Paris adventures 1.

Touching down on Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris, a sudden rush of excitement and joy came over me. First and foremost I am challenging myself to speak French and experiencing the french culture all over again. Another is that I got to travel when it is NOT WINTER! Experiencing my first (well kinda second time) of a European summer! Even-though most people are on holidays during this time of month, it is wonderful to be here because you can just go galavanting around any place outside and the best part is, is that it doesn’t get dark till 10pm at night! One of the things I seem to miss a lot when I go over to Europe during the winter months! 

Ahh Pariiii. The city of lights! People love or dislike this city, however I think every time I land in Paris, I start to love the city more. Prior to coming to Paris, I have been watching a lot of movies that features Paris and whenever I see it, it gives me goosebumps as I count down the days when I finally reach this city! Bam! Here I am. 

Catching the train to the city and then reached the hotel, got ready and then headed out to St. Germain area a.k.a the latin quarter and caught up with Neil & Alicia. It was really good to catch up for dinner with them and the great news of their engagement! Congratulations to my wonderful friends! A pity I have missed out on my ‘frog legs!’ I had the chance to try, but when it came to order food we forgot to order it. ‘Quelle dommage!’ Well I have all the time to try it. Nevertheless, from what I have heard, they taste like ‘chicken and fish’ - “fishken or chickish?”

We departed after dinner and went back to our respective hotels - time for a snooze before our next adventure. 

Staying away from the usual tourist attractions, we headed down the Palais et Jardin du Luxembourg. We were hoping the weather would be holding up as there was 'possible showers' (as per my weather on iPhone!) but I am glad most of the day was find. Firstly sitting down in the garden watching a few people playing tennis in the sports area of the garden. It was nice just to watch them play and see the passers-by. 

Afterwards walked near the palace and saw a big water feature, where children were playing with toy boats and people having lunch around the garden. There was also a replica of the Statue of Liberty, a gift from the French to the Americans all those years ago. 

Passed by more gardens and statues before having Italian for lunch. Afterwards, we took the metro to Invalides, where we went to the Hôtel des Invalides and got to view Napoléon Bonaparte's resting place in the church close by. It was a mother-trucker of a huge coffin (If I can call it a coffin!) and into the museum of World War I & II. 

Despite me feeling tired, it was a great day. Had dinner close by our hotel before heading to our room to sleep.

Until then..

See ya later

V x

High Heel Boots in Madrid

Who was the idiot who didn't bring a pair of non-heeled shoes? ME! Such a dork. I decided, while packing as to not bring any, thinking that "4 days in Madrid..I think I can handle wearing my heel boots." Considering that I didn't want to add 'another .kg in my hand carry-on bag - due t

o the strict RyanAir hand carry-on bag rules. I was stubborn...until we took off in the plane, I realised "shit we are going to walk a lot especially on uneven surfaces...should have!"

Rémy and I went on a 4 day short trip to Madrid, Spain; however ended up as 5 days (more like a bit) due to a strike on the 30th of January at the Brussel Charleroi South Airport (yes I am naming!) we had to reschedule our flight on Tuesday 31st..nevertheless it did give us another day to explore Madrid.

We departed early from Rémy's place for a 1hour and 30mins drive to Brussel's Airport - Charleroi. Got there at about 7am and had our petit déjeuner before heading to the boarding gates. RyanAir's annoying 'only 10kg, including handbag (if you're a girl) into the hand carry-on bag and then 5 metres ahead had to then re-open up my case for inspection and through the security check..dammit..PLUS I had to take my boots off for inspection as well. Left the airport at about 9:30am and touched down at Madrid Bajas International Airport at about 11:30am. We took the metro and stopped at Gran Via Station, which is close to the main 'calle' Gran Via. Wow busy and big..people everywhere and looked for our hotel - Vincci Capitol on Gran Via..wasn't far from the station - about a 5min walk. Once we found it, didn't realise there was a metro station close by - Callao. Could have stopped there if we knew.

Checked-in our hotel and was surprised that the staff member even offered us if we wanted to up-grade to a room, 'where the view is better.' 60€ extra so I decided 'yeah, why not.'

Habitación 806: Beautiful view and room was in a 360degree shape. One end was the bath, the opposite was the shower and toilet and in the middle was the bathroom vanity and then the room. The windows were placed in a semi-circle and therefore saw the view of Gran Via aka the Broadway of Madrid..we even got lollies (the substitute of chocolates) on our bed. It was nice. We were amazed with our room and the view.

Headed out to have lunch at Pans & Company - a mixture of subways and MacDonald. With our trusty Lonely Planet map of Madrid (with thanks to Rémy to organise the places to visit) and we headed out to Puerta del Sol then Place de Mayor and then afterwards to the Royal Palace, where King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia use to reside. Unfortunately cameras where prohibited so you just have to come over to see it yourself. An enormous palace and not all rooms where the same size, colour. It was very extravagant and amazing as to how the monarchy back in the days were able to afford all the luxury and extravagance of items there. Its a place to get ideas if you plan on renovating your place to something majestic as this (and of course at a cheaper price!)

Night falls in Madrid its party time. Rémy & I had tapas upon tapas with cervezas y vinos and ended up at a nightclub, which I am surprised that I can remember up to this date! Mixed drinks = huge hangover.

Saturday I spent sulking in bed, as if it was the end of the world for me. Finally got up at about 14:30 (as to much of Rémy's disgust)and headed out to a place to eat, which I was still queasy and only had a drink of coke and tea. After we took the metro Plaza de España to another part of Madrid and went to visit the Museo Reina Sofía and went to see Picasso's famous artwork "La Guernica" and his other art and sculptures...I got in trouble taking a photo, but anywhere else in the museum you could. Whoops.

On the way back to our hotel had more tapas and then went back to our posh room for a while before heading back out. We decided to have an early night..failed as we ended up leaving one of the night clubs at 3:30am and went to bed at 4am.

Sunday morning, a beautiful sunny (yet cool) day. Had a buffet breakfast at the hotel, got ready and then headed out to the metro and went to another museum - The Prado Museum. Another great place to visit while in Madrid..another huge place (like many other famous buildings in Madrid). We went there to see more art works from the famous Goya, Valézquez, Rubens and other famous artist...yup my feet were hurting. I was kicking myself for NOT bringing non-heeled shoes that whenever I saw a vacant seat I went to sit down for 5 - 10 mins before heading to the other parts of the museum. At the same time, I thought of just 'suck it up bitch,' which worked for a while then I felt the pain in my feet..again. Walking in uneven paths or cobble stones made it worst hahaha.

Sunday evening we booked a table to see a Flamenco show at Villa Rosa. Shared a bottle of rosé and had entrée or jamon before having the traditional Paella during the flamenco. The show was full of emotion but amazing. Olé! After the 1 hour show we had a 'chupito' of agwa before departing. Spent a few minutes at another bar to drink before resting it up at the hotel.

The last day we had the breakfast buffet at our hotel. Regardless it was out last day here, I gave up and brought a pair of non-heeled shoes, lucky on sale black Adidas shoes..thank gosh! My feet can now rest! We got ready and headed to Real Madrid Stadium - Estadio Santiago Bernabéu Real Madrid.

Footballer stars - Beckham, Zinedine, Rolando, Castillas just to name a few have or are currently played in one of the best teams. Saw the museum, it's history of the stadium, the team and how it is not just football but for other sports within the city.It was great to see the Barcelona F.C's rivalry team. It was a great day out, especially when it was another sunny day. Headed back to the main centre of Madrid and watched the finals of the Australian Open at a Tapas bar. One of the longest games in history, as we started watching it while getting ready and then after sight-seeing in Bernabéu, it was still going..both players Nadal and Djokovic are excellent..but the almost 6 hour game..Djokovic claimed the title...Nadal was of course annoyed he lost but still he made it to the finals.

Our last evening ended up packing for a while, had a nap before having our final 'tapas.'

We left early to catch the 7:30am flight..nevertheless the flight had a 'technical problem' we left at 9:30am and reached Charleroi Brussels at 11:30am.

Had a wonderful stay and having up-graded the room made the stay better haha. Will definitly come back for another stay....

....with comfortable shoes next time.

Paris

Not a certain heiress but the city. Paris! It has been one of my many destination dreams to come to Paris. Seen the city in many movies and of course Travel shows and I cannot believe that I have made it to the city of lights! Before moving on cutting long story short, returned to Kléber for the remainder of our stay in Paris, unfortunately still couldn't stay there so they transferred us to the Best Western Victor Hugo Hotel (which I have to admit was better) and with free wi-fi!

Paris, when thinking of Paris its the Eiffel Tower, the Lourve, Moulin Rouge and of course the cliché of rude people, dog poo, people wearing stripes etc... . Okay you may get the odd rudeness (which I have had my share of rudeness), all in all it has been fantastique!

I am in awe of everything here in Paris. The streets, architecture, monuments, food, mulled wine and people. Sometimes I think I have stepped onto a postcard or movie set, but no, it's the real deal. Seeing Paris is amazing. People here are so stylish and even if it doesn't match, they find a way to match it! Crazy hats that look like fluro green road kill, still looks stylish.

L'Arc de Triomphe is a huge monument built during Napoleon era (and not going any further to anymore history, look up on wikipedia ha!). It is in the middle of a very busy roundabout and to get to the middle is underground to see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. You have to be fou to cross the road to the middle. It looks nice during the evening with the lights on and the lights along the Avenue des Champs Elysees.


Eiffel Tower according to my Lonely Planet Paris book (thank gosh for lonely planet books) over 250 million have ascended the tower to date. I got goosebumps when I saw the tower from crossing a bridge, over the River Seine. Walking through the beautiful streets/Rues in Invalides Rémy and I were getting closer and closer to the Tower. Finally got there and WOW! Two options to get up there - 1: Elevator or 2: The Stairs. We opt to climb the stairs, the reason was that the line was shorter than the elevators. LOL. Paid about 9 something Euros to climb the stairs. Tough work, huffing and puffing to the top, partial top. Six hundred and sixty-nine steps and during that it was getting dark, cloudy and then finally snowed! Beautiful view from the top and even more when it snowed. The rooftops of building covered by the white powder, despite it being cold at the top, it was brilliant! I can tick off my list that I have visited the Eiffel Tower.



Afterwards, more walking then the métro then walked back to our hotel to rest for another day of Parisian adventure.



Until then



à bientot



V

Florida....the land of Food...no not really pt.1

Okay so not literally the land of food, Wal-mart, & Victoria Secrets, but it felt like that to me...you'll see why.
I departed Washington D.C's Reagan Airport round lunchtime, saying my final thank yous and farewells to my relatives on Saturday 28th November. Boarded my American Airlines flight to Miami (as I needed to transit there to go to Jacksonville)
About 2hour flight..I drank and snoozed a bit etc...and when it was close to Miami, I see out my window seat MIAMI..oh my gosh how beautiful it looked. It was sunny, the beach, the buildings just like the Gold Coast in Queensland, it looked amazing from 10,000ft in the air.
I wanted to take a picture, however it was the time on the plane when you needed to "turn off your cell phones and electronic devices." So all I have of it is in my memory *sigh*. I so wish I went to Miami. It would have ben awesome.....next time.

So I touchdown in Miami International Airport and then go to the next gate to board another flight to Jacksonville. I board my flight at 430pm and 1hr and 30mins I touchdown to Jacksonville International Airport.

So I get out.....through to get my baggage, while on the way there....(and I wasn't wearing my glasses) This guy comes close to me and when I looked again it was Uncle Sam..."Uncle Sam!" I say with a huge smile on my face and hugs. I was so excited...we go and get my bags and then he goes "we're going to a party! You tired?"
"Oh you didn't tell me (then I realise he did tell me via E-mail) and I am kinda tired...I may need a Red Bull!" So we stop over at a 'gas' (note I would have said petrol....lol american way lol) and a red bull, before we went to his place and got ready (in between saying hello to Auntie Lani and my cousin Samantha). Lordgene (my other cousin) was already at the party. So we all go to the party.

--- The Party ---
It was Lordgene's Best friend Nicole's sweet 16th party. Wow it was a biggest 16th party I've seen. A conference room; food and lots of people, friends/family/relatives/strangers (like me lol) and a dj....It was pretty cool but the funny thing is that the parents/families there all thought that I was 17yrs old and couldn't believe I was a nurse and was 25! Oh what compliments *smiles*


There was dancing, Pinata and the Limbo. I danced a bit (really stupid) and just sat down most of the time.















The pinata (can't spell it) was funny cause once someone whacked the paper mache the candy popped up all the li' kids (and big ones..not that I am hinting this to anyone) went to the floor grabbing as much candy as they could. It looked hilarious. Round 11pm Sam, her friend Kelcie, Uncle Sam and me went home..Ronny, Auntie Lani and Lordgene came home after. Uncle Sam and I decided to have a drink, so we went to good ol' Wal-mart (prob a 8min drive from Uncle Sam's place) for Smirnoff Vodka Passionfruit flavours and Mascato Wine.

It was good...until I got drunk..and had a hangover the next day....To be continued.....

Until Then

Adios

V x