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Nancy and Doug Trips
Nancy and Doug Trips

Nancy and Doug Trips

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”
Our lifelong travel bug has given us our most prized ‘possessions’ - the many memories from business and especially family trips.
 “Take only memories, leave only footprints.” Read more🇨🇦British Columbia
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  • Nancy and Doug TripsSE Asia 2024Traveler
    Pork belly and Duck

    Jib Kee Chinese restaurant

    March 8, 2024 in Thailand ☁️ 34 °C

    The non air conditioned number 53 bus (8 THB) to the Nang Leong market area was held up by a peaceful protest regarding minimum wage (the average worker earns 350 THB/day ($18) and the cost of living in a room without cooking facilities would take all these earning).
    Jib Kee are 3rd generation Chinese and introduced crispy pork belly and roasted duck to the local Thais.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsSE Asia 2024Traveler
    Signage indicating this restaurant has been awarded special status
    Signage indicating this restaurant has been awarded special statusHoi Tod Crispy MusselsTypically a small number of dishes are prepared well

    Siriwan

    March 8, 2024 in Thailand ☁️ 33 °C

    First stop was at a modest appearing, yet famous place with the equivalent of a Thai Michelin star. Shell Shuan Shim (the bowl symbol) was established in 1961 as a symbol of "deliciousness that consumers trust" as a joint partnership between Shell (who supplied propane to modernize the cooking fuel) and the restaurant industry. The script at the bottom is an endorsement from a royal food authority. Ten new restaurants are added with selection criteria being: delicious taste, uniqueness of recipe, worthy of travelling for. Website: www.shellshuanshim.com.

    The restaurant had five items total on its menu and the cook was 2nd generation at the stir fry table.

    Next was the No. 53 bus to the 120 year old Nang Leong Market where a lot of Chinese had immigrated to in the past.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsSE Asia 2024Traveler
    1Aboard the canal boatCow Niew Bin sticky rice, taro, pandan leaf wrapped in banana leaf and grilledTwo of these and a coffee are the staple breakfast for workers here1First Tuk Tuk ride, after two it was enough!

    Old Siam Food Tour by A Chef's Tour

    March 8, 2024 in Thailand ☁️ 32 °C

    We were joining a tour at the Big C Mall, so caught a Grab and the first thing inside the door is a Timmies!

    We had decided to do "A Chef's Tour of Old Siam" as our first Bangkok outing as it included the experience of moving through the city, as well as giving us an edge or ordering something other than Pad Thai! Our guide Annie did the talking while her assistant Om arranged for our table, did the ordering and organized transportation making it a very seamless experience. First stop: a canal boat ride from Hua Chang Bridge Pier to Stop number 3, slowing down in respect as we passed by the shoreline of a Princess's House. Thailand became a constitutional monarchy in 1932 and the Royal Family is much revered with pictures of the King and Queen commonly seen.

    As we got off the boat at Bobae Market, we bought some sticky rice wrapped in banana leaf then grilled, which we took to the first stop. The sticky rice is a common on the go morning snack equivalent but decidedly less sweet than a TimBit!

    We walked through the market to the other side, then caught a tuk tuk ride to the first restaurant.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsSE Asia 2024Traveler
    Breakfast spread at Saran Poshtel

    Bangkok & Saran Poshtel

    March 7, 2024 in Thailand 🌙 32 °C

    Immigration was busy but moved along quickly, and we met our pre-booked car service outside arrivals. The car service price was the same as two coach bus tickets, and were dropped off right at our door after a one hour trip in rush hour traffic. It had been 6° C in Tokyo so 36° C in Bangkok was a huge change. Six lane elevated highways with many motorcycles weaving in and out; not for the faint of heart to drive a motorbike here and some are without helmets! We turned onto a street with a major dig going on but were relieved to see the Saran Poshtel was down a quiet street. Quite new, the room's air conditioner working well thankfully. Had a brief nap then walked out our street and found a Hong Kong noodle place. We noted sidewalks/streets are similar to Mexico with many possibility of falls and trips. Note to self - must stop and gawk, not walk and gawk! After showers we slept reasonably well, up at 0500 hrs. and went for a freshly prepared omelet for breakfast in the lobby.Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsSE Asia 2024Traveler

    Haneda airport to Bangkok

    March 7, 2024 in Japan ☁️ 5 °C

    Haneda Airport is very nice and more updated than Narita. Washrooms at the airport were quite deluxe …., in fact Nancy overheard English speaking women in booths adjacent trying to figure out the multitude of signs in the booth. Waterfall and bird sounds played as you approached the toilet! This was the first of many interesting observations about public toilets in SE Asia. There was also a urinal booth and squat toilet booth.

    Another enjoyable flight on JAL Business Class with an amazing set Japanese appetizer tray. Arrival in BKK was actually a few minutes early. On approach into BKK one could see agricultural land almost all the way to the airport.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsSE Asia 2024Traveler
    Zojo-ji Sange Datsumon Gate
    Zojo-ji Sange Datsumon Gate1Main Hall with Amida BuddhaAnkokudenCare Guardian Deities of Children

    Zojo-ji Temple

    March 7, 2024 in Japan ☁️ 5 °C

    We walked around the outside of Shiba Park last night on the way to Tokyo Tower, so we went back to see the temples this morning. Impressive, at one time home to 48 temples, grammar schools and 3,000 Buddhist monks. We took the nearby Monorail 20 minutes to Tokyo's main airport, Haneda, and went to the airport lounge for breakfast in preparation for our 6 hour flight to Bangkok.Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsSE Asia 2024Traveler
    Arrival Narita Airport Tokyo
    Arrival Narita Airport TokyoView up road to Tokyo Tower1Food court under Tokyo Tower for 1st dinner in Japan 1280 yenSelect the meal and pay with cash

    Tokyo Layover

    March 6, 2024 in Japan ☁️ 8 °C

    We stayed overnight at the Richmond Hotel a few blocks from Daimon train exit. Although we were rather tired and it was chilly out, it was not raining, so we took a walk up to see Zojo-Ji Temple and Tokyo Tower. We hoped to return to the temple the next morning as it was too dark to really see anything. Tokyo Tower had a basic food court, and we ordered a Ramen dish and paid through a vending machine, and then sat at a counter. Spice level 2/5 was certainly hot enough! Tasty, basic and did the trick. Tucked in 2100 hrs Tokyo time (0400 hrs PST).Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsSE Asia 2024Traveler
    Ready to board in YVR
    Ready to board in YVRBA Terraces in SEAGate S15 in SEA for flight to NaritaNancy likes the high lifeAppetizers from the Japanese set menuSet entree of Black Cod and Ginger Beef

    On our way

    March 5, 2024, Coastal Waters Of Southeast Alaska And British Columbia 🌙 2 °C

    We planned to spend two nights in Vancouver visiting with family but our initial WestJet flight was cancelled due to lack of crew and we were rebooked the next morning at 0700 hrs. Kelowna-Victoria-Vancouver. Fortunately for us mechanical concerns forced a stop in Vancouver and we were able to disembark. We helped Jan with some set up tasks in her new apartment, had a nice dinner at the Keg and Uber'ed to the Sandman Hotel at YVR (good value, quiet and comfortable). Their shuttle took us to the airport at 0430 hrs. for our 0600 hr. flight to SEA with Alaska Airlines. Any anxiety about only leaving 75 minutes before our flight was relieved by a virtually deserted airport. We had a smooth flight, and a 5 hour layover partly spent in the lounge before our Japan Airlines flight. JAL Business Class provided a exceptional and memorable experience with lay flat seats, highly attentive service and a gourmet menu. We arrived at 15:00 hrs. into Narita Airport, Tokyo. Clearing Immigration and customs took a few minutes requiring digital photos and fingerprinting. The train ticket office was pretty busy (cash only and withdrawal from a Seven Bank ATM was seamless). We caught a 16:47 Sky Access direct train and got to our hotel at 18:15 hrs.Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsSE Asia 2024Traveler
    Our customized guidebook

    Planning

    March 4, 2024 in Canada ☁️ 0 °C

    Knew we wanted our next big trip to be Asia and booked the points tickets outbound and return a year in advance. We did reading and research to narrow down the countries/cities to visit and then kicked into gear in the fall after coming back from our fall visit to Toronto . More research, then booking 20 flights or trains,, 19 hotels, etc. and we are now pretty well organized with a 200-page custom guidebook. Made a few bookings, especially for some cooking classes and food tours.
    Several visas applied for and received and advanced customs forms or phone apps to configure, so are all set for smooth encounters with officialdom, we hope!
    Have had to review our packing list as we insist on traveling carry-on only, but the regional airlines have standard carry-on limits of 7kg. We have purchased upgrades to 14kg combined carry-on and personal item where possible. I really hope we can avoid ever checking a bag.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsSW Europe 2023Traveler
    Castle Manager John

    Highclere Castle and Home to Casa Burget

    June 20, 2023 in England ⛅ 21 °C

    The next morning we called Home James to take us to Highclere. We enjoyed the introduction and guided tour of Highclere and the included lunch was good but too much food for us. Home James took us into Newbury where most of hotels were booked and we finally settled on the last room at the Chequers Hotel: the Honeymoon Suite! The room was initially hot and Nancy was feeling that a basic boring North American style hotel with aircon was looking pretty good instead of quaint English ones. We were to find out later that England was experiencing the hottest June on record. We both agreed that Highclere was worth a visit; it is unfortunately not easy to get to unless you are driving. The next day we had a smooth trip into Heathrow thanks to finally learning to say "yes" to being disabled and requiring a ramp. Plane travel with West Jet was uneventful and we arrived home safe, sound and travel worn. Jan stayed at Casa Burget for three days before going back home.Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsSW Europe 2023Traveler
    Main Street Newbury
    Main Street NewburyLocks along the River Kennet

    Therme Spa to Newbury

    June 19, 2023 in England ⛅ 23 °C

    The next day we went to the Therme spa for a couple of hours before heading on to our last stop: Newbury to visit Highclere Castle: the setting of the Downtown Abbey series. Train travel was smooth and we found Newbury to offer more than Nancy had anticipated; the stream running through the town was very picturesque. We stopped for a drink regretted not eating there as well shortly after our taxi dropped us off at the Carpenter Arms in the countryside and we found the kitchen was closed. This was quite disappointing as Nancy had inquired as to whether the pub was open. In England a pub being open does not mean food is being served; only alcohol. The young man in charge was long on promises but short on follow through. We settled on Pizza delivery for dinner and a check out next day.Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsSW Europe 2023Traveler
    Wedding day from Queen Camilla's daughter Laura 2006Harry Potter's parents house, LacockCastle CombeScones and tea at Caron Cooper's Fosse Farmhouse, setting of a hit anime TV series Kinmoza

    Bath Day 3 Putney Bridge and Cotswolds

    June 18, 2023 in England ☁️ 23 °C

    After a walk over the Putney bridge (which has cafes on it) we got ready for our tour outside the city. Jan got almost bombed by a seagull and we were to hear how they have become a protected nuisance in the city. Daniel from Insider Tours picked us up at the hotel and we visited Laycock where photography was invented. The Church pictured dates from the 1200s. Queen Camilla’s estate is nearby and she sat in the pew shown when her daughter Laura married here in 2006 with the now King Charles with William and Harry in attendance too. We then took a trip through the countryside to Castle Combe a mill town "frozen in time". Many of these towns are owned by the National Trust and the homes are rented out. The homes typically have stone and slate roofs, and Daniel pointed out spots which had been used as film sets for Doctor Dolittle, Harry Potter and Downtown Abbey.Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsSW Europe 2023Traveler
    The carving in the temple to MinervaHigh alter in the temple of Sulis MinervaLead messages to Minerva were written and thrown into the springThe goddess MinervaThe Royal TheatreLove the toaster teapot!

    Roman Baths and Royal Theatre

    June 17, 2023 in England ☁️ 25 °C

    Archeologists have worked on and off at this site since Roman ruins were found in 1727. The Roman level is 12 meters below today's street level. Excellent interpretive museum. The carving in the pediment of the temple to Minerva. The round temple of Minerva; the only structure of this type in Roman Britain. A catwalk and further excavations were done recently under the 18th century pump room where they serve high tea. We were there for over two hours, after this we bought some scones to eat back at the Hotel and Nancy enjoyed a pleasant air conditioned show at the Royal Theatre while Jan caught up on some rest.Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsSW Europe 2023Traveler
    Mike and Kath KingBath AbbeyThe Royal Crescent

    Bath Arrival

    June 15, 2023 in England ⛅ 25 °C

    The next day we took the train to Bath via Reading. In retrospect, we made a crazy run to get on the car we were assigned which was at the end of a very long train. We were to learn on our upcoming last trip how much easier it is if you identify yourself as disabled and needing a ramp....they will guide you right to where you need to be! We met Dr Emma King's parents Mike and Kath and had lunch with them at the Royal Hotel. Mike does free tours of Bath as an office guide and used to be a teacher....he gave us a tour and brought along his props as well. We saw the outside of Bath Abbey, the Royal Crescent, talked about the symmetry of Georgian (think King George) architecture, heard about how people were taxed according to the number of windows they had (to identify those with more wealth when glass was expensive). Nice dinner at the Royal; room was very hot and unfortunately noisy as there was a music festival on over the weekend we were there.Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsSW Europe 2023Traveler
    Tower BridgeThe Tower of London castle, established in 11 th centuryCruise on the River ThamesWestminster AbbeyEnd of day Fish Fry

    London

    June 14, 2023 in England ☀️ 28 °C

    We took the Big Bus HoHo which stopped near our accommodation. Pleasant tour through London with much better functioning taped commentary than Toot Bus in Paris. Jan recalled many details about her trip to London with Andrea. We got off at Tower Pier, had lunch and boarded the boat for the cruise down the Thames to Westminster. Nancy was still recovering from cathedral overload so Jan went in and spent 90 minutes there. It seemed a very long HoHo ride back so we got off and walked back; dinner was a good ole English fish fry nearby.Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsSW Europe 2023Traveler
    Windsor CastleRoyal timelineSt. George's chapel

    Windsor

    June 14, 2023 in England ☀️ 28 °C

    We took the Elizabeth Line (very nice!) from Paddington to Slough, then changed for Windsor. We were fortunate that our room at Goswell House was ready so we dropped our bags, had a quick coffee and made it to our booked entry time at Windsor. Really enjoyed the visit, especially seeing the rebuilt St. George's Hall following a fire in 1992 as you rarely get to see new "replica" construction in old buildings! Unfortunately Jan felt very tired after lunch so was not able to see as much as she would have liked. She enjoyed in particular seeing Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillips final resting places at St. George's chapel; the Queen having being placed there in September 2022.Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsSW Europe 2023Traveler
    Paris Gare de Nord to St Pancras Station in 2.5 hours
    Paris Gare de Nord to St Pancras Station in 2.5 hoursEurotunnel 50 km under the English Channel, the world's longest undersea tunnelPaddington Bear statue near our B+B

    Arrival in London

    June 13, 2023 in England ☀️ 28 °C

    We departed Vernon by train to Gare St. Lazare, then found a bus which took us directly to Gare du Nord to catch the Eurostar high speed train to London. Arrived at St. Pancreas station, then taxi to Balmoural House on Sussex Gardens, a pleasant leafy street in the Paddington Station area, This street of townhouses was previously residential now converted to tourist accommodations. The room was fine for us but if you were much larger you'd have difficulty fitting into the shower. Nick met us for dinner at a nearby Italian Restaurant called Bizzarro and we had a pleasant evening.Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsSW Europe 2023Traveler
    Le Petite Train
    Le Petite TrainRoses et LyCamille and JeanLa Petite Fille en RougeMonet's lily pondMonet's homeDo you see what is in the background? Elusive mailboxes!

    Vernon and Giverney

    June 12, 2023 in France ☁️ 25 °C

    After another pleasant chauffeured limo trip from Versailles to Gare de Lazare, we caught the train to Vernon. Nancy had changed the accomodation from Giverny to the the only hotel in Vernon as she could not find a restaurant open in Giverny on the evening of arrival. Unfortunately, the hotel was fully booked with an end of trip social gathering taking place in the bar and patio adjacent to our room and this coupled with the lack of air conditioning made it a less than ideal stay although the breakfast and the restaurant were good. The next day we took the Petite Train to Giverny and the driver was quite a character. Nancy went to exhibit on the children of the Impressionists. Of interest: Mary Fairchild MacMonnies Low: Roses et Ly (1897), Claude Monet: Jubilee Sur Toile with son Jean wife Camille, Andre Broullet: La Petite Fille en Rouge and others. We then went to the Monet house and famous lily pond. Thankfully by late afternoon, the bus crowds had left and we pretty much had the place to ourself. Very pleasant and overall Giverny would have proven a pleasant stay with good transportation options into town with a bus and nearby taxi stand.Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsSW Europe 2023Traveler
    Painting of Versailles
    Painting of VersaillesCentral building with the clock is the original hunting lodge, the palace grew around itRoyal Chapel at VersaillesHercules RoomYoung Louis XVSulpture of Louis XIV as an emperorThe Mercury Room where the Sun King slept and coffin displayed for eight days.The Hall of MirrorsMarie Antoinette's bedroom at the PalaceMarie and kidsNapoleon crowning JosephineLooking out the window from the Hall of Mirrors toward the Grand CanalVersailles Gardens and Fountains (originally 2,400!)

    Versailles Palace and Gardens

    June 11, 2023 in France ☁️ 25 °C

    The next day, we had booked tickets for entry into the Palace at 10 am. The palace was is Baroque throughout; that was the style at the time of the French Revolution in 1789 . Notables were the Hercules Room, the Salon of Abundance with a painting of the Dauphin (young Louis XV) the Venus Room with a sculpture of Louis XIV as emperor, the Mercury Room where he slept. Bed commissioned by King Louis Phillip D Orleans, when the Palace was commissioned as a museum in 1833.Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsSW Europe 2023Traveler
    Where is that entrance?!
    Where is that entrance?!A long walk to get thereThe Trianon - home to Louis XIVs extended family including the Royal Mistress of Maitress-en-titrePetite TrianonKitchen at the Petite TrianonQueens bedchamber at Petite Trianon; redecorated by Marie Antoinette shortly before their departurePortrait of Marie AntoinetteTemple of Love from the bedroom windowLooking toward the Grand Canal at the end of the day

    Versailles Trianon and Petite Trianon

    June 10, 2023 in France ⛅ 28 °C

    We had a pleasant trip by chauffered limo to Hotel Lys in Versailles. Then a quick lunch enroute to Versailles. If you only see one European Palace Rick Steves says this is it! The estate is huge: 800 hectares of Palace, country side retreats of Trianon and Petite Trianon connected by waterways with 2400 fountains and extensive gardens. Built by the Sun King Louis XIV (1638-1715, reign 75 years).
    We had planned to get the Petite Train to the Trianon area. Unfortunately the young woman at the gate gave us poor information telling us we were in the wrong place and we walked for at least an hour to get to where the entrance was, later finding out the Petite Train left just inside the main entrance. Once there we got an idea of the country estate that was Marie Antoinette's escape from palace life. Of interest was that the cozy bedroom used by the king, his mistress and Marie Antoinette.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsSW Europe 2023Traveler
    Seine River Cruise from Pont Neuf
    Seine River Cruise from Pont NeufMusee d'OrsayRaising a family in a big city has challengesPoppiesDance at the Moulin de la GaletteLe BerceauThe Floor ScrapersWoman in an OrchardLes BananasWe had Arles where Van Gogh had painted his bedroom

    Paris Day 6

    June 9, 2023 in France ☁️ 29 °C

    We were still keen to do a Seine River cruise and recalled that there was a company that left from Pont Neuf near Notre Dame which we could easily walk to. We took the first cruise of the day....along with about 100 Grade students! So much for the live commentary! Next stop: Musee D'Orsay. Lunch on site and then we focused on the Impressionists and Neo-impressionists. Some highlights: Monet: Poppies, Water Lily, Green Harmony (1899). Renoir: Dance at the Moulin de la Galette (1876). Monet Rue Monorgueil (1878). Berthe Morisot: Le Berceau (1872). Gustavo Caillebotte: The Floor Scrapers (1875). Caillebotte financed and patronized the impressionists and was himself a painter; at the time this painting was rejected by the art society given its depiction of working class folk; Renoir's bourgeoisie were the "proper" subjects of the time. Pissarro: popularized pointillism such as Woman in an Orchard (1887). Van Gogh: Bedroom in Arles and Starry Night Arles (1889). Paul Gauguin: Les Bananas (1891).

    We took Toot Bus back to Paris Opera then a taxi back home. We decided after some debate to have French Soup at Sacre Frenchy; unfortunately they forgot our order and we were pretty fizzled out by the time dinner ended and we tucked into bed for an early start the next day to Versailles.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsSW Europe 2023Traveler
    Louis Vitton Store as a canvas
    Louis Vitton Store as a canvasThe LouvreHigh end stores along the Champs ElyseesArc De Triomphe De L'Etoile, commemorating those of the French Revolution and Napoleonic WarsEiffel Tower

    Paris Day 5

    June 8, 2023 in France ☀️ 27 °C

    The day started with a walk from our accomodation to the Louvre. We spoke to a Toot Bus rep at the Louvre stop which was well marked and were advised that the day before a dignitary's visit in Paris had disrupted traffic. He reported no traffic jams today so we hopped on the bus with a smooth trip past the Arc de Triomphe to the Eiffel Tour. We shared picture taking with some fellow tourists and then found ourselves having lunch at Aux Cerises. Nancy had salmon and Jan had cheesecake; both were very good. Jan bought a souvenir Eiffel tour for her buffet and we debated whether to go up the tour or do a Seine boat ride. Unfortunately, we lost each other in the crowds and by the time we found each other we were both hot and crabby so we bailed out of any other activities and Toot Bused it home. We noted better signage, more frequent buses and an up to date website for Big Bus Paris and would try the Big Bus in London.Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsSW Europe 2023Traveler
    Traffic Jan at the Place de Concorde
    Traffic Jan at the Place de ConcordeSaint ChapelleGothic with mediaeval age stained glassRosette window1Definately needing a drink after all those traffic jams!Jan with Notre Dame in the backgroundSeine River and frequent cruise boatsColorful walk back home

    Paris Day 4 Traffic Jams and Notre Dame

    June 7, 2023 in France ☀️ 27 °C

    The trip on bus 29 today was uneventful but the Toot Bus did not stop at the location we and others were waiting at. We finally found the Toot Bus stop that was operational and got on; within minutes and we were in a grid lock at Place Concord🙁😤! The commentary told us multiple times about how Marie Antoinette's reign came to an end there. Our increasingly warm bus finally got moving and we got off in the area of Notre Dame as we had booked entry tickets for Sainte Chapelle that afternoon. We had a quick shawarma lunch and saw Lebanese bread being baked over a dome. At the Royal Chapel, we marveled at the 13th century stained glass completed in 1248 to house the "Passions of Christ" including the Crown of Thorns). After a good look around the chapel, we stopped for an aperitif across the street and then sat outside of Notre Dame cathedral and listened to Rick Steves tell us about what it looks like on the inside; it's planned reopening after the fire of 2019 will be in 2024 when the Olympics will be held in Paris. Then we walked home along the lively Rue St. Denis. We realized that we need not have taken the bus to Notre Dame; we were within a 30 minute walk! Moral of the day: don't count on Paris traffic moving!Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsSW Europe 2023Traveler
    Two Sisters in Paris
    Two Sisters in ParisOne of the remaining covered passages in ParisPalais Garnier the Paris Opera HouseChagall's ceilingView from the top of Galeries Lafayette

    Paris Opera House & Galeries LaFayette

    June 6, 2023 in France ☀️ 26 °C

    Sunny, 27 degrees C.
    Late start to the day for Nancy and Jan. They saw Doug off to the CGD Airport by hotel transfer, taking with him wonderful memories and half of Nancy and Janet's luggage. A test of compromise, they shrunk their travel essentials down to one carry on plus an overnighter and Jan's walker to make the train travel sans Doug possible. Got on Route 29 bus which picked up right outside our accommodation; but only got less than half way to our destination (Paris Opera House Toot Bus Stop) and we had to get off due to a traffic jam! So change of plan from getting the Hop on Hop off bus and going to the Eiffel Tower. We walked along Rue Etienne Marcel which changes to Rue Petite Champs and there were many Japanese restaurants. Had excellent bento boxes in a restaurant bordering one of the few remaining covered passages. Then we walked to Garnier Opera House, got tickets and saw most of it before closing. It opened in 1875 to great pomp and ceremony and is still home to opera and ballet. We then walked to nearby Galleries Lafayette, a very large and elegant department store to admire the stain glass roof, and have an ice cream and coffee. There was a great view from the terrace at the top and we managed to get Jan and the walker up by escalator. After waiting almost 30 min for a bus that never came, we took a taxi home and dinner in.Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsSW Europe 2023Traveler

    Paris Day2 Around Our Neighborhood

    June 5, 2023 in France ☀️ 25 °C

    Doug and Nancy started the day by buying some transit tickets, walking the 40 minutes to Gare St. Lazare Station to check the logistics of Janet and Nancy's trip to Versailles and then came back by bus; having bought some groceries along the way. Jan claimed the croissants from nearby Boulangerie Bo and Mie the best she has ever had and she had one every morning we were in Paris! Doug went off on his own and Jan and Nancy spent the afternoon poking around nearby Rue Montorgueil where they bought ravioli and desserts.Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsSW Europe 2023Traveler
    Business signs of the "Old Paris", well preserved by the many passages (malls) of the day
    Business signs of the "Old Paris", well preserved by the many passages (malls) of the dayRoman ParisNapoleon Bonaparte

    Musee Carnavalet

    June 4, 2023 in France ☀️ 25 °C

    We walked from our Paris apartment which is just at the border of the Marais where this museum is. The Carnavalet documents the history of Paris in chronological order from its prehistoric origins to the present day. It is a vast museum with over 85 exhibition rooms. Nancy and Jan particularly enjoyed the opening collection of cira 1700s business signs, many no doubt well preserved because they were protected within the 200 covered passages in Paris. The desire to preserve the "old Paris" in the 1800s is well appreciated today! The hodgepodge collection showcases everyday objects, models, historical curiosities, decorative art, and fine art. The section on the French Revolution was very informative, showing the events and places around the city that were involved.

    Indeed, whole buildings, storefronts, glamorous period rooms, and art collections are on view, so it’s like a warehouse of small museums, with no end of surprises.

    We enjoyed our first dinner in Paris at Sacre Frenchy kitty corner to our accommodation; very welcoming staff and we all had rotisserie chicken.    Read more

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