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What a long trip home......

When we checked in we found that even though we had pre-selected seats together this was not possible on both parts of the flight.  Apparently the flight had been overbooked and then seat allocation was quite mixed up.

After a long wait at Charles de Gauille airport... about 3 hours... We finally boarded our first flight.  We were surrounded by the NSW Rugby League junior team so I was a little worried about the trip but I have to say these guys were a credit to their team.  A big group of teenagers with just a couple of adults.  They were very courteous and considerate.

Tony slept just about the whole flight but the rest of us were awake.  After 5434 km and 6 1/2 hours we made it to Dubai for a 4 hour stop-over.  Let me just say that airports are not a fun place to spend time - especially when you are tired and cranky!

Then it was time for our next flight. - This time the kids and I were on one side of the plane and Tony was on the other (hmmmm think he got the best side of that deal).  There seemed to be a rule on this flight that you had to bring a child as carry on luggage.  There were families with small children everywhere.

You know how there is always one obnoxious person on each flight who drives the air hostess mad.  Well he happened to be sitting in front of me.  Sat down and promptly laid his seat right back.  When asked to sit upright for take off he humphed and sighed and then as soon as she left threw it straight back again.  And that was what the flight was like.... if there was anythig he could possibly complain about he did.

Finally 12528 km and 13 1/2 hours later we landed in Sydney.  Felt like about a 48 hour flight.

What a wonderful gift it was to see a smiling face as we came into the airport.  Thank you so much Cass for offering to come and pick us up - it was such a blessing.

Todays tally
Steps:  1298 (not easy to walk on a plane)
Size of smile on Tasha's face because she was home:  massive
Sleep in last two days:  about 2 hours

Day 35

Today is a sad day - it's time to head home!

 

We packed our bags for the last time and left them downstairs with the concierge.  Today is a bit of a mixed day - we have to check out of the hotel this morning but don't fly out until late tonight.

 

With time to fill in we went to the shopping centre (just in case we missed something important!) and then we decided to go exploring around town, much to Tasha's disgust as she just wanted to sit on the internet.  We walked for a couple of blocks and ended up around the back of the shopping centre.  Oh how I wish we had done this walk earlier. 

We found a gorgeous little area - a circular courtyard with a lot of restaurants opening into it.  I had missed the stereotypical french sidewalk restaurants and I would have loved to see this area at night.

 

 

We had looked into different ways to get to the airport.  For 80euro we could catch a bus that would take about 1 1/2 hours.  However for 107euros we could catch the TGV bullet train and be there in 10 minutes.  No brainer really.

To catch the train we caught the free bus to Marnee la Vallee which is literally at the front gates of Disney Village.  We stored our bags at the airport and went back to Walt Disney Studios for a couple of hours.  Once again the park was almost empty!  We left the park disappointed.  STILL NO ARMAGEDDON RIDE!  Tasha was not happy as she wanted a Mickey Mouse balloon which her horrid parents refused to get her.... after all we were heading to the airport and she couldn't take it with us.

Back to the train station to wait for the TGV train.  The system is very difficult to understand.  Luckily we saw someone else validating their ticket and figured out what we had to do but then everyone basically stands around in the main area with trains coming and going and literally about 3 minutes before your train is due they tell you what platform to go to - which then causes a mad rush.

We made it to Charles de Gauille airport with a long wait ahead of us - we had been told that they needed to check our passports as there was a discrepancy so we needed to be there 3 hours before flight time! 

Todays tally:
Steps:  11288
Times Tasha asked for a balloon: over 100
Times she got told no:  see above

Day 34 - Serris

Today we headed back to Disney Village.  First stop was the Marnee La Vallee train station to book our fast TGV train to the airport tomorrow.  so sad...... It's almost time to go home.

 

Then the next stop was Walt Disney Studios to go on the Armageddon ride as we had been told it would open again today..... apparently they didn't mean early today.  We approached the ride to be told they didn't know when it would be open.  So Tony and Tasha convinced me to go on the Tower of Terror with them.  As there had been quite a bit of rain overnight the parks were quite empty so we walked straight on.  What a great ride!

 

 

Then we walked down to Disneyland to finish exploring the things we ran out of time for the other day.

 We started in discovery land with the Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast - we went on quite a few times in a row trying to better our scores.  It is a train like ride that you can spin your car around.  There are targets all through the ride and you have laser guns to shoot as you go.  Of course the ride broek down whilst we were on it!  Once when we were about to get on... literally the next group to get on.... and then when we were going around it stopped about 5 or 6 times.... oh well gave us a chance to rack up more points.  We just kept shooting at the targets!

Then Kyle had his first driving lesson.... well kind of.... actually we went on the Autopia ride.  Just a basic drive your car around the track thing but we both enjoyed it.  Whilst we were doing this Tasha and Tony went on the space mountain roller coaster 3 times.  Tash then convinced me to join her on it.

 Then we went into fantasyland and exploring the dungeon caves under the castle.

 And of course - what trip to Disneyland is complete without going on the teacup ride?

 We went up to the princess palace to find the irony of the day - 5 minute wait for a rollercoaster.  45 Minute wait to have your photo taken with a princess!

So instead we crammed ourselves (and I mean literally crammed - those things are NOT made for 4 adults) into one row of the boat for a trip through It's a small world.

 We went on rollercoasters.... yes we even got Kyle back on one - the Thunder Mountain.

Then we got the chance to meet Jack and Sally!  Lots of fun!

 Finally to end the day we found a spot and waited for the light show.  I wasn't sure what to expect from this show after seeing what a let down the parade was but wow, wow, wow, wow, wow.
What an amazing show.  The ways they transformed the Disney castle was just mind blowing.
We all loved it.

All in all a wonderful day and a great way to spend our last full day in Paris.  We do have some time tomorrow as we don't fly out until the evening - no plans as yet - we will wait and see how the day unfolds.

Todays tally:
Steps:  20006.  (no wonder my legs are tired)
Broken rides:  1  (yes that makes 1 each day)
Longest wait for rides:  40 minutes (still 5 minutes less than seeing a princess)
Times we wished we weren't going home:  Lots (oh except Tasha - she can't wait)

Day 33 - Serris

Today we had a nice quiet morning - had brekky in the motel and then we caught the train into Paris.

 

As we got off the train Tasha saw some street dancers and was mesmerised watching the breakdancing.

 

I wandered up to the Arc de Triomphe for some photos. 

 This roundabout amazes me. It surrounds the Arc de Trimophe.  We had been on this with our bus driver on the tour. It is basically a 6 or 7 lane roundabout... not sure exactly how many as there are no lines marked. Cars enter from all directions and criss cross in whatever direction they want to go. It is madness!  Oh.... and they have no hesitation taking on the big buses either.

 Then we went for a stroll down the Champs Elysee.  Lots of shops to go exploring in.  Only in Paris would find chestnuts lined up on the pavement like this!

 We went for a stroll.  Or a skip as the case may be, down the Jardin des Tuleries on our way to the Louvre

 Tasha found herself a nice seat beside the large fountain.  (note Mickey Mouse sitting beside her!)

 When we got to the Louvre there was some kind of demonstration going on outside.  Not quite sure what it was about - rather bizarre.  First they all marched up to the Louvre, then they laid down on the concrete, then got up again before some of them did a very poor impersonation of the haka!?!

 Anyway, with the demonstration going on, and roads being blocked the line to enter the Louvre was massive!  So, much to my disappointment we decided to give it a miss.  I would have loved to go inside.  As it was we could see into the lobby at all the marble statues and that was amazing.

 So we wandered up to the train station to get the train back to our hotel.  The train system in Paris is so much harder to understand than that in London.  In Paris there are multiple different systems and depending on what map you look at the line you are looking at changes colour so you can't take any notice of the colour coding.  You also need to know the station at the end of your line to know where to go and whether it is an RER train or an M train.

On the way to the station we ran into these buskers.  They are everywhere through Europe and always amaze Tasha with their ability to stand still for so long.  Anyway she was doing everything she could to break their concentration.  Talking to them, pointing out every little breath etc.  Anyway as she leaned in close to one of them to see if she could see his throat move he suddenly pointed towards her and said "Boo".  She screamed so loudly and it had everyone on the street laughing (including the two buskers.... oh and her Mum!)

We finally gave up on finding the right station as where the map said it should be there was a different RER train station so we decided to get on that train and then change at the next station.  As we walked through the station wouldn't you know it - there was the entry to our station!

Finally we made it back to the hotel to find the window here still hasn't been fixed and once again we had to go down to the lobby to get internet.

Todays tally:

Steps:  15450
Protestors seen:  1000's
What the protest was about:  no idea - Tasha kept asking for Google translate.

Day 32 - Serris

Yes.... today we made it to Walt Disney Studios.

It was a bit drizzly and overcast butt we have been so blessed with weather these holidays as all the rain we have had has been whilst tavelling and it hasn't upset our plans too much.  Today we armed ourselves with poncho's and headed off.  Luckily, the rain held off for us and the sun even came out later in the day.

 This shop greeted me as we walked in.  Music trivia question of the day.  Which 2 songs does this shop refer to?  Yes I know the first part can refer to more than one song! 

 I must confess I was upset to find that I could not buy a guitar at the five and dime :(

From there Kyle and I waited whilst Tony and Tasha went on the Tower of Terror - a 13 story drop!  Hmmm we were quite happy to stand and watch.
Whilst waiting we found the armadillo from Armageddon.  LOVE that movie!  The sad part of the day was that the Armageddon special effects ride is closed for repairs until Thursday (2 days away!)

 Then Tony, Tasha andI went on the Aerosmith Rock and Roller coaster.  It was a great roller coaster and we all loved it.  When we came out we found this chair from Narnia.  Of course Tasha had to photo-bomb Kyle's pic.

 We went and saw the stunt show - driving spectacular.... wwith a special visit form Lightning McQueen.  Man those guys can drive!

 This was another one Kyle and I were happy to let Tasha and Tony head off on by themselves!

 Tasha was determined to go on all the rides - even the kids ones - although she did find them a bit slow.  I was amused to watch her taking "selfies" on her ipod on the toy soldiers parachute drop.  Which, by the way, Kyle baulked at so I took his photo in the cheats area - a staged photo.

 Then we got to meet Mickey Mouse who was very cute.

 We got to meet our cars name sake - Mike at he Monsters Inc. backlot - Tash was too scared to try the scream-o-meter but both kids tried to get in through Boo's door.  Sully was missing though :(  Sorry Sandra.

 We all went on Crush's coaster which was another great rollercoaster.  You go throught the dark underwater and spin around.  Great fun.  However once was more than enough for Kyle!
Tasha and Tony decided to go back on aqt the end of the day.... and wouldn't you know it.... they broke another roller coaster!   Well I guess this one wasn't their fault - they were still waiting in line when it broke down.  So we stood and waited, and waited.  The park closed down and still no sign of Tasha and Tony..... Finally about 25 minutes after park closing time they got it fixed and they came through - well worth the wait.

 Oh, and Tasha got a new friend.  A Mickey back pack to hug her all day long!

Todays tally:
Steps:  16878
Rides visited. All ( except Armageddon)
Number of times we saw a real Stitch at the Stitch Live show:  0  (Tasha very disappointed!)
Roller coasters broken today:  1
Selfies taken by Tasha:  lost count
Time spent in lines:  about 2  hours - park fairly quiet

Day 31 - Serris

This morning we finally got around to getting the laundry done - things were getting desperate!

 

Tony got directions from the reception here at the hotel and armed with the address and a bus timetable he headed off nice and early to get it done whilst the kids and I spent time in the lobby (the only place we can get internet).  The plan was to wait for Tony to get back and then head out to Walt Disney Studios.

 

Good plan.... except the directions given by reception were not very good and so Tony spent over an hour wandering around trying to find the laundromat.  When he finally found it he was right next to a bus stop (not the one they had told him to get off at) and could have gone straight there.

 

Anyway, by the time he got back it was about midday so we decided a day of shopping was in order.  Literally across the road from our hotel is the massive Val d'Europe shopping centre.  At the back of the centre is the outlet shopping village.

 Hmmmmm is seems that even at outlet prices places like Burberry, Lacoste, Calvin Klein etc are still out of our price range!  Tasha has, however, fallen in love with H & M, a clothing store that seems to be all through Europe.

 After an afternoon wandering the shops we went out looking for dinner and ended up with Italian again.  There really isn't a great choice for foods around here.  We are trying to avoid McDonalds but I think sometimes even that would be healthier than all this italian food!

 Oh and I stopped in the hotel bar for a cocktail.  I had to try it out.  Boy do they make them strong!

Todays tally:
Steps:  8059
Clothes bought for Tasha so far:
1 skirt, 4 shorts, 1 sweater, 1 jumper, 2 shirts, 1 pair of shoes, 1 wolf beanie
Souvenirs bought:  lots
Bags purchased:  1..... must rectify this weird anomaly

Day 30 - Paris

Woke up this morning to the sound of next door yelling again! 

 

Went downstairs to breakfast - I think we have been spoilt the last few weeks as breakfast here is very basic.  2 types of cereal, some yoghurt, croissants and bad coffee!

 

We crossed the road form our motel to catch the free shuttle to Disneyland.  It is great to see the smile back on Tasha's face.  We should have spent the whole holiday in Paris - she seems to be happy since arriving here!

 

 

Disney Village is a massive place - shops, restaurants, Imax theatre and then you enter either Disneyland or Walt Disney Studios.  We went to Disneyland today.

 Of course Kyle found something to read almost straight away.... that boy could sniff out a book anywhere!

 And Tasha got her Minnie ears!

 The first roller coaster we went on had a wait time of 75 minutes (at least the park have signs up at the entry to each ride with the wait time) so Tony and Kyle decided they weren't waiting and so Tasha and I went on by ourselves whilst they went wandering.  It was a cool rollercoaster and went for about ages.

Then we convinced Kyle to joins us on the Indiana Jones Temple of Peril.  Kyle does not like rollercoasters so I was kind of surprised when he said he would join us.  The wait time for this one was only 45 minutes so we amused ourselves taking photos, playing on ipods etc.  Finally time to get on the roller coaster.

 It was cool... Kyle was a bit scared but Tony kept talking to him the whole time.  then wouldn't you know it.... just as we were about to pull into the station the roller coaster breaks down!  We sat there for a few minutes as they made announcements that the ride was "temporarily out of order" and luckily we were close enough to the station for them to come along and let us out - we had to walk back along the service platform on the side of the track.  Feel sorry for the group behind us - they had nowhere to go.  Not sure how long it took them to fix it but as we came out they were sending everyone away from the queue.

After that Tasha decided she wanted some fairy floos so whilst she stood in the line Kyle tried his luck at Excalibur.  Hmmmm seems he isn't set to inherit the role of king yet!

 Tasha's fairy floss was massive.  Funnily enough she couldn't finish it!

 Then we went and watched the parade.  It was very short and difficult to see but I am glad we saw it.  (Although next time we might use that time to go on the rides!)

 We got Kyle on one more ride (a rather sedate Pirates of the Caribbean log ride). 
Tasha and Tony decided to head to yet another rollercoaster whihc Kyle baulked at so Kyle and I headed for the Star Wars simulator.  45 minute wait was advertised but they got this one terribly wrong!  90 minutes later we made it onto the ride.  By the time we got to the front of the ride people were getting so aggressive and angry.
The wait was worth it though - we both enjoyed it thoroughly and Tony and Tasha said their space mountain ride was the best roller coaster of the day.

We headed out the gates and the kids did their Mickey impersonation before heading for the bus to catch the shuttle home.  Legs totally exhausted.

Todays tally:
Steps:  11432
Time spent standing in line:  about 5 hours
Sight of the day:  Tasha and Toy skipping to the front gate
Internet status today:  Grrrrrr non existent

Trafalgar thoughts

Well our tour is over and so I thought I would sit and think about our experience.

Our tour guide Sigi was wonderful and as for our bus driver Jorgi... wow the places he can get that bus into is simply amazing.

Would I travel with Trafalgar again?
Yes definately.  Probably not with children as the tour group is very much an older age group and the kids (well Tasha) get sick of history and museums after a while.

Would I do this tour again?
This tour really is for people who want to get an idea of what this area has to show.  It is very fast paced.  There is lots of bus travel and very little actual sight seeing.  You get very short times in each place and travel a long way to get there.
The early starts are a killer - especially with four of us to get ready.

Having said that it was a simply wonderful trip - it is called a whirl and that is definately what it is but you fit soooo much into your time.  Not having to figure out travel plans and having explanations of local customs is so much easier.  Even simple things like where you find an ATM... how to find the toilet and how you pay for them.... how to order food etc.

Am I glad I did it?
Definately - I saw places I dreamt of seeing since I was young.  It has opened my eyes to new places and things I would like to go back and see.

Day 29 - Serris

What a luxurious morning - we didn't have to ceheck out of the motel until 12:00 today so we took our time getting ready, packing and just relaxing.  How lovely it was to take time to pack our bags!

We had planned on doing our washing before we moved to the new motel but after Tony and Tasha lugged the suitcase with dirty clothes to the laundromat they realised they forgot washing powder.  So back they came and we decided to wait until we got to Val d'Europe to wash.

We walked to the train station... we let Tony give directions so guess what happened.... yep we took the very long way!  Finally found the train station and found a lovely station attendant who, even though she didn't speak english, managed to help us figure out where we needed to go and get our tickets.

2 trains later we made it to the station Val d'Europe and our motel (which of course was the opposite side of Paris to our other one).  Yay... we had internet!  What a blessing it is to find a motel with working wi-fi! 

The people in the room nextg to us have provided us with much entertainment - I don't think I have heard a family fight and scream at each other they way these people do.  We decided to take a break from the noise and headed over the the Vl d'Europe shopping centre.  This place is massive!  And we haven't started exploring the outlet mall behind it yet.

We went back to the food court later for dinner.  Kyle has been asking for chinese all holidays so we decided to give in and headed to chinese.  The service in this place is soooooo quick.  I would say literally less than 5 minutes after ordering all our meals were on our table and they were yummy.

Tomorrow we head to Disneyland!

Todays tally:
Steps:  13948
Decibels of yelling next door:  Could probably be heard in a packed nightclub!

Day 28 - TT European Whirl (Day 11) - Paris

Today we had a sleep in - wake up call at 6:30... and no need to pack bags... luxury!

 

Tasha surprised us this morning by 6:45 she was up and dressed.

 

Kyle and I chose to do the optional trip to Versailles but Tash and Tony decided it wasn't for them and so they went exploring Paris instead (as if Tasha would pass up a chance for shopping).

Versailles was amazing.  We arrived early and wandered around the outside of the palace.  The gold everywhere and the detail on the buildings was beautiful.  Then we walked around the back of the palace to the gardens.  Beautifully laid out - fountains, mile long canal.  Lovely.

 Just walking around the palace was so amazing but then we got to go inside.  There was so much to take in.  The hall of mirrors, The battle hall.  The bedrooms.  The ceilings.  I could have spent hours looking around.  Our guide today, Vincent , was really good.  He had a dry sense of humour which I liked and he had lots of info for us.  So far all of our tour guides have been great - the only problem has been the lack of time in each place.

 After seeing the palace we headed back into the middle of Paris to meet up with the rest of the group.  Tasha was happy as she had found a new outfit for our farewell dinner tonight.
We drove around Paris with Vincent explaining eveyrthing to us.  The padlocks on the bridges amazed me.  It is a tradition to get your initials or names engraved on a padlock and then chain it to a bridge in Paris to lock your love fforever.  Some bridges are literally covered in locks.

 From there we went up to the second level of the Eiffel tower.  What a view!  I was worried that only going to the second floor would not be high but it was so cool.

 Then we got dropped off at a shopping centre as Tasha and I were looking for shoes for tonight.  There are heaps of little shops but so many of them closed for a few hours in the atfernoon between 1:30 and 3:30.  Of course we were trying to shop at about 3:00!
We filled in our time with some yummy french pastries before getting Tasha some shoes and heading back to our motel for a short break before going out.

 We went down to the lobby a bit early and met up with some of our group for a pre-dinner drink (french champagne for me.. after all I was in Paris) before boaridng the bus for our farewell dinner.  The tor has gone by so quickly (in fact the last four weeks has flown).

Tasha looked lovely in her new outfit.

 Kyle had been asking since before we left home if he could try escargot so was very excited to have the chance at dinner tonight.  He was enjoying them until Tasha started making gagging sounds and pulling faces across the table from him so halfway through the plateful he passed it onto Tony to finish.  He has said he would order them again..... just not with his sister there!

 Then it was our final optional extra - a cruise down the Seine river to see Paris at night.  It was quite chilly so Tony and Kyle sat downstairs but Tasha and I braved the weather with most of our tour mates upstairs.  The views were beautiful.  I hope I have more time in Paris to explore some of these sights.

 After we made it back to our hotel we said a sad goodbye to Jorgavan (our driver) and Sigi (our tour guide).

In the lobby there were lots of hugs and even some tears from some of the ladies as we said goodbye to our travel family.  Lots of hugs were passed around as we sadly said goodbye.  Tomorrow morning everyone goes there own way - some back to London, some flying straight home, and us staying in Paris.

Todays tally:
Steps:  15180
Steps up to the second floor of the Eiffel tower:  720  (we took the lift)
Things we saw in shops that were closed that we liked:  3 pairs of shoes and 2 bags
Brides seen:  2