We drove ourselves to an outside Airport Parking facility and checked in circa 7.30pm, and took off circa 10.45pm for a 13 hour haul to Abu Dahbi, arriving around 5.30am their time. The temperature was in the high 20s at this early hour and the whole area appeared very smoggy. Massive development is happening at and around the airport. After a long walk from Terminal 3 to Terminal 1, we found a circular waiting area, for our gate plus 10 other gates. This waiting area was ringed by food and duty free outlets, as well as a couple of box cubicles just over 6 feet high, where up to 10 men were crammed in for smoking purposes – looked ludicrous!!!! We were too tired to wander, so just sat and waited for the next flight and boarding check-in.
Our flight departure to Paris was delayed by 30 minutes [ more like 50minutes for take off], and our combined Gates 7 & 8 , share the same connection facility which is totally inadequate. Even though take-off was delayed, we still managed to land at Paris at 2.55pm their time [on or about our scheduled landing time]. Michael had kept his watch on Melbourne time and arrival was just over 24hours after departure.
Etihad airlines was OK, but according to Dot their diabetic menu is unimaginative….fish and melon for both meals with different accompaniments. Breakfast was an omelette with mushrooms and spinach…very over cooked and why would you give a diabetic 2 bread rolls with a meal. Michael decided on a sandwich for the last leg for dinner, but was not impressed.
After passing Immigration control and collection of baggage, we expected our Transfer Driver to be waiting for us with a sign so we would recognise him. No to be!!! After a number of unsuccessful calls, Dot went to Information Desk for assistance. and they rang the transfer company to be told the driver/vehicle would be another 20 minutes. We were the only ones in the Arrivals Section when the driver arrived.
Following a 30 minute drive to a hotel in a beautiful area, we got to meet our Tour Guide Sarah, as she finished up with meeting for the other tour group participants. We were surprised to learn that there were 48 tourists in the group, predominantly from the USA. We were given little radios for listening to Sarah, when we were out and about; plus luggage tags etc.
At 5.15pm we assembled for a bus tour of inner Paris. The bus trip was an eye opener showing us lovely tree lined streets, magnificent old buildings and bustling squares and promenades, the picturesque Seine River, as well as the Eiffel Tower, Champs Elyse, Arc de Triomphe and many other prominent buildings and statues. We saw a group of old soldiers marching with banner flags to the Arc de Triomphe for a ceremony of reigniting the flame of the unknown soldier.
The tour group was then taken to a very popular restaurant where we were treated to “supper”. The eating area was at the rear of the building in a lovely roofed in courtyard. Our supper was a magnificent French Onion soup topped with melted cheese topped crusty bread, then roasted chicken leg with beans & mashed potatoes, followed by a 5” diameter sized dish of magnificent creme brulee. Drinks of white & red wine were on the table and generously replenished.
WE left the restaurant after 8.00pm and it was still very bright outside with the local coming out for their normal evening meal at a much later time than us.
Early start next morning with bags out at 6.15am, so Michael switches on his phone and sets his alarm for 5.45am, as also does Dot. We are so tired we are worried we won’t wake in time for breakfast and departure. The off to sleep on top of the doona as it is very warm and humid. It seemed no time when Michael’s alarm went off….what a shock it was still on Melbourne time as it had not switched over to France local time as it did in our travels in WA. It was actually 9.45pm Paris time and we had only been asleep for an hour at the most. Getting back to sleep took a little time.
No comments:
Post a Comment