Day 4 : Nov 12, 2009

Absolutely nothing can stop me from exploring this city of romance. Although, the Moroccan man we met in the train yesterday, in some ways, had dampened my spirit for Paris. It was because I believed that we have to mingle with the locals to actually understand their culture and their thinking, and the fact that he had stayed here for so many years, that was why his comments affected me in some ways.

Nevertheless, bonjour, Paris! Here we come!

We had bread and fruit juice in the hotel for breakfast. Without further delay, first destination: the Louvre.

Above: Musée du Louvre entrance

Above: The most important masterpiece that we came for. The Mona Lisa painting was so far away, we could hardly see it. See? See?

Above: Art student. Doesn't she look like Emma Watson? Maybe she is?

After we exited, we walked across the street towards Arc de triomphe du Carrousel and had something to eat, while we sat and absorb all the culture.

Above: The arch in the background.

There is a nice park where you can see the Eiffel Tower. If we had more time, we would have hang around there. But we were rushing. We were rushing to climb the Eiffel tower!

So off we headed towards the Eiffel tower.

Above: Excuse me. If you don't mind, your head is blocking the church.

Above: Dôme de l'Hôtel des Invalides. Can be seen on the way to the tower, by foot.

Here we are!

We bought tickets to go all the way to the top. You can choose to buy tickets to climb up by stairs or take the elevators. Since climbing was told to be only to the second floor, and then take the elevator up to the top (7EUR/each), why not? I mean it was just 2 floors, how hard could it be right? Wrong. The so called 2 floors were probably 15 floors up! Because by the time we reached the "2nd floor", we could see at the whole of Paris!

Above: Taken from the "2nd floor".

Above: On the way to the top. By the way, that was just a mannequin.

On top of the world! erm... Paris!

It was such a wonderful feeling to be on top. Maybe because of the "2 floors" climbing. The exhilaration and satisfaction that came with it, to be on top of one of the wonders of the world. I felt so "high"..

Because it was all fenced up, it wasn't scary at all. MV is afraid of heights. But look at all his funny faces. No fears there. The wind was so strong, it could push you a little (depending on how heavy you are, I guess). I'm not gonna type out my weight here for the world to see! If the wind pushed you too, meaning it's around there, plus or minus.

Above: Champagne at the top of the Tower anyone? The man in suit, behind the counter was meddling with his computer or something, and did not look up once. But from that angle, he reminded me of those pretty-boy characters in anime.

NB: If you were working there at that time, and recognise that that person is you, why not drop me an email. We'll talk further. ;)

Above: By the time we came down (using elevator all the way), we were hungry again from all the adrenaline rush. Bought a sandwich from one of the stalls underneath the Tower.

Above: Opposite the Tower, across the Parc du Champs de Mars.

Tips: There is a metro station at the end of this park, on the left, across the street. So it's a good direction to head to after coming down from the Tower. If you want to take good pictures of the Tower, you can do it from the park, as well. Also, as you leave, you can still turn back to bid your farewell. I did. ;)

Above: The arch at Avenue des Champs-Élysees

It was already getting dark. Next on our itinerary was to walk along La Siene river, and then head to Notre Dame Cathedral.

Below: With the accordion music in the background, enjoy the 360° view of the bridge near Notre Dame cathedral.

Above: Notre Dame cathedral at night.

Below: Inside the cathedral.

Above: The Choir. The vocals, good sound system and the echoes reflected from this magnificent building made it all sound so grant and enchanting.

Above: Some modern day confession room. The priest was inside with another person and this lady was waiting for her turn. Where is the privacy?

You can’t really see the faces, because of the design of the glass. But from the silhouettes, it looked like they were sitting in the classical doctor-patient arrangement- Priest behind the table, Man on his right, beside the table. More like a counselling room, if you ask me.

Had Subway sandwich for dinner, somewhere after the cathedral and then head back to the hotel.