Munich

Today started with the best breakfast yet - the hotel has some odd color choices, but the food this morning was great. Fresh cantaloupe, pineapple, watermelon along with boiled eggs, multiple breads, cheeses, and sliced hams and salamis, along with cereal and a cappuccino machine. After that feast, Ainsley and I headed out to the town. First was the Marienplatz, and the Glockenspiel.

We arrived at 10:55, just in time for the first performance of the day. After, we got some information from the tourist center on walking routes, and to take care of another chore. Taking care of that, we headed to the Frauenkirch - the windows are a very interesting mix of new and old. Ainsley took the time to light a candle.

Next, we headed down to the open air market, before wandering through the pedestrian zones by the Opera house and old Royal residences, and ending up in the Englishergarden. Enjoyed our walk, and got the thunderstorm that had been predicted. We stopped at the central Chinese Pavilion Biergarden and had lunch - I had a radler, a beer with lemon soda, while Ainsley had a currant soda and we both had bratwursts. Taking our time to finish the drinks, we were there when the brass band started playing.

Out and around the pond, we then headed back towards the town, and after watching the locals do one of the original river floats, Ainsley had to put her feet into the water!

Enjoyed our walk back to the hotel, doing some window shopping and people watching on the main shopping street before an earlier night than the past few. Ainsley did have a little issue with the local wildlife....

Garden

We said goodbye to Paris today, packing our bags in the morning with one last trip out on the town.

We decided to visit the Luxembourg Gardens, and ended up also going to the Musee d'Luxembourg, as the were a close walk away and we knew we would have shade. Paris is going through a heatwave, and the temp was expected to reach 34C.  The museum was not only on an impressionist master, Camille Pissarro, it was also air conditioned. I hadn't realized that he had done things besides the oil painting- many drawings, a few watercolors, and his eldest son ran a printing company that he did many drawings for.

After, we headed back to hotel and picked up our bags to hard to the train station, for our 15:55 train to Munich. We repeated the route we took to get there when we left for Arras. Stopped at a local shop to pick up sandwiches and drinks for the train, the went to look at the screens... the only 15:55 train showing up was for Brussels. Hum...took a second look at the itinerary- Paris Est station, not Paris Nord. We had not used the last metro ticket we had since Google said it was faster to walk back than take the metro, which was a good thing since we now had one to use to go back down one stop on the metro. This is why you give plenty of time - we arrived at Paris Est with 10 min to spare.

Then only 5:45 later, we arrived in Munich. A short 6 min walk to the hotel, with a minor scare as the front desk was saying I had only booked for one person- but then the clerk realized she had picked up the wrong reservation. All tucked in for the night, and will go explore Munich tomorrow.

Giverney

Started at the usual 8, headed out after breakfast towards Spain Laurent station- a much more modern station than expected. We had already bought tickets on the website, and had downloaded the train app for the trip to Arras, so it made it easy- just had to remember to bring the iPad as my unlocked phone too old to run it. A pretty full train - and we were right to board when we did, as the train was essentially full.  45 minutes later, we were at the station Vernon-Giverney, where helpful little footprints led us directly to the shuttle bus we wanted to catch.

A short 20 min drive later, we were dropped off at the parking area across the road from the little town. We followed a nice path under the road, a new pedestrian underpass, to the little village, and 10 min later we were walking into the garden.  We started with a visit to the house, but it was packed - not with tourists as much, but different school groups -with groups of kids from 3or 4ish up to 11 and 12 year-olds- so didn't linger, but took note of the things that surprised us. Things like the Japanese etchings that were predominant in about 4 of the rooms. 

We headed back out to the gardens, and took our time wandering and enjoying the stroll back under the road and to the water lilies pond. We actually made two circuits of the pond, then back around to the main garden. We wandered the outside edge, and came across the fowl we had heard, as the rooster was crowing. They are some heritage breeds of chickens that are being raised.

At this point, we took our second circuit of the house as the school groups had finished. Second loop allowed us to see details we had missed the first time, like several of the photographs on the desks. At this point, we were finished with the garden, and so headed through the little town to the Impressionist museum, where they were in the final days of an exhibition of impressionist paining where the unifying theme was musical instruments and music.

Continued a bit further through the town, the headed to the bust of Monet installed at the park before catching the shuttle bus back. We took care of a little chore fore Uncle Harley, and then caught the train back - it left the station on time, but then was delayed due to an incident on the Champs-Elysee, so we were later getting back to the hotel than planned.

One sink-full of laundry done, we hung it to dry and are relaxing for a bit of the evening for once. We will pack the bags in the morning, and we head to Munich tomorrow on the 15:55 TGV.

Tour Eiffel

Up a little later today - we needed a little extra rest. This meant Ainsley was awoken at 8:30....unlike the 6 and 7 of prior mornings. After our breakfast we headed up to the Muse d'Orsy, to see the impressionist works that we weren't able to see at the Louvre since they were renovating that section. We got there about 10 ish, again after the first rush but before the rest of the crowd.

They had just opened an exhibit covering the 'Le Paysage Mystique (Spiritual Quest) de Monet and Kandinsky' had just opened. We started with Monet, and ended with Georgia O'Keeffe. In between, we were treated with Van Gogh and the Group of Seven. Who knew I would have to travel to Paris to see Lawren Harris and Emily Carr?

After, we headed over to the Van Gogh permanent section, then up to the Impressionist gallery and (another newly opened) an exhibit on the portraiture of Paul Cezanne. Stoped for a quick break, then finished off the museum on the main floor with some other paintings and furniture. After a stop at the bookstore, we headed back to Notre Dame.

Third time was the charm. Ainsley was pleased as her candle from Saturday was still burning, and she added another one next to it, before we walked the circuit. The cathedral is now 850 years old (original church buildings - 1163). They are planning on 9 new bells to be cast.

We next hopped back on the metro, and headed to the Tour Eiffel. We decided that luck must have been with us, as we got in line for tickets and it was only one there-and-back in the line. Bought our tickets, and headed up the tower to the '2eme Etage', where we switched our elevators. In line for the summit elevator, Ainsley called her dad to wish him a 'Happy Father's Day' - we had tried to plan it that we would call him from the top, but fell just short.

After enjoying the view, we went back down, wandered a bit more stopped for a break- Ainsley now called and chatted with her mom for a bit, but the connection wasn't great.

We headed down to the Premier Etage, where they had some exhibits set up for the Paris bid on the 2024 Olympics, and a few other screens showing the tower over history - construction, maintenance, and famous visitors. After a quick stop at the glass floors, we headed to the metro station, walking along the Seine.

At the metro station, I bought another book of tickets, which we have been using. Ainsley noted a girl about her age lingering, trying to get through the turnstiles without a ticket, but unsuccessfully. I went through, and the girl managed to get through, as Ainsley saw as she was headed in. As we started up the escalator, about 1/3 of the way it stopped- we glanced at one another, and started walking. Ainsley felt the girl behind her, then a tug on her purse - which she promptly pulled in front of her. The girl rushed past her, and Ainsley said she had her hand on the back of my purse- but since the only zipper was to the front (and I had my camera cover clipped to it an on the inside) she couldn't get it. Ainsley said my name then, and I pulled the bag forward; the girl running back down the escalator. A reminder to her about how vigilant you have to be in a city like Paris.

Tomorrow - Giverney, and Monet's Garden.

Versailles-updated

26581 steps. 

Twice through the Hall of Mirrors. Just got back to hotel. Will put story and photos up tomorrow.

To continue.....

We started off at Versailles at 10ish - knew it should be after initial queue, but not too late in the day. Got in line for the gate when it ran across front of courtyard, then snaked the courtyard length 2.5 times. We had estimated it would be an hour - and were not far off. By the time we were at the front of the line, it had 5 lengths of the courtyard.

In to the main section, with a history, then up to the King's apartments, and the Hall of Mirrors, then over to the Grand Hall and its painted battle scenes. The Marie-Antoinette rooms were closed, but we saw many of the pieces when we had visited the Louvre.

Back down to the main level, and over to the Mesdames (king's daughters) apartments.

Once done there, we headed through the gardens to the sound of various classical music pieces, walking down the grand staircase and then past the fountains on the east side. We headed towards the Grand Trianon, another building and gardens in the NE corner - built to allow king and family to get away from the rigid court life. After seeing a retrospective on Peter the Great's Paris visit we headed back out. We decided to pay and take the little train back up due to the distance we had already covered, and knowing the gardens would be closing at 5:30, as at 8:30 they would be opening again for a set of fireworks. 

So, we were taking one last shot of the main facade and fountain, when a young couple stopped us. They asked if we were interested in a pair of tickets to the Serenade and Grand Fireworks for that evening, as they couldn't go and had been given them earlier in the day by the original person. We looked at one another and said 'Yes'! Turns out the Serenade was an hour long set of short performances, going through the King's apartments again- starting with an opera sonata-

Followed by an example of court dancing and violin -

And culminating in an epee battle-

Once finished with the show, we got to exit the inner courtyard from their main gates-

After killing about 30ish minutes, decided to walk back towards the gardens (since they said they opened at 8:30), only to find they had already started to let people in, though the fountains weren't on yet, so we strolled into the west side. Ainsley had worn her Chacos, and while she was a trooper, there was a new blister starting. So, to enjoy the fountains, we switched shoes. 

This allowed us to visit the Orangery, see the dancing fountain the at the 'Mirror Lake' and see the 'Ballroom Fountain'. 

At this point, I looked at the tickets regarding the fireworks to see they started at 10:50 and ended at 11:30. Neither of us wanted to be catching the 12:00 train, knowing that it was an hour ride back, so we headed for the train then (9:30ish). It was still midnight when we got to the hotel room.

So, thank you Denise Klassen, whomever you are, for the use of your €84 tickets - they were greatly enjoyed.

Vimy Ridge

An early start to the day was called for to make sure we reached the train station to catch our train to Arras- so off we were at 7:00. Since that meant we missed getting our hotel breakfast, Ainsley got to try a French donut. We were at Gare du Nord with time to spare, and had no problems with the tickets, trip or arriving in Arras. As we walked out to the main station, we were promptly met by Claude V., our guide for the day. We started out directly headed for Vimy Ridge.

The monument is impressive, along with the symbolism. Then, we took a quick stop back up the road where Claude explained the ways and meaning behind the varying cemeteries, before we went to the newly opened museum at the trench site. The museum was also well done- and helps show the impact of the overall war.

We next stopped at a number of the local different hill points, getting an overview of the trench sites and the distance (and lack of distance) between trenches. We stopped for lunch a an English tea shoppe located close to the shared French/British memorial to the unlocated dead, which had a very interesting display [right now I'm tired and can't remember all the place names] which depicted one day in the battle of the Somme, at the start, in the style of the Bayoun Tapestry. We were surprised at the end to see a French airplane from the era.

Each of the above squares is an individual photo from the era. The last large stop of the day was the Memorial to the Newfoundlanders, again interesting the scope and distance, along with the remnants of barbed wire stanchions still in the fields. I was impressed by both of the Canadian Museums, which depicted the stories in vey interesting ways. Claude answered all my questions all day long, and even the few that Ainsley had- he was very knowledgeable about every aspect of the war.we ended the day with some time in Arras. We spent it getting stamps, and a sweet for Ainsley- Grammie, do you recognize it?

Tomorrow-Versailles.

Louvre

Started day with intentions of visiting Notre Dame Cathedral and then heading to the Louvre....then saw that the line into Notre Dame was longer, and more crowded with tour groups (as evidenced by the number of sticks with flags, toys and banners attached), so made the on-the-spot decision to head directly to Louvre. Arrived, line went quickly to check bags, then into ticket hall for tickets, where I was promptly mistaken for an Australian as I had my Tilley on my head - I quickly corrected the cashier and explained that Tilley's were Canadian.

First entrance we saw, we took, and ended up headed straight for the Mona Lisa....and I bet 3/4 of the other people were too. The crush of people who just wanted to take their own photo to prove they were there, and not just appreciate the art for itself was amazing. Ainsley an I stood back at the edge of the crush so we could just look, yet more people kept pushing forward - and I swear one lady has my ear in half her photos as she held an iPad essentially on my shoulder.

We headed off to see other paintings, and it was amazing how the crowd thinned the further you got from the Mona Lisa.

For as much of the day we were in the Louvre, you forget the museum is as big as it is - we still ended up doing 21759 steps! The only big disappointment was that the French Painters section was closed - but Ainsley said it just gives her the excuse to come visit again.

After, we headed back towards the Notre Dame, I had previously looked up the mobile store to get SIM from and knew we would be passing right by- while some folks had complained about service and waits, we were in and out in 15 minutes- but best part is that since I waited until today, the plan conforms to new EU rules regarding roaming, it will work in Germany too.

At Notre Dame, line still long, but moving fast and no groups. We entered, and Ainsley stopped to light a candle - well, apparently they missed us in the side section, where they had cleared to start mass - and we got chased after as we had no clue. Guy was nice, asked if we wanted to go to mass, but Ainsley declined, so we cleared the area. And decided we will try a third time.

Crossed the bridge, and found a bistro - I had a beef with wine sauce button mushrooms and linguine, while Ainsley had the Croque Monsieur. She gave it a 9/10. The best part was the drinks - I had a mint tea, while Ainsley had a limonaide....she was not expecting the neon green!

Headed home to the hotel to get ready for Vimy tomorrow.