Paris - Our own private little walk.

I've only been here a few days, but I already understand how people can become entranced by this city. The idea when we first arrived was to catch a "hop-on, hop-off" bus. These buses go round and round in circles and pass all the well known and popular places in Paris and the idea is you can get on and off as you want. After our experience with these buses in Rome we decided not to do that, 'cause it feels like they just move you from one crowd of tourists to another. So, instead we went for a walk.

Now when I say walk, I'm actually talking more about a half-marathon stroll. We went from our apartment near the Bastille to the Arc De Triomphe, via Ile St-Louis, the Louvre and Des Champs Élysées - and it was amazing - and it was about 20 kilometres - and it was amazing - and it took us about seven and a half hours - and it was amazing - and it was a great way to see Paris - and did I mention how amazing it was? Given that we stopped and gazed at all sorts of interesting things, had lunch along the way, took about 100 photos, and climbed the Arc De Triomphe when we got there, I think we did alright.

This is from the bridge where we crossed the Seine to Ile St-Louis.

These are some of the things we found on Ile St-Louis...

And this is where we crossed back over to the main shopping district...

We probably spent a good couple of hours wandering through the shops, having lunch and starring at the locals.

This was a first for us... Traffic police on roller blades... Pretty cool, right?

And then around the corner we found this little place called the Louvre.

No we didn't go in. This photo's taken through one of the viewing windows from the outside.

So, we wandered about a bit there and slowly made our way down towards the Arc De Triomphe...

When we got there it looked like Anzac Day in NZ, but we were brave little soldiers and ploughed our way through the throng...

and then we started our ascent on the Arc De Triomphe! We now know there are 284 steps, from the bottom to the first gallery - this is what 284 steps look like...

then you have to go up two more levels to the top.

But!!!..... Once you get there....

Photos don't do it. You've got to be there.... really!

Now, that's Day 1. We're now on Day 6 and every day has been something new and fascinating. There's no way I can describe everything we've done and everything we've seen, but I wouldn't have missed a minute of it. From getting lost on the Metro - more than once - to listening to tour guides standing in the rain and speaking with unbridled passion about this city - to wandering through the markets...

to seeing the sad reality of modern society...

This is an adventure, and I'm lovin' it!

Here's a few of the photos we've taken. When I get time I'll go through and put captions on, but don't hold your breath. 

https://picasaweb.google.com/102502153151045712202/ParisWeek1?noredirect=1

Off now on the next adventure.

See ya!