The forecast for today was rain but on looking out the window none was about The Hen had a slight tummy problem and decided to err on the side of caution and not to venture too far from the hotel for a while so Pierre and Lynette went out for a walk not any where in particular just wandering along the river to see what they could discover.
We walked in the direction of the two islands in the river Seine , the buildings and small streets are a delight to see. Small cul de sacs that are lined with trees just bursting into leaf, window boxes with brightly colored flowers standing proudly for an apartment dweller as she tended them.
We crossed a bridge on to the first of the islands and walked along a narrow street containing small art galleries and funky little shops. There was a cheese shop and a butcher displaying fresh pheasant and legs of ham that made us hungry just looking at them .
Some biscuits were purchased for later on in the day. There was a tour group that scurried past following the tour leader carrying a number on a stick but in their haste they missed the incredible atmosphere that pervades these narrow streets
We walked on towards Notre Dame but as we neared we saw the crowds waiting to access the cathedral so we avoided them by walking down some side streets, this we found far more enjoyable . We made our way off the island and found a very busy shopping area where we had a coffee and ate our biscuits also availed ourselves of the loo .
The toilets in Paris mostly cost 50 cents to use, they are in varying condition ranging from very good to bloody awful .
Unfortunately Pierres back started playing up and he was forced onto the bed for the remainder of the day while Lynette repacked the cases for our departure tomorrow .
Meanwhile back at the hotel Crackers and the Hen felt it was safe to venture a little further afield and also took a walk browsing the shops and they found a Bakery that was cooking pasties and pies some of these made there way to dinner and very nice they were along with a beer. Dinner was eaten in the dining room of the hotel. It is normally used only for breakfast but we had taken it over for afternoon nibbles and beer as the rooms are so tiny that there is simply no where to sit.
Pierre had a good rest and his back was good enough to take a bus trip to see the Eiffel tower at night. We arrived a little after nine at the place de Trocadero to view the light show. There were already quite a few people awaiting this amazing experience. We took up a position on the fence railing and didn't move for fear of losing the prime spot .
At about 9.45 pm as it slowly got darker the tower lit up from within , you could see the steel lattice work clearly with the lifts from the second level to the top gliding up and down.
Then at ten on the dot the light show started there were lights flashing all over the tower in gay abandon for ten minutes , photos can't do it justice . We passed more than forty coaches waiting for their passengers to view the show on the way back to the bus stop.
We returned to the hotel satisfied with our visit to Paris .
Tomorrow Penang via Singapore
More later
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