Saturday, July 9

France, Paris, Picnic @ Parc Floral

The sun was smiling brightly on the day Cedric and Elodie planned for us a picnic in the park. Elodie baked some really yummy bread and chocolate cake (which a non-chocolate eater like myself ate 3 slices!!!!!) and packed salad, ham, beer (but of course!), snacks etc. As Elodie was exhausted from running around for the past few days, she didn't join us for the picnic but rested at home. And today we witnessed how forgetful was Cedric.
First, he forgot his wallet when he went to buy gorcery with Clement in the morning. He placed all the stuff on the conveyer belt, dug his pockets, and started to put everything back to the basket. When Clement asked him, he sheepishly said he forgot his wallet so Clement picked up the bill for him. Then, he totally forgot about the picnic bags when he alighted from the metro and I picked them up. Last but not least (literally), he lost his blackberry in the park! Thankfully, a very kind lady picked it up and Cedric retrieved his dear phone after about an hour of anxiety and searching. Well, well, well.
Parc Floral is a very nice park for picnics. The weather was great! It was cloudy and windy with occasional sun. The moment we reached the pond area, the children dashed to see the swans and started running around happily.
The moment we laid the mat and spread out the food, they flocked in and asked for bread.... to feed the birds! We said NO NO NO! They could only take the left overs for the birds. The birds DO NOT eat before us. So, the children gobbled down the food and asked for bread. We were busy eating and hence didn't notice what they were doing with the bread. Only when they came back for more servings of the bread then we realised that they were feeding all the animals in the park. And we had to stop them. We haven't had our sandwiches yet!







Cedric hadn't noticed that he lost his phone in this picture.

Our family pic. :)



After Cedric found his phone, and we had finished all the food while waiting for him to find his phone, we moved to the playground area where the children further expanded their energy.







Well, so did the old boys.


Pam's children were running a fever. They rushed to the nearby clinic when the fever spiked to 41 deg. Cedric had to made phonecalls (1, to ask where's the nearest clinic to Parc Flora and 2, make a phonecall to the clinic to make an appointment. Yes, in France, you cannot just walk into the clinic. You need to make an appointment. And you need to get your medicine at the pharmacy, which is not inside the clinic) and bring them to see the doctor. So Yeow Seng's family and us stayed in the park to do some cycling and have a cuppa tea while waiting for them.



It was a really relaxing afternoon for all of us. There is no need to spend a lot of money and the children had lots of fun while the adults had a relaxing time chilling out (except for Cedric~), enjoying the weather, the fresh air and the company.

After the children had seen the doctor, we took the metro to Belleville, where the Chinatown is, and had our cravings satisfied. The food here is GOOD! And Elodie joined us for dinner. We saw a notice written in Chinese put up at the restaurant entrance. It was an appeal for the Chinese to join a demonstration against being bullied in France. It said something like "The Chinese should not be victims of robbery, theft, extortion and exploitation! Let's unite and let our voices be heard! Chinese people are not weaklings. United we stand!". I can't remember the exact content of the notice but it's something like that. Wow. Yes! 我们不是东亚病夫!

Friday, July 8

France, Paris, The Beauty of Paris

After a very tiring at Disneyland, our very thoughtful friend Cedric planned something nice and easy for us the following day. We visited the Church of the Madeleine and Louvre. Very, very beautiful church.

Street view from the top of the stairs to the church. A lovely couple had just had their wedding in the church.



The door itself is a piece of art work.


I was trying to explain to Jaimie about stone sculpture in simple and kiddy terms when she suddenly replied, "我知道,是石匠雕刻出来的。" My jaws dropped. She knew this from one of the stories she read and she could relate what she read to what she saw! I cannot be more impressed.









Then, we went to the Concorde. Cedric gave us a history lesson but unfortunately I was too busy watching over Jaimie (whom I suspect was still high from the previous day's trip to Disneyland...) that I couldn't get much of it. Sorry, pal. I will read up from the internet. Promise.












We did a lot of tourist-y pictures in Louvre. Well, we're tourists!!







Thursday, July 7

France, Paris, Disneyland

The biggest highlight of this trip, to the children (and adults!) is definitely Disneyland! The children already had lots of fun in Legoland and we promised them MORE FUN in Disneyland!
Hence, the most often heard threat during the trip was "if you do not behave/ eat your dinner/ sleep early/ take your medicine/(any other desired action by the kids), you will NOT go to Disneyland!"

So, well, here we are!!! Euro-Disney with our personal guide, Mr and Mrs Cedric!

First thing first, buy accessories so that the children (maybe adults?) can wear for the day!
3 Minnie-wannbes and a little wizard.
First stop first, er... I cant remember the name! Thunder something?! It's the most popular ride in Disneyland with the longest queuing time. We spent about 45mins to wait for our turn. It's definitely worth the wait!

Then, we ventured into the haunted mansion.



Jaimie didn't say that she was a little frightened but I could sense her nervousness when she saw the hideous creatures. I kept telling her those were not real and made fun of them. She bravely sat through the ride. Well done, my girl!
Pirates of the Carribbean wasn't scary after we have been into the haunted mansion.
Jaimie was absolutely delighted to see the legendary princesses! She totally believed that she had seen the REAL Cinderella and company.


After the 2 not-so-child-friendly thrilling visits, "It's a Small World" lightens up the children's mood immediately and they were grinding broadly when they were on the ride. A contrast to their quiet and wary look earlier.

Happy after the Small World ride.




The children's favourite uncle. He planned the sequence of the rides so that we could maximise our time there, ran to get express tickets for us, entertained our children, carried them when they were tired... Uncle Cedric, WE (the adults) LOVE YOU!!









The lovely couple. We were tired running around the whole day, let alone Elodie who is pregnant with 7mths! Thank you, Elodie! You are wonderful.
One of the few group pictures with EVERYBODY looking at the camera.
We hopped over to Disney Studio, the neighbouring theme park which were not in operation yet when we last visited EuroDisney in 2002.
We took the "Hollywood Hotel Tower" without knowing what was installed for us. We screamed and screamed during the ride but Jaimie enjoyed it (!!!!!!!). Pam told me she was so frightened that she nearly peed in her pants. Wahahahaha!! I shall not reveal what was this ride about over here.

Me and Pam.
We were in time for the meet and greet session. The kids were thrilled, as usual. Jaimie thought she finally met Mr Woody and Ms Jessie in real person...




We went for a train ride around the studio. I was so tired I fell asleep during the ride.


After the power nap, I was ready for more fun again!





We went to Planet Hollywood for dinner at about 8pm. It was VERY CROWDED. We were hungry and we were angry with the long wait. Well, hungry = angry.
Jaimie fell asleep almost instanteously when we took the train back to the 1925 apartment. The girl slept all the way home and through the night and only woke up at about 10am the next day. Sorry, she didn't shower for the day.

This is my 4th visit to Disneyland. I simply love the place and this visit was definitely the best. Why? Because it is the happiest place on earth and it is even happier when you are there with your FAMILY and FRIENDS!