31 December Wed
Undeterred by the
failure to get up the Tower of Notre Dame, we tried again, after doing the
research online.
This time we got
it right, the location at least. I thought one hour was too long a lag before
the doors to the Tower at Rue de Cloitre would open, but my, was I wrong ! At 9
am, there was already a long queue by just as determined tourists for the first
visit to the Tower at 10 am.
It was cold,
though at 6C it was considered balmy by yesterday’s standards. H helped passed
time with her jokes and made waiting bearable.
Entry was €8.50
for each of us and we had to negotiate more than 350 steps up. It was grueling
but I was glad I made it without any problems.
The first levels were breathtaking enough – the gargoyles added texture
to the city’s skyscape, each creature looking menacingly over the city. Every
Parisian icons – Eiffel Tower, Sacre Coeur, and La Defence were visible from
the viewing gallery.
Another flight of
head spinning steps led us to the highest point on the Tower. It was the
panaromic gallery, very small and each were allowed only 5 minutes to view the
city. I did not find it as photo worthy with the absence the gargoyles.
The descent down
the spiral stairway was just as difficult and it felt like eternity to get to
the road level.
From Cite station,
we trained over to Rue du Bac. It was a
chi-chi area with chic boutiques, expensive patisseries and a very upmarket
grocer. It was a non event for me despite the hype online. I bought 2 boxes of
gourmet cheeses to bring back to Singapore, and half hoping that the clothes
will not smell too badly when we reach home.
We had our first
good quality pizza lunch at Mama Roma, off Rue du Bac. For €30 it was one of
the most satisfying pizza meal in Paris.
Another train
ride, with mind bending number of train transfer, and we found ourselves at
Ecole Militaire. It was a short walk to Eiffel. The sun was out , the weather
dry and crisp and we snacked in the park, with Eiffel Tower as backdrop. It
would be perfect in summer.
We clowned around
the tower, taking copious number of photos and generally being silly there.
After all, it was the last day of the long Europe holiday and revelry was in
order.
We walked towards
the Tower and baulked at the crowd milling around the Tower , spilling to
Trocedero. Military personnel with assault weapons patrolled the area to keep
trouble at bay.
We took a train from
Bir Hakeim station , one of the above ground train tracks in Paris to Cluny La
Sabourne. Christmas markets were open and the selling was in full steam. We
logged our last evening in Paris on ‘film’ all the way to the hotel and beyond.
Like most of our DIY
holidays, we rested in preparation for the midnight countdown. There was
minimal packing because we have adopted a system of pack as we travel. The
evening was spent writing our travelogues before dinner. It was one of the most
restful 3 hours in hectic Paris!
Our original plan
to have a simple dinner at Quick was quickly forgotten as we were lured by a
foie gras set dinner at a pub near Senlis ( €39 per set ). We had one of the
most generous block of foie gras and steak for a fraction of the price in Singapore.
By the 3rd and last course, we were stuffed and unable to stomach
the food. The 2 hour dinner meant that we were away from the cold longer than
planned.
Public transport
in Paris was free and running all night. In fact, thre free ride lasts to 12nn
on 1st of January. We enjoyed the free commute to Ecole Militiare.
The area around Eiffel was teaming with people, full of revelry. Celebrations
were in full swing and more than 10 tour buses disgorged tourists to wait for
the lightup of the tower.
By midnight,
without fanfare or countdown, the tower lit up with shimmering lights. No
fireworks, no music, no auld lang syne. Everyone waited in anticipation but the
odd firework privately put up made the entry into the new year one of the most
unspectacular events I have ever seen. We have been spoilt silly by last year’s
show at Taipei 101 so this doesn’t measure up.
It was a let down
and like the thousands of people, we took the free train back. Thus ends our 20
day long holiday in Europe. Tomorrow on the 1st of January 2015, we
leave for home. It will be a year of many unknowns and we look forward to
embracing it by the grace of God. May many good and wonderful things continue
to happen.
