Today, after very little sleep it was time to take Asha to my favourite Parisian clothing store and perfumery store. It didn’t open until 11 am and we had arrived just after 10 am so we sat at a little café across the road and had a drink and watched the world go by. As we sat, a fire truck arrived at the apartment block across the road. The firemen went upstairs – but there was no sign of smoke etc. Then a second fire truck arrived with a crane ladder which it extended up to the fifth (being the top) floor of the building. Once in position two firemen climbed up, smashed the window and entered the apartment. They then packed up the truck with the ladder and then not too much else seemed to happen. So despite much deliberation between the two of us it was difficult to work out what all the commotion had been about! But it had entertained us for a short while regardless! Then it was time to shop!
In the afternoon I took a look around our local area near the apartment and made some purchases. Surprisingly there is still money left on my cash passport – It’s another Paris miracle!!
At 7 pm I met up with the tour group Fat Tyres at the base of the Eiffel Tower and then embarked on a 4.5 hour Paris City Night bike tour and Seine River Cruise. I have to say that it was excellent and a must if you are in Paris. It was so much fun, especially trying to not be hit by crazy French drivers! And it’s also incredibly liberating to not have to wear a helmet and to feel the wind in your hair.
We stopped for Ice cream at Berthillon on Ile St-Louis which is evidently ‘to ice cream what Chateau Lafite Rothschild is to wine’. Hmmmm, being a bit of a self professed ice cream connoisseur, I wasn’t that impressed! But perhaps I need to go back for a second visit just to make sure! We were also informed by our guide Andrew that Johnny Depp owns an apartment on Ile St-Louis which is another great reason to frequent the location for the chance of a rare spotting of this fabulous actor!
We continued our ride and stopped on Pont des Arts which is a foot bridge linking the left bank to the right bank alongside the Louvre. It is evidently where Carrie and Big in Sex and the City hook up when they are in Paris. It is also a place where people propose and as part of the proposal they lock a padlock engraved with their names and the date onto the bridge and throw the key into the river. How romantic is that! Evidently it is mostly the tourists, who do it, but I don’t care – it’s still so very romantic. And during the summer month’s throngs of people flock to the bridge in the evenings and set up little picnics all over the bridge. It had the most wonderful atmosphere as we walked our bikes across it! I think Asha and I will partake in a Pont des Arts picnic with some bread, cheese and bubbly very soon!
The river cruise was great at night especially seeing the lights on the Eiffel Tower twinkle at 10 pm and then again at 11 pm! Regardless of how many times I’ve seen it, it still has a magical power to leave in awe of its beauty! It is such a stunning and spectacular sight! To make the cruise even more enjoyable, Andrew brought along wine for all, so as we cruised we socialised with lovely French red wine. It was just perfect!
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