On Saturday after a long bus ride and heavy traffic in Paris we went straight for the Eiffel Tower. At the Trocadaro we were greeted by a beautiful view of the tower and a circle of dancers commemorating the death of Micheal Jackson, complete with several Jackson impersonators.
The Loyola studentsSunday morning we went to Notre Dame. Kathy and most of the students even made it to mass there. After lunch in the Latin quarter we went back to the boys' favorite playground in Paris at Luxemburg Gardens.
Video of Boys at the playground in Luxemburg Gardens
Monday was the Louvre. The boys and I broke off from the guided tour after about 15 minutes (too slow and boring for the boys - maybe for me too). We did a whirlwind tour of the lesser known but very cool exhibits at the Louvre. We saw mummies' coffins, creepy skull statues, funky African artwork, giant paintings, and one of the boys' favorites, the Easter Island Head (aka the Dum Dum guy from the Night at the Museum movie).
The boys with Dum DumThat night we had a picnic with some pizza, beer and wine on bank of the Seine. It was a nice night so there were lots of locals also enjoying the scene. A group next to us even provided some background guitar music for our dinner. Not a gourmet meal - but very pleasant and memorable.
Tuesday we headed for Versailles. Unfortunatly it was rainy and cool so we didn't tour the gardens but the rooms were still impressive. That afternoon we went to the top of the Arc de Triomphe and even got to see part of the nightly military cermony at the tomb of the Unkown Soldier.
Tuesday we headed for Versailles. Unfortunatly it was rainy and cool so we didn't tour the gardens but the rooms were still impressive. That afternoon we went to the top of the Arc de Triomphe and even got to see part of the nightly military cermony at the tomb of the Unkown Soldier.
Wednesday we stopped by the cathedral in Chartres then back to the coast. The next day Kathy took the students to Mont Saint Michel and I took a day off with the boys in St Malo just exploring the beach. The boys even got a French hair cut that afternoon.
Friday we went back to Bayeux. At this point we realized that our bus driver was good at finding the general location for the main tourist sites like Chartres and Bayeux, but he had no idea where he could park the bus. So we drove in circles a few times before homing in on the correct location.
That afternoon we went back to Point du Hoc. It's a very impressive site. They have left it pretty much as it was after D-day. The point is covered with bomb craters and German fortifications.
Friday we went back to Bayeux. At this point we realized that our bus driver was good at finding the general location for the main tourist sites like Chartres and Bayeux, but he had no idea where he could park the bus. So we drove in circles a few times before homing in on the correct location.
That afternoon we went back to Point du Hoc. It's a very impressive site. They have left it pretty much as it was after D-day. The point is covered with bomb craters and German fortifications.
German Gun Emplacement
Jack in the remains of a blown up German bunkerFriday night we spent in Arromanches at the nice hotel with the ocean view (Hotel de la Marine). The harbor still has remnants of the temporary port that the British used to off load equipment just after D-day.
One of the pontoons for the floating docks; the break water is in the distance.
Boys playing army on a half track next to our hotel
I showed Tommy some pictures of Jack and Jesse and that video from the gardens... Tommy says he misses them and wants to see them soon. Glad you are having fun!! Please tell Jack and Jesse that Tommy says hello!!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you are having fun in your new home.
Kerry