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Friday, June 28, 2013

Eiffel Tower

After our Louvre Visit on 9 June 2013, we had to rush off to visit the Eiffel Tower at 5pm. It was really a hectic day, considering in the evening, we had another optional tour to visit. Having visited the Eiffel Tower during my student days for my Europe trip, there was no wow factor for me.

The Eiffel Tower is an iron lattice tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris, named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower. It has become both a global cultural icon of France after it was erected in 1889 as the entrance arch to the 1889 World's Fair. It is also one of the most recognizable structures in the world. The tower is the tallest structure in Paris and is the most-visited paid monument in the world; 7.1 million people ascended it in 2011. The third level observatory's upper platform is at 279.11 m (915.7 ft) the highest accessible to the public in the European Union.


The tower stands 324 metres (1,063 ft) tall, about the same height as an 81-storey building. The tower has three levels for visitors. Tickets can be purchased to ascend, by stairs or lift (elevator), to the first and second levels. The walk from ground level to the first level is over 300 steps, as is the walk from the first to the second level. The third and highest level is accessible only by lift—stairs do exist but are usually closed to the public. Gina and I took the lift both ways, decided to avoid walking down the 300 steps to rest our tired legs. Stay tuned to the next Paris adventure.

The Louvre

The Louvre Museum or simply The Louvre—is one of the world's largest museums, and a historic monument. A central landmark of Paris, France, it is located on the Right Bank of the Seine in the 1st arrondissement (district). Nearly 35,000 objects from prehistory to the 21st  century are exhibited over an area of 60,600 square metres (652,300 square feet). With more than 8 million visitors each year, the Louvre is the world's most visited museum.

 I was delighted to visit the Louvre. This was the museum I missed when I went for the student tour in Europe after graduation. The Louvre was closed at that day - Tuesday. Although we spent only 2.5 hours at the museum, I am thankful. There was a huge crowd outside waiting to enter. Somehow guides have their privileges. I will definitely be back - perhaps - 2 days to spend admiring the paintings and soak in the history at the museum. Yes, I always love Europe - the history, the museums, the food, culture and the people. 
The museum opened on 10 August 1793 with an exhibition of 537 paintings, the majority of the works being royal and confiscated church property. Due to the structural problems with the building, the museum was closed in 1796 until 1801. As of 2008, the collection is divided among eight curatorial departments: Egyptian Antiquities; Near Eastern Antiquities; Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities; Islamic Art; Sculpture; Decorative Arts; Paintings; Prints and Drawings. 



 Mirror Reflection

 Our Paris guide





 Wedding at CANA
 The Mona Lisa, Leonardo da Vinci
 Love my visit to Louvre
 Pat with Paris Guide - Briggit

Fontaine De Jade

Located at  54 ave Bosquet, 75007 Paris, France - Foutaine De Jade was the first dining place provided by the tour on 9 June 2013. Lots of tour group and it was Chinese food in Paris. Not very exciting for me. As we barely knew each other on the first day, we ate quickly and in silence. Yet somehow, the people who sat on our table were the ones we hung out with - Mdm Devi and daughter, Joyce and Javier. The chinese lunch was completed within 45 minutes. We had to be at the Lourve Museum by 2pm.
 soup
 Fish
 Chicken
 Vegetables
 Egg
Apples

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

La Invalides - Paris

We passed by Notre-Dame Cathedral or simply Notre-Dame on the coach. When I visited Europe after university, this Cathedral stood clear in my memories. Would have loved to step down the coach to visit this Cathedral again. It is a historic Roman Rite Catholic Marian cathedral. The cathedral is widely considered to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture and among the largest and most well-known church buildings in the world. The naturalism of its sculptures and stained glass are in contrast with earlier Romanesque architecture.
 Sunday Mass in Paris
Les Invalides, officially known as L'Hôtel national des Invalides (The National Residence of the Invalids), is a complex of buildings in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, France, containing museums and monuments, all relating to the military history of France, as well as a hospital and a retirement home for war veterans, the building's original purpose. 

 Loving the sights

 The gal and her flowers
 Picture Postcard

 A closer view of Eiffel Tower before heading for lunch


Montmartre - Paris

 Montmartre was the first place, not included in the itinerary which our guide Henry introduced to us. That unknowingly was the start of the slope climbing. Thankful I have a pair of comfortable walking shoes. I always love Europe, due to the sights, the churches, the culture and the food. France was just I imagined to be, especially for a person who loves photography and writing, what more can I ask - perfect bliss with great company.

Montmartre  is a hill in the north of Paris, France. It is 130 metres high and gives its name to the surrounding district. Montmartre is primarily known for the white-domed Basilica of the Sacré CÅ“ur on its summit and as a nightclub district. The other, older, church on the hill is Saint Pierre de Montmartre, which claims to be the location at which the Jesuit order of priests was founded. Many artists had studios or worked around the community of Montmartre such as Salvador Dalí, Amedeo Modigliani, Claude Monet, Piet Mondrian, Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gogh. Montmartre is also the setting for several hit films. 
 The inviting cool waters
 Taking a break 
 Admist the crowd
 Open Sesame
 The church
 Mother Mary

Soaking in the Paris scene