Leaving London (Take 1)

It’s all coming to an end… Crazy to think I’ve lived in London for a bit over a year and am now not going to sleep in the same bed/location for more than 3 or 4 nights in a row until I arrive back in Australia in December. Somehow managed to collect a few boxes of stuff that had to be sent home – and it’s been tough to fit everything I need back into the one case I arrived with.

Paris with Parents

My parents came over and visited and we caught the Eurostar over to Paris after visiting the British Museum (there was an Australian special exhibit there at the same time which was funny). Amazing weather in Paris after the overcast London summer. My parents had booked accommodation in the centre of Paris (about 10 minutes’ walk to the Louvre) which was very nice. Headed up to the cathedral on a hill called Sacre-Coeur (which we climbed – another trend for this trip was getting to the top of everything possible) and visited a great square of artists which would be fantastic if you wanted to get a portrait drawn of yourself.

 

Our first full day in Paris we headed out to the Versailles Palace. I’d been here before but not actually got in due to the number of people wanting to get in. Had got there pretty early by train but there were hardly any queues which was nice while we were in there. Can see why the peasants revolted if they were struggling to eat when the royalty were living in these incredible palaces. Went out into the gigantic gardens (place number 1 I wouldn’t want to play hide and seek in) and a few more palaces and the fake but very cute village built for Marie-Antoinette.

(Versailles - just goes forever... )

There were some great places we ate at in Paris but one of the best ones was the oldest restaurant in Paris – A la Petite Chaise. Incredibly rich food with French Onion soup; succulent fish and delightfully dark chocolate cake.

The next two days we bought a 2 day Museum Pass to visit a few of the museums. We started at the Conciergerie (a palace and prison which held Marie-Antoinette) and the Sainte-Chapelle. Photos don’t do the church justice with some amazing stained glass windows. We also looked at climbing Notre Dame but the line was too long so we headed off and decided to do it the next day. We got on an open-top tourist bus which was the slowest thing on earth. The hot sun didn’t help much either but was good to see a fair amount of Paris.

After waiting for our bus to finally wander back up the Champs-Elysees we headed to the Arc de Triomphe. Was able to jump the queue and climbed up (another amazing view). And to fill in this amazingly busy day we got to the Louvre. Left Mum and Dad to visit as much as possible (incl. Mona Lisa, Hammurabi’s Code etc…) and this is definitely another place I wouldn’t want to play hide and seek. It’s an absolute maze and difficult to get around at the end of the day as they close parts when you’re trying to see just that bit more. Kinda wish I knew a bit more art history.

After that crazy day, we decided to split up since everyone had slightly different things we wanted to see. Dad and I did climb Notre Dame and got this photo. Another famous landmark climbed!

(Notre Dame Bell)

Then I headed off and saw the Pantheon (where Marie-Curie is buried); Les Invalides (war museum – very interesting during the World War 2 section there was no mention of Jews, also had the tomb of Napolean); Musee du Quai Branly (glad this one was free) and finally the Musee d’Orsay (I probably didn’t fully appreciate all the amazing artwork here. Unfortunately for Mum when she visited here earlier in the day she couldn’t get in due to a bomb threat.)

To finish this amazing day, we all met up and caught a river cruise on the Seine to the Eiffel Tower at night. Was great seeing and going up it at night – different to what I did last time. They’d also managed to move all the dodgy souvenir sellers that plagued the square underneath the tower last time I was there. Camera didn’t do too well at night unfortunately.

Headed back to London on the Eurostar (surrounded by New Zealanders on the train who wanted to talk about the World Cup – glad Australia had just beat them!)

 

Being Tour Guide in London

It’s getting a bit late here and I have a ridiculously early morning start to head off to Africa so going to have to just list highlights for my last week in London. Was fun being the ‘expert’ showing my parents the joys of the Oyster card, travelling on the Underground and then forgetting that Mum has slightly shorter legs then me as I London-Power-Walked off into the distance.

Headed off to Brighton Beach on a typical British Summer day (rain and wind) but luckily cleared up a bit and had a nice wander around the pier – had great Fish and Chips.

Next day did some shopping and then went to the Phantom of the Opera that night. Had never seen it before but recognised quite a few songs. Was great hearing some opera singing but still don’t think I would fully enjoy a proper opera. It’s incredible to think that the show has been playing in the same theatre for 25 years, or about as long as my sister has lived.

Also went to the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. 1st half was a little non-exciting (Dad nearly fell asleep in a 'modern' classical piece that went for 20 minutes) but after the intermission they played Holst's Planets. Was great and really enjoyed Mars and Jupiter (Jupiter actually has the Rugby World Cup music in the middle of it!) After the classical prom there was a late night prom which was dedicated to a jazz great Stan Kenton. Was much more lively and we got to sit in some great seats!

Day Trip to Bath and Stonehenge

Had organised a tour to visit Bath and Stonehenge and had heard you could book a tour which let you actually get inside Stonehenge – most tourists just do a loop around the outside. Headed off to a village called Lacock which is mainly owned by the National Trust of the UK where a few movies including Harry Potter has been filmed at. Then off to Bath and the Roman hot water springs complex which was fascinating.

(Bath)

But the highlight would have to be actually getting into Stonehenge. We arrived after it had closed for the general public and it was just our bus load around (and an Asian movie crew for some reason). Got to actually wander around and under the massive stones but were told specifically not to touch the stones or otherwise they would have to stop people getting so close. Unfortunately there were a few in our group who disregarded those instructions – just selfish and you can see why people aren’t allowed to get close to some many things these days…

(Stonehenge)

Off to Africa

Finally caught up to the present – just had a brief farewell dinner with some friends at probably my favourite restaurant in London. Packed my bag (it’s already full… not good) and set my alarm for 3am. Not going to be a fun day tomorrow with that wake-up. Heading to Kenya to meet the tour and then the adventure is on! Don’t fully know what to expect but camping for 50+ days is certainly going to be interesting… Hopefully internet access is alright so I can keep in touch.

 

Week Ahead

Sat, 10th of Sept - London to Nairobi, Kenya

Sun, 11th of Sept - Lake Nakuru

Mon, 12th of Sept - Eldoret

Tues, 13th of Sept - Kampala, Uganda

Wed, 14th of Sept - Kibale Forest National Park

Thurs, 15th of Sept - Kibale Forest National Park

Fri, 16th of Sept - Queen Elizabeth National Park