8th October 2006
Dragged bags to Hauptbahnhof and caught our ICE train to Frankfurt. Had reserved seats in a compartment and shared with an old guy from Jordan who was nice and chatty.
Train was late coming into Frankfurt so we had to leg it to the other platform to get our next train to Basel. Train was absolutely packed and we had to go through about 4 carriages to get to ours. Encountered a lot of rude people along the way who wouldn't move. Had another compartment and met a Croatian chick who had been living in Zurich. She gave us some tips about hotels and food there. We had planned on either just sleeping in the station or if we could to try and find a cheap hotel nearby.
Changed trains at Basel for our final leg to Zurich which was only an hour away. Got in at 12.30am and instantly realised that sleeping there was not an option. Walked around for ages trying to find a hotel. Finally found a place called the Hotel Montana. It was 150SF a night but we didn't care. It was just so good to sleep in a bed.
9th October 2006
Had a huge buffet breakfast, then a nap and shower before checking out at 12pm. Walked down to Lake Zurich and took in the scenery before checking out some chocolate shops on the main street. In one shop I found my chocolate obsession. Lindt Lindor in block form. It had been 3 years since my last taste of its delectable sweetness and for only 2.70 SF (same in AU$) so I made sure I bought a block to tide me over until Lucerne. I also bought some melon glacee from another shop which was really nice.
Amy and I went back to the hotel and picked up our bags. Dragged them back to the station and got our tickets to Lucerne. Train took an hour and once in Lucerne we taxi'd to the hostel I'd booked which was right on the lake, albeit a bit out of town. Checked in, went for a walk and picked up some groceries for dinner.
Came back and made chicken salad. It was sooo good to have fresh vegies. No pork, no potatoes, no dough like substance. Talked to a guy from Malaysia and ended up giving him our leftover salad which he said he loved. Played a game of spot the Aussie, then went to bed early.
10th October 2006
Slept in! It was great to be able to do also. Had breakfast down on the lake and terrorised the white swans in the water. Got the bus/tram...it's a combination of both, into town. Organised train tickets to Paris. They were only 134SF AND we get to ride on the TGV!! I was excited. Went to another Thai joint for lunch. It was pretty good. We then went shopping. I bought a purple cord jacket for 50SF and also a whole lot of my Lindor chocolate, not all of it for me though hehe.
Caught the bus/tram back to the hostel, grabbed some groceries again, waxed my legs, had a nap, made dinner of salad, cheese and bread and sat down and listened to this Aussie guy playing my favourite, Groove Armada, perfect!
11th October 2006
Went into town and to the medical centre at the train station. Amy had been sick and went to the Doctor to get some prescription drugs. While she waited I went and got some photos printed in a photo machine booth thingy. While doing so I had this guy come up and show me a photo of his that had printed crappily. I told him I only spoke English. He was surprised. "Not Italian?" he asked. "Seulement Francais une petit peu" I replied. (Only French a little bit). He was still shocked that I didn't speak Italian and we had a quick chat about nothing in particular in broken English/French/Italian.
Walked around town again and bought some earrings and a hair clip. We then went on the net to check out some places to stay in Paris. Found one that seemed alright but could not book online so I tracked down a phone number and rang them. A lady answered and I asked "Parlez-vous Anglais?". She said a little bit and then proceeded to speak near perfect English. Booked in for one night.
Went in search of a lake cruise and met a funny old English guy who ran a lake cruise boat. We came back later when the boat was leaving and got our tickets. I even gave him some of my chocolate which I had bought nearby. He said if I'd given it to him earlier he would have given us a discount haha.
Hopped onboard with our ponytailed 'good looking Captain' as the old man described him, too Fabio for me though. Went on deck upstairs and pretended to drive the boat while the Captain was downstairs. A group of loud and rowdy Indians got on and kinda took over the place so after a bit we went downstairs.
The cruise was lovely. Got on at the right time just as the sun was due to set. So we got some good photos. Cruise went for about an hour.
Afterwards we went in search of some fondue. Some places were exorbitantly expensive but finally found a place where at least you didn't have to pay per person.
Our waitress was lovely. We felt sorry for her though her another table she had was quite rude. Then an American family came in and from the moment they entered the woman's voice was instantly irritating. The entire time she didn't shut up. From dissecting every single part of the menu verbally to comparing the single mothers in America and Europe. Even the table next to us were cringing at her and giving the same irritated looks as us. When we left we gave the waitress a good tip and wrote on the receipt "Thankyou, love the Aussies. Good luck in getting rid of the Americans." It just really was that bad.
It was pretty dark by now so we went back to the lake and took some photos of the wooden bridge all lit up, then caught the bus back to the hostel.
12th October 2006
Switzerland is disgustingly gorgeous. Seriously, it's as if it's tauntingly shoving it in your face. I've almost given up taking photos of pretty scenery as it is constantly around you.
Have become quite used to train travel now, (I'm writing this while training it from Lucerne to Paris). It's a very relaxed way to travel and a nice alternative to flying. My music selection on my mp3 player is complementing it perfectly.
Got into Gare de Lyon train station in Paris and it seemed like a mass exodus. I thought I may have written down the wrong address for the hotel so I tried to find a net place to double check it. Walked around everywhere but could not find one. In the end I phoned the place. Turned out I had written it down correctly.
Taxi line was huge and the place smelt like piss but thankfully the line went fast. Got a nice lady taxi driver who was nice and it was only a 7 Euro trip to the hotel.
Checked in and realised why the room was cheap. It was right across from reception and right on the street. We figured we'd give it one night and see if it was ok.
Went on the net and looked up any nearby Thai places. I had now begun a mission to try Thai food in every country I went to. No reason, just felt like it. There was one just up the road which looked very nice, albeit a bit expensive, but we really didn't care.
The restaurant was absolutely gorgeous and even a bit upmarket. We gorged on the free spicy prawn crackers and recieved little mini cups of spiced fruit. Ordered Pad Thai and Panang Curry. The curry was pretty meh but the Pad Thai was awesome. Since it was an expensive place we decided to splash out and get dessert as well. I ordered Lychee & rose petal sorbet and Amy got fresh mango with sticky coconut rice. My sorbet was soooo good. I simply fell in love with it.
Had a hilarious waiter who at first thought we were American. When we said we were Australian, he went "Oooh Kangaroos!!" and jumped up and down mimicking one with a big grin.
The bill came to something ridiculous like 70 Euros but we were pretty satisfied with it all. On the way out we were even given a stem of orchids, each with their own little water vial! I was impressed.
Went back to the hotel and slept like a log. Noise wasn't such a problem after all.
13th October 2006
Headed to the Louvre and checked out the big 3. The Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and my favourite, the Winged Statue of Victory, Nike. Third time I've been here and I always see these three.
We then went across to the Musee D'Orsay where I got to see some Renoirs, Van Gogh's and one of my favourite artists Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.Outside I bought a bottle of water and ordered in French. Felt a bit insulted when she replied in English, grr.
Had a look at the Saint Germain area and stopped for lunch in a cafe. I got a nice salad. Had an eccentric waiter who I think was either on speed or had ADD. He was always in such a rush and was singing little songs in a manic sort of way that was quite disturbing.
Went and checked out the shops in the St Germain des Pres area which is a pretty upmarket place. I spotted the Saint Sulpice Church on our map so went there to see The Rose Line, of Da Vinci Code fame which is really just an old marking which was used as a gnomon measuring the time of the annual equinoxes and Easter dates.
Next stop was around the corner to the Jardin de Luxumbourg. A huge park area that also houses the Palais de Luxumbourg. Here all the Nannies take their employers kids to play and people have picnics and it's just a very nice place to relax in. I found a fountain that I thought quite picturesque so I started waiting for people to move so I could get a good photos. But everytime someone left, another would move in. They could see that I was waiting to take a photo, but nooo. Finally got a shot after about 20 minutes, then played with some little ducklings before we headed back to the Metro station at Notre Dame. Walked through the Latin Quartier and spotted heaps of cool restaurants. At Notre Dame there was also a medieval market going on so we checked that out and I bought a cute little pinky/red necklace.
We later went to Republique to meet up with Sharon & Chris from the Eastern Road tour. We then all headed back to the Latin Quartier to have dinner. Went to an Asian restaurant. Food was ok. Went to a cafe after for desert and I got an awesome Charlotte au Chocolate cake. Basically a chocolate cake with mousse in the middle and lots of ganache on top. Then went back to our hotels.
14th October 2006
It's my birthday!!!
Met up with Sharon & Chris at the top of the Champs Elysees and then proceeded down it for some shopping. We stopped in Marionnauds, a perfume place, and I bought my Mum a bottle of perfume. Next stop was Sappora, my favourite shop on the Avenue. Here I spent a whopping 70 Euro on makeup hahaha. Very happy though with the foundation and lip tint I bought.
We then went to the Disney store where Sharon and Chris spent a shit load on pressies for their niece. I found a mini Stitch toy and bought it. I love Stitch and just looking at this toy makes me happy hehe. He was only 10 Euros too.
Met up with everyone at the Latin Quartier again for dinner and this time we went to an Egyptian restaurant. It was nice, I got an assortment of meat type substances, tasted good. Had dessert after at another cafe and got a Boston Ice Cream Sundae and a hot chocolate. The hot chocolate was interesting. They gave you a tray with a pot of melted chocolate and a pot of hot milk and you mixed it how you liked it. I thought it was quite cool hehe. We then hit a few bars but the place just wasn't that happening.
15th October 2006
Slept in quite late and again met up with Sharon and Chris. Went to Notre Dame and the Isle St Louis for lunch. We then went in search of a famous ice cream shop which was in the area. Found it and got 3 flavours. Poire (pear), Chocolate & Cerise (cherry). The Poire and Chocolat were awesome but the Cerise was a bit sour. Tried Amy's Caramel Beurre a Sale (salted butter caramel) and vowed we'd be back for more, it was that damn good.
Went to the Eiffel Tower and Amy left to go back to the hotel. The rest of us went up the tower, took some pics and then headed to McDonalds on the Champs Elysees for a Royale with Cheese (Pulp Fiction thing). For desert I took them to this cool little bakery that makes the best stuff. I got a chocolate flan and choc/banana tart. So damn good.
16th October 2006
Another sleep in. We all went to Pere Lachaise Cemetiere in the arvo. I love this place and came here last time I was in Paris. It's just so pretty. Chased a kitty around and patted it, took lots of photos and saw lots of famous peoples graves like Edith Piaf, Sarah Bernhardt, Chopin, Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde.
That night Amy and I went to the Latin Quartier again and to another Asian place. Food sucked. But afterwards we went back to the ice cream place and got our icecream. This time I swapped the Cerise for the salted butter caramel. You cannot understand how good salted butter caramel icecream is!!
17th October 2006
Found a cheap net place and tried uploading and burning some pics. It just wouldn't work and I was starting to get a bit shitty.
Booked a Eurostar ticket back to London. I was getting a bit sick of Paris and just wanted to go back to an English speaking country. At first I thought all the cheap seats were gone but after looking around a bit I found some earlier departures with even cheaper seats! This made me happy. From 223eu, to 120eu, to finally 75eu!! Sold!
In the early arvo, Amy and I headed to Versailles. Made a wrong turn and got on the wrong train but noticed some Americans who had done the same thing and we helped them go in the right direction. We chatted to them for a bit and figured the Mum of the two daughters was a snob, complaining about her 4 star hotel. Hello come see us in our 1 star hotel!!
At Versailles we had lunch first at a crepe place. I ordered a 'hamburger' crepe and we got some home made cider. It was all very yummy and the cider was very good. Walked out a bit tipsy and around the corner to Versailles Palace. But one thing just didnt seem right. The place was crawling with riot police. I had a flashback to my first time in Paris when riot police crawled the Champs Elysees and closed it off. I smiled and walked on.
Apparently a whole load of firemen were protesting about their pay. Yes, this needed about 10 buses of riot police.
Had a bit of trouble finding an entrance point as the cops had blocked off the main entrance. We hooked up with oldies who also didn't know how to get in, and by the time we found an entrance, we had a little group of 6 people all trying to get in. Still tipsy from the cider (obviously) I started humming the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles song. The riot police just reminded me of them.
The Palace was very pretty, but way too many people looking around. We didn't get to see the gardens as we'd had enough by that stage so we headed back into the city.
Went to Place de la Concorde to find the Buddha Bar, one of my favourite CD producers. We walked in and it was instant snobbery. Yeh we were in touristy clothes but it wasn't like we wanted to sit down and drink. I just wanted to buy a 10 year anniversay CD that had just come out the day before. We stood around a bit just looking while the snobby lady talked to her friend that worked there. Finally she left and I asked if she had the CD, she said that they weren't open for another 1/2 hour and to come back then. So we walked around and checked out a chocolate shop and all the snobby clothes stores and were back at Buddha Bar at 7pm on the dot. I ask again and the chick says to me "I'm sorry we've sold out." Mumbled "you could have told me that before!" under my breath and walked out. Stupid snob.
Walked up the Champs Elysees again and decided to check out the Virgin Megastore. Right in the middle was a Buddha Bar stand with 100's of CD's on it. AND 5eu cheaper! Take that snobby lady!!!
Ended up at Maccas again and got the same tart/flan dessert after from the bakery. Went back to the hotel and went straight to bed.
18th October 2006
Got up at 9am, had a shower and then started packing. There was no room for the newly bought Stitch, so he was put on the outside of my backpack underneath the waterbottle cords. Looked very funny.
Reception rang at both 10.20pm and then at 11.01pm to remind us that we had to leave. Checkout was 11am. One of the guys and the woman working there were starting to piss us off. The younger brother and the two old men in the family were nice though and I left our Thai orchids there for them tied together with one of my koala toys I had bought along for such things.
Checked the net and found there was no confirmation email from Eurostar. Got pissed off and then decided to just get a taxi to the station and sort it out there. I was getting annoyed with France and I wanted out.
Hopped into my taxi but was caught in an instant traffic jam when a delivery truck stopped dead in the middle of the road for about 10 minutes.
Finally got to the Gare du Nord with about 35 mins to spare. Went to the ticket collection machine but it would not read my credit card. Went to a ticket booth and wait in line for 15 minutes only to be told I had to go upstairs. Meanwhile I heard an announcement for last call for my train. Not happy!
Sulked around and eventually found the specific Eurostar machine upstairs. Got my ticket but knew it was too late to get on my train. Went to the enquiries desk and apologized in advance for if I got all emo as I was on the brink of having a spastic. The chick was so nice and quickly changed the ticket so I could get the next train. I was so relieved and thanked her profusely.
Made it through customs and into the waiting area. Did the unthinkable and purposely left my backpack to go get a magazine, water and chips at the deli. I ordered in French and finally she didn’t reply in English, I passed!!!
Boarded Eurostar and got 2 seats to myself. Had a very relaxing journey. One of the guys sitting next to me I assumed was some model agent or maybe a magazine editor. He had these big portfolios from Eva Herzigova. I wanted his job hehe. He made me start thinking about what I wanted to do future-wise, and really I had no idea.
Arrived at Waterloo station and thankfully found a luggage area where I could leave my baggage. It was £6 per bag but the girl let me put 2 in as I was only leaving them for a few hours. I was so grateful for the nice people I’d met that day.
Relieved of my luggage I headed towards Oxford Circus for some retail therapy. Went to Next and was so excited to see the current French fashion of what looked like maternity dresses had not made its way to London. Found a really nice winter coat but as it was £70 I would think about it. Same with the £35 black boots. Days later I ended up buying both.
Also went to Dorothy Perkins and got a singlet. Then went back to Waterloo, collected my bags and then headed to my friend Clarissa’s house in Clapham South.
Was very relieved to back in an English speaking country and the end of travelling for a few days.
