Paris ~ la deuxieme partie

Champagne at Marly's

How many times do you get to galavant off to Paris twice in one month???  Well I did!  Two weeks ago I went with my parents for the first time, and this past weekend two of my lovely friends came into town to visit me, so we set off across the English Channel via Brittany Ferries early Friday morning in hot pursuit of the Parisian culture.  One small glitch in travel was the port strike in Caen, causing us to reroute to Cherbourgh and jump in a comped one-hour taxi ride over to Caen before catching our train into Paris.

The Louvre

I booked us an apartment at Rue de Pelican just behind the Louvre and it was everything and more than I expected!  It was the perfect location with a friendly landlord and great, roomy accommodations at a surprisingly reasonable price too!  After checking in and settling, we wandered a bit and enjoyed some champagne at Marly's in front of the Louvre, watching the sun set behind the building with a silhouette of the Eiffel tower taking our breath away.  Yes, I was here, in Paris, again.... two weeks later!  It was like a dream.  And the weather was perfect.

Le Kong with Mei Ling

We had dinner reservations at Kong, where my long-time friend Damian works and made us reservations to sit at one of his tables.  Mei Ling, Lauren and I got dolled up and headed over to Kong, up the elevator to the top floor and enjoyed a nice ritzy expensive cocktail before  being seated by my lovely friend, Damian all decked out in his suit and tie and completing it with a smile and as Mei Ling would say "dos besos" for each of us.  Dinner was amazing, as was the rounds of champagne we continued to enjoy, followed up with dessert and a little dancing down in the bar area until Damian got off and we headed over to meet up with Remi for a drink and some good social chat.  It was a long day, as we were up early to catch our ferry, and a late night, but still amazing none-the-less.

Up in the Eiffel Tower

Saturday morning was much more difficult jump start, I have to admit, and I encouraged to girls to check out the Notre Dame, since I had been there already, so I was able to take a little longer to get going.  We headed to the Palais Royal, perused the shops, walked across the locks of love bridge into Latin Quarter, looked through old books in the Shakespeare & Company Bookstore, wondered over to the Pantheon, and then headed back to the apartment to refresh for dinner.  We met up with Remi at his restaurant, Chez Julian, for a drink and then over to a great little Italian joint (forgive me for the lack of a name...???).  We enjoyed a waiter-recommended red wine and pasta and stopped into a small restaurant on our way back to sip on a cappuccino and enjoy a dance-off between Mei Ling and some local guys inside the bar.  For those of you who don't know my friend Mei Ling, she has some mad dancing skills and pretty much schooled the guys completely!

Nutella & Banana Crepes at Eiffel Tower

Sunday we geared up for a boat ride on the Batobus to the Eiffel Tower where we grabbed some nutella & banana crepes and cappuccinos before standing in line to go up the elevator for the guaranteed best view of the city.  From there we ventured back on the Batobus, exiting at the Notre Dame and a short jaunt over the bridge for some blog-recommended ice cream.  On a sugar high, we were off to Montmarte via metro to hike up the hill to the Basilique du Sacre Coeur.  It's crazy how 'red light district' Montmarte is considering the amazingly spiritual and beautiful church on the hilltop above.  The Moulin Rouge is right in the heart of sex shops, clubs and music stores.  We were glad we made the venture in the daylight!  Back on the metro to Champs Elysses to see the Arc de Triomphe and walk down the street most notably known for its shopping.  We decided to have dinner near our apartment and head in earlier than than past two nights so the girls could get up and hit the Louvre when it opened before we had to head back at noon.

Monday was a long day.  Early morning rise to the Louvre, check out of our apartment, metro to the train, where Damian saw us off with his adorable daughter, and onto the ferry back to England, four hours later.  I was so sad to leave this amazing city.  I will go back again someday!  What an amazing place.

At the train leaving Paris 

Stockholm Sweden for St. Patty's Weekend!

Gamla Stan, Stockholm

The past five days I was in Stockholm, Sweden visiting my fellow co-worker and GROW-er, Kim!  I got a killer deal on Ryanair for a $38/rt flight from London to Stockholm, so I couldn't resist!  I got in LATE on Wednesday night, or EARLY Thursday morning, whichever way you want to look at it!  I made it to Kim's after getting off the plane, catching a bus into the city and then jumping into a cab to her flat and arriving on her doorstep at 1:30am, Thursday morning.

Kim had to work on Thursday, so I went into the office with her to see the Bonnier AB I've heard so much about and meet all those with whom I've emailed but never seen!  After a tour and a cappuccino, I was off to venture the city until lunch, where I would meet back up with Kim.  I meandered around, hitting Gamla Stan (old town) and finding the Nobel Museum.  After buying a few souvenirs it was time to meet Kim, so I busted out my trusty iPhone and Google Mapped my way back towards the office.  After lunch, my adventure continued.  Walking across bridges, taking photos and taking in all the amazing scenery.  That night Kim and I planned on heading out to an Irish pub for St. Patty's Day, so we started off with some wine, bread and cheese at her flat before searching for our first Guinness of the night!  We found a great pub and posted up on some stools at the bar and enjoyed some good Irish beer and people watching.  On our way back, we ran into a Kareoke bar and figured, what the hey.... so we got up on stage and belted out a duet to Pat Benetar's 'Hit Me With Your Best Shot'. I'm sure we did great, but I am definitely glad no one we knew was there to watch!

Me in the snow!

Friday, Kim was working the big, Bonnier Sales Awards Gala, so I set out to tour the city.  I found an Urban Outfitters, so I decided to go inside.  WOW.  Best Urban Outfitters I've ever been to!  Amazingly, I made it out without a purchase.  Around noon, I was hungry and to my surprise, I found a TACO Bar!  I happily wandered in and ordered the 'super' nachos, and I put this in quotations because their idea of SUPER is not America's! Regardless it was appetizing and I enjoyed every chip!  On my way back to Kim's it started to SNOW!  I, of course, felt as if I were in a winter wonderland (and I'm sure many around me thought I was crazy, taking pictures of the snow), but I definitely enjoyed it and eventually found a cute coffee shop with big windows where I could sit and indulge in a cappuccino and continue to watch the snow fall.  

Stockholm, Sweden

Saturday, Kim and I decided to venture to the world's largest IKEA.  We took the metro and then jumped on a bus and there it was....huge.  Yes, it was very much like the IKEA's back at home, but just BIGGER.  We decided we'd eat there and ordered the Swedish meatballs and potatoes, very authentic!  Kim even bought a few items and braved the crowd.  That night Kim made us reservations at the Ice Bar, where you have to wear parkas because they keep it about -2 celsius to prevent the ice bar from melting!  It was fun.  We were served drinks in ice cups and even met a few people!  After forty minutes, everyone is required to leave, due to the extreme cold, I think... That or to make as much money as they can in a day, shuffling groups in and out every 40 minutes!  We met up with another GROW-er from Sweden and found a cool 25 and older hip-hop dance club, Le Bon Palais, to hang out and get our groove on at!  Fun times!

Kim and I at Ice Bar Stockholm

Sunday, was needless to say a L-A-Z-Y day, being that we were out so late and all.  We met up with some of Kim's friends and ventured through SoFo, the hipsters shopping area and then got stuff for taco night and had Kim's friends over for tacos and ping-pong.  Monday I had to leave in the afternoon, so I met Kim for a great sushi lunch and then jumped on the bus back to the airport.  Sweden, you were amazing... I will be back again someday!  And Kim, you are the hostess-with-the-mostess!  See you again in Rome!!!

Site-Seeing England's Southern Coast and Midlands

Beachy Head Lighthouse

After hitting Paris for the weekend with my parents, we drove back to my temporary home in Chichester from London in my parents rental car, or care hire, depending on what country you are from!  My dad had quite the experience driving a "manual" on the opposite side of the car and on the opposite side of the road in a country he is not familiar with!  We did make it back safely, though, thank the Lord!  I had to go back to work on Monday, so my parents settled into my flat and figured out what sites they wanted to explore during the days while I was working.  It was so nice to come home from work and have my parents back from a day of site-seeing, mom making an amazing dinner and talking about their recent adventures over a glass of wine.  They went around to Portsmouth Harbour, Southhampton, out to Portland, Winchester and Arundel all during the week while I was at work. On Friday, I had the day off, so we decided to head East to the Seven Sister white cliffs and Beachy Head lighthouse.  It was a beautiful sunny day, perfect for the walk along the high cliffs along the coast!  On our way back, we stopped in Brighton, walked down to the Pier and through the Royal Pavilion, then decided to have dinner at a Wagamama.  It was a great day!

My parents at Clifton Suspension Bridge

On Saturday, my parent's last, full day here, we got up early and headed to Stonehenge. I grabbed a coffee and a scone and ventured around while my parents went inside to do the tour (I had already done the tour, so didn't want to bother ;-)).  It was lucky I didn't go inside, because I got to see a pack of hare's jumping around and playing tag right in front of Stonehenge!  I got a great video of them too!  After Stonehenge, we jumped back in the car to walk across the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol.  Man, was it high! Built in the early 1800s, soaring across the Avon Canal.  My mom did well, considering here extreme fear of heights as we walked across it and took some amazing pictures with an incredible view looking out over the town of Bristol.

Me at the Roman Baths

Backtracking back to Bath, where we first passed by, we parked and walked along the Avon Canal and into the city, where we stopped at a Pasty Shoppe to get some lunch first before going into the Roman Baths for a tour.  It's really amazing how so many years ago, they had a full service day-spa with natural springs and saunas!  I loved it!  It made me want to go get a massage and sit in a mineral bath.  The Bath Abbey beside it was large and gorgeous, as are all the cathedrals in this country!   I just can't stop taking photos of them all.  There is so much history here!  Before heading home, my mom and I grabbed some cappuccinos, we stopped in the Jane Austen Centre, where she lived for six years and then were set, ready for the 2 hr drive back.  We went into Chichester city centre for some burgers and fries and then back to my flat so my parents could pack up their stuff for their flight on Sunday.  It was sad to see them go, I have to admit.  It's always nice to have company to enjoy the days with!  Especially when its family!  I am heading to Sweden on Wednesday to catch up with Kim, so that will be exciting!  Stay tuned for more fun travels while I'm out here.  Only 56 days left!

A Weekend In Paris…

Me & Mom at Notre Dame

My parents flew into London on Thursday afternoon, so I met them in the city via train and we did a “quick” version of the London tour, starting at Big Ben, jumping on the Thames River boat tour to the Tower Bridge and walking back towards Trafalgar and Leicester Squares and catching a few z’s before jumping on the Eurostar early on Friday morning off to Paris!

Me & Damian at Kong Restaurant

The Eurostar was great.  Going almost 200 miles/hour from London to Paris, we were scheduled to arrive around 11:30am.  Upon arrival, we got some EURO cash and jumped in a cab to our hotel, and with only a little hesitation towards the language barrier.  After arriving at Hotel la Boétie, I called my long time friend and former neighbor and coworker from when I lived in Australia, Damian.  He came and picked us up and took us to his friend (also my former neighbor) Remi’s restaurant, Chéz Julian, where he managed.  We had the most amazing lunch experience, with Champagne, fois grois paté, salads and fish.   It was also where they filmed a Gossip Girl episode too!  After lunch, Damian drove us to the Notre Dame where we departed ways and ventured around the great cathedral and through the Louvre gardens back towards Champs Elyssés, where our hotel was.  Our hotel was decent.  No hair dryer and lacking internet access in the rooms and only one electrical outlet, but the location was perfect.

Eifel Tower

That evening, Damian was working at Kong Restaurant, an amazing Japanese fusion restaurant at the top of a building overlooking Notre Dame with all glass walls and ceilings.  We made our way via the Metro over to the Chatelét exit and arrived (almost) on time.  He made us a reservation at the table where they filmed the Sex In The City I movie and served us in his suit and tie.  Looking debonaîr, he brought over champagne, wine and shrimp rolls for a starter.  We ordered tuna, lobster udon, yellowtail and miso soup.  Everything was amazing.  We finished off with some delicious desserts and a cappuccino and of course Damian comp’d nearly everything on the bill!  I felt so spoiled and my parents were definitely enjoying their first ever European experience!

On Saturday we ventured out to the Eifel Tower and jumped on the hop-on/hop-off riverboat cruise to see the city via the River Seine.  The day was filled with beautiful sites, amazing weather and tons of incredible photos.  Oh yes, and crepes.

Mona Lisa at the Louvre

Sunday was an early morning wake up in order to hit the Louvre Museum when it opened at 9am.  We were lucky enough to be in Paris at just the right time.  The Louvre is free the first Sunday of every month!  We got in via the metro line and headed straight for the Mona Lisa.  Much smaller than I had imagined.  It’s still a bit odd to think that that painting has become so famous.  I saw so many other amazing paintings that I personally think were much more beautiful!  After a few hours meandering throughout the Louvre, we headed back to our hotel to get our bags and back to Gare Du Nord to catch the Eurorail back to London.  The next adventure would be the rental car my parents decided to get for the remainder of their trip.  My dad driving on the opposite side of the road in a manual car 60 minutes to my temporary hometown!