Paris Day 2

I woke up at 6.30 a.m and made some plans to visit Versailles today.  It was pitch black outside so I decided to sleep for another hour and then get ready to head off.  When I got up I had a splitting headache and felt weird. Cant really explain it but I decided it must be jetag.  I took a couple of panadol and then changed my mind and decided I would walk off the jetlag on a walking tour (self made and guided).

I headed off about 10 am after planning my walking tour and having a long shower.  I started outside Opera and took a couple of pics but I was really just thinking why it was a tourist attraction.  I suppose I should probably do some research on the places I am visiting first.  Will look it up when I find some time.  But anyway will post a couple of pics.

I then went to Lafayette Galleries.  It is a massive, massive, massive shopping centre.  I took a few pics from the outside but I had a very busy day planned and thought it would be best to save the inside for another time.

Brrrrrrr it has got pretty cold and I should have worn my scarf.  I sorta need to go to the toilet as well so I better duck inside for a toilet break and find a cheap/warm scarf.  It would not be good if I got sick and it looks so warm and inviting inside....

Ok this place is like what I would feel if I had died and gone to heaven as a millionaire.  I seriously want to buy the entire place!  People were looking at me weirdly as i tried to walk around covering my eyes.  Jamie you would be so proud of me.  I went back outside and bought my scarf from H&M for 7.95 Euro. I think I may have to go back at some point because the restrooms were handy and very clean.
I went to the coffee shop inside Lafayette and nervously just asked for the same as the guy beside me by pointing at his coffee.  Looked like an espresso but smelt like heaven.  Anyway it came with a little square of dark chocolate. It was gone in like 2 secs.  Coffee and choc.  Is it wrong to order another???? I suppose I will have to find out from the barrista's reaction. He does not seem phased so I enjoy my second nearly as much as the first but i leave the second chocolate as I dont think I need it :(. I could get used to this so I get the courage to ask the barrista if he speaks english and how do I order the coffee I just had in french?  "it is the same ESPRESSO, not so difficult". I pay my bill of 4,60 Euro, about 7.50 AUD and leave with more bounce in my step.
I head off towards Concorde.  I have learnt that some important historic figures have had their heads chopped off here in front of cheering crowds.  Sounds like fun. Ufortunatley no-one was beheaded when I arrived so I took a few snaps anyway.

I then decided to have a walk through le Jardin des Tuileries. Which really means Tuileries Garden.  It was not that busy and I found myself singing some french song/music as a stolled the gardens.  It was relaxing and I could not wipe the smile from my face.  I am sure people thought i was a crazy smiling lunatic but I actually felt extra extra happy in this place.  Not sure about the history of the gardens but I loved the feeling of the place.

I ended at the Louvre but I did not have time to go in as I had other things planned so I will save that for another time.  On the way back I ran into BirdMan (not a superhero but I like him all the same)

I then headed back toward the Arc de Triomphe.  My feet were already sore so I was glad it was less than 3km away.

The Acr de Triomphe is a famous monument dedicated to those who died in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.  

I then made my way across the seine and had an amazing view of the Eiffel Tower at Sunset.

I then continued down a side street to the Eiffel Tower and found a quiet spot to take some photos.



It is nearly 5.30pm and I have been walking for over 7 hrs. The sun was getting really low and I realise I have not eaten since breakfast and it is getting cold so I head back along the Seine to find a Metro station to try and get back.

I pass a river cruise sign.  This is something I want to do while in Paris so I thnk I will make a quick stop and check out hrs of operation, cost etc.  They tell me that there is a cruise just about to leave right on 5.30.  I have 2 minutes to decide and get on it.  I go for it and the boat literally starts moving seconds after I board.  I now find myself sitting on a boat cruising down the Seine in the freezing cold and no jacket.  The cruise goes for an hour so I take a few pics outside but then retreat inside where it is slightly warmer to relax and to take in Paris by night throught the glass windows and roof of the cruise boat.

I disembark the boat and it is really freezing now and start walking to find a metro station.  What is going on! I passed like a hundred of them today and now I cant seem to find one.  I am almost ready to give up and catch a taxi when I see a station.  It is sort of confusing for the first time but I now know that it will be easy to use in future.  I get off at the station closest to the apartment and stop to buy a baguette (plain) to take back.  I realise now how starving I am and the baguette shop smells soooooo GOOD!  I head back to the apartment and crawl up the five flights of steps again.
I could not be bothered cooking so dinner is some ripped up baguette, cherry tomatoes, hommus, jamon and cheese platter.  Gotta love a platter for dinner!  Not exactly healthy so I wash it down with half a bottle of red anyway.
I stay up for ages trying to sort through my 400 plus photos from the day and cull it down to just under 100.
I crash in bed cannot sleep til 1am.   Jetlag obviously still hanging around :(