Europe 2023

A long awaited trip to Europe via Japan.
We'll visit;
Japan, France, Sardinia, Corsica, Spain and England Read more

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Europe 2023
Out and about in Kyoto
July 25, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
Interesting images from our morning walk in Kyoto
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Europe 2023
Mt Fuji at high speed
July 25, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
Heading back to Tokyo from Kyoto today on Nozomi 24, in the Green Car. Nice.

We got a glimpse of the famous mountain, obscured by cloud as it almost always is.

Was interesting to see what I estimate to be 10's of thousands of solar panels in fields by the railway.

Oh, and another video from the Shinkansen at 285kph. (can't get enough of it)Read more
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Europe 2023
Dinner, Tokyo - Manten Sushi Maranouchi
July 25, 2023 in Japan ⋅ 🌙 30 °C
Tonight's dinner was an unusual one. The concept is called "Omakase". The phrase omakase, literally 'I leave it up to you', is most commonly used when dining at Japanese restaurants where the customer leaves it up to the chef to select and serve seasonal specialties.

We were served the following courses;

Clam soup
Banded snapper
Seaweed
Snapper
Scallops
Abalone & liver
Sea bass
Steamed egg and crabmeat
Shrimp 20 little shrimp
Tofu
Wasabi leaf
Bitter melon
Amberjack
Green tea
Enoki
Endamame
Eggplant
Octopus
Salmon roe and Sea Urchin
Bluefin Tuna. One from back one from front.
Tuna onion cone
Clam miso
Saltwater eel
Pickled cucumber
Omelette
Watermelon

Suffice to say we left well satisfied.

¥7,700 per personRead more
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Europe 2023
Tokyo evenings
July 25, 2023 in Japan ⋅ 🌙 30 °C
A balmy evening near Tokyo station.
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Europe 2023
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Underfoot in Japan
July 26, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Sometimes you should look down.

Kyoto's manhole covers are part of Japan's unique tradition of decorative manhole art, which began in the 1980s as a way to make the high costs of sewerage systems more palatable to taxpayers. Each city or district often has its own distinct designs that reflect local culture, history, or landmarks.Read more
So cute! [Flo]
8/6/23Reply
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Europe 2023
Farewell Japan, see you real soon
July 26, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
We stayed at the Royal Park Hotel at Terminal 3.

It's a reasonably priced, modern hotel with easy access to the airport transportation network and very easy access to the check-in desks.

JAL made it easy to check-in using a kiosk and the security and immigration stops were very smooth with no lines.

Off to Paris today. 15 hours ahead of us.Read more
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Europe 2023
au même moment à Paris...
July 26, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
Dinner with old friends, Henry and Ray, at L'Entracte and enjoying the view of the Opéra Garnier.

L'Entracte is a classic French bistro strategically located near the Palais Garnier opera house in Paris's 9th arrondissement, from which it derives its name - "entracte" meaning "intermission" in French. The restaurant has historically catered to opera-goers and theatre patrons, serving traditional French bistro cuisine before performances and during intermissions. Housed in a typical Parisian building with characteristic burgundy awnings and outdoor terrace seating, L'Entracte embodies the quintessential Parisian café-bistro atmosphere. Whilst restaurant offerings can change, they have been known for serving classic French dishes like steak-frites, escargots, and croque monsieur, along with a fine selection of wines. The restaurant's prime location on rue Auber, combined with its historic connection to the opera house, has made it a notable part of the neighbourhood's cultural landscape.Read more
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Europe 2023
Flâner dans paris
July 27, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
Morning meander...
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Europe 2023
Paris
July 27, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
Fair to say that the Parisiens also have a complicated relationship with electric bike and scooter hire...
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Europe 2023
Galeries Lafayette
July 27, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
Touristing... great views from the Terrace on the Galleries Lafayette store. You'll need to search it out.

Galleries Lafayette, the grand magasin located on Boulevard Haussmann in Paris's 9th arrondissement, stands as one of the city's most iconic department stores. The flagship store, opened in 1912, is renowned for its spectacular Neo-Byzantine coloured glass dome and Art Nouveau staircases, which create a theatrical shopping atmosphere beneath its 43-metre-high central cupola. The building's stunning architecture, particularly the ornate balconies with their Belle Époque ironwork, draws visitors as much as its luxury retail offerings. The store spans multiple floors of fashion, beauty, and homeware departments, whilst its rooftop terrace offers breathtaking views across Paris to the Opéra Garnier, Eiffel Tower, and Sacré-Cœur. During the festive season, the store is particularly famous for its elaborate Christmas decorations and window displays, which have become a beloved Parisian holiday tradition.Read more
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Europe 2023
Cocktails in the hood.
July 27, 2023 in France ⋅ 🌧 19 °C
12/15 Bistro. They had the ingredients and the talent, just hadn't heard of the drink. They happily mixed it up for us.

And they were only €8.50 each. I’ll be back.
Your fav drink! [Flo]
8/6/23Reply
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Europe 2023
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Flâner dans Paris
July 28, 2023 in France ⋅ 🌧 18 °C
Wandered through Le 2e arrondissement de Paris to Jardin des Tuileries, around the Musée du Louvre on our way to Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris with a café stop along the way.
Yummy! [Flo]
8/6/23Reply
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Europe 2023
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
July 28, 2023 in France ⋅ 🌧 18 °C
Slowly being restored... Shortly after these photographs we got caught in a downpour and lucked out with a souvenir store doing a roaring trade selling fetching raincoats.
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Europe 2023
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Flâner dans Paris
July 28, 2023 in France ⋅ 🌩️ 19 °C
Wandering past the Hôtel de Ville, skirting Le Marais and back to our hotel.
👍👍 [Flo]
8/6/23Reply
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Europe 2023
Balade à Montmartre
July 28, 2023 in France ⋅ 🌩️ 24 °C
Walked between rainstorms to Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur Basilica. Getting some miles out of our raincoat purchase.

Sacré-Cœur Basilica dominates the Parisian skyline from its perch atop Montmartre hill. This gleaming white church, built in Romano-Byzantine style, stands out against the city's predominantly Haussmann architecture. Construction began in 1875 and finished in 1914, making it a relatively young monument by Parisian standards. Its interior boasts one of the largest mosaics in the world, depicting Christ with outstretched arms. Visitors climb the steep steps (recently featured in John Wick 4) or take the funicular to reach the basilica, rewarded with panoramic views of Paris from its dome or the steps leading up to the entrance. At night, when illuminated, Sacré-Cœur takes on an almost ethereal quality, visible from many parts of the city.Read more
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Europe 2023
Treats at Glace Bashir
July 28, 2023 in France ⋅ 🌩️ 24 °C
Organic Lebanese ice-cream on Henry Shiner's recommendation. Apricot & rose petal for me (Robin) and orange blossom, almond and pistachio for Ross. Delicious!
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Europe 2023
Flâner dans Paris
July 29, 2023 in France ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
Another day wandering the streets of Paris:
Place Vendôme
Musée du Louvre
Le Centre Pompidou
Musée des Archives Nationales
Place de la Bastille
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
Hôtel de ville de Paris
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Europe 2023
La Coulée Verte or Paris High Line
July 29, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
The elevated boardwalk trail, built above the viaduct, crosses the 12th arrondissement from Place de la Bastille to the outskirts of Paris, until the Château de Vincennes. La Coulée Verte is a lush public park with unique views of Paris, perfect for getting some fresh air, having a picnic, or simply exploring a part of Paris, that is off the Beaten Path.Read more
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Europe 2023
Cuisine Parisienne
July 29, 2023 in France ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
Visited Galleries Lafayette Gourmet to drool over the food.

Galleries Lafayette Gourmet houses several pristine pastry counters where classic French pâtisserie is displayed with characteristic Parisian elegance. The selection ranges from precisely crafted macarons and éclairs to seasonal tartes, whilst respected chocolatiers showcase their pralines and truffles. The space combines retail efficiency with careful presentation, maintaining the department store's standards of quality and style.Read more
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Europe 2023
Flâner dans paris
July 30, 2023 in France ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
Some dans le métro entertainment, café with Georgie and Fraser at Marché Bastille and then lunch at L'As du Fallafel in Le Marais.

Édouard-VII-VII, 9th arrondissement.

The Paris Métro, marked by its Art Nouveau entrances and white-tiled trains, shuttles passengers efficiently through its maze of underground corridors. Riders swipe their tickets, navigate colour-coded lines, and follow signs to platforms whilst watching for pickpockets. The automated 'attention à la marche' warning echoes through stations as trains depart, whilst buskers move between carriages during quieter periods, adding a quintessentially Parisian soundtrack to the daily commute.Read more
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Europe 2023
Last dinner in Paris
July 30, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
Final dinner before we head to Lyon, Henry and Ray to Doha then home, Georgie and Fraser to enjoy a few more days in Paris before joining us in Salon-de-Provence. It's been wonderful.
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Europe 2023
Galeries Lafayette Le Gourmet
July 31, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
What an amazing experience this part of Galleries Lafayette is. It's everything David Jones food hall in the Sydney CBD wanted to be.

Lafayette Gourmet, the food hall at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, combines upscale food retail with casual dining. The space houses wine merchants, cheese and charcuterie specialists, patissiers and international food counters, alongside a champagne bar with city views. Local office workers mix with tourists during busy lunch hours, when the fresh food counters do their fastest trade.Read more
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Europe 2023
Au revoir Paris.
July 31, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
Five wonderful days reacquainting with Paris and sharing time with good friends comes to an end.
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Europe 2023
Flâner dans Lyon, day 1
July 31, 2023 in France ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Wandered from Hôtel Bayard Bellecour across the Saône to Vieux Lyon (old quarter) to Cathédrale St-Jean, back to Rue Mercière for dinner at Chez M'man on Rue des Marronniers.
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Europe 2023
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Flâner dans Lyon, day 2, pt 1
August 1, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
Wandered through the old town and took the Funiculaire de Fourvière to the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Amazing view of the city from the top.
Majestic! ❤️ [Flo]
8/6/23Reply
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