Wow... To think it has been 10 years since I visited Paris. So what has changed and what has not... Well, for certain, the last trip I did, it was not the summer season, it was in Sept apparently (after checking my previous passport), therefore I had not seen so many tourists during that time. In this trip, almost everywhere I go, I could hear English being spoken (other than French, of course)! That was the very first change that I noticed.
I remember back then, the only people who are willing to try to speak (but rather badly) was the person at the ticket station. I also remember asking them "Parlez-vous anglais" which basically means "Do you speak English" and getting a "Non", which is "No". So I had to try to adapt and it was a trying period as all around me was just French and I don't understand most of it... This time round, most of them could speak a little (or perhaps they are more willing to speak). However, there wasn't any need, except, perhaps at the airport...
Flew in from Helsinki, and arrived at Terminal 2 of the Paris CDG airport. Was a little lost inside the terminal, especially trying to find the baggage area. The baggage carousel was in the shape of a "W" (or "M", cannot remember the orientation, since it was like a month since the trip). Had to find "free" space to stand and wait... It took a while before the bags ever arrive at the carousel... Finally spotted my bag, collected it, and then... lost again... Had to figure out where I was, at the exit, and where to go to get to the hotel.
I booked a room at the Hotel Ibis in CDG airport, it was situated at Terminal 3, opposite the Novatel CDG Hotel. It cost me 71 Euro and 7 Euro for breakfast. The first room allocated, the door refuses to open... Had to go downstairs to change to another room, which happens to be a few doors away. The room was ok, with a king size bed, and a small bathroom. More than enough for me, since I would not be staying much in the room, except to sleep at night...
Once settled down, which by the way, was almost 2 hours since I landed in Paris. I headed out to Sacre Cour. However, hunger pangs strike and had some sandwich at the Gard du Nord station since I had to change to metro from there, before carrying on with the journey. Had this huge sandwich filled with Ham, which reminded me of the Spanish Iberico ham, but it was not as tasty as I would like it to be, especially since it was rather dry...
Anyway, when I reached the train station, I realised that I could never go wrong in getting down that station as it was basically filled with tourists! I literally could bump into tourists from different countries on the short walk to the Basilica! Blame it on my last visit, but I was rather unprepared to face so many people at that area. Imagine my surprise, and a little discomfort, as I am, still, a little claustrophobic since 1994 due to my year in Qld. (Yes, despite the years had passed and Sg is rather populated with people as well) So, if you were to look at some of my other photos, you will find people, and more people at the Basilica, and the area surrounding it.
I remember back then, the only people who are willing to try to speak (but rather badly) was the person at the ticket station. I also remember asking them "Parlez-vous anglais" which basically means "Do you speak English" and getting a "Non", which is "No". So I had to try to adapt and it was a trying period as all around me was just French and I don't understand most of it... This time round, most of them could speak a little (or perhaps they are more willing to speak). However, there wasn't any need, except, perhaps at the airport...
Flew in from Helsinki, and arrived at Terminal 2 of the Paris CDG airport. Was a little lost inside the terminal, especially trying to find the baggage area. The baggage carousel was in the shape of a "W" (or "M", cannot remember the orientation, since it was like a month since the trip). Had to find "free" space to stand and wait... It took a while before the bags ever arrive at the carousel... Finally spotted my bag, collected it, and then... lost again... Had to figure out where I was, at the exit, and where to go to get to the hotel.
I booked a room at the Hotel Ibis in CDG airport, it was situated at Terminal 3, opposite the Novatel CDG Hotel. It cost me 71 Euro and 7 Euro for breakfast. The first room allocated, the door refuses to open... Had to go downstairs to change to another room, which happens to be a few doors away. The room was ok, with a king size bed, and a small bathroom. More than enough for me, since I would not be staying much in the room, except to sleep at night...
Once settled down, which by the way, was almost 2 hours since I landed in Paris. I headed out to Sacre Cour. However, hunger pangs strike and had some sandwich at the Gard du Nord station since I had to change to metro from there, before carrying on with the journey. Had this huge sandwich filled with Ham, which reminded me of the Spanish Iberico ham, but it was not as tasty as I would like it to be, especially since it was rather dry...
Anyway, when I reached the train station, I realised that I could never go wrong in getting down that station as it was basically filled with tourists! I literally could bump into tourists from different countries on the short walk to the Basilica! Blame it on my last visit, but I was rather unprepared to face so many people at that area. Imagine my surprise, and a little discomfort, as I am, still, a little claustrophobic since 1994 due to my year in Qld. (Yes, despite the years had passed and Sg is rather populated with people as well) So, if you were to look at some of my other photos, you will find people, and more people at the Basilica, and the area surrounding it.
The only shot of view from Sacre Cour (of Paris). The others, well, will see.
By then, my calf muscles were a little tired but the though of getting some shots of Paris from the dome was too tempting to skip. So, I paid 5 Euro, started my climb up the stairs to the dome. As with most cathedrals, the stairs from umpteen year ago, tend to be small, and it's a long climb from the bottom to the top. Had to stop and catch my breath, as well as letting my legs to rest, at different parts of the entire journey... Good to know that I am not the only one that was finding this rather hard to finish... Was it all worth the climb... Well, yes and no... Yes, because you have quite a magnificent view of Paris 360°; however, I think it was this climb that aggravated the sored left heel and thus making me limp my way around Paris after that.
Taken quite a couple of shots, saw the view, and then it's time to climb down... As usual, it's easier to climb down than to climb up be it stairs/road/etc. By the end of it, all I wanted was a nice cold drink and yet it took me a walk down the street before getting a bottle. So what's next? Well, I had thought it would occupy most of my time, but with the crowd, it was impossible. So, consulted the metro/RER map and decided to head toward Arc de Triomphe. Took a couple of shots there, but the traffic was rather busy, so decided not to cross it, instead head toward Champs Élysées where Macs was - the only place I know that has toliets and we have access to them!!! Was not willing to try those public toliets which may open after a certain timing!!! Had a nice cold Ice Lemon Tea, and headed out to Eiffel Tower.
The queue at Eiffel Tower was long, really long. Since I had gone up the tower in my previous trip, I decided not to join the queue, and instead, spend some time at Champ de Mar, taking shots of the Eiffel tower (in IR as well). Then though of heading out to Notre Dame Cathedral for some shots but...
Apparently, there were some repair construction along the RER C line, between Invalides and Gare d'Austerlitz station. So, by taking the train from Champ de Mar Tour Eiffel station heading to St-Michel Notre-Dame station, was told at the Invalides station that it is the last station and to carry on the journey, we had to head toward this place where a bus will take us to the Gare d'Austerlitz station, and would stop near the other RER C stations that were closed. So, we were herd to outside of the station, following the yellow footsteps which has some words on it, and arriving at a place near the station exit. However, the number of passengers waiting for the bus were rather large and the frequency of the bus were rather long (waited for 10 mins and yet not a single bus). Decided not to carry on waiting, and by consulting the map, thought it was rather near. Boy was I mistaken!
It turns out that I was nearer to the Place de la Concorde than Notre Dame... Thot I could head toward the entrance to the metro and then take it to Notre Dame, except that I was rather lost as the signage to the metro are lacking. Headed back toward Assemblée Nationale and ask the police guard where the nearest metro was... How embarrassing, but the metro was just slight more than 100 metres away from where he stand...
By the time I got to Notre Dame, I was hungry and decided to skip it and search for food... There were some pubs, cafes around, but I could not figure out where to eat... Stumbled into one of the hotels (apartment style type of hotel it turns out to be) and ask for some recommendation.
Followed the instructions and arrived at the restaurant - which escapes me at this point of time. I have the map given by the hotel, but don't have it at the moment. Anyway, it was quite a good meal, though I would like my beef to be done correctly, somehow the roast did not turn out correctly cooked - medium was my choice. However, it was tender and was nicely marinated, so that deflect a little of the disappointment. Interestingly, sat next to an American lady and her 2 daughters. They were there for a few days, coming from Zurich via TGV train (or was it TER? Whatever). They had visited relatives in Germany as well as Switzerland. One of her daughters were learning French at school, so thought it would be great to visit Paris since they were already heading that way. We had this interesting conversation on our view on how Paris has changed. Apparently she was, like me, visited Paris years ago, and found that there are changes from those days and now. By the time I finished dinner and left the restaurant, it was almost 10pm. Time to head back to hotel...
Most of the hotels that I had stayed had baggage storage facility, so I naturally assumed that this hotel does as well. Woke up rather late, had breakfast at 9am and then wanted to find out about the baggage storage and how it works... Well, apparently, this hotel does not have this facility!!! They told me that it's available in the airport. However, I remembered that I had read in the airport website that they no longer has this facility as well. Horrifying thoughts were coming to my mind on how am I going to store the bags till my flight which only happening at 11.45pm!!!
So, since they insisted that it's available in the airport, so I paid a trip to Terminal 2 of the airport. Ask the staff and found that there is a company which is located at the end of the airport at Terminal 2A - I was at Terminal 2D! Walked all the way to the correct terminal and finally found it... Saw the prices and the collection time (they close by 7pm!) and walked all the way back to the automatic train station to get back to the hotel, to take my luggage and check out. Once done, I was back at Terminal 2D, and then commence my long walk, pullung a heavy luggage behind me and my cam bag on my back.
Immediately after reaching Terminal 2A, I saw terminal was in the process of being cleared!!!! I had only another 4 gates to go before reaching the desk.... ARGH!!! It was a case of "so near, yet so far"!!!! I had no idea what was happening, there were police and (what looks like) SWAT team around the terminal, and this police guy kept yelling something in French (like most people at the airport would know what it means!!!! Come on, it's the airport and most people here would be tourists and you think everyone would know French!??!?!) As I stopped right in front of him, he kept waving his hand and yelling something, and expect me to response. Well, of course I could only looked at him with this "what you talking/yelling" look on my face... Think he was getting edge since I was not moving, but then again, how on earth I know what he is yelling?!??! Then there was someone who on the side says that they are closing the terminal.... What?!?!?! Till today, I am not certain why, but according to the baggage store person, it could be that there was a bag that was lying around and no one claims it. They had to blow it up!
Not my day! So I had to consult the map of the airport again, and found that there is another desk of the same company, but..... it's at the other end of the terminal!!!! So, I had to drag that heavy luggage bag of mine, with a rather heavy backpack (due to the different lens I had brought) on my back from Terminal 2A all the way to Terminal 2E (or was it 2F, whatever, it's the other end...) and after much huff and puff, got the baggage storage company!!!!
By then, I was totally exhausted, and out of breath.... The person was rather amused and told me to take my time.... Had to spend the next 20 mins to recover enough, to get the details worked out and done with.... by then, it was almost 1 pm!!! I had spend the entire morning at the airport, trying to get my luggage stored!!!
Once that was settled, it was time to head toward the RER train and onwards to Chateau Versaille. I had actually stopped at the station and ask the station office how I should get there... Get this... The person there does not even seem to know that there were RER C stations closed!!!! He had insisted that I could just take the train directly to St-Michel Notre-Dame and change to the RER C line. Tried to reconfirm that with him, telling him that I had been to those stations and they were closed and he insisted it was not! Fine. I don't think I want to waste time to argue with him, and I know it is closed - since it's only reopening those few stations late Aug or early Sept. So I just went the way I think is the quickest way. Well, I reached Versaille at around 2.15 pm. By then, I was hungry and was looking for a toilet as well. Good old Macs came to rescue - but had to queue for the toilet as there were just too many people there... Grab the 9 piece nuggets and started to walked toward the Chateau. Had a detour to find out that weekdays we do not need tickets to walk the grounds. If I had reach there earlier, like in the morning, I might have bought tickets to visit the rooms, but since I had only about 3 hours before I had to head back (so to claim my luggage before they close!), it was prudent that I should not waste money on the tickets. Boy was I right! The queue to enter the rooms were long!
So I wander around the huge grounds of Chateau Versaille, taking opportunity to try out some IR shots as well... Stopping to rest my tired, aching feet along the way.... And get some drinks to replace the water I lost.....
By then, my calf muscles were a little tired but the though of getting some shots of Paris from the dome was too tempting to skip. So, I paid 5 Euro, started my climb up the stairs to the dome. As with most cathedrals, the stairs from umpteen year ago, tend to be small, and it's a long climb from the bottom to the top. Had to stop and catch my breath, as well as letting my legs to rest, at different parts of the entire journey... Good to know that I am not the only one that was finding this rather hard to finish... Was it all worth the climb... Well, yes and no... Yes, because you have quite a magnificent view of Paris 360°; however, I think it was this climb that aggravated the sored left heel and thus making me limp my way around Paris after that.
Taken quite a couple of shots, saw the view, and then it's time to climb down... As usual, it's easier to climb down than to climb up be it stairs/road/etc. By the end of it, all I wanted was a nice cold drink and yet it took me a walk down the street before getting a bottle. So what's next? Well, I had thought it would occupy most of my time, but with the crowd, it was impossible. So, consulted the metro/RER map and decided to head toward Arc de Triomphe. Took a couple of shots there, but the traffic was rather busy, so decided not to cross it, instead head toward Champs Élysées where Macs was - the only place I know that has toliets and we have access to them!!! Was not willing to try those public toliets which may open after a certain timing!!! Had a nice cold Ice Lemon Tea, and headed out to Eiffel Tower.
The queue at Eiffel Tower was long, really long. Since I had gone up the tower in my previous trip, I decided not to join the queue, and instead, spend some time at Champ de Mar, taking shots of the Eiffel tower (in IR as well). Then though of heading out to Notre Dame Cathedral for some shots but...
Apparently, there were some repair construction along the RER C line, between Invalides and Gare d'Austerlitz station. So, by taking the train from Champ de Mar Tour Eiffel station heading to St-Michel Notre-Dame station, was told at the Invalides station that it is the last station and to carry on the journey, we had to head toward this place where a bus will take us to the Gare d'Austerlitz station, and would stop near the other RER C stations that were closed. So, we were herd to outside of the station, following the yellow footsteps which has some words on it, and arriving at a place near the station exit. However, the number of passengers waiting for the bus were rather large and the frequency of the bus were rather long (waited for 10 mins and yet not a single bus). Decided not to carry on waiting, and by consulting the map, thought it was rather near. Boy was I mistaken!
It turns out that I was nearer to the Place de la Concorde than Notre Dame... Thot I could head toward the entrance to the metro and then take it to Notre Dame, except that I was rather lost as the signage to the metro are lacking. Headed back toward Assemblée Nationale and ask the police guard where the nearest metro was... How embarrassing, but the metro was just slight more than 100 metres away from where he stand...
By the time I got to Notre Dame, I was hungry and decided to skip it and search for food... There were some pubs, cafes around, but I could not figure out where to eat... Stumbled into one of the hotels (apartment style type of hotel it turns out to be) and ask for some recommendation.
Followed the instructions and arrived at the restaurant - which escapes me at this point of time. I have the map given by the hotel, but don't have it at the moment. Anyway, it was quite a good meal, though I would like my beef to be done correctly, somehow the roast did not turn out correctly cooked - medium was my choice. However, it was tender and was nicely marinated, so that deflect a little of the disappointment. Interestingly, sat next to an American lady and her 2 daughters. They were there for a few days, coming from Zurich via TGV train (or was it TER? Whatever). They had visited relatives in Germany as well as Switzerland. One of her daughters were learning French at school, so thought it would be great to visit Paris since they were already heading that way. We had this interesting conversation on our view on how Paris has changed. Apparently she was, like me, visited Paris years ago, and found that there are changes from those days and now. By the time I finished dinner and left the restaurant, it was almost 10pm. Time to head back to hotel...
Most of the hotels that I had stayed had baggage storage facility, so I naturally assumed that this hotel does as well. Woke up rather late, had breakfast at 9am and then wanted to find out about the baggage storage and how it works... Well, apparently, this hotel does not have this facility!!! They told me that it's available in the airport. However, I remembered that I had read in the airport website that they no longer has this facility as well. Horrifying thoughts were coming to my mind on how am I going to store the bags till my flight which only happening at 11.45pm!!!
So, since they insisted that it's available in the airport, so I paid a trip to Terminal 2 of the airport. Ask the staff and found that there is a company which is located at the end of the airport at Terminal 2A - I was at Terminal 2D! Walked all the way to the correct terminal and finally found it... Saw the prices and the collection time (they close by 7pm!) and walked all the way back to the automatic train station to get back to the hotel, to take my luggage and check out. Once done, I was back at Terminal 2D, and then commence my long walk, pullung a heavy luggage behind me and my cam bag on my back.
Immediately after reaching Terminal 2A, I saw terminal was in the process of being cleared!!!! I had only another 4 gates to go before reaching the desk.... ARGH!!! It was a case of "so near, yet so far"!!!! I had no idea what was happening, there were police and (what looks like) SWAT team around the terminal, and this police guy kept yelling something in French (like most people at the airport would know what it means!!!! Come on, it's the airport and most people here would be tourists and you think everyone would know French!??!?!) As I stopped right in front of him, he kept waving his hand and yelling something, and expect me to response. Well, of course I could only looked at him with this "what you talking/yelling" look on my face... Think he was getting edge since I was not moving, but then again, how on earth I know what he is yelling?!??! Then there was someone who on the side says that they are closing the terminal.... What?!?!?! Till today, I am not certain why, but according to the baggage store person, it could be that there was a bag that was lying around and no one claims it. They had to blow it up!
Not my day! So I had to consult the map of the airport again, and found that there is another desk of the same company, but..... it's at the other end of the terminal!!!! So, I had to drag that heavy luggage bag of mine, with a rather heavy backpack (due to the different lens I had brought) on my back from Terminal 2A all the way to Terminal 2E (or was it 2F, whatever, it's the other end...) and after much huff and puff, got the baggage storage company!!!!
By then, I was totally exhausted, and out of breath.... The person was rather amused and told me to take my time.... Had to spend the next 20 mins to recover enough, to get the details worked out and done with.... by then, it was almost 1 pm!!! I had spend the entire morning at the airport, trying to get my luggage stored!!!
Once that was settled, it was time to head toward the RER train and onwards to Chateau Versaille. I had actually stopped at the station and ask the station office how I should get there... Get this... The person there does not even seem to know that there were RER C stations closed!!!! He had insisted that I could just take the train directly to St-Michel Notre-Dame and change to the RER C line. Tried to reconfirm that with him, telling him that I had been to those stations and they were closed and he insisted it was not! Fine. I don't think I want to waste time to argue with him, and I know it is closed - since it's only reopening those few stations late Aug or early Sept. So I just went the way I think is the quickest way. Well, I reached Versaille at around 2.15 pm. By then, I was hungry and was looking for a toilet as well. Good old Macs came to rescue - but had to queue for the toilet as there were just too many people there... Grab the 9 piece nuggets and started to walked toward the Chateau. Had a detour to find out that weekdays we do not need tickets to walk the grounds. If I had reach there earlier, like in the morning, I might have bought tickets to visit the rooms, but since I had only about 3 hours before I had to head back (so to claim my luggage before they close!), it was prudent that I should not waste money on the tickets. Boy was I right! The queue to enter the rooms were long!
So I wander around the huge grounds of Chateau Versaille, taking opportunity to try out some IR shots as well... Stopping to rest my tired, aching feet along the way.... And get some drinks to replace the water I lost.....
Since there were so many statues there, started to take shots of the statue in wide angle lens.... Here's how it looks....
There is another landscape shot of this which is also quite nice, but is not included here, since it's the same statue... Just different wide angle shot.
Thought the rest of the day was smooth? well, not really, since it took a lot longer to get back to the airport, and it's a good thing I caught the earlier train... I had arrive back at the airport a little later than the time I stated - stated 6.45pm, but I only reached the CDG RER station at 6.45pm. Had to do a quick walk (and short run) to the other end and by the time I got there, it was nearly 7pm. Thank goodness there was a couple who was also later in getting there... Phew... Once got the luggage, packed everything, and place the laptop back into the backpack. Check-in!
It's a good thing I checked-in early... I was able to get quite a good seat with lots of leg room in front of me (since my was the first aisle seat in that row...) Once the luggage is in, time for dinner.... Except that... Well, most places close early at the airport... Nevermind that the flights were as late as 11.45pm, the shops, cafes (other than macs!!!) open till about 8pm. Sigh... Where to eat... So, with not much of a choice, time to head toward Sheraton hotel, which happens to be in the middle of Terminal 2. Good thing too, they had restaurant that would open till late... The food was quite ok, but by then, I was too tired to even finish most of the food (Bad choice of choosing a set meal...)
By the time I finished and pay up, it was after 10pm... Oops... Time for a quick (again!) walk to the correct terminal and get myself pass the immigration... Thank goodness it was a quick one, and by then, the gate was filled with people, waiting to get onboard... Heard some luggage lost (horror) stories from some of the passengers and made me felt better that I had not came over via CDG for I might be facing the issue of my luggage getting lost somewhere in CDG airport!!!! That would not be a good way to start the travel!
Slept most of the flight time due to the tiredness I felt by the end of the day... And my left heel was hurting like mad!!!
Boy.. what a trip!
It's a good thing I checked-in early... I was able to get quite a good seat with lots of leg room in front of me (since my was the first aisle seat in that row...) Once the luggage is in, time for dinner.... Except that... Well, most places close early at the airport... Nevermind that the flights were as late as 11.45pm, the shops, cafes (other than macs!!!) open till about 8pm. Sigh... Where to eat... So, with not much of a choice, time to head toward Sheraton hotel, which happens to be in the middle of Terminal 2. Good thing too, they had restaurant that would open till late... The food was quite ok, but by then, I was too tired to even finish most of the food (Bad choice of choosing a set meal...)
By the time I finished and pay up, it was after 10pm... Oops... Time for a quick (again!) walk to the correct terminal and get myself pass the immigration... Thank goodness it was a quick one, and by then, the gate was filled with people, waiting to get onboard... Heard some luggage lost (horror) stories from some of the passengers and made me felt better that I had not came over via CDG for I might be facing the issue of my luggage getting lost somewhere in CDG airport!!!! That would not be a good way to start the travel!
Slept most of the flight time due to the tiredness I felt by the end of the day... And my left heel was hurting like mad!!!
Boy.. what a trip!
* Next time, will make sure I ask about baggage storage before booking the hotel...
