So, this is it! Last day in Paris and of our European adventure before we fly out homeward bound tonight. We didn’t need to check out until 12 noon so after our massive day yesterday we tried to sleep in and have a later breakfast.
Once we were back in our room I had received an email regarding our flight being delayed for three hours - hence our departure was now going to be almost midnight. Fortunately we hadn’t prebooked any transfer arrangements as we weren’t exactly sure what we were going to do.
The weather was much cooler and overcast with rain forecast during the day. After major overhaul of packing we checked out, left all our luggage at the hotel and took off to explore the area towards Opera. Another different feel - wide avenues lined with quite upmarket restaurants and shops. All the apartment and office buildings were authentic Parisienne style with elaborate wrought iron balconies. And then of course when you turn a corner and glimpse the Opera itself - Academie Nationale de Musique - wow! Such an ornate and impressive establishment! Columns, intricate statues, marble, balconies - then all that gold! By the time we had done the circuit of the building we had found the famous Galleries Lafayette so it was time to get out of the light drizzle and check it out. We always seem to gravitate towards food so our first choice of the fresh produce and up market food outlets was obvious. From ridiculously fancy pastries and cakes, to an array of aromatic spices, truffles, cheeses and meats ...mouthwatering! We couldn’t resist - had a coffee with an eclair and macrons. Yum! Wandered across the road to the men’s store and Raymo actually bought a couple of shirts . The women’s store in the next corner was an experience in itself! So ornate and elaborate- just beautiful! And even better as some great sales on so scored myself a couple of bargains. Only issue now is to add to the luggage!
We decided to start heading back towards our hotel - once we got ourselves oriented again - as we wanted to visit a couple of quaint looking arcades we spotted on the way past. Dodged some light rain on the way and decided both the bus and two x changes on the Metro options to Gare Du Nord with our luggage in the rain was just going to be too difficult. The delightful Sara on reception booked us a taxi online for 7pm and as it was only 5pm and we had skipped lunch we found ourselves a lovely restaurant for our last meal in Paris. And, it certainly didn’t disappoint! Raymo loved his escargot and my onion soup was delicious! Then Raym had duck and me - swordfish! All great!
We were back with minutes to spare before the taxi to Gare Du Nord. Seems to be that all major railway stations have been undergoing refurbishment and this was no exception which added to the chaos of determining where to go and how to buy tickets. All sorted - €10 each for the 45 minute trip to Charles de Gaulle Terminal 2 - and we found platform 43. We had ample time before our 11.50pm departure but glad we did as quite long distances to walk and train ride to our gate after checkin, immigration and customs. Korean Air/Air France had given us a €15 voucher each to spend on food or whatever to compensate for the delay - shame it didn’t cover alcohol! Regardless we managed to spend it with time for a drink etc - especially as flight was further delayed till 1am! Chances of us meeting our connection in Seoul for Sydney not looking great at this stage!
Once going the 10 hour 40 minute flight was good . We were served dinner about 2am(!) then tried to sleep as much as possible before brekkie served prior to landing in Incheon, Seoul. It appeared that our connecting flight had been delayed also but 20 minutes wasn’t going to cut it as connecting time. But, a frantic Korean Air guy was waiting for us and about a dozen others (including a family with three young kids!) and crazily directed us to Gate 239 via immigration and security. I don’t think the gate could have been any further away but as they held up the plane another 40minutes - we made it! Probably a better option for them than arranging all our accommodation for the night - and it means we get home - though a slight breather at the beautiful Incheon airport would have been pleasant.
So almost 11 hours to Sydney! We found out enroute that our bags didn’t make it, but Korean Air sorted extremely efficiently and we only waited an extra 30 minutes once in Sydney for their arrival on another flight!
What an incredible journey - so many highlights and so many wonderful memories - but good to be home!