Day 14: Euro adventure – Monet’s garden in Giverny

I’m very fortunate to have family living in France. They have been so good to me, showing me around, paying for things even when I beat them to it (not cool, guys) but having someone drive me to places I probably wouldn’t be able to visit unless I booked a full day tour has been great. Today we headed to Giverny in the Normandy region to see Monet’s house and garden.

Firstly how do French people eat so much bread, potatoes, cheese and pastries and stay thin? I’ve never eaten this much bread in my life. I’m all carbed out (that’s a lie)!

Strolling through parts of the Giverny garden is free but getting into the Monet area is about 9.50€. His house is quite big! It would cost a fortune nowadays with that many rooms and that size. The garden in which the house sits is magnificent. So many beautiful colours and shapes, it was like a postcard. Picture perfect. Again, you couldn’t take a bad picture.

Of course, the main event is his water garden where he painted his famous Water-Lillies. What a magical place it is. It’s no wonder he was inspired to bring that piece to life. A lot of his work and impressionist work has been influenced by Japanese art, interestingly enough.

At the moment there is a Degas exhibition in the gardens which cost 7€ to view. Another notable impressionist, Degas focused a lot on movement especially that of horses and dancers. This was in response to the rise of photography which he dabbled in as well. I loved all of his work revolving around dancers. It’s amazing how he was able to bring the fluidity and grace of a ballerina to life through his paintings. So talented.

I like impressionism. To me, it’s like an organised chaos. There’s something frenetic about the strokes yet when it all comes together, it’s so incredibly detailed. The shadows, the lines, the movement, the expressions – it’s remarkable.

Also I had for lunch a Toulouse sausage with baked potatoes. French food agrees with me 😂 and I visited Monet’s grave. It really has been death-heavy, this France trip. I think my family think I’m a little disturbed.

We headed home after I took a bajillion photos of flowers and tried to chase down a photo with a bee in it (sort of got it). The visit to Giverny has left me feeling very inspired. I can’t paint or draw to save my life, but in terms of seeing the world and its beauty rather than focusing on the things that bring us down. The gardens along with reading The Little Prince drives home that even though “matters of consequence” are important, it’s equally as important to revel in adventures, imagination and creativity, and look at life more positively. La Vie en rose.

Lack of photos due to phone overheating. Good stuff.

Day 13: Euro adventure – the trip to Versailles

Remy’s gone back to work so I’m left to my own devices today. I had already booked a half day tour to Versailles on the internet and I wish I had booked a full day instead.

Versailles became the capital of France and took 49 years to build. It was originally a swampy hunting ground with a simple hunting lodge for King Louis XIV but he was like, nah bro let’s get this place looking swaggy. And then moved the royal family from the Louvre and the inhabitants of Paris to Versailles. Because when you’re the king, why the hell not?

Eyyyy Louis

Zeus and Herc

I loved this tour. I can’t get enough of European history especially when it comes to monarchies. Learning about the rituals they faced every day, the strategy behind their decisions, their stories up until their deaths – I’m like a kid in a candy store. Plus Versailles itself is just ridiculous. I try so hard to imagine what it would have been like to live in this place, how large and grand it all was. It boggles the mind.

Hall of Mirrors

Queen's bed

The palace grounds are immaculate. There’s gold everywhere. There’s no point me writing about it – you just have to see it for yourself! Thousands of people used to visit the palace and every room had an activity, whether it was dancing, drinking, eating, billiards, listening to music – anything to keep the people entertained to prevent conspiring against the royal family.

Selfie game is terrible

Pro tip: don’t drive in Paris. Unless you really, really like sitting in a stationary vehicle.

I headed on over to Bistrot Victoires for a cheap feed as recommended by the interwebs. I actually wanted to try Foyer de la Madeleine which sounded crazy cheap and awesome plus the money earned goes to the less fortunate. It closed at 2pm though and thanks to the traffic, I missed it. Someone please try it for me when they’re in Paris!

I really tried to get something different but I got duck confit again. I really, really like duck. Really.

Instead of going to the Concierge where many people were held before being executed by guillotine (this included Marie Antoinette), I thought I’d give the death theme a break and chill at Parc Buttes-Chaumont. Such a beautiful park – it didn’t seem possible that this place could exist in a city. It was bloody hilly and there were large bridges and even a waterfall. I sat and read The Little Prince before heading back to the burbs to stay with my aunt.

And so ends my time in Paris. Just a day or so left in France, spending time with family and visiting Giverny – the home of Monet’s garden. I’m pooped.

Day 12: Euro adventure – museum day is here

I wouldn’t say I’m an art expert but I do enjoy looking and learning as much as I can. That being said, I sort of fly through museums. It’s like fomo almost – I don’t want to miss anything but I’ve probably missed the important details. That leads me to the most beautiful museum I’ve ever seen – the Louvre.

The Louvre was once the royal palace and my gosh, what an amazing palace it would have been. Take away the amazing art it houses, the building itself is a work of art. Blown away.

I powered my way through the areas I had most interest in – renaissance, Roman, Greek, Egyptian, sculptures, neoclassic etc – and finished off the marathon with the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. Of course.

The Louvre demonstrated how high brow art and culture can turn people into savages. The sheer amount of people trying to get a good shot of the key pieces was staggering. One man was trying to use a selfie stick to get a good shot of the Mona Lisa and the security guard repeatedly smacked the stick away. Get the picture, jerk – your selfie stick is rude and selfish. I didn’t have much of an issue with selfie sticks until now. They’re a scourge. Take in the moment with your eyeballs!

It’s wonderful that Euro passport holders under 26 get in for free yet this was my cousin’s first time at the Louvre. These few days has been just as much of a Paris tour for him as it has been for me. I’m glad he was able to learn more about his city. It tends to be the way – you don’t really explore your own city or country until you have guests.

We had lunch with Remy’s friend again. I finally got my duck confit and it was crazy good. French gastronomy is impeccable. And these little bistros that are on every street, any one of them seem to have great French food for reasonable prices.

MOAR CHEEZ I'M SO HAPPY

Off we went to another museum, one dedicated to Asian art. French colonisation of much of South East Asia has given them an extensive collection of artefacts and there was a huge Cambodian section. Getting in touch with my roots here! It was massive. I think at one point, I fell asleep while walking. I tripped. I hoped no one saw. They probably did.

Our final stop for the day was another death related site, the Pantheon. There seems to be a death theme on this trip but they’re some of my favourite parts so far! It’s just fascinating and these people have had such an impact on the world as we know it. There was something about paying my respects to these greats.

The Pantheon houses the bodies of notable and great Frenchmen but not just anyone can get in. The current president picks and chooses a select few who he feels are worthy. The recent inductions were French resistants. Victor Hugo’s induction saw the greatest gathering of people on the steps of the Pantheon to witness the occasion. Voltaire is in there, Rousseau, Marie and Pierre Curie, Alexandre Dumas – the list goes on. And a memoriam for Antoine de Saint-Exupery as his body was never found. Incredible and such a beautiful crypt. The main foyer of the Pantheon is also stunning.

Surprised we were still awake at this point, we grabbed some dinner at a Cambodian restaurant in Chinatown (yes I came to Paris to eat Cambodian food) and I went back to the hostel to change. My cousin took me to this awesome bar called Le Comptoir General. You had to enter through a construction site door and it was by the Canal Saint Martin. This was the first time an area reminded me of Melbourne, and I saw young Parisians being young – drinking, dancing, laughing. There were heaps of people sitting by the canal, drinking wine and eating cheese (so French) while singing and chatting with one another. It was very cool, such a great vibe.

We danced a little bit then sat by the canal like everyone else, singing random songs to one another and unfortunately, I was made to rap for my new friend’s Snapchat. Curse you, V! But then he rapped in French and it was way, way cooler. It was a different side of Paris, one I’m glad I saw. Paris is beautiful and full of amazing stories and history, but it has felt a little cold. It lacked the welcoming and warmth of Barcelona but seeing this different side made me realise if Paris was a person, it would be the type that takes time to open up to you. At first standoffish but once it does let you in, you’ll be inspired and enchanted and eventually, in love.

Day 11: Euro adventure – day two of Paris madness

Paris has, for the first time on this trip, made me feel like a true tourist. If you can’t tell, I’m cramming in as much as I can. Mainly because my first day was with family, and my last couple will be too so I really need to experience what Paris has to offer from a sightseeing point of view. No doubt I’ll come back to just explore but for now, let’s kick this off! I’m sticking to the list format for Paris – it’ll be way too long otherwise.

1. Tour Eiffel
You have to, right? There’s no way you can come to Paris for the first time and not visit the Eiffel tower. I was going to get a double dose of it today but more on that later. Remy and I opted to take the stairs because a) lines are shorter – we’re impatient b) it’s cheaper – we’re stingy and c) it’s leg day 😂 trololol

Too dark. Whoops!

After 669 stairs, we made it and what a view. Go early, people. I don’t think you need the warning but just in case. Remy and I got there just after 9am but when we came down, dem lines man.

2. Jardin du Luxembourg
Everything sounds better with a French accent. I would say “jar-den du Luxemburrrrg” and Remy would say “zhardan du looxembourr”. That didn’t work as well as I’d hoped – I’m hoping you can hear it in your heads as I’m hearing it.

We grabbed a crepe from the slowest effing crepe maker in the world (still delicious) and sat in these beautiful grounds in front of the Luxembourg Palace, created by Marie de Medici – the widow of King Louis IV. It’s used by the French senate now. Well worth the visit just to stroll or relax – again, lots of Parisians out making the most of these public spaces.

Gurl, y u no make crepe faster?! Still tasty.

3. Catacombs of Paris
We waited well over an hour to get in here so be prepared. More stairs waited for us (it was leg day so it’s OK) and the crypt below the city was amazing. The bones kept there belong to people who were buried in the Cemetery of the Innocents. When an outbreak of infection occurred due to the volume of people in this cemetery, they created the catacombs to house them. There were halls and halls of bones. It was eerie but I really enjoyed it!

"Stop! This is the empire of death!"

4. Solo date night – dinner at the Eiffel Tower, cruise down the Seine and a show at the Moulin Rouge
Because I like to spend time alone, I booked myself a tour before coming to Paris to these three things. Little did I know that I was going to be the only one on the tour. Literally the only one. But hey, I wanted alone time and I’m getting it.

The bus dropped me at the Eiffel Tower for dinner on the first floor at a restaurant called 58 Tour Eiffel. I had a window seat so I got a great view of the people below and the food was superb. King prawns, guinea fowl and CHEESE. Oh my God, French cheese I was so happy.

I had a bit of a wander around the first floor of the tower – really cool. Glass floors, a museum and a cool little bar to hang out in.

Then I hopped on a boat on the River Seine. A must do no matter which boat you catch and try to go at dusk/sunset because the sky is so pretty and the Eiffel Tower lights up as you come back to port.

Finally, a show at the Moulin Rouge. My mind has been warped by the Baz Lurhmann film Moulin Rouge and of course, it’s nothing like the movie. It’s more of a cabaret show, a cabaret show like I’ve seen in Phuket that features really pretty ladyboys. No ladyboys here (that I know of) but they did do more acrobatic stuff like roller skate tricks, duo acrobatics and a trio. The trio were my favourite – real slapstick type stuff! Also the cancan is a classic.

I didn’t get home until 1:30am and they had given me half a bottle of champagne. My bus driver was a wonderful Peruvian man named Jose. We talked a lot of politics but my favourite conversation we had was about the price of quinoa. Anyway, I really enjoyed his company. I like meeting like-minded people to have these kinds of conversations with. First it was Rio and Cali in Barcelona (our first hostel friends) and now Jose. The beauty of travel.

Day 2 in Paris – done! It’s museum day tomorrow. Let’s hope museum fatigue won’t get the best of us.

Day 10: Euro adventure – Paris, I can’t feel my feet

OK firstly, Spanish? So much easier than French. I practice a word over and over again, and then I hear a French person say it and I’m like, to hell with this! You order, Remy!

Today was incredibly packed so to follow the way the interwebs is going nowadays, I will present this blog as a list ala Buzzfeed. Yes, I can feel my integrity as a wannabe writer ebbing away even more than usual.

1. Sacre Coeur
After dropping my bag off at the hostel, Remy and I walked to Sacre Coeur. Again, so many Game of Thrones references. We decided it was something out of Braavos. If Sagrada Familia is the cool, hipster girl who’s into drugs and going against the grain; Sacre Coeur is the beautiful, unattainable girl who’s really smart and kind of intimidating but man, you are in awe of her. She’s also kinda judgemental – my cousin was telling me the monologue blaring through the speakers throughout was saying things like “I am a sinner. Forgive me God. I will confess my sins”. Yeeeeeech!

2. Arc de Triomphe
Didn’t climb it but took some photos and admired the sculptures and the HUGE ASS French flag. That roundabout around the Arc de Triomphe, Place Charles de Gaulle – lol. Is the literal translation of that name the roundabout of death? There are no lanes. I could never drive here. I thought Barcelona was bad.

3. Champs-Elysees
I was looking for a Hermes but no luck. Is it the most beautiful avenue in the world? Possibly. Though everything in France I feel is beautiful and grand, so the Champs-Elysees is no different. However the really exorbitant brands are on Avenue De Montaigne. Still couldn’t find Hermes…

4. Lunch
I met one of Remy’s friends and the language barrier is a struggle. I think maybe they’re not confident with their English even though it’s perfectly fine and I don’t know what to say in fear of making them more nervous. It was a nice lunch in any case – I got to have some beef tartare, one of my most favourite things to eat ever. I will always order beef tartare if it’s on a menu.

5. Concorde
More photos. An obelisk which was a gift from Egypt.

6. Jardin des Tuileries in front of the Louvre
I think it’s awesome how many people make the most of these public areas for catching up with friends, exercise, reading or even sleeping. I don’t see it on that scale very much back home but why wouldn’t you when you have the Louvre as your backdrop? Gorgeous. But the line into the Louvre – what the shit?! We decided to come back bright and early on Wednesday to avoid this hell.

6a. Ponts des Arts
Love locks are goneski, majority of them anyway. Walking along the le quai (the docks) reminded me of Javert jumping to his death in the Seine. Or for a happier reference, the dance scene in An American in Paris.

7. Notre Dame
I think I prefer Sacre Coeur but it was still insanely beautiful. Even more intimidating and imposing, the stain glass inside was phenomenal. I couldn’t capture how beautiful they are so I’m not even going to bother.

8. Pere Lachaise cemetery
Jim Morrison and Edith Piaf are buried here but I was most excited about my ultimate writing idol, Mr Oscar freaking Wilde. Due to ardent admiration for him (and potentially ardent hate), they’ve had to construct a glass box around his grave to avoid people vandalising the sculpture. When I write, not brain dump through my fingers into WordPress, I always try to be as clever or witty or elegant as old mate Oscar. It doesn’t often work but we try our best.

9. L’Opera
The site of which the Phantom of the Opera was set (my number 1 musical choice), I loved the busts of famous composers that lined the facade of the building. Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn to make a few. Remy and I sat on the steps with a drink, just people watching and listening to another street performer. I really like these street performers, especially all the accordions. So Parisian!

10. Dinner and drinks
Met another one of Remy’s friends and he was a riot. Less of a language barrier and the accent is so great. They don’t think so but I love it. We grabbed some Japanese food and then some drinks at Coup D’etat. Talked shit, asked each other questions. This part of the night was so great. I love sightseeing but I also love doing as the locals would do. They suggested we go out on Wednesday night for drinks and dancing but it’s a school night? OK guys, good luck with that!

We took a walk to see Church of St Eustace and to Chatelet. Apparently this is the place to be if you want to go out at night to bars and restaurants.

My first impressions of Paris? It’s beautiful and grand. It’s a photographer’s dream but I am no photographer. I can’t even begin to capture the charm of Paris. It’s a complete sensory experience – to see every lovely street with beautiful buildings like they’re straight from a postcard, to hearing the toots of the cars and the sound of accordions. I can’t replicate that.

Yes, the people are stand-offish and it makes me feel like I can’t attempt to speak French. I sometimes feel unsafe and I’m always hyper-aware of people around me who could potentially rob me. I feel very ho-hum walking through Paris – everyone dresses up. It doesn’t have the warmth of Barcelona (both the aura and the temperature) but it is so rich in culture and history and beauty.

Also visiting all these churches in Europe really reminds you how rich and powerful the Catholic church are, especially back in the day. When the country’s people are hungry and poor but you can build these ornate and opulent structures… makes you think.

Not a great post. Just too much to cover! This is the problem with doing too much.

Day 9: Euro adventure – adios Barcelona, bonjour Paris (not quite)

Leaving Barcelona was as hard as I thought it would be. What if I’ve peaked too early?! I should just stay in Barcelona, was my thought process. But I have family waiting for me in Paris and not showing up would be highly inconvenient.

Bye Barca 😦

I didn’t make it to Paris on my first day in France but I did get to spend some time with my lovely French relatives. It was nice to eat rice again, I never thought I’d say that but I guess you can’t completely get rid of that Asian side of you! Also spending time with them really highlighted how abysmal my Cambodian is. When you can only speak fluent English, and they can only speak fluent French but the in between is my pigeon Cambodian – it’s struggletown. They seemed to think my Cambodian was alright. They’re wrong.

She's so cute!

My cousin Remy took me to a chateau around where my aunts live. I love that you can drive 15 minutes and hello castle! Not to mention the French countryside is absolutely stunning. You can’t take a bad photo!

Now let me get this right.. The castle is called Chateau de La Roche-Guyon. Hey, hey! Formerly owned by the Rochefoucald family who were apparently very prominent back in the day. The castle is a mix of mediaeval and renaissance style, and had been attacked by the English several times being so close to a valley. They could attack from the water but apparently sabotaged their own mission to take over the castle by bombing the highest tower, and not being able to get past the rubble. Nice one, guys.

When Hermione comes down to the Yule Ball!

This was intense. These steps are too tall.

Weiner, weiner weiner.

I was like a little child running through the halls and dungeons and towers of this place. It was like I was Belle from Beauty and the Beast, Sansa from Game of Thrones and Hermione from Harry Potter. I don’t think my cousin understood why I was so giddy but nevertheless, he joined in with me while I hummed the GoT theme song throughout.

Pigeon keep!

I have no idea. Torture? Time machine?

Me and my new castle

Also, French towns are adorable but I can see why Belle kept singing “there must be more than this provincial lifeeeeeeee”. Stunning views but so very far away from people.

First day in France was lovely but the real games begin today. We’ve got the most intense few days planned. I don’t even think I can go to Euro Disney 😦 I wanted to collect them all (pokemon!)! But I can’t wait to take on this week. I’m coming for you, Paris!