December 2, 2016, Friday: From Nice to Paris: When we awoke in Nice with the realization that our direct non-stop train back to Paris was only at 11.00 am, we made the impromptu decision to go back to Monte Carlo for breakfast—this was so that Llew could see the city (and the country, Monaco)…
All posts in France
Lolloping Around Lyon
November 30, Wednesday: Lolloping Around Lyon A Bit of a Disappointment: Today turned out to be a bit of a bummer. After a really good Continental breakfast (croissants, baguettes, butter and jams with café au lait—mais oui!) at Hotel Liege Strasbourg which was included in our tariff, we set out for Gare Austerlitz with…
A Pilgrimage to Lourdes
November 29, 2016, Tuesday: A Pilgrimage to Lourdes We arrived on schedule at Toulouse at 6.45 am after poor Llew complained that he had barely slept. I, on the other hand, had slept fairly well considering that I was sitting up in a moving train—but that was because I had dozed myself with medication…
Hanging Out on a Farm in Normandy
November 28, 2016, Monday: Hanging with Friends in Normandy: This was a totally relaxed day—and one we badly needed after our ultra-hectic week in Israel when each day had been spent galloping from one spot to the next. This was a day to savor the company of close friends, to recharge our mental and…
Frolicking (Again) Through France–From Tel Aviv to Paris
Bonjour! Following our eight-day tour of the Holy Land, Llew and I spent a week in France together using Rail Europe train passes. After his departure to the US, I continued to stay on in Paris. Here is an account of the week we passed together and the time I spent alone in France. …
Au Revoir Israel, Bonjour France: Israeli Museum and Arrival in Paris
Nov 27, Sun Jerusalem-Paris: As agreed, we arose early and went down for breakfast at 7.00 am so as to wish our friends farewell. Then Llew and I lingered over our breakfast as we had finished packing and had our bags ready. At 9.30 am, as decided, our cab arrived at the hotel and transported…
Last Day in London Before Departure for Israel and France
Friday, November 18, 2016 London I awoke in Battersea in Roz’s home at about 6.00 am. She was leaving for work by 7.00 am today, which left me time to laze a bit, check email, call my Dad and my brother Russel in Bombay and get some breakfast. I had cereal with yogurt and milk…
A Spontaneous Saturday–Bastille Day, National Gallery, Hog Roast
Saturday, July 13, 2013: London Saturday Sans Plan: Things seemed to go particularly badly for me today. Pre-dawn wake-ups (today at 4. 50 am after which I forced myself to go back to sleep and then wake at 6. 10 am) means that I feel extremely drowsy mid-afternoon and can barely stand, forget…
Last Whole Day in Paris–How it Flew!
Thursday, July 12, 2012 Paris, France Bonjour! I felt that slight flutter of panic when I awoke this morning–assaulted by that feeling that there were things I hadn’t quite finished doing in time for my departure tomorrow. After a quick breakfast based mainly on leftover scraps of bread and preserves, Llew and I left with…
Versailles! Piece de Resistance of our Rambles
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 Versailles, France Bonjour! Finalement, I suppose, it was irresistible. I mean you cannot spend a good chunk of the summer in Paris and not go to Versailles! So, we scrapped Giverny, caved in and made the royal pilgrimage in quest of Louis Quartorze’s domain on the outskirts of Paris. Besides, our…