Paris to Normandy Day 4 and Day 5

Seine River, France
M/S Bizet

After a wonderful breakfast, we boarded our bus with our tour director and a local guide to tour Paris.

Just as we were stopping for photos of the Eiffel Tower the rain started. 

George and Linda are looking very happy in this photo with the Eiffel Tower in the background.

We visited the Arc de Triumph and I was surprised at the size of it.  Can you see the tiny specks which are people?




Our local guide, Nicole took us into a local part of town and we walked through the park.  We enjoyed free time on our own to discover this unique market that has been here for a long time.

Nearly all the food we see is fresh.  Take a look at this fish market.

You could actually smell the vegetables.

When you decide to move, the moving company literally puts your furniture out the window.

Living in Paris is very expensive.  The people have very small apartments, some of which have an elevator.  Now we know why so many people visit the brassiere's.  It's a place where you can go with someone and also use the restroom.

Here's a public restroom, but we were told not to stay too long, as the doors will open wide after a short while.

Here's a gas station and they are very small and hard to find.

We did talk with a local family and learned children go to school around 8 am and return after 6 pm.  

This is a rental car.  You have to find one of these charge places to return it.

This is a new Orthodox church and Putin was coming to celebrate it's grand opening.  The French told Putin he wasn't welcome.

Bill is enjoying lunch with Anne, our tour guide for the entire trip.

We wish Harry and Carlena could have joined us, but one of our waiters, Harry, is giving George a chance to do his thing.

I forgot to bring the camera to the Welcome Aboard party.  There was much champagne and appetizers consumed.  Following a champagne dinner, the captain turned the ship around at the Statue of Liberty for photo ops.

I was afraid George was going to hit his head on the bridge as we passed under it.

It was a gorgeous evening and the crew made sure that we consumed a lot of champagne while waiting for the Eiffel Tower to turn to the twinkle lights.

Now I know there was a lot of wine and champagne consumed, and I do remember going to bed.

This morning when I got out of bed, I couldn't believe what the bed looked like.

I didn't remember any "accidents" during the night.

It turned out to be the chocolate on the pillow that I didn't eat.  The silver wrapper explained it.  We had a lot of laughter about that one.

This morning after our champagne breakfast we took another guided tour to Montmartre.  Our bus dropped us off in front of the Moulin Rouge.

Anne led us across the street to catch a "choo-choo"--I would have called it a tram.

Sacre-Coeur is the highest point in Paris.  This area is home to many famous artist.  

You can see all of Paris from this high point.

After looking at all these steps, I was glad we took the choo-choo train.

Artists have a unique way of expressing themselves.

This windmill was used as a grist mill.

The cobblestone streets were very steep.

The artists were painting everywhere.  Some would do your portrait while you waited.

The prices were very reasonable.

Bill and George stopped for some espresso while Linda and I visited the shops.

Here's a great photo of George and Linda looking down at the M/S Bizet with the Eiffel Tower in the background.

Linda's getting some macarons.  They have to be eaten within 3 or 4 days as there are no preservatives.  

Do you think we're having any fun yet?

Turtle Safely........