Europe 2026 7th April Day 3 - Paris to Lyon

 Woke up in the Innside by Melia this morning, with both of us habving a less than perfect sleep, no relection on the bed/pillows, just over tired I think. Felt just like that after nightshift haze for those shiftworkers who remember. We had an excellent shower, packed what little we had removed from the suitcases and then wandered downstairs to breakfast. Excellent selection, fruit, muesli, croissant, yoghurt, toast, scrambled eggs, roast potatoes and the necessity of the food chain; bacon. All washed down with orange juice and sadly a very ordinary coffee. Not much luck with the coffee so far but will keep trying. Would certainly recommend this establishment for an overnight stay at CDG.

Quick brush of the ivories and a 5 minute walk to the train shuttle (CDGVAL) which took us to Terminal 2 to catch the TGV fast train to Lyon from 1 of 2 train stations at CDG. Because we had not eaten for approx 30 minutes we had some time to spare we had a coffee/tea with a gorgeous apricot danish from Pauls. Coffee average, danish suoerb. Unusually for us the train was delayed by 20 minutes but eventually left for the 2 hour journey to Lyon at 12.20 instead of the stated 11.57am departure. We were in carriage 11, first class; god I love train travel in Europe.

The trip was smooth and uneventful with beautiful country scenery the whole journey. There were so many yellow fields along the route which were either mustard of rapeseed ? (France is the largest producer of rapeseed in Europe). Wind generators in fields and lovely woodlands adorned the trackside.

Once we arrived at Part Dieu Lyon station we crossed the road to the Westfield to pickup our 3 day CityLyon cards ( free travel etc and entry to museums etc) The helpful young lady behind the counter directed us to out the front to catch bus C9 to out accomodation in the Bellecour precinct. We found the stop and walked briskly to catch the bus. Once onboard we settled for the short trip; however... We weren't really switched on and the bus was wandering around, so we were taking in the views. Jane suddenly relalised that we were going in what appeared to be the opposite direction to where we intended. At a stop outside the Hospital the bus driver who spoke no english pointed in the opposite direction, so we alighted, crossed the road and waited. Humouresly it was the same driver that returned as we were only 1 stop from the end of the line. He smiled, we got on, returned to the city and satyed on for the 6 stops ( about 10 minutes) to where we should have been in the first place, Bellecour. It was a quick 10 minute walk via the tourist office to our accomodation for the next 6 nights, Bienvenue la Residence Avy. 

After a short rest we popped out for some groceries and necessities for the next few days and then had a stroll around the area. The weather has been gorgeous, 25C with no humidity so an absolute pleasure to just walk and absorb the atmosphere. The Bellecour area has great eateries and bars and as was suggested a great location in which to settle ourselves. It was back to the room for bread, cheese and our bottle of Northern France IPA, followed by some Rose and a lovely Rhone before retiring to bed.

Europe 2026 5th/6th April : Day 1/2 On our way to Paris

 So another adventure to Europe and this time we will only be visiting 1 city we have been to before, Paris and really only for 3 days. It was a not too early start as we had decided to travel Premium Economy again and with Singapore Airlines but this has to be out of Sydney as they don't do it from Brisbane. Isabel picked us up at 8am and delivered us quicly to the airport where it was into the lounge for a short time before the 10.5am to Sydney. A good flight on an Easter Sunday but once on the ground it was catch the transfer bus to the International terminal and wait for check in. Our flight wasn't until 5.30pm and it had just reached midday. The checkin counters were all open for the 3pm flight so we tried and bingo, baggage all checked ( small and medium bags 11.5 and 12.5kg plus small carryon for this trip) and off to the lounge for 5 hours. Glass of obligatory champagne sit back and relax, and walk and sit and walk ....  you get the idea.

Plane was on time and 8 hours later after an uneventful flight we landed at Changi at 12 midnight local time, Monday 6th. We were not flying till 1.30pm ( 13 hour stopover) so I had booked us into the Aeroflot hotel for 11 hours in T1 so we didn't have to leave the terminal. A wise choice and though a little tired the bed and pillows were comfortable and the shower excellent. The warning about the 'construction noise' proved true and we were serenaded to sleep by the dulcet  tones of a jackhammaer working away fevourishly. Oh well just took a little longer to fall asleep.

The morning came too quickly and after a quick, light breakfast we did a walk around the shops of which there are so many and nothing bought other than smoothee and coffee. We decided to visit the Butterfly Garden, not overly large but as with most things we've found in Singapore, perfectly executed and well worth a quick visit if passing through.

With only a couple of hours before our flight it was up to the lounge and more coffee, nibbles, but NO alcohol. Flight 338 was on time, boarding efficient and soon in the air for 13 hours and 15 minutes to Paris, arriving at 915pm local time. Gotta say one of the best meals I've had on a flight; entree was Beef Bresaola with marinated Manchego cheese, roasted pear and honey/arugula/lemon dressing. Mains was a Thai beef Massaman curry with thin rolled egg pancackes and followed by a Coconut Pandan Chiffon cake with Vanilla sauce an golden crumble, all perfectly cooked and damned good. Now for a little siesta to settle after that lot.

My God 14 hours is soooo long.Flight was excellent except for the whinging couple behind us that found nothing good about the whole experience, their problem not mine. 

We did fly a little close to the Iran border but no missiles or drones were detected so a lttle sigh of relief was exhaled.

Singapore Airlines once again a pleasure to fly with. Finally arrived at CDG at 10pm; customs ect was very quick as not many people around this late at night and we quickly found the shuttle train to the hotel stop, 5 minute walk to the Innside at Melia CDG and after a little hydration it was time for a snooze. God I envy those in Europe and the short flights to so many countries but then they don't live in Australia, always pluses and minues.

Europe 2023 September 13th/14th - Days 41 & 42 Return to Oz

 Up with the alarm this morning, ready for the flights home. Had some breakfast as usual downstairs and then waited for our taxi to arrive at 8.30 am. He actually turned up 10 minutes early but we were already downstairs and waiting, however he was early because he popped in to get a coffee, leaving to car parked in the street, blocking the road. Many horns later from upset drivers, he returned un-fussed, waved to the waiting cars and we were in and off to Schipol Airport.

Our flight was for 11.10 am, so once through check-in and luggage drop we went to the lounge and waited. All on time and got into our seats and a very comfortable twelve and a bit hour flight to Singapore with Singapore Airlines. Excellent service as usual with plenty of food as always. Jane had some sleep but I didn't as trying not to sleep on the way back to try and beat the jet lag, so got through a couplle of Guy Ritchie movies.

Arrived in Singapore around 2am Singapore time and made our way to the Krisflyer lounge as we had a bit over four hours to kill. Jane had a bit of a nap while I just walked around a bit or sat and surfed the net. Mind not in  the space to do another blog.

The flight to Brisbane (back in cattle class now) was pretty un-eventfull except for the boarding. We were in the second row ( 42 window and aisle ) and there was a couple in front carrying two children (new born and under two down syndrome boy) who were in the window and middle, with an American guy in the aisle. Extremely large woman got on and of course had the ticket for the window. Apparently the couple had been allocated the middle seats in both aisles, not together which was a bit silly.  In the end I moved to the middle next to Jane, and the guy moved back to our row to accommodate the woman, so the couple could stay together. The staff thanked us and I made a flippant comment saying thats OK , just a whiskey later will be fine.

The flight went well ( except the guy next to me who woudn't shut up when he was awake, continually whining about the pain of his knee). Jane slept off and on and I watched more films, until one of the cabin crew came after dinner with a very nice plate of cheeses and fruit, along with a 15yr old Whiskey for me. Gotta love the service of Singapore Airlines. 

Finally got to Brisbane on time at 7.15pm and after stopping at Duty Free we were out and soon in the car as Isabel had come to collect us. 

An excellent trip with some unexpected nice surprises. Now to start planning for the next one when the bank balance improves a bit. Europe is certainly an expensive place to visit at the moment with the Australian dollar so weak. Pound was basically one to every $2 AUD and the Euro was about $1.70 AUD. Oh well can't change it and we did have a most enjoyable trip.

Europe 2023 September 12th Day 40 - Red Light and Van Gogh are a good match.

This morning we awake with the 8 am alarm again and once more downstairs for breakfast. A new lady was there this morning and she was a little flustered as it appeared that everyone had the same idea for breakfast his morning.

It was then off on the trusty No. 12 tram into the city and we did a self guided tour of the red light district with a downloaded app Jane got through Viator. This was actually very good and took about an hour with excellent commentary and very good directions. It used the phone GPS to pinpoint where you were and then automatically started the commentary when you arrived at the next location. Obviously a number of window sights but also a bit of history about the area, origins and buildings.

We continued to walk around after the tour ended, finding the Beurspassage with its gorgeous mosaics on the roof and walls and finally stopped for a coffee and a slice of carrot cake. It was then off to the Museum district and the Van Gogh museum for our 1.45 pm time slot, preceded by a little lunch (loaded fries and fried cheese sticks) in the park across from the museum.

The museum was excellent and certainly a highlight of Amsterdam, even saw a Munch there as well to match the Van Gogh at the Munch museum in Oslo. We stayed till a little after 3.30 pm and then headed back to the hotel for a late afternoon nap. I think we are all holidayed out now and looking forward to getting home.

This evening we went for a walk around our hotel location in the opposite direction and came across the ArtZuid Bienalle Sculpture exhibition of 50 sculptures by internationally renowned and Dutch artists in the leafy parks of Apollolaan and Minervalaan. 

There was even a Hockney and Wurm on display (https://artzuid.nl/en/).

We tried to get somewhere to eat but everything was booked out so in the end we got back on No.12 tram for about 4 stops and found a Greek taverna of all places for lamb and fish kebabs. It was then about a 30 minute walk in the twilight back to the hotel to complete another 15 km plus day, stopping at the supermarket for a half bottle of red (very nice Valpolicella Ripasso) and downstairs in the hotel to consume before retiring for the night after booking our taxi to the airport in the morning. An 11 am flight so no need to rush.

Europe 2023 September 11th Day 39 - Amsterdam, walking and Rembrandt

Up again at 8 am this morning with the alarm and into another excellent shower. That''s all one needs when travelling, good bed, comfy pillow and a good shower. This shower was one of the smaller cassette type but again excellent water pressure.

We went down to breakfast to be greeted by cold eggs, bacon etc, as obviously the bain-marie hadn't been switched on. This was corrected and the lovely young lady cooked up new food and threw the cold stuff out, good service.

Out and about quickly jumping onto the No.12 tram into the centre of the city. We booked an 11 am canal cruise and in the meantime went for a small walk around the streets passing massage shops, cannabis outlets etc and canals before returning for the cruise. 

The cruise was fun and a good little run down on the history of Amsterdam,the canals and houses.

After this it was coffee and cake time, apple strudel and apple cake, very nice.

This was followed by more walking, including totally in the wrong direction by me and google maps (totally missed Anne Frank house) before stopping around 1 pm for a cold drink as it was 29 degrees but felt hotter than that. After the drink we then walked to the Rijksmuseum for our 3pm booking to take in Rembrandt and the Dutch Masters. An excellent museum and art gallery that took us all of nearly two hours before having a coffee and chocolate brownie on closing time.

It was back to the hotel to collect the last little bit of  laundry to do ( little miscalculation on the smalls requirements for the last few days) and it was back in the direction we came from to a self serve laundromat. This one just happened to be next to a bar so we sat outside in the shade enjoying a cold beverage with fries and peanuts whilst waiting for the washing to complete.

It was then a thirty minute walk back to the hotel and a freshen up after a rather hot day and approx 18 km of walking. 

We didn't go far for dinner tonight, just popping across the road to a cafe where we had some croquettes, (beef, cheese and shrimp) washed down with another beer and wine. It was then back to the hotel where we just sat downstairs enjoying a glass of wine purchased from the supermarket. A young couple also came and sat in the room to eat takeaway and we gathered from the little bits of conversation we overheard they were in Amsterdam for the porn fest.  9.30 pm and we were off to bed after what a appeared a very long day.