I really do think someone should have told me before how UNBELIEVABLE Paris is!!!!
OH MY GOD.
OH MY GOD
OH MY GOD!

Meagan...oh my god Paris!

Remember how I was practising saying 'WOW!'.....?
Wow doesn't cut it at all.

Ok
Details.
Are you sitting comfortably?

Firstly, back at the hotel....most people are going to the Moulin Rouge tonight...I skipped that option. So we were back here at 4.30 after the mass evacuation of the Louvre because of the bomb scare...more about that later...
I am showered and feeling pretty good.....

So, to continue yesterday's tale.


We drove to the Champs Élysées . And had free time to walk or climb the 500 odd steps to the top of the Arc de Triumph .....Calvin, our tour guide ( he is Good Enough by the way!) explained that it was a hard walk but well worth the view.
He also said there was an elevator but you really had to be in a wheel chair and towing your spare wheelchair behind you before they would let you use it.
So Yvonne ( a fun lady about 60) and I decided we were doing the climb....when in Paris and all that.
So we queue for about 5 minutes...and get to the ticket lady...she takes one look at us and ask if we'd like to take the elevator.
WELL....we were hysterical....all the way up in the elevator....and all the way down in the elevator.....yep...we went both ways....
There we were thinking we looked pretty good that day....but, nope....we, at first glance OBVIOUSLY needed the elevator!
Then we get up there...and the view is breathtaking....there we are gazing down the Champs Élysées
And I happen to turn around.
Yvonne is still gazing down the road and I tap her on the shoulder and point behind us....
And there is the Eiffel Tower.
We just looked at one another....and became hysterical again.
It was so funny.
2 country hicks from Australia ...not knowing what was in the other direction.
Just magnificent.
Then we took the elevator down.
THEN... we went on the Seine River cruise at Twilight.
My mouth was open the whole time.
Absolutely spectacular.
Paris by night.....I'll add photos.
If this is a sample of how good this trip is....I cannot believe how lucky I am.
THEN....we went and all stood to watch the light show at the Eiffel Tower.
It just looks amazing.
THEN...Calvin took us for another drive down the Champs de.... After dark.
He called it 'the road of diamonds and rubies'
And we were in the traffic and ahead of us were all these red ruby taillights and diamond shining headlights.....it was breath taking.

That was the most amazing day...the old buildings, everywhere. The history.
The tree lined streets.
Just the best day.
I love Paris.

Ok to bed late yesterday.
Up at 6.30 this morning
On the bus at 8am for a tour of Paris with a local guide...then...Notre Dame Cathedral.
Wow!
Absolutely ....could not believe it...wow!
Loved it.
Wandered round afterwards...bought some lunch and just sat and gazed.
But the interior....spectacular.
Loved it.

Then back on the bus and off to the Eiffel Tower.
Hey...I have been to the Eiffel Tower!
No waiting in line because we were important Trafalgar people...elevator up to the 2nd floor....
Wow!
The views!
Still with our local guide....
Lots of things pointed out to us....
Hey I have been up the Eiffel Tower !
AND....walked down the steps from the second storey.
I looked down too....it was a loooooong way down.
Then I just stood under The Eiffel Tower (!) and soaked it all in.
Got a sore neck from looking up

OK then free 3 hours so elected to be dropped at The Louvre....all to meet Calvin at the 'inverted' pyramid inside near the entrance at 4pm.
I was a bit stressed at The Louvre....just wanted to see 2 particular statues by Michelangelo ...'The Slaves'......had very hard time finding them....saw loads of other incredible stuff though....skipped the Mona Lisa...the crowds were unbelievable..... And finally stumbled across 'The Slaves' by accident....
Ok...had enough of people...get me outta here.
I was early for the meet up time with Calvin at the 'Inverted Pyramid' so I checked out some of the shops.....
Came out of one of the shops, turned to go to the 'Inverted Pyramid' and there was a total roller door security screen thing between me and the pyramid!
Hmmmmm, I thought. That wasn't there before.
And guards...not letting anyone near roller doory thing.
Hmmmmmm....
Then, an announcement in French.
Unfortunately, I remember enough of my school French to know what they are saying.
Then the announcement came in English...
'Technical Difficulties...everybody out'
Now, you have to realise that I have been driven round this Louvre for the last 2 days...I know how big it is.
Question was...how to find my tour guide.
So I ended up on the streets of Paris....but I spotted 3 from my tour who were just as lost as I was....and I rang Calvin....and found him.
So all's well that ends well.
Bit of an anti climax really....

Calvin told us that someone had reported a child's pusher that had been left unattended for a long time.....so they shut the place down in case it was a bomb.
Hannah, I saw the entire crew from the Louvre Apple Store evacuated to shelter under a huge monument in the park......but we sort of figured all was ok when they all started clapping....and moved back towards the entrance.
So that's really my day...
I have absolutely adored Paris...Greg, Leanne, Meagan, Mum, Dad, Andrew, Brooke ....you all said I would! I do.
I love it.
And only the 2nd day of my tour....
Having an absolute ball.

Everyone....loving all your comments....cannot believe how much.
It is so good to log into to the Internet and have the messages just go bang, bang, bang into my Inbox. So thank you.
Special mention to Michelle....hey well done...you are right up with this now....( insert 'smilie face' here.) love hearing from you.
Mum...you are doing an amazing job....love your comments and thrilled that you are able to read this and get news each day...love you both lots.. Xxxx
Phyll....hope the dogs think you are the best thing ever and not giving you any trouble.
Emily...I'm having a ball!
Xxxxxxxxxxx