We landed at Charles de Gaulle airport from London Luton at about nine in the evening. It was a different terminal from the one I was at in 2007 and didn’t require us to walk outside the terminal enroute to the RER station. We were heading to Anvers, where the Basilica of Sacre Coeur was located at.
There was some drama with regards to the ticket we bought, and some advice we received from a stranger that led to us (unknowingly) buying a 12-hour ticket in addition to the one from the airport. It was kind of crazy thinking about it in hindsight because it was night, so why would he advise us to buy a 12-hour ticket? And it wasn’t like he was cheating us, so really, it must have been an oversight on his (and our) part. Note to self: Don’t react too fast, think more before making decisions.
The hotel room was fine, no major complaints there except what had attracted us to book this place in the first place didn’t come to pass. Reviews on the booking website said breakfast in bed and great views of the Sacre Coeur. Breakfast cost six euros per person – coffee and croissant – and views were great only from the higher floors – we were on the second. We had four nights at Avenir Hotel. What was cool though was the balcony where we could sit and watch Parisians go by – we were at Montmarte and it was really atmospheric.
The next morning, we headed to the Louvre. Gladys and I got in for free because we had our student/youth cards and we were expecting to pay a discounted rate but the ticket lady said we could go in for free. Yippee!
Gladys, Yuanting and Kenny at the Louvre
Gladys and I, self-taken shot
At the pyramid
Group shot at the Louvre
Us just before going into the Louvre
Anyway, we spent quite a bit of time there but got really really tired. I think that was when our jetlag set in, usually the third day of trips. Once again, I was learning that museums/art galleries/touristy attractions can really take its toll, because after British Museum and the Louvre, I felt dry, tired and void of amazement at the exhibits/paintings.
Some exhibits I had seen in 2007, and others I either missed, or were new ones. The thing about museums is that the collections are so vast that a visitor really needs to focus on a few things, a few sections where the most important pieces are at, instead of being able to quickly gloss over the entire museum. There’s just so much to take in and in order to go in depth into what the art pieces/historical artefacts mean to society, it takes time – months and years to truly research and understand. It’s really hard to do so as a tourist.
Ting and I with what I think is Julius Caesar
So this time, photography is allowed because they've placed a glass screen over the painting (to protect Mona's complexion, is what I tell everyone)
I'm awed by Napoleon's apartment at the Louvre
The chandelier is the centerpiece of a room
Imagine looking at gold everyday, my sight might fail
A group shot with Venus
Coronation crown on display
French coronation crown hall
Jeanne d'Arc
Remembering (and missing) you, Kel!
Champs Elysees and Arc de Triomphe
At Arc de Triomphe, under slight drizzle
