Day 22 (Thursday 28Nov19 Day 3 Paris

After a slow and lazy start,we headed the direction of Lourve through several “passages or arcades” then along the river to Eiffel Tower. It took about 2hours and almost 7kms.

The Tower is huge, and photo can not do it justice in terms of scale. Of course we took a series of photos of the tower. Of course we ran the usual assortment of scammers, thieves, beggars and African gentlemen selling miniature Towers we also had a first in that we were asked to sign petitions. 

The shopping and residential area around the Effie Tower is quite elegant.

Of course we stopped for lunch as we do. Very nice but expensive- 2 club sandwiches and fries with 2 Fantas for 43 Euros (or $70 Australian). Our exchange rate is good for our exporters of primary resources but not so good for the average Aussie tourist. (Hmm. However we did expected it given the high tourist value of the site. ) 

After an explore of the area we opted for Uber back to apartment. It was a interesting ride, as we passed through a major roundabout were it was survival of fittest. Our driver said the chaos we witnessed was normal.  We were sitting in a shamozzle of traffic all basically pointing in the same direction. Suddenly cars appeared from our right literally weaving in and out of the cars. This happened a couple of times and suddenly we were back in ‘normal’ traffic again. We were in no obvious lanes although cars were roughly five deep of course bikes weaving in and out and one braved sole on a lime scooter  

20 minutes later we were back at the apartment for a relax before our next adventure.  Our driver had calmly taken the chaos in his stride. 

Later, we headed out for a light meal. We passed down a cafe lined street that we had explored last night. With so much choice we settled on a busy cafe. 

We ate hams, cheeses and beef involtini with red wine from Rhone Valley.

After dinner we strolled for awhile through the district and finally returned to a pastry shop that we had seen earlier for dessert. Sadly Cos left his phone in the pastry shop and to run back to a closed shop. Some rapid knocking on the glass door brought the workers out with the phone. Lucky! Very lucky. 

Day 21 (Wednesday 27Nov19) Paris day 2

Our first full day in Paris starts late for us we slept deeply from the previous Day’s efforts. 

We walked down to Lourve navigating the streets relatively easily. 

You can not miss the Lourve, just follow the homing tourist groups. It is vast and impressive. We arrived late at midday so we will not go in today. The lines are long and attempts to buy online failed miserably because our mail wouldn’t download.

After walking around the Lourve we decided to return on another day organised with ‘skip the line tickets’. We walked on to Paris’s river Seine. In the distance will could see Eiffel Tower. 

We headed back towards the Lourve gardens.

And in luck, we found one of the Christmas markets or fairs in Paris. Typical show rides, predominately fun houses, food including hot wine, and Christmas and trinket stalls. 

Of course we sampled some Chaud Vin (hot wine). Very warming experience.

Eventually we headed back in the direction of our flat in search of food which we found at the Tavern Cafe. Very nice.

Our flat is only 20 minute walk (assuming we don’t get distracted by the many sites and cafes.) 

There are many “passages” or arcades scattered across Metro Paris as well. The passages take you off the streets and into covered lanes filled with shops.

The Passage Jouffroy is a quaint shop filled arcade with old books, jewellery, toys, antique home items, clothes for a dashing metro gentleman or darling lady and Christmas decorations. 

Late afternoon we arrived back at the flat for a break and await the owners of the Flat. Our front door sticks badly so they are coming to fix it.  In the rain last night they tried to fix it but no luck. And hurray they fixed the door today. 

After huge lunch we dined light for dinner. Cos loved the French onion soup. It was amazing. Melissa had a small steak with a Gorgonzola cheese sauce. and it was also nice. No wine however as we discovered it was Halal restaurant. Very dining. 

After exploratory stroll around our neighbourhood we stopped again for dessert of crepes and coffee. 

Another stroll through the arcade and around the block to our flat where we met first cats since Mykonos. 

Our Parisien cat wasn’t very sociable and beat a retreat into his home another apartment sharing our courtyard.