Great Getaway: Paris

PARIS
Paris was wonderful, even if we were sick after picking up backpacker cold germs in the hostel in Barcleona. Michel and Amanda made it special for us - thanks guys. Enjo and Stephan our hosts at Maison Zen were also great. I highly recommend Maison Zen as a place to stay if you go to Paris.

L'Arc de Triumph

Notre Dame

On the Open Top Tour bus

Inside the Louvre - we were both drugged up on cold tablets - but we did it -we got to the Louvre!

You all know what this is - the difference is - IT IS MY PHOTO of the Eiffel Tower - I waz there!

..see here's proof

Mel in Napolean's Apartment in the Louvre - wow what a pad - decadence to the max!

The gorgeous Parisian/Aussie couple and our wonderful new friends Michel and Amanda (stay in touch you two we owe you a 'BBQ'!). If you ever visit Paris (especially my business travelling friends) go to Michel's restaurant Cafe Biblioteque (right next to the NationalL ibrary). It is wonderful, modern cuisine, very chic and of course Michel and his staff are fablulous.

Michel and I at Chatelet, Montmartre, Paris

Amanda - Amazing Radio France Journalist and Fantastique French/Aussie interpreter

Jardin Yitzhak Rabin

Yitzhak Rabin- Prime Minister of Israel in 70s and Nobel Peace Prize Winner with Yasser Arafat and Shimon Peres once owned this magnificent garden in Bercy (12th Arrondisement) in Paris. It is the most beautiful garden (acres of it) in the middle of a city and once all te grapes from around Paris were sent by train here to be made into wine - you can still see the train tracks although the vegetation is growing over them now. Rabin dedicated his life to making peace which is why the garden is serene to the extreme. There are several bridges, waterworks and top notch landscaping making it one of the most tranquil places in Paris.

Outside the Louvre

Egyptian Obilisk transported to Paris in the 18th Century (...I think ...) Amazing there is anything left in Egypt...they gave half away and the Romans seemed to steal the rest!

Mum I want to try snails - you order themI will try them - (after one) YUK! Mum you eat the snails I am having pasta!

Jardin Rabin

Moi Jardin Rabin

Le Bus - good way to see the city, but Paris did was not as good on it's service as Barcelona or Rome. The main route has buses every 10 mis but the two adjoining routes are only every 20 mins and finish at 6pm. This left us one minute short of getting into the Catacombs which close at 4pm and stuck at the Louvre without transport to get home. BUT we used the good old Paris cycle system, which is pretty good. Comparitively Dublin was cheaper for bike hire, but still great to have the access to the bikes to get around Paris.