2 more days....

Just booked our accomodation yesterday. Late ya? In the 1st place, we only have the intention to go last Wed night & put in action (applied leave & bought tickets) this Mon. Train tickets to Lyon also already settled on Mon. Now mainly concerned about the hotels we've found. Will be staying in 3 different hotels - 1 night on the day of arrival in Paris, 2 nights in Lyon, then back to Paris for 4 nights. When come to accomodation, I'm super meticulous, I admit. This the biggest problem when I travel. I can't stand toilet that's not clean & old... & the bed...

Been looking at few hundreds of small hotels in Paris since Mon. But after the bad experience during my last trip, I no longer have faith in what I see online. My sweet honey is ever so patient with me as he is not fussy at all, especially for guys who have served NS before according to him. His only request - the room must be air-conditioned. My dear hubby freaked out when he came across a review posted by one of the hotel guests talking about air-con wasn't installed in that hotel.

You know how expensive the hotels in Europe. If you're willing to pay Euro180 per night, you only get a 3-star hotel! (@Euro180 x 2.02 = S$363) Of course there are many below Euro100 but those good & cheap are usually already fully booked. And those cheap & are available, you'll start doubting "how come so cheap & supposed to be good (in terms of location & room condition) still got rooms??". There are soooooo many small hotels in Paris, mostly with only 40 over rooms, that's why it's not surprising the availability is slim for the real value for $$ ones.

The last time I went there was in 2003 near end of winter (had my 1-week training in Le Havre & extended on my own to Paris). Weeks before my departure, happily booked a 2-star hotel online after browsing through the description and pictures amidst many others. At that time was already Euro95 so I thought it shouldn't go too wrong. When I arrived, this bellboy helped me with the luggages up to the 3rd level. As there's no lift, I was glad he helped me otherwise I'd have a hard time getting the luggages up without a lift. Then before he even finished putting them down in my room, he stretched out his hands to ask for tips! Anyway about the room... Was very disappointed to see what type of room I got myself - the uneven wooden flooring was covered with a dark blue carpet, the bathroom was still considered clean but very cold because the old windows couldn't be sealed completely, sounds from the flushing system and the footstep noises (wooden flooring)...... But the most interesting was, I could clearly hear workers whistling at the construction site next door! Can you imagine, I paid S$200 for a room like this!? Guess its biggest selling point being situated in the middle of the touristic areas, only about 5 mins walk to the River Seine, Musée du Louvre & etc.

So instead of strolling around & enjoyed being in Paris, I was walking around looking for alternative hotel! After (I can't remember exactly) some hours, I finally found another 1 just a block away. Early next morning, I couldn't wait to pack up & leave the 1st hotel. Dragged (too heavy to carry) my luggages down the stairs by myself & all the way to the other hotel. However after settling down in the room, I just didn't feel comfortable at all! It was no doubt bigger but there's a strong smell I believe mainly from the old carpet and the bathroom was very poorly lit. Think about the bathroom in Singapore in the 60s or 70s... the type of tiles & a big yellow bulb from the ceiling. Ok this time was my fault. I personally visited the hotel the previous day & no problem. Then when my friend in Paris called me, I was desperately seeking for help! Good thing he was able to get me a room @ one of the Holiday Inn hotels and I had to pay approx Euro20 more per night. So the next morning, he sent me to the 3rd hotel on my 3rd day in Paris before having lunch with him & his wife @ their house.

The Holiday Inn room was great, very new & I want to go back for this trip. However I checked the rates & the minimum for a standard double room is Euro179!!!! We're not going to pay so much!

Have eventually booked 1 @ slightly over Euro100/night very close to the Opéra for the last 4 nights in Paris... the 1 in Lyon is much cheaper. Hopefully the rooms will turn out to be ok!

Looking forward to our Honeymoon!!

Dream coming true

We're going for our honeymoon !!

Where?


















When?


















You must be thinking... how come I never mention before 1?? Well... should I say only mid of last week that we decided to have our honeymoon! Though we've been talking about planning a trip since we got married, but no date & destination was fixed.

How it happened?

Was on a flight from KL to Bangkok last Wed. Was so so stressed out... it's the worst mission I've ever done for the past years! Read an article about Paris in the inflight magazine and suddenly I wanted so much to go there for our honeymoon. Waited till night to call & discuss with hubby... but I know my honey dotes on me too much to say "no" to me. Furthermore he likes France, like me! Hehe... Apparently my hubby was a lil surprised initially why the sudden suggestion & he was just concerned about $$$ & timing... whether he could take leave & when it should be. However like I expected, my honey eventually said "we shall go to Paris then! as long as you are happy!". Yeaaaah!

Even my French boss was amused when I told him & the group at Bangkok airport when we touched down. He said "huh? (you decide to go to Paris) just like this?" & I told him "ya lor!".

Just bought our tix online this morning. Almost all the airlines are fully booked including SQ! There're still some seats in SQ, BA & KLM last Sat. Thank God after trying several travel agents & also directly with the airlines, we've got ourselves 2 seats on the exact departure & return dates we want.

Will not be a long trip though... only 8 days. We plan to stay mostly in Paris except about 2 days in Lyon. As both of us hate guided tours, now extremely busy with looking for hotel & more info on where to go. I do have many friends in France but perhaps only meet up with 1 or 2 families because we want most of the time to ourselves to explore! Still considering whether to visit 1 of them, Miguel, who stays in a chateau... his wife's a winemaker & owns a vineyard. Sounds real good ya?? But too bad they stays too far... in Nice. We'll see... we may visit them eventually but most likely not. Train fares not cheap leh.

Just looked at the availability of train from Paris - Lyon. Tickets all sold out for the weekend & the earliest is next Mon (yes it's next Mon! sounds so near!!!). Quite a lot of planning homework to do.... Gotta settle boarding matters for our Tubby boy too.

Can't imagine how different I can feel in a matter of 1 week. Last Monday, I was totally tensed with a full day's meetings here & had to rush to catch a night flight to KL. Couldn't think of the days ahead as too much occupied my mind.

Ok, back to my research now!

Yippeeee! 4 more days to our France tour!!!! I can't believe it!

FINALLY

OoOoh..... it's nearly over, finally! Still has 1 more meeting to attend less than an hour later and I'm free!!!!! Been longing for this day to arrive. I thought I would not survive this time... and all I can say - it's God's grace! Can't wait to see my honey again and yes, by taking the very first flight tomorrow.

Ok gotta go. I'LL BE BACK!!