our friend V. took us to the splendid Versailles where we spent almost whole day and in the evening we went to La Villette Park to see an amazing fire show
on walking stairs to the departure gateAmazing sunset on our flight to Parisfench brekkie with an Ozzy:-)bright yet freezing day on St. Denis.people like sitting, chatting, and spending morningthe unfriendly weather with the unfriendly facehmm.. nice motorbike:-)the entrance to Versailles Palace complexImel and our friend V.. Notice the cloudy sky?All tourists get their audioguide so we can seriously listen to the stories behind each precinct. well, not that serious:-)one palace which belongs to princesseslistening about the Louis XIV.Look at his hairstyle at the statue, so french:-)Ondra and our friend V. with the splendid crystals, detailed walls and frescoes. I wonder that those crystals were from Czech land:-)one of the excellent tapestry with french war detail and wounded horseone of Louis XIII/XIV? son who was dressed up as a girl. hmmm......???????the daughter of Louis something too who was dressed up as a boy. I wonder what all these mean???the king bedroom with its mosquito curtain or curtain for privacy:-)? but why all beds were short?were frenchs short?the intricate world globeone of the wall or ceiling paintings with all those gold frame and painted wall. so painly beautiful seeing this kinda art:-(another set of bedroom with the long pillow which Imel called guling and which english called dutch wife. What the???in a chamber where the guests were welcomed. All those meticulous details are beyond your rationalesfrench typical souvenirs, the miniature shoes and clocksa palace where Emperor Napoleon liveda painting depicted high lifestyle tea time and chocolate tasting (at that time, chocolate was expensive stuff)we like the details of this carved poteven the door panel did not miss carvingone of relaxing and meeting rooms with cozy couchone of reading rooms with its small libraryyuhuu... at least we had sunshine for a whilethe handsome gardenone of people's favourites, a fabulous fountainand our favourite spot too:-)lovely fountain with the rainbowas far as eyes can reach, all are splendidthe palace view from the backthe well groomed plants:-)pretty girls in pretty garden:-)one of touristic attraction, the horse riding. look at the size of the horses!!!!the awesome statues in the pondcandid camera 1:-)candid camera 2:-)gotcha:-)A wonderful view to the Versailles gardennice little woods for a strolltrimmed trees and grass along the canalno words neededyou can rent a small boat and enjoyed the canalOur pretty friend V.bible-theme fresco in one of the palace' chapelrelaxing in the palace benchtrying to catch the glimpse of garden but the sunlight was so strongthis is a l.a.m.p, lamp! hehehe..in one of the roman gods-theme room. french royals were catholic but also believed in roman legends.imitating Louis XIii/XIV?it's closing time... time to go home:-(the bed frame ornamentswe presumed it is a granite pot or something. Look very preciousQueen Marie Therese&her daughter. Louis XIV married this Spanish lady showed that interstate marriages were also practised in Francesymbol of Napoleon I's victorythe painting about Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte endowed Empress to Josephine, his wifeanother painting about Napoleon and the dominant power of chuch leadersNapoleon Ithe strict staffs who were keen on making sure that we leave the precinct on time!!the hall to the princess apartmentsboyscouts selling things for raising fundwhere I got the cheapest pants in europe so far:-)How can you resist those scrumptious snacks?French pattiseries rule!!one of the church with spanish heritage in the Versailles villagesunset in Versaillesbirdman flying over the globeArmageddon during the fireshow at la Vilette
France: Jour 2
Walking in Paris, seeing the famous sights, such as Louvre, Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomph, or Eiffel Tower
the architecture is interestingondra and our friend V. in front of a typical Paris restopublic-white-sand gardensacre coeur Basilica from a farthe seafood restaurant with terrace tablesgulp! i want all!!nice clock isnt it?kino alias bioskop:-)the awful accidentsunday bluesTwo interesting things: me and the opera, hehehethe handsome arthanging out on Operaczech airlines ladies and gentlemen!!funky metro entrance near Louvrelouvre museumthe pyramidposing with pyramidimel and pyramidthe leaning arcwith louvre entrance at the backgroundondra and pyramidPalais Royal fountaincute birdsPalais Royal Gardenkids public playgroundmo-ge alias motor gede alias big bike!self indulging in Jardin Touileries with Eiffel at the backgroundhow can you say no to this garden:-)with little breadcrumbs and you are ready.. yap!oh boy!boat racing:-). very common activities in french fountainsjardin touileriesthe battlerendezvouspublic space which refresh familiesthe crepes, finally:-)ondra was patiently queuing for the nutella crepes:-)louvre at nightplace de la concordeone wedding carthis the fountain across la concordewe secretly took this one newly wed couplethe antique steet lampthe glamour lampyuhuuu fresh water...let's refill the bottle hehehe..o.. champs elysees, tararara..o.. champs elyseesthe charming ladies who welcomed us in one gateunmistakenable Haagen Dazs:-)Peugeot show roomthe arcthe proud veteranthe massive arcthe massive man:-)Arc de Triompheneuvo art glasses buildingfigaro, the french publisheryummy yummythe most sought after guy and tower:-)the magnificent towerisnt it a fabulous evening?yeap!!indeed!!Eiffel from Palais de ChalliotBatobus deck at Eiffel, Champ de Marsdown under at the underground stationNotre Dame metro sign: the undergroundBatobus at Pont D'Iena, Eiffel towerhmm..looks familiari wonder whether we have been here:-)on board!the stewardee who welcomed ussunshine on the golden riverhopping off at Hotel de Ville. Ondra filled in the questionairesrushing on catching the Batobus at Quai de Gesvres, Hotel De VilleInteresting passengers in the metrokilling time in metroa creature taking a rest from a bustling Paris
France: Jour 3
More walking around Paris: Notre Dame, Pantheon, Jardin Luxembourg, more Eiffel Tower, Pompidou square
notre dame cathedralyou can contribute by buying candles to lit up the churchthe mesmerizing stained glassJoan d'Arc statue. She is considered saint in Francecandle light warming up the cold and dark church wallsgleaming navea chapel in one of the vaultsmystic notre damenotre dame, pane, a damenotre dame and Imel, yeah we know, it's typical picture..one painting day near notre damenotre dame and Ondra, yeah we know, it's typical picture...segala ada, antique outletsNotre Dame cathedral from across the riverartwork from french talented prof and amateurs"I think we will have lunch here... errr.. maybe not"I want all those Star War collections!I will wait here, you can go shoppingThey were so lazy!They didnt even want to cook after lunchtime! Unbelievable!Pantheon and Quality Chicken fastfoodwhere great people bodies were buriedeverything is big in France!cathedral behind Pantheon. Against all oddsUniversity Marie Currie, the square block buildingsJardin Luxembourgcontemplationdont they work?Why they have so much time to relax in workdays?Senate house at the backgroundstopping by at my favourite Brioche DoreeHotel de Ville (Town Hall)Eiffel Tower from belowPicnic day by the Eiffel Towerthe most wanted man on the most wanted spot:-)Ecole Militaire at the other end of Champ de Mars.No wonder many handsome soldiers passing by:-)The playful Place Igor-Stravinsky near PompidouPompidou Square where Janus face of liberalism manifestsgot lost in Les Hallesno clueultra modern Forum des Hallesin the safe hand of St.Eustache's guychildren oasis in the shopping desertStarbuckback to the Pompidou square, following up the magnetthis animated clock symbolizing human's battle against the earth (dragon), the air (bird), and the water (crab)razia by roller-blading police
Paris: Jour 4
Still more of Paris: Food, St. Martin Canal, Montmartre and Sacre Coeur Cathedral, Moulin Rouge
who can resist those?got prepared for our breakfast on the street parkwhich quiche do you want?I want both at the same time!the choco devil... rrrrrr...hmm...St.Martin Canal at nightGare du Nord train stationclimbing up to Basilique du Sacre Coeurenjoying the ambienceSacre Coeur cathedraltake a typical tourist picture. cheese..give myself time to enjoy a nice, warm, sunny daythe incredible frescochapels for prayersthey have cheaper souvenirs in this areaand crepe as well:-)the authentic Place du Tertrethe handFrench way of changing the crossroads:-)Cute:-)I bear itlook at those yummy cheese!give me some, gimme gimme gimme!!I didnt realise the background:-)Molin Rouge: definitely red on the redlight streetChina town
France: Jour 5
Last day in Paris, Montparnasse area and views from the tall tower, Rue Daguerre and Catacombs, and last supper with our friend V.
the long trail between Montparnasse metro and train stationi guess we should walk not waitthe famous fast SNCFwhich way?the park at the roof. unbelievable!sunbathingEiffel from Montparnasse Towerthe Invalides where Napoleon body restedSacre Coeur at distanceWhat are you looking for?Arc d Triomphetogether at the peakplaying the quizzhaha.. not badsee how fast was SNCF:-)I found decent ice cream herethe paella with those calamaries!!Catacombs with bonesCatacombs with bonesCatacombs with bonesCatacombs with bonesCatacombs with bones, somewhat reminiscent of the Ossuary near Kutna Hora in CZ...Catacombs with boneswith our friend V. at Cafe Hugo. I wont forget the yummy sandwich and onion soup
France: Jour 6
Seeing the town of Rennes, catching up with our new friend Laurent
fall into the temptation in RennesIts scenic cityone of Rennes XL gardenthe gingerbread houses:-)Pasta fastfood.Very original!Salgado's photos exhibitonbuying the organic wineDinner with Laurent in a wine bar where we eat those French delicacies (charcutterie, to be specific)Welcome to Parc du Thaborwhere you may enjoy your lovely nap, zzz...
France: Jour 7
Beautiful Mont Saint Michel Monastery and night arrival to Nantes
Ladies and gentlemen, Mont Saint MichelIt really looks difficult to conquerAscending upRoad to MSM has been levelled up already,but the carpark still gets covered with sand during hight tide and must be cleaned regularlyViewpointAnother viewpoint, only for sea gulls, thoughWall covered by plansOne of MSM structuresdttoDefensive stance:-)Gimme the camera!The audioguide really helped...me too:-)Nun carrying flowers for the Mass in the cathedral on the top of MSMSchool trip children attacking MSMLet's go insideCathedralRefectory - place where monks used to eatInner sanctum - garden with various herbsGigantic fireplace - can you imagine th fire to heat such a big room?Teacher: Now kids, let's make a picture of you in the fireplaceBy entering this wheel and rotating it the monks could reach water in the very deep wellThis is how modestly MSM started a millenium agoAnd now it looks like thisdttoSome pictures from the walk around MSM on the fortificationsdttoSome artistic photos (just switch on the Sepia effect:-)One more...Sea gull looking for foodWindmill on the way back to Rennes - are we going thru Holland??the nightfair in NantesHorse raceEasy kid, I will bring you home that puppySalto MortaleFlipper also looks goodSweet dough for candies
France: Jour 8
Wedding of Yoko and Arnold in Nantes, lavish evening reception at a nice chateau with unbelievable desserts
waiting by the "Hotel de Ville" (City Hall) in NantesMade in BohemiaMade in BataviaHere they comeThis gentleman, as we learned later on, is Arnold's younger cousinThe bride and the groomWow! beautiesYoko's cool fatherThe wedding ceremonyGroup pictureAnother group pictureWelcome to the married couples club, guys!!!The lovely brideIt's not exactly related, but it's nice:-)You name it, Yoko's dad has it in his kimono arm sleeves! :-)The couple's photo session in the Japanese Garden by the riverFlowers arrivedThe nicest hotel we had in France. What a bargain!And spoiling breakfast!Taking picturesThe chateau for receptionready for partythe appetizersYummy, french fresh seafood & moreHave some!cheers!The French boysspecial wine bottle for the couple from Arnold's dadOur international tableNice song dedicated to newly weds presented by the familyOur banquet and the entertainment partThe man of the nightNight shot of the chateauThe Great toastAs I said, French delicacies are unbeatable. First they gave us caviar and their best ham, then they served us cold prawn cake plus artichoke. Then they gave us lamb with sauce and stewed vegie. Then the second dish was fried blue cheese spring roll. In the end this killer-dessert: plate of choco chunk with pear and orange, accompanied by two scoops of ice cream and decorated with strawberry, mint and caramel art. Awesome!this time, the French boys must singThe bride and father in law started the dancing sessionyounger generation meets the older:-)Group photo with Yoko's dadSee, I told you, he has everything there... Maybe even a bunny!Yoko's penpals from AmericaYoko's Japanese friendboth are french. Trust me, one is from France the other is from French GuyanaYoko's Japanese friend
France: Jour 9
Boat ride with lunch, final meeting in a bar
The boat that took us for three-hours tripNice time guysThe Japanese groupOur table-mates:-)The pretty newlywedThe food is not bad either:-)Cheers:-)Arnold's bride and dadThe newlyweds with the chateau backgroundAnother unforgettable dessertImel and seagulls!Seagulls again?Fair and Cathedral: the heavenly meets the worldlyWith Yoko and Arnold's cousinsCathedralJust a picBrioche d'Ore in Carrefour. In Asia it's a classy outlet, here just a regular one. Huh...petanque gameMini