On the move Day 10 of Vacation

I am starting my blog post today while on the train from Paris to Caen where we will pick up a rental car and begin our Normandy experience. We loved our location in Paris. The Hotel du Jeu de Paume on the ile St. Louis was within walking distance of most everything we wanted to see. We bought a packet of 10 Metro tickets yesterday for our trips around Paris. The Metro is very easy to use and an inexpensive way to get around Paris. The many connection points makes changing lines easy too. Only problem we had was finding an exit yesterday to one of the stations and today figuring out the difference between the Metro stop and the Train station. 

Most of my posts this week have been short because I write after dinner and before bed. And the dinner hour has been getting later and later. The norm in Paris is between 8 PM and 8:30. The hotel was great about getting us reservations which were probably needed for most of the places we ate. The food has been delicious and I did get to eat authentic French escargot. One or two of the restaurants had pigeon on the menu but I decided to save that gastronomic pleasure for another time. My first taste of Foie gras was in Amsterdam and I would have eaten it again in Paris but there were too many other options.  The food delights have been balanced by the walking. Even on a day using the Metro both Steve and I have logged over 5 miles of steps on the Fitbit per day. 

At  the train station awaiting our ride to Caen.

At our B and B in the Bayeux area. Do you think we are having fun?

Montmartre and La Tour Eiffel day 9

We took the Metro to Montmartre where we had a crepe at the foot of the steps leading to the Sacre Coeur church.   Wonderful view of Paris from the top of the steps. Another Metro ride took us to the La Tour Eiffel, where we had arranged a "behind the scenes" tour. We never knew there were underground offices where the French military worked during the war. We had an English-speaking guide who spoke heavily accented French-English.  He would be a hit in most American bars.

 We took the Seine River cruise today too and although it was fun it would be better at night.   We are leaving for Normandy in the morning, so this will be my last post from Paris. 

Still having some internet problems with pictures.

The Sacre Coeur Church from the base looking up.

The view looking down from the steps of the church.

The traditional view of la tour Eiffel. 

The bottom looking up view.

The top looking down view. 

Sunday in Paris day 8 of vacation

After a continental breakfast in our hotel, we struck out for another day in Paris. We took the "Big Bus" around the city. Weather was great - sunny and in the low 70s. A great way to take in the sights - all in about a 2-hour bus ride. It was open air, so we had a great view. The Eiffel Tower, the Champs De Élysées,  the Arc de Triomphe, and the National Opera house were just a few of the sights.   Had a piece of quiche and a bottle of Chardonnay for a late lunch. Sat next to a couple from Dallas who loathe Jerry Jones. Then went to the D'Orsay museum for an infusion of some more culture.  It was the old train station remade into a beautiful museum.  Plenty of Monets, Manets, and Van Goghs there.   Made it back to our hotel for happy hour, and then a late dinner. Happy Mother's Day!  

On the tour bus with ear phones to guide us through the city. 

Of course the most famous Paris monument.

Inside Notre Dame. The colors do not show in the picture.

The clock in the Museum D'Orsay.

The blogger in our hotel tonight.  Thanks Steve!

May 9, My Birthday in Paris

I have always wanted to see Paris and I am here on my Birthday. What could be better.  We awoke this morning and planned a walking tour of the Left Bank. After a breakfast of American coffee ( can't do without that ) and Eggs Benedict we headed across the Seine to the left bank. We had a Rick Steve's walking tour in mind and we kind of stuck to that with a few exceptions. We saw some of the traditional, left bank sights and enjoyed all of the shopping venues. After a drink of wine at the "Les Deux Magots" we amended the walking tour and headed to the Right Bank where we enjoyed some time in the Tuileries gardens of the Louvre. Then back to the hotel to refresh and then off to dinner. Our friend Jim Findley recommended a restaurant in the area and so my birthday dinner was celebrated at the Bofinger restaurant in Paris. It was an exquisite meal. We are back at the hotel now ready to start planning tomorrow.  Pictures to follow. We are having uploading problems.  The rest of the photos to come later.

The start of my day crossing the bridge to the left bank. Notre Dame in the background.

The "Les Duex Mogots". Been the same for 100's of years. Hangout of well known writers and painters.

Street performers playing while we enjoyed a glass of wine.  

A Parisan wine shop. We would never drink more than a bottle if they were all like this.

Not the greatest shot but a view toward the Louvre where we sat for awhile while walking through the Tuileries.

The Bofinger restaurant

Woo Hoo Paris!! Day 6, May 8, 2015

Another busy travel day taking the Thalys train from Amsterdam to Paris.  We loved the Airbnb we stayed at the last 2 nights in Amsterdam. Our first experience with an airBnB, but it was perfect. More on another post. The train was easy. When we arrived in Paris we had already decided that we would take the Metro to the hotel. It was about 2.4 miles but the taxi fare was listed at +- 75 euros. Steve went to the information booth while I stood looking at the big map on the wall.  A young man came up to me and asked me if I needed help. I told him where I wanted to go on the Metro and the next thing I know a French Policeman is behind me shooing the man away and reprimanding me, "Pickpocket!"  Wow.  Welcome to Paris.  Not to be disillusioned, I understand the train station is the true lurking ground for the Parisian pickpockets. We got on the correct Metro line, the hotel is great, and we had a light dinner. Tomorrow we take on Paris.

Photos today. Walking around on the right bank. The I'le St. Louis where we are staying.

A street scene from the outdoor bistro where we drank an afternoon bottle of vino.

The Notre Dame Church behind Steve.

May 7 Thursday. My Dutch Heritage

We rented a car today to drive out to the countryside and visit some of the towns that have some ancestral meaning. My grandfather's name is Jasper Bunschoten, so we drove out to the town of Bunschoten/Spakenburg. The town is quite touristy on a picturesque old harbor that still has many of the old wooden fishing boats. It is charming. 

Me in front of the town sign.

The harbor with the fishing boats. 

A house in Bunschoten.

From there we drove to Huizen which is where Jasper (my Mother's father) was born and lived until he emigrated  to the United States when he was 16.  Again it is a beautiful little town and as we were walking around I spied a store canopy that read Bunschoten. We went in and I told the "clerk" my story. Well it turns out he is the owner of the store and his name is Pieter Bunschoten. His father was Pieter too but he had some other uncles or cousins with the name of Jasper! We promised to email when I get back to the States and it will be interesting to see if there is any connection. It was really fun. A few other pictures from the town of Huizen.

 P.S. Cousins, I have lots more pictures.

The Bunschoten Store

Steve took a picture of Peiter and me. He looks like a Bunschoten doesn't he?

The church in Huizen.

Some old pictures along the streets of Huizen. 

Our last stop of the day was in Naarden. This is a star fortress town and I will be interested to see if my Dad ever flew over it. It is said to have been a landmark during WWII for pilots flying bombing missions from England to Germany.

Our picture today. A picture from the web with an overhead view of the city.