Road Trip–2700 KMs Europe & 3380 KMS UK + end-to-end.

[ramkya1]

The Goa Gang departing at Charles De Gaulle Airport:

The runway for planes, the road goes under...

Paris: On the banks of river Seine, population of 1 crore, with a density of 750 / sq.Mile. The most popular destination in the world, 4.5 Crore (need to check this number) tourists per year Paris would take one whole week of touring. In fact many tourists just do France for 10 days!!!! Tourist options are maddening, difficult to choose and do justice to Paris. Paris by itself is a travalogue.

The top attractions: Eiffel tower - long crowds - lift to the 2nd level, Cathedral of Norte Dame, Arche De Trimphe - take a lift to the top, Louvre Museum - Mona Lisa there & many others will take one whole day, Musse D'Orsay - Museum with Van Gogh paintings, Montmartre - Model Village, Les Halles -Shopping+ Transport+ entertainment hub, Latin Quarter- a rabbit-warren of all things, Pont D'Alma, Le Marais - a mixture of all culturs, Jardin des Plantes-botanical gardens and zoo + gallery of evolution, Saint-Sulpice Church - Da Vinci Code fame, The Lido Show, Moulin Rouge........ endless list here. I am sure others can add what I have missed and also some more masala to the Masala capital of the world.

0200: Grab lunch around the Eiffel area and on to the lifts to the 2nd level, had pre-arranged tickets so the queue was only 5 minutes, if not, you can end up with a 1 hr queue with half a day gone.



Dr.Balachandra, Hyderabad catching a quick coffee under Eiffel..







The tower was disliked by most Parasians then, was too be taken out but saved by the military antenna on top, then the radio and TV!!!! We go up the lift, secutity is tight, lots of crowd but regulated and spend 30 mts there on 2nd level, great view of the city and lovely spot to shoot from. Strap on the camera though, you can be jostled by energetic youngsters or necking couples!!!! They say this is the most romantic of all cities, most honeymooners / couples touch Paris to add sizzle to the mood.










Marie, the beautiful local guide gets on and explains in proud French tinted English the sights of the city. Trocadero Square, old palace gorunds also called terrace at Chaillot Palace from where you can shoot the whole of Eiffel Tower, is the next stop; the atmosphere is feastive, there are children plaing, a accordian player going on with popular numbers and whole lot of people shooting, all of us spend 15 minutes shooting there. Drive by the Arche de Trimphe, built by Nepolean to commemmorate the triumph, now the biggest roundabout in the world, 12 roads radiating around it, 8E to climb on top, the 8th district is one of the most expensive places in Paris. We drive down the Champs Elysees, where you see chic boutiques, expsnsive shops, Louis Vuitton et al & The Lido; often people proudly say I bought it from Champs Elysees, you need to get the pronunciaiton correct or it would be suspect!!!! The cafes are patronized by many film stars from all over the world, high profile deals are sealed. We pass through Square of flowers, Nepoleon in 7 Coffins (yes, 7 coffins), Pont Alexandre on Seine - most ornate bridge of Paris - arty lamps, winged golden horses - cute nymphs and we stop at the Concord Square.

Concord Square, 86400 sq.mtrs is the largest in France, full of fountains and statues, also known as Place Louis XV, connected with the french revolution. Louis XVI, Marie Antoinete, Robespierre and many other royals were guillotined in public view here, in 1794 about 1500 people were axed here. You have the French Naval Ministry here, expensive Hotel Crillon, US Embassy, Hittorf's fountain, the Egyptian govt. gifted 3300 year old tall pillar with hieroglyphics -The Obelisk. There are many traffic signal, you'd find high-powered bikes zooming away on the greens like a race pit. Next to Rome, found the highest concentration of Zooming bikers here.

Marie said good bye at the Les Invalides, where Nepoleons body finally came to rest under the golden dome; he is a national hero here and the less you speak of the UK and English the better. Marie's narration left a clear undertone that France is the plum of the world, it is more free-wheeling, allows diversity in contrast to the straight-jackected boors across the channel, no love lost between the French and the English. Wonder if this is true or just a popular saying ???????

France surely is the hottest destinations, the chicks out there dress classy and sexy; Lido , Mouline Rouge inspired???

The last pictue is the subway where Princess Diana met with an accident and died, the area nearby is a monument, you can still find people leaving flowers for her.....
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[deky]

Originally Posted by MX6

Paris and Amsterdam were two places I never felt like leaving. Didn't go to Italy during many of my european trips. I've reserved a long vacation in Austria and Italy separately down the line, in say 10 years! You are inspiring to put up travelogues of my trips around UK and EU too. holding it for a while now.

LOl, how different people perceive different places. Amsterdam was one of the places I hated the most. But yes if you talking about the Dutch countryside, it was indeed beautifull.

Italy has been my favorite country by far so far.

Ramkya...which was yours, and why?

[ramkya1]

I don't have to think much, Cumbria, the Lake District of UK and Black Forest and Switzerland, in that order.

Cumbria is so incredibly beautiful, even Amresh Puri's heart would melt there; if I get a chance I'd go there again for one more week.

Black forest, beacause it's beautiful, it's more economic than Switzerland. Switzerland, because of the mountains, the neat, disciplined air of the place. It scares me because of the cost and the crowds.

I guess, everyone has different perspectives.

Originally Posted by deky

LOl, how different people perceive different places. Amsterdam was one of the places I hated the most. But yes if you talking about the Dutch countryside, it was indeed beautifull.

Italy has been my favorite country by far so far.

Ramkya...which was yours, and why?

[Irish]

Hi Ramkya,

This travelogue is great - well written along with fabulous photographs.

The design of India gate in New Delhi is almost similar to this war memorial, the Arc-de-Triomphe.

Also, why did you miss the capital Edinburgh in your Scotland trip? A must visit city in Scotland. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed a lot. Waiting eagerly for you to reach UK.

Cheers!

[Majic]

Ramkya Sir, i have just been through one of the finest posts, i just spend three hours of my bosses money reading through your thread. Absolutely fantastic, very spirited narration and fantastic photos gives me the feeling that i was literally there with you on the trip, hats of for a wonderful travelogue, looking forward for more!

[MX6]

Now, I'm very tempted to start my travelogue after seeing your paris photos. Brings back warm memories.

@deky. I loved Amsterdam. I loved countryside of Netherlands as well. I'd been to many places in the Netherlands. Leiden, Rotterdam, Groningen....

And guess what? My wife and I didn't bother to wait for the lift to the second level. We clambered up. Each and every step. After reaching the second level I realised that I was so engrossed in the view that I missed counting the number of steps there. lol.

Ok. Here are some pics of paris in the night from eiffel tower...



Attachment 223059



Also here's a pic of the reflection of eiffel tower on the wet roads of paris

[ramkya1]

Originally Posted by MX6

Now, I'm very tempted to start my travelogue after seeing your paris photos. Brings back warm memories.

........................
And guess what? My wife and I didn't bother to wait for the lift to the second level. We clambered up. Each and every step. After reaching the second level I realised that I was so engrossed in the view that I missed counting the number of steps there. lol.

Ok. Here are some pics of paris in the night from eiffel tower...

...............


Also here's a pic of the reflection of eiffel tower on the wet roads of paris

MX6, awesome night photos!!!! The reflection rocks, way to go....

@Irish: Thanks. I've kept Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgo & Scarborough and the east coast in general for the next trip!!!! Scotland rocks.

@ Magic: Hope your boss does not stumble onto this thread while searching the net for his next trip to Europe / UK Thanks anyway.

A little tied up with work.... will restart soon.

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[MX6]

And Paris is more romantic in the night

[laluks]

Originally Posted by MX6

And Paris is more romantic in the night

MX6, You bet it is!!

[ramkya1]

We check in at Hotel Mercure, a chain hotel, near Heathrew early at 7 PM and get ready for the Lido Show. At 70E per person, this is expensive at first sight, few backed out and relaxed in the hotel. Majority opted to see it, the tour manager this is not a classical cabret show, this is a class act, there would be many topless numbers and lots of skin show, but you'd enjoy it!!!! Famalies were apprehensive, we discussed that Indian TV and Hindi Cinema anyway leaves nothing to imaginations so what's the big fuss about values & hypocracy; kids watch filmy songs or music channels which are equal to a Lido show every day, most vote to go.

Queen of all Cabrets of the world, The Lido Show - 70E per person, Euro Dysney - 65 E per person, nearest rly station George V on Line 1, 116 Biz Ave, champsElysees. Started in 1946, lots of copies alll over the world, today's 1150 seats are in a pillarless hall for the 90 minute continuous show. 23 moving sets include 70-100 artists, jaw-dropping sets, a huge fountain, an ice rink and what have you!!!! Lots of bare skin, you barely notice it as it's a dynamic jigsaw of music, dance, acrobatics, stills, special effects with a glass of Campaigne free for the 1130 show, there are options with lunch / dinner in other shows. At the end of the show, you get out with a contented feeling of bang for the buck, the synchronization, effects, precision and glitz all was worth the late night and money. If you can look at this with an artists / musicians/ scientists / connoisseur's eye, the nudity pales into insignificance; all of us felt the same way. A must see at Paris.

13-10-2009: Optional day, 50% along with us opted to go to the Dysney Paris, rest went on their private trips to see the rest of Paris. We left at 9 AM and reached the dysney world at 10, about 60 KM away, we thought we'd explore it as the sights of Paris will require a dedicated trip later. At 70 Euros, Devided into 3 main sections, Hotels, Village and studios, 15.3 Million visitors in 2008 - more than Eiffel Towers and Louvre, most visited tourist place of Europe, a railway line goes round with a mystical steam engine pulling it. We went to the Park, all rides are free, children & adults would love it, something for everyone.

Park is devided into sections; the entry point Main Street - USA, Frontierland, Adventureland, Fantasyland and discovery land, each with different themes, shows and rides, me and wife spent lots of time in fantasyland where all your comic book characters come to life, live shows on stage of snow White and some fireworks make for a great days out. We found more old people (grand parents) with younger children, couples and assorted Indian tourists there, the crowds were less, most rides needed max 15 minutes of waiting. Heard people saying in July-August, lines could be as long as 1 hr for a ride so a few tips to those who want to go there. The place is filled with souvenir shops, eating joints and ingenous Dysney merchandise to chisel away at your purse.

Tips: Reach early before opening at 9am or get prior tickets, check the park map, decide where you want to go, catch the park train to that destination. Gun for the most popular rides; Peter Pan, Space Mountain, Indiana Jones, Star Tours, Phantom Manor, Big Thunder Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Its a Small World, Le Visionarium & Pinocchio. It's a good plan when the parades are on the streets people stop it watch it, jump for the rides, they go easy during this time. Dig here for more:

http://parks.disneylandparis.co.uk/index.xhtml

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[ramkya1]

I hit the 20 minute barrier to edit.... here goes the tail end.........
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At 6 PM we're out, happy and tired. It's deizzling now, temp sub 7 with a nippy wind peeling your skin. Were a happy lot to hit the hotel at 8, finish dinner and say good night. Tomorrow we need to leave at 7 AM, can you imagine breakfast at 630 AM!!!!! Long ride to London and lots of things to do there, says the tour manager.

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The iconic car.......could not help snapping this one...

[MX6]

Sorry to break the flow. But I still didn't notice photos of Louvre. Hope you have it coming up next. That's one of my fav places. I found the monalisa not very interesting though. There were other paintings that were more alluring.

[ramkya1]

@ MX 6: We DID NOT go to the Louvre, one day would not do justice to it, 4000+ pieces of art; we opted out to Disney, Paris / France would need another dedicated holiday.

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14-10-2009: Up at 5, check out, breakfast and the coach was out on plan at 7, a great achievement considering the hard day yesterday and the sub 5 temp with a drizzle to follow. An overcast sky uneventful 4 hr ride to Calais, we reach the port 1115 AM for immigration check to UK on the Le Shuttle, the train service that's on throughout the year. The checking is pretty thorough, dog squard, checking visa / documents one-by-one and the works, heard lots of people just slip into UK and disappear!!!!


On the way, the only stretch where we saw beautiful white flowers on trees, this was lovely against the dark cloudy sky, could not catch it, the coach was going fast, this was one of the most beautiful stretches on the whole European tour, for miles and miles it was white-out. Incidentally, Europe was all KM's, we reach UK, things becomes miles!!!!


Le Shuttle carries cars / busses across to UK, very comfortable. Passengers can sit in the coach / car, drive into the train, switch off and wait till it reaches the other end, Folkestone, in 30 mts and get off, as simple as that. One can get out of the vehicle and walk about or use the loo etc., take photos but no flash, they're pretty strict about that for fear of fumes and fire.




A snap of our coach dash shows time, the Cruise Control locked at 100 kmph and the temp at 10, Chira drove with great cautin, never broke the speed limits, the CC was on most times and the head light on. I found this strange, most cast in Europe and UK, even when its a litle dark in the day time had the head lights on all the time.


0230: We roll into British soil, Chiro fluntly changes to right-hand drive, I feel a little more relaxed now being able to watch traffic going on the correct side, this is my kind of drive country.

[bonobashi]

@Ramkya1

Thank you for a lovely travelogue. I hope on a future visit, you will get an opportunity to add Austria to your folders, as well as Hungary and the Czech Republic. You probably adopted the best approach to the million and one ways to see Germany - for one trip, it was possible to map 32+ different routes through Bavaria alone! - and I wish time had permitted you to write more about Heidelberg and Koeln. On a coach trip, these little diversions aren't possible, but Aachen, with the tomb of the Emperor Charlemagne, is a few miles from Koeln. Again, you were wise to abandon the Louvre and stay with Disneyland, although we did the opposite, and we did find that the Louvre really soaked up time. Fortunately, with over a week in hand, we really binged on art! Perhaps another time could give yourselves a fortnight or so in Paris; there's more than enough to do, as you might imagine. Just meandering around Notre Dame and the Left Bank, and the large triangle between Boulevard St Michel and Boulevard St Germain is enough to take, what, a week? That, by the way, is the oldest part of Paris; the actual oldest remaining fragment of Roman building still in use is an old chapel on the edge of this district. But one can go on for ever.

I hope you will feature England and Scotland next. Your route map shows that you managed to lose your way around the Lake District (clever man!) and again in the most beautiful part of Scotland, the Highlands between Fort William and Inverness. I am waiting on the edge of my seat; the popcorn is ready, the lights are down....go for it!

[ramkya1]

Originally Posted by bonobashi

@Ramkya1

Thank you for a lovely travelogue. I hope on a future visit, you will get an opportunity to add Austria to your folders, as well as Hungary and the Czech Republic. You probably adopted the best approach to the million and one ways to see Germany - for one trip, it was possible to map 32+ different routes through Bavaria alone! - and I wish time had permitted you to write more about Heidelberg and Koeln. .............................. But one can go on for ever.

I hope you will feature England and Scotland next. Your route map shows that you managed to lose your way around the Lake District (clever man!) and again in the most beautiful part of Scotland, the Highlands between Fort William and Inverness. I am waiting on the edge of my seat; the popcorn is ready, the lights are down....go for it!

Bonobashi: Happy you like this voluminous travalogue, it's just that I jot down details where I go and want this to be helpful to those heading out on this route. Before I left, I tried and tried, believe me there is not ONE travalogue on the web with pictures and story together as detailed as mine here on the same route; may sound a little bombastic ......... try the web!!!!

How I wish I have 6 months to to Europe alone, perhaps when I retire with 25L of mad money, I'd be able to do that My route in Lake district was planned, again with 2 days in hand, a compromise. I'm going to go back for sure there just to spend a week!!!!!

Here I am on a Sunday evening plugging away at the story to get it out structured and in order.

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