PARIS & LONDON (The final chapter of UK Visit)

Following our idyllic 10 days on the canal we head for London to catch the train to Paris.

The Eurostar fast train was efficient, comfortable and reasonably priced but on boarding we discovered our window was not as clean as it could have been.  Skipper decided that he would clean it up before we departed with wet-wipes and tissues so we had a clear view of the countryside much to the amusement of fellow passengers who after observing the skipper’s skills, decided to do the same thing – at least 4 others got out on the platform to clean their windows.  Funny. 

Our hotel was convenient and comfortable with breakfast provided each morning (croissants, buns, yoghurt, cereal, tea, coffee, juice) the usual tasty French culprits (how much weight have we gained?) and the staff friendly.  On arrival we did what we normally do and immediately investigated the best ‘local’ train tickets to use which made getting around extremely easy.

Hmmm, Paris.  Paris was everything you would expect it to be, spectacular in it’s sightseeing but dirty, smelly and busy with unfortunately lots of graffiti which does not seem to bother the Parisians as no effort seems to be made to clean it up.  In fact, on our boat trip on the Seine we were talking to the hostess/tour guide about the graffiti and she remarked with surprise “oh, you don’t like it?”  Well, NO.

Moving on though, we very much enjoyed all the usual sightseeing – Notre Dame, The Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, the Basilica of Sacre Coeur, boat rides on the Seine, the Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees, Moulin Rouge district, Versailles – AND enjoyed doing what most French do and sat in cafés and bistros sipping wine and eating.  Very nice thanks.  Overall, the people were friendly and helpful and we also found a couple of ‘English’ sports bars so the Skipper was able to keep abreast of the soccer.  Little Yay?

Although our visit was fairly short we managed to walk many miles around Paris and very much enjoyed the exquisite architecture and small avenues filled with cafes and shops.  And like ducks to water, we enjoyed a couple of boat tours on the Seine - one of which took us through 4 locks (because we didn't have enough of them on the canal!)  this time, however, lockmasters pulled levers and the crew just sat and watched. 

We observed on our return to London by train that the windows were clean!  Maybe the frantic cleaning by the Skipper and passengers on the inward journey had some impact. 

Eiffel Tower

The Arc de Triompe

Fantastic Notre Dame

The Moulin Rouge

Outside the Louvre

Sacre Coeur

Gorgeous Montmartre district

LONDON

We had a small hiccup with our flights back to Malaysia – airline decided to use smaller plane and make a stopover in Delhi.  We did not want to stopover in Delhi and so negotiations ensued.  L o n g story short “Sure we can put you on a flight the next day” – but not in our extra-legroom seats – “no problem we can refund you” – not the point Skipper does NOT fit into conventional seats – “ok we can get you on flight with legroom a few days later 16 rows apart!  Not happy but it will have to do. 

There's no escape from the French Police in this get-up

So let’s see what can we do to fill in our time in London for a week?  We discovered that the universities have wonderful FREE museums and we visit the Zoological and Surgical Museums – fascinating.  Another ‘must see’ and we are disappointed we did not have more time, is the London Science Museum.  A great way to fill an entire day.  We also take in a couple of the West End theatre shows which were great although Mama Mia is way better on DVD.  A visit to the famous Abbey Road Studios and the crossing that the Fab Four have on the cover of their Abbey Road album.

The Tower - where the crown jewels are housed

The Tower Bridge - which actually has nothing to do with the Tower of London

Poor Skipper, the crew made him line up for over an hour to get into Madame Tussauds (he was NOT a happy chappy) but cheered up when I took his photo with Shrek.  (It's the little things that make one happy)  Was it worth the wait and the money?…. No but filled in a morning.  The London Tower however, was very good and our guide, a Beefeater who lives onsite, made the tour very interesting with his knowledge, passion and sense of humour AND there was no queue.  Calm, happy Skipper again.

We re-visited Harrods of course and Paddington Station to buy a Paddington Bear to add to the crew’s collection.  We took a picnic lunch to Hyde Park, visited the Aussie pub to catch up on the footie.  Go Pies!  And prepared ourselves for the long flight back which, we are again pleased to say, all went smoothly.  Oh unless you count the twerp at the security desk in London who decided to tell the entire airport that the crew’s plastic bag holding her liquids was “THE WRONG SIZE”.  Hell, are you talking to me?  Calm, calm, calm, just buy the correct size plastic bag and move on.  TWERP! 

The very ornate ATM atrium at Lloyds bank in Fleet Street

Back in Kuala Lumpur – aaah nice to be back in Chinatown where the beer is cold and cheap and the food yummy.  Big Yay.  We spend a couple of days exploring KL shops (as you do) and decide to take the bus back down to Johor Bahru this time.  You may recall the last couple of times we took the train and previously the plane but this time we tested the bus.  A direct train to the bus station, walk straight onto a luxurious bus and arrive in JB 4 hours later.  Very smooth indeed.

Bluestone is still floating – a good thing.  She has more barnacles than Moby Dick and needs a real good scrub – oh yes, and the toilet seized, but apart from that all is good.