In The South of France Next Week

Jay and I have just three more nights at home before flying to Frankfurt and then onward to our destination in Nice. I was trying to recall details of our previous time in the country of France. 

We spent six nights in Paris in 2005. We arrived there on Saturday, September 17th by train from Brussels. We left on the 23rd eventually crossing on a ferry to Dover, England. I'm glad I write this shit down because there'd be little chance of me remembering these facts without reading my own blog.  

Neither of us has started packing yet, but we are pretty psyched about our upcoming month on the French Riviera.

   

Old Pixels Never Fade

Today was refreshingly uneventful. As is our Saturday morning habit, we went grocery shopping at the Superstore in Coqultlam. It really was a beautiful enough day with clear blue sky that probably cannot last throughout the upcoming week.

Last night after 10:00, I visited Pier Park just to get a close-up view of the newly installed LED walkway lights. Today, however, I didn't get over to it. It has been nice enough seeing the crowds enjoying it. I can sit in a chair on our balcony to do that!

I just realized that it was almost 6:00 pm and I'd not created an entry for my eJournal and images. In order to test my own abilities, I decided to set myself a goal that would take only a few minutes. All the digital photos I've ever taken are on MS Onedrive, or so I'd like to believe. I wondered how long it'd take for me to find a photo not on my Flickr account. That is a little hard as I started my account there ten years ago and have over 14,000 images online.

Of course I was successful; I always am.


This is Brussels, Belgium from a Euro-Trip in September of 2005.

Writer or Wronger?

This is a test of using Windows Live Writer as a method of publishing an entry.  Yesterday, I installed the Windows Live Toolbar and, frankly, this is the only piece of software which intrigues me in the least.  Honestly, I don't think die hard computer enthusiasts are going to abandon Flickr, or Google Earth for the pale imitations that Windows Live offers.  The options do integrate well though, and this might make things easier for an average, non-geeky, computer user.  That doesn't describe me, I guess.

This interface is very Vista-like and quite interesting with lots of potential tools and plug-in modules.

I'm mainly interested in this program as it will allow one to make draft entries when offline.  This, potentially, could be useful during our upcoming trip to central Europe.  I will most probably bring along my seemingly 26 lb. laptop, but I cannot be assured of universal, free wi-fi.  During past extended trips, I've had to keep daily accounts with a word processor and later copy and paste into blogger.com after getting on the Internet.   If I can use Writer to complete entries with photos, then it'll make documenting travels a hell of a lot easier.

Where'd It Go?

I really didn't know what to put here today. The day was brilliant and our day off pleasant. I spotted a new icon in the draft version of Blogger.com. I wanted to see what'd happen if I uploaded a video clip. I rather hastily put in a DVD disc from our Eurotrip in the fall of 2005. I cut a chunk and then pressed to upload the 44 MB clip. While the file is being transferred, I'm typing this text. Where's it going, he wonders? I clicked right past those warning things what one is supposed to read when working with software. You know what I mean don't you? I am talking about the agreements that one quickly scrolls to the bottom of, and then presses I AGREE button. Maybe those would've told me that it now belongs to Google Corp. I guess that's okay with me. They can have it, just as long as you can see it too. This is from a section of tape shot in Paris. It's only Montmartre during the day and a bit of the Champs Elysee at dusk.



After waiting half of forever, I decided that my file, although destined for Google Video, would never complete. Therefore, I mashed this up with YouTube.

Tower Power

If I look out the windows now, I see only greyness and fog. It's somehow quite comforting though. Yesterday it rained nearly the entire day. I have to admit that I do enjoy such weather. With the long winter ahead, I'll be witness to such conditions for months and months. I love Vancouver.

(In order to get the max use from the European vacation photos from last month, I'll include a clearer day from the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.)

Treated Like Royalty

We got back from Europe a week ago today. My body's finally getting used to this time zone although I awoke at three o'clock in the morning. Even after a week, I'm still relying on pictures from the trip as blog entries. Do take a look as I will continue to upload the Eurotrip photos to Flickr. Here's one of them:



This is the area around the train station in Luxembourg. It's a small country but is about 3.5 times larger than Singapore.

It's a constitutional monarchy. The royal family appears in the souvenir shops on plaques and plates. The concept of royalty in this day and age is weird. When becoming a Canadian citizen I swore allegiance to the British Queen. Still in places without official royals, TV's Entertainment Tonight seems to fill a missing gap. Hollywood stars are treated with similar fascination.

Energy Out of Thin Air

Although there were giant, new wind-turbines in Holland, I found this old technology was much more approachable. The phrase, "tilting at windmills" comes to us through Cervantes' Don Quixote as windmills were also common in La Mancha, Spain in the Middle Ages.

Former Dutch Colleague

Here's a thumbnail version of a recent photo from our European trip. In order to help you see a selection of pictures from the Netherlands, I've uploaded more than a dozen to Flicker. Just click the thumbnail to the right to search photo tags for Holland.

From that page, you can click on any image to load its page.

Additionally, once you're on that page, you may also search all 630 photos presently available. Try to see if I have picture tags that match your word. If you know me personally, type in your own first name too. Go ahead!

The Burden of History

I felt lighter upon our return to Canada. I don't mean physically, although it would be nice to weigh about twenty kilos less. Europe is interesting and one big reason why is the history. Everywhere you turn, there's a historical building or monument. This makes a trip great for tourists. It seems as if the majority of things by which one is surrounded are old. Sometimes, they're ancient.

I wonder how this affects the young people growing up there. I first remember feeling sorry for kids kicking around a soccer ball in Florence Italy when I travelled there in the 1980's. They were having fun but were confined in the large open space of an ancient plaza. It would just seem to me to be a burden living amongst all the past. Mind you, it's not past from a book, it's past right in their faces, everyday.

I am writing this entry in one of the first cities in British Columbia but I'd be hard pressed to find a civic structure that is 120 years old. Maybe that's why I feel lighter in Canada than I did during the recent trip.

Back in New Westminster

This was taken this morning on the Gatwick Express out of Victoria Station in London. It's now 5:04 and this is being posted from western Canada. There have been eight extra hours to the day though.

Last of London

It's our last day in London and the final day of our trip. It doesn't seem possible that we've been away almost three weeks. Tomorrow, we'll get up around 5:00 am so we can get to Victoria Station early enough to catch the Gatwick Express to the airport. Then, it'll be 10 hours home because, unlike our flight out, this stops in Calgary.

Today, we had a few more things on the list to do. We started by finding Harrod's and walking around the floors pretending we were like the people stupid enough to waste their money on items with impressive brand names. I picked up a single set of sheets that boasted a price of 195 Pounds. Since that is nearly Canadian $450, they never be on any bed that I sleep on.

As we were looking for a Tube station, we happened by the Victoria and Albert Museum. It was a great because of such an eclectic collection of objects and arts. Modern shows are included to keep things up to date. The best thing is that the admission is free. We've spent a Queen's random to see her stuff on this stay.

We also walked darned near all around Hyde Park. It probably was only a few miles but it seemed at least 300. We saw a tiny little sign pointing to the Princess Diana Memorial. It's surely not an attraction set up for ready attraction. We ended up getting around to Piccadilly Circus for lunch at around 3 o'clock.

Although we popped back to our area which is one stop past Ravenscourt, we plan to go back downtown this evening just to see the Parliament area of the Thames at night.

... And All That Jazz

Although I had no desire to get out of bed this morning, by the end of the day I had conquered my flu. After breakfast in our 'hospital' accommodations, we went downtown by Underground. I mention hospital not because of any reference to my own health. I mentioned that we were staying at Globetrotter Inn, a semi-hostel for people of all ages. Well before the middle of the last century the building was a center for local community health care. After a lot of refits, it makes a perfect residence away from home.

First, we went near the Tower Bridge and walked about.

After, while walking near Leicester Square we couldn't help but notice all the places selling show tickets, all seemingly at half price! We went right to the real TCKTS and decided on the evening showing of Chicago, the Musical.

I was rather tired so after a really late lunch we went back to the Globetrotter and I slept for a few hours.

Feeling much better after the sleep,we went back to Charing Cross and were there well in advance of the 8:00 pm show. It was marvelous. You'll never guess who played the role of the prison warden; it was Lynda Carter! Wonder Woman looked wonderful after all these years. We made some soup in our hostel kitchen after getting back at 11:20. I'll be dreaming about and all that jazz ... all night.

What, No Tea?

The first thing I noticed this morning was how sore my throat was. I guess while travelling around, in close quarters, someone has provided me with a virus to fight. That's not a souvenir that one likes collecting when abroad. The next irritant was it looked dark and cloudy.

Still, we jumped back to a tube train to Buckingham Palace. Although, we wandered by yesterday, today we went in for closer inspection. The State Rooms are open to the public for eight weeks of the summer. They close on the 27th so we made it just in time. Handheld electronic devices have really helped the museum and tour business. We were turned to English from the multitude of those offered, and proceeded to tour the palace. If proceeding at a snail's pace it's easy to follow along. Pause buttons make it possible to linger any place along the way. There were many objects where one could interrupt the audio commentary and by pressing the number mentioned hear auxiliary clips and explanations. Not only are these systems more complete and accessible, they are much cheaper than hiring tour guides. Even though, the Palace seemed stuffed to the gills with staff to ensure no one got out of line.

The sun had come out with puffy white clouds floating in it. As we are still on our passes, we jumped in and out of the Underground a lot today; once, to eat at Earl's Court. Another time, we simply wanted to check out the location of the Tower of London before going there tomorrow.

I'm early here resting. Jay's still checking out the scene.

Where to Stay?

(Jump to Sunday the 25th.) The Globetrotter's Inn is sort of a spin on a hostel for mature folks. We read about it in the travel section of the Vancouver Sun this fall. It's sort of the way that Jay and I travel anyway. It's not lack of funds that keeps us from staying in a Hilton. Well ... the funds are a definite part, but more importantly, it's avoiding the boring, sameness of chains. Why would someone wish to go to a standardized hotel room that appears the same as hundreds of thousands all over the world. It's nice to know you're not at home when travelling.

Anyway, I was just starting to say about the breakfast buffet at the place we're in. It's sort of a fun, communal way of starting the day. You get a chance to see and at minimum, say 'Good Morning' to the fellow guests.

The morning proved to be sunny. The sky was blue so our first chore was to go up in it. We bought 3-day passes on the Underground and popped out at the London Eye this morning a half an hour before many of the other tourists did. It was beautiful and I'm awed by engineering enough to have enjoyed it merely for the mechanical aspects.

London city seems small and easily 'walkable'. Combine that and our passes and we've chosen to forgo the bus tour and explore on our own. We ended up at Piccadilly Circle. We ate lunch there but didn't end up at a matinee performance of any show. I'd love to see Phantom of the Opera though.

Tonight, we're keeping close to home, so we can get up early and do some more exploration bright and early tomorrow.

Metro, Bus, Ferry, Bus, and Underground

You know how some things can go very smoothly and come off without a hitch. That sort of describes today. Getting up early was not nearly as hard as I would have expected. You have to remember that by 'early' I mean just a bit before 7:30. We ate. We checked out and walked right to one Metro line at Republic Square. Within 15 minutes we'd departed at the end of the line which led right into the Euroline bus station. We had to wait about a half hour before leaving Paris. It was like clockwork.

The bus was big and comfortable. It also headed for Chalis and a ferry crossing to the English coast. On the ferry we had a great, late lunch and then walked around the ferry a bit before we headed past the white cliffs of Dover and into the port. Our bus was stopped by customs for a check, but even that went without incident.

We got into London a bit late, but we had made reservations at Globetrotter Inn, the only of our trip, before we left Canada. So, we knew there was a room waiting. From Victoria Station we got the District Line to Stamford Book and proceeded right into our room. We grabbed fast food and were quite tired. But, it was a perfect day in many respects.

Mona's Smile

We saved the Louvre for our last day here. I've never walked this much in my life. Even though we're learning the Metro routes, we must've walked three or four kilometers just inside the museum. The Egyptian holdings are very large which helps explain the French accents used by archaeologists in Hollywood movies. The logistics of moving so many visitors through so many objects was superb. We even splurges for a sit-down lunch of salmon; whether it was from BC, I don't know.

We didn't finish the museum until nearly three o'clock. Then, we walked down through the Tuileries towards the Arc de Triomphe. It was miles away, but I love Paris because of it's grand layout. Capitalism benefits consumers but when citizens leave city planning to market forces, they end up with a mess. Nature is random but the greatness of cities comes from straight lines!

Tonight we pack up early. We have to get out of bed earlier than we have been recently. Eurobus suggests getting to the station an hour before our 10:00 am start.

I hope to ride around on double-decker busses and give my poor tennis shoes a great in London.

Mountain Climbing

We hit Sacre-Coeur du Montmartre this morning. It was nice seeing the part of town that was mountainous. In the evening we walked down the Champs Elysees. When I become a multi-millionaire, I'll make sure I have a shop on that avenue.

Mid-Course Correction

We had only booked to stay in our second hotel here for two nights. We decided to change scenery by staying more 'uptown' for the last two nights. Unfortunately, they didn't have an opening for tonight. This is still busy season in Europe and this meant our hotel couldn't find a place for us tonight. We were without a place to stay so, Jay went out 'hunting' in our area but across from one main street. We're in Luna Park Hotel. It's very cheap as it doesn't have an elevator and we have to walk up to the third floor on a tiring, winding staircase. Still the window looks out onto a little place where three or four lanes come together each filled with traditional little shops. It's fine.

In the morning, we will pack up and walk a few streets north for our remaining two nights in Paris. Speaking of remaining time, we'd heard that North Station was the location for the departures of Eurostar to London. How fun it would be to race through the Chunnel, we thought. So, we went to the station to purchase ahead for Friday. It was a bit shocking to hear it would cost us more than E500, or about $750.00 Canadian to go one way! We decided it would be even MORE FUN to take a bus as the per price ticket was only E61 or $90.00 Canadian instead. The trip will last from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm rather than the train's time of less than two hours. It will be much better being able to see actual scenery. Isn't it strange how cost can change one's idea of fun?

Today we also did a bit of exploring by subway. The three-day, unlimited tourist pass tickets will finish at midnight. I like Paris. I also don't feel so embarrassed for Manhattan because of the rat-warren den of its subway stations.

Heights and Lights

Today was. I'm writing at 10:22 happily but with feet that hurt. We did lots of things in Paris today. We started by finding another hotel but unfortunately can't check in until the day after tomorrow. There's nothing much wrong with this one other than the below-standard towels and lack of WiFi.

We went back to the Eiffel Tower first. Yesterday, we walked around it but today we wanted to go up it. Although there were fewer people in the area, only one 'leg' of the tower was open. In total we waited an hour and a half. There are two 'stages' and then the 'top'. We went directly to the second platform by an escalator that runs at an angle up a leg. We spent some time there before taking an elevator. The way I was positioned, I wasn't aligned with a support. I am not usually afraid of height, but I was a bit unnerved! There only appeared a spider-web of steel beams which didn't look as if they offered a place to stand. Yikes. The view was much greater than it looked from the bottom.

From there, we travelled to the Champs-Elysees and the Arc de Triomph. We also popped out at various Metro stations just to look around. This was how we saw the National Museum of Music as well as the Opera area.

We rode back out to the Eiffel Tower after dark just to see how it looks at night. Jay was correct in insisting that we stay to the turn of the hour. The strobe lights started at 9:00.

We had dinner and now it's time to call it a day.

Paris Orientation

As soon as we got up, we remembered we hadn't bought breakfast as part of our stay at the hotel. We walked a block or two around the hotel area and didn't find anything we thought would suffice and went back in to get the 6E50 breakfast at the hotel.

We also thought we might be able to do Euro 14.00 cheaper at a hotel right next door and therefore packed up. We later brought the bags there at only 9:00 am. We left them downstairs as the room wasn't guaranteed to be free until 2:00 pm.

We initially thought we'd do a tourist bus to get our general orientation. Then after waiting we decided to check to see if Metro had tourist fares. We instead got 3-day unlimited passes for 18 Euros. We tried them out by going to the Eiffel Tower. What fantastic weather! We couldn't have ordered it any better.

Later in the afternoon we went back to Notre Dame by subway. One final trip was out to Place de Clichy. Wouldn't you know, there really is a Moulin Rouge!