A very different Paris today (by Hamish)

 Hamish writes - Cool fountain on the way to la Defense... 

Unfortunately, it wasn't on when we were there but still good to look at.

Check out this stripy building!

 We couldn't walk under the Christmas tree but it was still cool  

Le Grand Arch at la Defense is gigantic! 

We climbed up some stairs to stand under it and looked back at the l'Arc de Triomph

 The big thumb, amazing right? We gave it the thumbs up!

We enjoyed some 'beard of papa' then...

we met the real thing!

Amazing view from Le Grand Arch.

Can you spot the tiny arch way out in the distance? 

That's the l'Arc de Triomphe! Not so triumphant now huh? 

 ...and there it is close up.

Ooh, the pavlovas - I had one with white chocolate (not sure of their French name!!!) 

and it was delicious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Belgium waffles, Bible college and the old town

Wednesday 26th

After a sleep in (or reading in the dark for the non-teenager in our group) we headed out in search of Belgian waffles, thinking this was the country most likely to have them. 2 hours later we were still looking, but had enjoyed the Parc Cinquantersire along the way.

Finally we found what we were looking for in the old centre of town. Yummy!

We arrived at the Institute Biblique Belgium and were given a tour by its Director (James). Quite a rabbit warren of a building. The Protestant church in French speaking Europe is a small and struggling group, and the numbers are small.  But under James the college is a wonderful work of God. From what he said about the curriculum, James has certainly made good use of his Moore College studies. Another meal from Myriam at the college, chatting with students and lecturers.

Then an expert guided tour of the old city from Myrium, who we discovered studied Art History and worked at the Louvre. We loved the extraordinary churches, guild house, the town hall, Christmas lights, and perhaps most of all – the chocolate shops.

Shaun

Tuesday 25th

24 hours hanging in the air is a long time! But quite a few hours of sleep helped pass the time from Hong Kong to Paris. What a delight to see everyone at the airport. After they had left we hung around the airport train station, a little disturbed by the soldiers with machine guns, and the slightly suss looking ‘security’ guys who seemed a little too interested in our bags – that is, taking one of them. The train trip was very pleasant. Very smooth and very fast. High speed and no stops meant it was quicker from Paris to Brussels than from Richmond to the city back home!

After settling into our accomodation and a quick trip to the supermarket for supplies, we headed off for dinner with Shaun’s college friend James Hely Hutchinson. Poor transport directions from google and getting lost several times made it a long trip, but the kids soldiered on. Perhaps the strangest part of the journey was not the buskers on the tram, but the guy who hopped on, made  a short speech to those who would listen, clearly expecting some donation, to which one man obliged. It was great to catch up with James again after 14 years, and he and his wife Myriam were incredibly hospitable. Their daughter Clara was very cute and seemed to love the koala we gave her – now named Clara koala. Back at our apartment, we all collapsed into bed. Shaun

Elijah writes - these cheeses are so so yummy. I like the gold one the best. Its flavour is cheddar cheese. you have to be careful unwrapping them so that they don't go mushy...

The beautiful Place des Vosges - Victor Hugo's view for a time...

Elijah writes - the photo above was Victor Hugo's bedroom. Its amazing to think that this is actually where this amazing person slept in here. 

He had to go away from France for a long time... Napoleon made him do it.

Hamish writes - I found some cool decorations on the top of short poles on our walk from Victor Hugo's house to Pompidou (a museum of modern art). There was a cat, a man with headphones, a man with a top hat and others too... 

The Stravinsky Fountain was colourful and fun... a bit of whimsy in a city full of grandeur and formality

Sending a little love to all the people we miss in Australia...

 

Two buildings with interesting exteriors. 

Pompidou below is inside out and the building above is really unusual with its intricate metal façade  

We loved the Paris passages with Christmas lights and interesting and sometimes quirky shops...

All the McGregors in Europe now

A brief early morning re-union at CGD airport - Shaun, Annie and Isaac arrive safely, collect Bethany and head for Brussels and Amsterdam... 

Elijah having some quite time reading a Mr Man book independently to himself... He convinced me to buy this book in Paris (English version of course) because he has never seen 'Mr Nobody' in Australia - how could I argue with that!  

The Eiffel tower was stunning at night... still hard to believe we are really here !

A night time trip along the Seine was well worth it even if the boys were VERY tired after long day...  They have been such wonderful travellers - walking their little legs off and coping well with long days...

Notre Dame was eerily beautiful at night,

Birds, boats, bridges and bumper to bumper...

The bird whisperer waiting to hop on the Batobus for day of sightseeing from the river  Seine...

A couple of different perspectives...

Locked in love...

Pretty as a picture

The hop on hop off Batobus was such an easy way to explore some different quarters of Paris

Jardin des Plantes was a beautful Autumn playground...

A wonderful spiral hedge with hidden pathways throughout, winding its way to the top of the botanical garden was a delightful place to play and explore for two adventurous boys

Now this WAS a surprise...  seen over the fence of the Menagerie du Jardin des Plantes -  "Wallaby de Bennett"... Craig you really have made your mark on Paris!

No space is too tight!!

Bethany writes - I love you Paris but there are just a few things I don't approve of. I am of the very strong opinion that going to the toilet should be free and easy. Oh so stingy! And on the topic of stingy, paying to play in a playground? What is it with these French people? A playground is for freedom and fun... not something I had ever imagined I would have to pay for. And then there's the issue of animal cruelty... Today I saw a man juggling wild pigeons. Honestly RSPCA - get onto these French bird harassers. I don't even like birds but they shouldn't be juggled... And on the topic of safety, a footpath is for FEET... not motor bike wheels! But then as you can see, parking is hard to find... And what's with pedestrian crossings combined with green/red lights? Very confusing and at times dangerous for an Australian who is of the opinion that pedestrian crossings give priority to pedestrians.