Parisian Splendour

'Allo, 'Allo !

We are still in Paris enjoying the many sights and views. I have located another free WiFi spot within a nearby shopping mall. So here goes. We are about a day behind with the blog so please excuse any identifiable confusion.

Wednesday 20th August
After breakfast we boarded the coach to take us to the center of  religious culture, Le Cathedrale de Notre Dame. It is a massive building built in the 12th century (at least started then). It is quite dark inside as the construction does not allow much light to penetrate from outside through the stained glass windows. But  beautiful nonetheless. These pics do not do it justice.

We didn't see any hunchbacks during our tour, but then it was dark. There were some pretty odd looking figures hanging around the towers though and perhaps these inspired Victor Hugo to write his novel.

Ok enough of the cathedral,? We moved onto the greatest museum in the world. We are not about to disagree. It is surreal to stand in the spots shown in The DA Vinci Code and get to see the Mona Lisa even if it was from a way off because of the crowds. There was so so much that it really was only the merest taste of all the Louvre can offer.

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As usual and the place was packed but you will be amazed at the courage and determination of our fellow travelers Graeme and Ngairie - in their seventies ,she in a wheelchair and he with replacement knees and bypasses. But they never complain and are real Kiwis with All Black strength. This was really tested as in the evening we ascended Montmartre to the artists village and the beautiful church of Sacred Coeur. We had savoury crepes after trying half a dozen escargoes ( yes we ate snails). The French? cider made a change from the wine we have had. We are really in danger of turning French.

Hope the movie comes out as the view is breathtaking.

We may look a little stunned but it had been a big day and we had just paid 23 euro for a beer and a brandy! (Check that out on the exchange rates).

At that we will say bonsoir. We will write the next blog from Nice in a couple of days. It will cover today 21st Aug and the Palace of Versailles and the Moulin rouge. 

Au revoir for now.

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