Day 1 of the Tour

We left The Royal National and made our way to Dover for our ferry crossing across the Engish Channel. The ferry gave us our first opportunity to meet mytravelling companions for the next 21 days. It looked like we were going to be travelling with a real good group of people. The majority of us were from cities along the East Coast of Australia, with the rest of the group from the United States, Canada, South America and Singapore.

Before we knew it, we were in France. Upon arrival in Paris we were taken on an illuminations tour of the city before heading to the Eiffel Tower where we all took a trip on the elevators to the top for a spectacular view of Paris at dusk. The next morning we were taken on a giuded tour of Notre-Dame and the Dôme Church (home of Napleon's Tomb), before being dropped off at the Place de la Concorde, where we were left to explore Paris on our own, and given one instruction...be back at the hotel in time for the optional dinner and caberet show.

After getting my bearings, I walked along the Champs-Elysees and arrived at the Arc de Triomphe. I climbed the spiraling stairs to the top, and watched the crazy Parisian traffic below, and checked out Paris from the famous landmark before heading down the stairs, and back along the Champs-Elysees. I passed a few members of our group heading the other way, and made my way through the Jardin des Tuileries before reaching the Musée du Louvre. I entered the musuem, and with time getting away from me, I managed to locate the Mona Lisa. A quick look at the famous painting, and yes, her eyes do follow you around the room. I left the Louvre, and made my way to the nearest Metro station and caught the train back to the hotel to get ready for the optional dinner and caberet show. We were all dressed up for our first of many optional excursions and were taken to a resturant near Sacré-Coeur. We had the chance to try Escargots with our meal. They were a little chewy, but different. After dinner we walked down to the caberet show, which was very entertaining. After a big day, there was only one thing I wanted to so...sleep.

It was hard to leave Paris the next day, but we had to move on. Our next stop was Lyon. Not far out of Paris, we were treated to a visit to Chateau Fountainbleau. The architecture and gardens were incredible. That night in Lyon were taken on a walkabout dinner where we could have dinner at the resturant of our choice. I was invited to join Annie, Erin, Melinda, Tara and Jarret. We required some assistance with the menu, and before I knew it, I had ordered Chicken Liver. It was different, but memorable. Walking back to the hotel, we discoved the main square of Lyon filled with rollerbladers at about 10pm. There was plenty of atmosphere in the square so late in the night. Made it to the hotel, and again, straight to bed. Next stop... Nice.