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Paris, Africa, Spain, & More

February - April 2024
A 46-day adventure by Laura Read more
  • 33footprints
  • 8countries
  • 46days
  • 334photos
  • 0videos
  • 50.1kkilometers
  • 29.8kkilometers
  • 7.1ksea miles
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  • TravelerParis, Africa, Spain, & More
    Day 1

    On our way

    February 29 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 3 °C

    The first leg of our journey was from DCA to Philadelphia. The flight was uneventful. We arrived at gate F7. Our departure to Paris was at A 26. We estimate it's about 2 miles. Luckily, a lady with a cart offered us a ride soon after we hit Terminal A. Our gate was the last one. Our flight to Paris was nearly finished boarding when we arrived.

    On a happier note, the airport had been yarn bombed, with rocking chair sweaters and other fiber-licious sights.    Read more

  • TravelerParis, Africa, Spain, & More
    Day 2

    Bienvenue a Paris

    March 1 in France ⋅ 🌬 7 °C

    The flight to Paris was very pleasant- Premium economy suited us well. We arrived and we're pleased that immigration and customs were so easy. Our driver was waiting for us, and we got to see that I-95 in rush hour has nothing on the Parisians. On our way, I received the confirmation boarding pass for the apartment.

    Great! Ready to relax and weather the jet-lag. Until the part where the lock-box where I was supposed to get the key was empty. I called the number on the email, and was told that someone was in the apartment and we couldn't check in until 4 pm. (Only 6 hours...). I was just shy of livid- no offer to help us out in any way- We couldn't even go for a cup of coffee with all our stuff. We sat in the building's vestibule with all our luggage for about half an hour, when a very nice man named François asked what was going on. We told him our sad story.

    François is a gem!!! He offered to let us put our things in his apartment, and gave us keys so we could hang out there until our place is available.

    We finally got into our "apartment." It's truly an efficiency. And very cozy- although lacking the charm that cozy infers. 10x10 is a generous guess- including the efficiency kitchen and washing machine. We can turn around in the bathroom. It apparently was a pest control business.

    We headed out to a restaurant in the block- La Mére Pouches. Open throughout the day. W had onion soup and a cutlet, and fries. I had eggs Benedict with salmon that came with salad. We were tuckered out. After opening the sleeper couch and futilely trying to get the TV to give us anything to watch, we retired early.    Read more

  • TravelerParis, Africa, Spain, & More
    Day 3

    Versailles

    March 2 in France ⋅ 🌧 8 °C

    We headed to the Metro near our place, and a very nice young woman at the ticket office figured out a route for us-- easier than the one I'd conjured. We went from Nation to Alma -Marcrau on the #9 Meto, then transferred to the train which took us to Versailles. We stopped at a little shop for croissants and bevs, and I found an umbrella for €7. Of course I had one in my luggage- and a rain jacket as well- but did I bring them with me?

    We stood in a line and spoke with a nice couple from Belfast- and then found out we were in the wrong line.

    That put us closer to the beginning of the line we were supposed to be in, and we waited in that one instead. When our turn came, we toured through the Chateau. So many portraits! I wonder how many gallons of paint and linseed oil, and how many miles of canvas.

    After the Chateau, we took a stroll through the gardens- the drizzly day provided a view of what the Impressionists would truly have related to .

    We returned to the area near the train station and picked up gloves, and Wayne got a cap. (Did I mention it was chilly?). Then back to the Madeleine Cafe where we had some sandwiches for lunch before boarding the train back to our place.

    We found a Lidl down the block and around a corner and picked up some snacks. Then back to the room where we tried in vain to get the TV to work🤷‍♀️.

    (Also- we figured out that our "apartment" had been a pest removal service.)    Read more

  • TravelerParis, Africa, Spain, & More
    Day 4

    Big Bus and a Cruise on the Seine

    March 3 in France ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C

    We took the Metro to Place de La Bastille, and had petit dejourner (breakfast) at a cafe on the square. Surprise! A footrace (we think half marathon). We then headed to the Louvre in search of the Big Bus. After a couple of false starts, we found the Big Bus office. I had reserved 48-hour tickets, which included a boat tour. I already reserved a boat tour independently, so double the fun!

    The Bus itinerary was a bit messed up because of the footrace (sorry, no Notre Dame today) and because it was Sunday (sorry) the Champs Elysees was walking only. We didn't have a lot of time, so didn't get off to walk.

    We did get off at the Eiffel Tower, then went to the Brasserie down the block before heading to the river for a boat ride. We'll do another tomorrow, since one comes with the Big Bus 48 hour ticket. We met a lovely young lady and her cousin, who lives in Germany. She's Persian, but has been living in the US for many years, previously in Northern Virginia and now in California. We chatted as we traveled up and down the Seine. There was a beautiful view of the Statue of Liberty replica, lined up with the Eiffel Tower. I missed getting the shot, but it'll live in my memory. Maybe I can capture it tomorrow.

    We bade farewell to our traveling companions, and headed back to our place.    Read more

  • TravelerParis, Africa, Spain, & More
    Day 5

    La Tour Eiffel, No Seine, More Bus

    March 4 in France ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    On the Metro to Alma- then a walk to the Tour Eiffel. We had tickets for noon to the second floor, so entered the security line. Then waited in a line for the elevator. The tram up the side was very interesting. We got off, and were wowed by the views. Since our tickets included champagne, we each had a glass. Picked up some macarons, and took in some more views.

    We set out for lunch and a cruise- and discovered that the Seine is running high, due to our last several days of rain. So the cafe is closed as well. We headed back to the Brasserie of a few days ago. Had a nice lunch- burger for him, Croquet Monsieur for me. Hopped on the Hop on Hop Off for a last go-around. We were able to see Note Dame- being repaired, and on her way back to former glory.

    Then back, for a bit of packing and some zzzz's    Read more

  • TravelerParis, Africa, Spain, & More
    Day 6

    Adieu, Paris

    March 5 in France ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    A travel day. After leaving a braided Good Luck plant for François, Raja- our driver from a few days ago, picked us up and transported us to Charles de Gaulle airport.

    We had Business Class (thank you, air miles) and had the time to enjoy the British Airways lounge. On the very short leg from Paris to Heathrow, we were served afternoon tea. With wine. On a 1 hour flight.

    We had to clear immigration and security again at Heathrow. I was confused on time, and thought we were boarding. I was an hour off- we were early🤣.

    We boarded and settled in to our pods. Dinner, and sleep...    Read more

  • TravelerParis, Africa, Spain, & More
    Day 7

    Cape Town- LovelyTea & a Big Scam

    March 6 in South Africa ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    We met our driver at the airport, and he got us safely to the Holiday Inn Express in downtown Cape Town. Our room was ready, so we moved right in. I was very confused on time- my watch said 12:15. I had a moment of panic- we had reservations for Afternoon Tea at noon. I logged in to the Wi-Fi and googled "time in CapeTown." Turns out it was only 10:15. Deep breath.

    The front desk ordered up a cab to take us to the Mount Nelson Hotel. Wow. The Afternoon Tea, which began with sparkling wine, was amazing. In true fashion, we had sandwiches, scones, sweets, and the topper was a cake bar. We had way too much food, and were able to take the extras back with us.

    Good thing, too.

    Later in the evening we went for a walk to the ATM and decided to pop into McDonald's for a quick dinner to take back to the hotel. A guy at the door said they were closing, but that we could order at the kiosk. Big Setup. The kiosks don't take credit cards. We didn't know that... We also didn't know that we were getting scammed. A guy was trying to "help" us, and another guy came over and said he was the manager- and somehow in the middle of all this they took the credit card-- we don't know how/when it happened. One of the McD workers came over when our order would not go through, and she realized right away what happened. I tried to call the credit union, but the call kept dropping. We went to the hotel, where the very nice desk clerk let us use the office for privacy to call back to The States. In less than 1/2 hour, the worms tried to charge over $6000 worth of stuff. NICU said all those transactions were declined, and had honored the valid ones that preceded the rip-off.

    We ended the evening with a glass of wine. There might have been two.    Read more

  • TravelerParis, Africa, Spain, & More
    1
    Day 8

    CapeTown-Seals,Penguins,Ostriches....

    March 7 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    And a Baboon. (And, oh by the way, Cape of Good Hope.) What a fantastic day trip from Cape Town.
    We started out with a boat trip to Seal Island- amazing- hundreds (if not thousands) of seal sunning, swimming, and flipping about.
    Then on to Boulders Beach to commune with the penguins. So. Many. Penguins.
    And then proceeded to Cape of Good Hope. We were at the Southwestern most point of Africa- VERY windy.

    We had dinner at Mint in the Taj Hotel. Lovely place, great food. We shared a calamari starter, and had lionfish as our main. Really good.    Read more

  • TravelerParis, Africa, Spain, & More
    Day 9

    Cape Town- Checking in to Dawn

    March 8 in South Africa ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Pretty uneventful... Booked a car to take us to the port. We checked in and boarded, then hung out on the 8th deck lounge area til our stateroom was ready.

    A lot of the guests went back ashore, since we're staying overnight. We had dinner & racked out.Read more

  • TravelerParis, Africa, Spain, & More
    Day 10

    Cape Town- Vineyards and Bo-Kaap

    March 9 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    We contacted the driver who brought us back from the Mount Nelson Hotel Afternoon Tea, and set up a tour for our "spare" day in CapeTown. We discussed driving around CapeTown to see Bo-Kaap, going up to Table Mountain, and possibly a wine tasting. I received a text from him saying that he had to take his wife to hospital, but that one of his colleagues would take over if that was ok. It was fine with us. So our Driver was Ciril. The only problem was that in discussing things with the previous driver and us, the only thing that stuck in his mind was wine tasting.

    Not the worst thing.. but Table Mountain is out of the picture now. We will be back in Cape Town for turnaround day, but the cable car will be closed that day so the workers can attend a funeral. My Dad always said we should leave something for the next time.😁

    So we went to two vineyards and tasted some really nice wines.

    The first was Babylonstoren, where we had their Blend, Cabernet, and Shiraz.

    Then to Delaire Graff Estate (Stellenbosch) where we had Shiraz, Merlot, and Botmaskop.

    On the way back we drove through Bo-Kaap.    Read more

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