stayed two nights before heading back to Sydney. We thoroughly enjoyed the NSW south Coast and only regret was that we didn’t get to Montague Island to see the migrating whales. There is always a next time.
Leah
It was the best holiday Peter. Thanks for giving me the nudge to finish what you started.
Luv U. 6/3/03
Wednesday, November 13, 2002
Thursday, August 1, 2002
Malaysia 2002
MALAYSIA 2002
Bird Park
Excellent park good range of exhibits in fairly natural habitat
Hornbills really impressive
Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel
Facilities incl Convention Centre
Sunway Pyramid
Built into side of old tin mine. Ground floor is Level 16 – we had to go down to our room. Greta room as it led out onto a balcony above the swimming pool.
Visit of Agong (King) and Queen (red carpet)
Visit of junior minister of Tourism (red carpet)
Main Ballroom (huge)
Swimming Pools
Walking Track
Gymn
Meals
Port Dickson
Bus down to PD
Local bus
Beach
Shops
Meal P – Chicken rice
Fairly dirty beaches – wall to wall people and really hot and humid
Seramban
Train down
Old museum (mainly photos of old Serambam area, some artifacts)
Park alongside lake
Rain storm (Leah got really wet)
Trip back – train
Twin Towers
Malaysian Orchestra
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa concert in Petronas Towers complex (KLCC). Great concert hall – we were under a balcony so sound was a bit restricted. DK sang a lot of classical opera tunes. Didn’t recognize most of them.
Meeting Lisa (Oz Embassy) ex Leah’s Sarawak trip
Singapore Trip
Bus down to JB – arrived 12.30pm. Stayed in Hilton JB
Golf with Stephen Chong, Julian and Scott (Park Royal), Philip Wong, Johnny Liew (muscleman), Greg (Crystal Crown), ANO
Saturday - played Royal Johore (18 holes), Legends (9 holes – then halted due to Lightening). RJ = 91 (1 Birdie, 5 Pars) Legends – don’t mention. My right arm was really sore afterwards. It swelled up (all those unused muscles)
Leah visited Island off east cost of Sg
Sunday – played Jurong CC (Sg) Very good 15 Holes – then halted due to lightening. 3 pars
Saturday night to East Coast Fish restaurant. Crab night very good but expensive $500
Sunday lunch – Jurong fish restaurant, Leah ordered Tofu to everyones disgust
Sunday pm – to big shopping centre with Leah (Raffels?)
Sunday night – SG Park Royal Exec floor
Monday business but ended up meeting with Scott and Park Royal senior management re supply of envelopes
Drive back to KL with Koh
Sabah
Friday
Flight over (Paper Merchants) to KK via Brunei
Bus trip to Sepitong 2 ¾ Hours interesting countryside
Mill visit Paper mill about 10 min out of Sepitong. (Pulp Mill, 2 x Paper machines, old plant, dated technology)
Mill village a bit like Tokoroa to Kinleith but smaller scale
Meal – met CEO ex AMSTEEL?
Bus back to KK fantastic lightening show the whole way back.
Stayed in Shangri La resort
Saturday
Bus to Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Springs
Did Canopy Walk (photos of Koh and Myself)
Kundasun for lunch: potentially fantastic view of mountain but too much cloud cover.
Visit special garden centre – quite good with lots of variety
Park HQ – wandered around Visitors centre. Not a great day for climbing
Back to KK – good day
Dinner at fish restaurant adjacent to waterfront. Set meal not too bad but too much for our table.
Sunday
Koh and I to Manakau? Island on local boat. Small island but very popular.
Bush walk (3 km) to western end. Quite good but very hot
Simple lunch then return to Shangri La.
Bus to airport then home direct to KL.
Bird Park
Excellent park good range of exhibits in fairly natural habitat
Hornbills really impressive
Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel
Facilities incl Convention Centre
Sunway Pyramid
Built into side of old tin mine. Ground floor is Level 16 – we had to go down to our room. Greta room as it led out onto a balcony above the swimming pool.
Visit of Agong (King) and Queen (red carpet)
Visit of junior minister of Tourism (red carpet)
Main Ballroom (huge)
Swimming Pools
Walking Track
Gymn
Meals
Port Dickson
Bus down to PD
Local bus
Beach
Shops
Meal P – Chicken rice
Fairly dirty beaches – wall to wall people and really hot and humid
Seramban
Train down
Old museum (mainly photos of old Serambam area, some artifacts)
Park alongside lake
Rain storm (Leah got really wet)
Trip back – train
Twin Towers
Malaysian Orchestra
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa concert in Petronas Towers complex (KLCC). Great concert hall – we were under a balcony so sound was a bit restricted. DK sang a lot of classical opera tunes. Didn’t recognize most of them.
Meeting Lisa (Oz Embassy) ex Leah’s Sarawak trip
Singapore Trip
Bus down to JB – arrived 12.30pm. Stayed in Hilton JB
Golf with Stephen Chong, Julian and Scott (Park Royal), Philip Wong, Johnny Liew (muscleman), Greg (Crystal Crown), ANO
Saturday - played Royal Johore (18 holes), Legends (9 holes – then halted due to Lightening). RJ = 91 (1 Birdie, 5 Pars) Legends – don’t mention. My right arm was really sore afterwards. It swelled up (all those unused muscles)
Leah visited Island off east cost of Sg
Sunday – played Jurong CC (Sg) Very good 15 Holes – then halted due to lightening. 3 pars
Saturday night to East Coast Fish restaurant. Crab night very good but expensive $500
Sunday lunch – Jurong fish restaurant, Leah ordered Tofu to everyones disgust
Sunday pm – to big shopping centre with Leah (Raffels?)
Sunday night – SG Park Royal Exec floor
Monday business but ended up meeting with Scott and Park Royal senior management re supply of envelopes
Drive back to KL with Koh
Sabah
Friday
Flight over (Paper Merchants) to KK via Brunei
Bus trip to Sepitong 2 ¾ Hours interesting countryside
Mill visit Paper mill about 10 min out of Sepitong. (Pulp Mill, 2 x Paper machines, old plant, dated technology)
Mill village a bit like Tokoroa to Kinleith but smaller scale
Meal – met CEO ex AMSTEEL?
Bus back to KK fantastic lightening show the whole way back.
Stayed in Shangri La resort
Saturday
Bus to Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Springs
Did Canopy Walk (photos of Koh and Myself)
Kundasun for lunch: potentially fantastic view of mountain but too much cloud cover.
Visit special garden centre – quite good with lots of variety
Park HQ – wandered around Visitors centre. Not a great day for climbing
Back to KK – good day
Dinner at fish restaurant adjacent to waterfront. Set meal not too bad but too much for our table.
Sunday
Koh and I to Manakau? Island on local boat. Small island but very popular.
Bush walk (3 km) to western end. Quite good but very hot
Simple lunch then return to Shangri La.
Bus to airport then home direct to KL.
Friday, March 1, 2002
Luxembourg 2002
LUXEMBOURG FRANCE BELGIUM & GERMANY February 2002
Luxembourg.
• Museum – history of Luxembourg in old city. Very good. Showed old movie of some Commune uprising in Paris in 1860’s. Spent time in Library & old Cathedral. Latter is stunning.
• Walk following river around valley & old township (Grond). Went down to YHA but proved to be very expensive. Located right at bottom of valley.
• Walk (10km) through forest to Itzl – little village close to Lux. Highlights remains of old watermill, old church in Itzl, fantastic views
• Train ride to Bettesdorf to meet Adrian. Walked around village & up a few side roads whilst I waited for him. Very quiet area.
• Meet L&L at school on many days
• Weekend with L&L, walk up to soccer ground but too wet. Played kicks at Lukes judo school
• Walk through casemates area & back through old part of town
• Walk through local forest with family & then stopped at ice skating rink
• Watched L&L fancy dress show at school. Both dressed up as Zorro (hats, capes, swords etc)
Metz (France)
• Train to Metz in France. Highlights – Leah went to toilet in Police Station, fantastic old RC church fabulous stained glass, old museum of Metz (from Roman times), walk through old section, saw other old churches but didn’t go in. Cup of coffee at local bistro, proprietor knew of All Blacks. Many many bread type shops. Looked a really interesting city.
Brussels (Belgium)
• To Brussels with A & N. Drove all the way (+ 140km/hr). Going to see European Motor Show in Exhibition Centre. Fantastic display (saw many great concept cars). New sports Volvo particularly nice. Mercedes & Ford had a hall each. Merc was a stunning display. Cars all on a second level so didn’t really get to see them. Crowds were huge. Afternoon tea at Pizza Hut
Trier (Germany)
• To Trier on a local train from Lux station. Great place wandered around old section. Many interesting shops. I bought a pair of Mephisto shoes, Leah a pair of Birkenstocks at a funny little store. Went back & changed them later. Nice afternoon tea at a local restaurant. Area was old Roman section – with a huge old gate. Tried to get into amazing church but were not allowed. Trier known as Treviri in old Roman times. Now very large & spreads for miles along Moselle & Saar.
Kaiserslautern (Germany)
• To KL to watch a Bundesliga game (KL v Hamburg) Two & half hour drive to get there. Parked in Opel works car park & got a bus to the game. Lots of atmosphere & plenty of passion. Game ended in 2 – 2 draw. KL were fourth on the Table. Couldn’t find the bus back to the factory so got a taxi. Probably didn’t lose too much time.
Paris (France)
• 4 hour train ride to Paris Gare de l’Est. Very comfortable & quick. Went through Thionville & Metz.
• Lunch (sandwiches + drinks) in a small coffee house/pub. Proprietor was touting for customers so we were willing victims.
• Stayed at YHA in Boulevarde Charles Ferry (sic) close to Place de la Republique. Quite comfortable. Place was on Metro so that was very helpful. Double rooms with bunk, hand basin & wardrobe. Leah slept on floor at end of bed.
• Night 1 – walked into town via Place De La Republique. About 3 km. Wandered through Pompidou Centre (library briefly) & then modern art section. Wasn’t too impressed with the Art (some OK) but the centre was great (modern design, all the escalators etc on outside of building etc) Building painted in garish colours – reds, oranges & greens mainly. Then went on to Ile de la Cite & to the Notre Dame cathedral. Wonderful place. Awe inspiring. Sat thru part of an evening mass right up the front close to the nave. Great stained glass, some lovely Christian settings around the building, fantastic area for the priests & choir etc esp the paintings & tapestries. Walked back & watched a number of dancing schools in a little side street. Ballet, latin, Tango, African – really good. Dinner in restaurant Place del a Republique on way back to YHA. Leah had a plate full of mussels.
• Day 2 – Metro to Versailles. Quick walk around the township & Leah got some bread for lunch. Old style township purely to serve the Palace. Old buildings abound. Saint Cyr (military school) close by. Palace was amazing, staggeringly beautiful. Walked around Leah sensibly had a tape player as a guide. Went on a room by room basis. Each room had the most fantastic paintings, wonderful decorations, great features – one could go on forever. Highlights – Hall Of Mirrors, Large room overlooking Chapel, Chapel, Marie Antoinettes bedroom area. Took two tours – one in main area & the other in Kings Chambers. It’s easy to see how royalty can get out of touch with the common herd living in a place like that. Gardens were equally nice even though it was winter. Love to see them during spring or early summer. Met a couple of Kiwi guys, one of whom was over to try & get residency in France. Wanted to buy an old house in Dax (south of France) do it up & live happily there for ever more. He was a carpenter by trade.
• Day 3 – Back to Ile De La Cite & Saint Chappelle & Conciegerie. Also took in a big Hotel de Ville. Huge place which is mayoral chambers & Paris Council. Not a hotel at all. Saint Chappelle an old 2 story Church with outstanding stained glass windows. Right next to the Palais de Justice Frances High Court. Conciegerie was an ancient castle converted to hold prisoners during the Revolution. Marie Antionette , Charlotte Corday & Robespierre were held there. Excellent museum which led one around how it was set up. Then on a Bus Tour of all the major sights. Really worthwhile. Eiffel Tower (we climbed to second level), Champs Elysee, Arc de Triomphe, Montmatre, Moulin Rouge, Sacre Coeur, Louvre, Jardin de Tuilleries, Palace de Luxembourg, Artists Quarter, Madelaine, Ile de la Cite, etc etc. We got off at Eiffel Tower, Madelaine (top class shopping area) & Monmatre. Went through the Church (Eglise de Sacre Couer) at the top of the hill (relatively modern). Then down through artists section of Montmatre & got my face forever preserved in pencil. Walked down to Moulin Rouge but entry EU 140 was too expensive. Dinner + nice Bordeaux wine at YHA. Talked to an American women who was on her way back to Seattle?
• Day 4 – Went to Napoleons Tomb & Les Invalides. Les Invalides - Museum of wars thru’ history. We wandered around Second World War. Exhibits had a very French perspective so you tended to think that France won the war on all fronts. Napoleons Tomb was great. Again all his victories were listed but none of his defeats. He did a lot for French pride. Then Leah went by Metro to St Denis & I went to Stade de France to watch France play Italy in the Six nations. Great ground, wonderful atmosphere but ordinary game. France won but low quality. Police & army everywhere. Bought myself a scarf. Met Leah back at YHA. Dinner in & then down to town again. Ile de Louis - walked around pretty quiet. Then on to Ile De La Cite. Notre Dame & stayed right through a full communion service. Very big crowd esp as it was late at night.
• Day 5 – Metro to Musee des Hommes. Traced history of mankind from way back. Very good but all exhibits were marked in French. Then went to Louvre. Queued for miles but got quickly into main hall. Entry Free as it was first Sunday of month. Crowds were enormous. Museum was huge – just too big to really appreciate in a single day. We rushed around & covered less than half. Got to see the Mona Lisa (Leah close up for a photo). I loved the large paintings. Some brilliant themes. Especially liked the “Raft of Medusa”. Also liked all the ancient Greek sculptors. There were some talented people around in those days. Really wonderful Egyptian section. As I said just too much to take in. Will have to go back.
• Day 6 – down to Les Halles shopping centre. Leah finally bought some CD’s for a friend in Sydney. Also spent half the morning choosing a set of spectacle frames. Finally got away & had lunch in the Rue de Rivoli. (Nice part of town). Walked through Jardin de Tuilleries, Place de Concord (where the guillotinings were carried out) , viewed the Obelix, went up & looked through the Madelaine (old Church) & then walked around area. Dinner back at YHA then we went & had a few drinks at a local pub. Very good day all round.
• Day 7 – returned to Lux from Gare de l’Est. Left on a mid morning train & used the metro to get to the station. Very crowded
Luxembourg.
• Museum – history of Luxembourg in old city. Very good. Showed old movie of some Commune uprising in Paris in 1860’s. Spent time in Library & old Cathedral. Latter is stunning.
• Walk following river around valley & old township (Grond). Went down to YHA but proved to be very expensive. Located right at bottom of valley.
• Walk (10km) through forest to Itzl – little village close to Lux. Highlights remains of old watermill, old church in Itzl, fantastic views
• Train ride to Bettesdorf to meet Adrian. Walked around village & up a few side roads whilst I waited for him. Very quiet area.
• Meet L&L at school on many days
• Weekend with L&L, walk up to soccer ground but too wet. Played kicks at Lukes judo school
• Walk through casemates area & back through old part of town
• Walk through local forest with family & then stopped at ice skating rink
• Watched L&L fancy dress show at school. Both dressed up as Zorro (hats, capes, swords etc)
Metz (France)
• Train to Metz in France. Highlights – Leah went to toilet in Police Station, fantastic old RC church fabulous stained glass, old museum of Metz (from Roman times), walk through old section, saw other old churches but didn’t go in. Cup of coffee at local bistro, proprietor knew of All Blacks. Many many bread type shops. Looked a really interesting city.
Brussels (Belgium)
• To Brussels with A & N. Drove all the way (+ 140km/hr). Going to see European Motor Show in Exhibition Centre. Fantastic display (saw many great concept cars). New sports Volvo particularly nice. Mercedes & Ford had a hall each. Merc was a stunning display. Cars all on a second level so didn’t really get to see them. Crowds were huge. Afternoon tea at Pizza Hut
Trier (Germany)
• To Trier on a local train from Lux station. Great place wandered around old section. Many interesting shops. I bought a pair of Mephisto shoes, Leah a pair of Birkenstocks at a funny little store. Went back & changed them later. Nice afternoon tea at a local restaurant. Area was old Roman section – with a huge old gate. Tried to get into amazing church but were not allowed. Trier known as Treviri in old Roman times. Now very large & spreads for miles along Moselle & Saar.
Kaiserslautern (Germany)
• To KL to watch a Bundesliga game (KL v Hamburg) Two & half hour drive to get there. Parked in Opel works car park & got a bus to the game. Lots of atmosphere & plenty of passion. Game ended in 2 – 2 draw. KL were fourth on the Table. Couldn’t find the bus back to the factory so got a taxi. Probably didn’t lose too much time.
Paris (France)
• 4 hour train ride to Paris Gare de l’Est. Very comfortable & quick. Went through Thionville & Metz.
• Lunch (sandwiches + drinks) in a small coffee house/pub. Proprietor was touting for customers so we were willing victims.
• Stayed at YHA in Boulevarde Charles Ferry (sic) close to Place de la Republique. Quite comfortable. Place was on Metro so that was very helpful. Double rooms with bunk, hand basin & wardrobe. Leah slept on floor at end of bed.
• Night 1 – walked into town via Place De La Republique. About 3 km. Wandered through Pompidou Centre (library briefly) & then modern art section. Wasn’t too impressed with the Art (some OK) but the centre was great (modern design, all the escalators etc on outside of building etc) Building painted in garish colours – reds, oranges & greens mainly. Then went on to Ile de la Cite & to the Notre Dame cathedral. Wonderful place. Awe inspiring. Sat thru part of an evening mass right up the front close to the nave. Great stained glass, some lovely Christian settings around the building, fantastic area for the priests & choir etc esp the paintings & tapestries. Walked back & watched a number of dancing schools in a little side street. Ballet, latin, Tango, African – really good. Dinner in restaurant Place del a Republique on way back to YHA. Leah had a plate full of mussels.
• Day 2 – Metro to Versailles. Quick walk around the township & Leah got some bread for lunch. Old style township purely to serve the Palace. Old buildings abound. Saint Cyr (military school) close by. Palace was amazing, staggeringly beautiful. Walked around Leah sensibly had a tape player as a guide. Went on a room by room basis. Each room had the most fantastic paintings, wonderful decorations, great features – one could go on forever. Highlights – Hall Of Mirrors, Large room overlooking Chapel, Chapel, Marie Antoinettes bedroom area. Took two tours – one in main area & the other in Kings Chambers. It’s easy to see how royalty can get out of touch with the common herd living in a place like that. Gardens were equally nice even though it was winter. Love to see them during spring or early summer. Met a couple of Kiwi guys, one of whom was over to try & get residency in France. Wanted to buy an old house in Dax (south of France) do it up & live happily there for ever more. He was a carpenter by trade.
• Day 3 – Back to Ile De La Cite & Saint Chappelle & Conciegerie. Also took in a big Hotel de Ville. Huge place which is mayoral chambers & Paris Council. Not a hotel at all. Saint Chappelle an old 2 story Church with outstanding stained glass windows. Right next to the Palais de Justice Frances High Court. Conciegerie was an ancient castle converted to hold prisoners during the Revolution. Marie Antionette , Charlotte Corday & Robespierre were held there. Excellent museum which led one around how it was set up. Then on a Bus Tour of all the major sights. Really worthwhile. Eiffel Tower (we climbed to second level), Champs Elysee, Arc de Triomphe, Montmatre, Moulin Rouge, Sacre Coeur, Louvre, Jardin de Tuilleries, Palace de Luxembourg, Artists Quarter, Madelaine, Ile de la Cite, etc etc. We got off at Eiffel Tower, Madelaine (top class shopping area) & Monmatre. Went through the Church (Eglise de Sacre Couer) at the top of the hill (relatively modern). Then down through artists section of Montmatre & got my face forever preserved in pencil. Walked down to Moulin Rouge but entry EU 140 was too expensive. Dinner + nice Bordeaux wine at YHA. Talked to an American women who was on her way back to Seattle?
• Day 4 – Went to Napoleons Tomb & Les Invalides. Les Invalides - Museum of wars thru’ history. We wandered around Second World War. Exhibits had a very French perspective so you tended to think that France won the war on all fronts. Napoleons Tomb was great. Again all his victories were listed but none of his defeats. He did a lot for French pride. Then Leah went by Metro to St Denis & I went to Stade de France to watch France play Italy in the Six nations. Great ground, wonderful atmosphere but ordinary game. France won but low quality. Police & army everywhere. Bought myself a scarf. Met Leah back at YHA. Dinner in & then down to town again. Ile de Louis - walked around pretty quiet. Then on to Ile De La Cite. Notre Dame & stayed right through a full communion service. Very big crowd esp as it was late at night.
• Day 5 – Metro to Musee des Hommes. Traced history of mankind from way back. Very good but all exhibits were marked in French. Then went to Louvre. Queued for miles but got quickly into main hall. Entry Free as it was first Sunday of month. Crowds were enormous. Museum was huge – just too big to really appreciate in a single day. We rushed around & covered less than half. Got to see the Mona Lisa (Leah close up for a photo). I loved the large paintings. Some brilliant themes. Especially liked the “Raft of Medusa”. Also liked all the ancient Greek sculptors. There were some talented people around in those days. Really wonderful Egyptian section. As I said just too much to take in. Will have to go back.
• Day 6 – down to Les Halles shopping centre. Leah finally bought some CD’s for a friend in Sydney. Also spent half the morning choosing a set of spectacle frames. Finally got away & had lunch in the Rue de Rivoli. (Nice part of town). Walked through Jardin de Tuilleries, Place de Concord (where the guillotinings were carried out) , viewed the Obelix, went up & looked through the Madelaine (old Church) & then walked around area. Dinner back at YHA then we went & had a few drinks at a local pub. Very good day all round.
• Day 7 – returned to Lux from Gare de l’Est. Left on a mid morning train & used the metro to get to the station. Very crowded
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