Saturday 25 September 2010

Holiday instalment #6 - Paris part 3

 Our time in Paris was almost up.... just Monday and part of Tues to fill in.... Monday was a bit cool and cloudy - the perfect day to visit the Louvre.  It was really busy as the other museums in town close on a Monday.... but the queue went quickly and we were inside within half an hour.  Boy is this one HUGE museum... so much to see, all the wonderful statues, sculptures and the paintings.... so soooo big... and some quite small... like the Mona Lisa.  It was much smaller than I expected.  There were heaps of people looking at her.... but manage to take a photo... albeit that the reflection of the glass spoilt it....  We stayed about 4 1/2 hours and probably only saw about 1/4 of it....







Such an amazing place.   On my list to go back and see at some stage.

The next day was our last in Paris as we were booked on the overnight train from Paris to Venice... so we spend the day just strolling round the Left Bank,visited the Pantheon, and walked around Ille St-Louis - the other island in the Seine... it is just a little island and very quaint.  We stopped for a drink in a little cafe on a corner and watched the traffic and people for a while




 Now I mentioned earlier we were booked to go by train from Paris to Venice, paid premium prices to get a twin sleeper....- but I didn't mention that on Tuesday there was a major strike in Paris.... many metro trains and buses were not working, rubbish collectors, teachers.... and when we got to the Gard du Bercy  ( the railway station) we found that the international train drivers were not working either!!!!!!!!!!  So instead of a comfortable sleeper we ended up stuck on a bus..... for 12 hours!!!!!!!!!  what a nightmare..... bus seats are even smaller than airline seats and you can't get up and move around..... we made 3 stops on the way to Milan for toilet breaks and meals.... but boy oh boy.... not much sleep was had I can tell you.....  Once we got to Milan we got onto the train to Venice.... we just jumped onto the first carriage we saw.... First Class... but after the bus, I think we deserved it.   So we finally arrived in Venice 3 hours late......to a bit of an adventure.
but that's the next episode....

Thanks for stopping by.

10 comments:

Virginia L. said...

Thanks for the Louvre review from my trip to Paris...you two looked FRENCH!! Too bad that train strike got you into a not-so-comfy ride...that didn't surprise me though. Those French, they go on strike every so often. Can't wait to see your next stop...My David might go to Venice in March!

stampingandstitching said...

Oh no what a nightmare of a trip out of Paris! Great photos of you and your hubby in Paris and I love seeing your photos of the Louvre. We spent hours and hours there too and only got to see a tiny fraction of it - amazing place! Can't wait to hear about your adventures in Venice!

Diana said...

Thanks for sharing news of your trip. We were in France two years ago. Loved it. So nice to visit you!

Lin said...

LOVE your dh in his French beret!! I recognized so many of the Louvre works of art you photographed - thanks again for sharing!

Joy said...

Have been reading all about you travels and thought it was time I left a comment, loved that you are sharing this with us Dawn, so jealous that you got to do this and I hope that one day I get to do the same, Paris is where I have always, always wanted to visit. Seeing as I cannot get there yet this is the next best thing. Looking forward to the next installment.

Nancy said...

Oh I'm having so much fun reading about your adventures, Dawn....it all sounds so wonderful, except of course for the awful bus trip. Thanks so much for sharing...it's the only way I'll be seeing Europe.
blessings!

Anne said...

Thank you for sharing such wonderful pictures of your trip to Paris- would LOVE to go there someday! Too bad your bus trip was so awful...:(

Jacqueline said...

Well! A true French man if ever I saw one!!

Suzanne C said...

Love the pictures of the Louvre and the artwork. This virtual tour is great.

donna mikasa said...

Oh, your hubby looks so cute! Love that beret! You took such great photos--just like postcards!