Almost..........

Well I am sitting in Atlanta airport waiting to board our last leg of the trip.  One hour plus from Atlanta to Wilmington, but it looks like it will be delayed, so it is a good time to write the last entry. 

Our last day in Paris was very nice.  We decided to take the second day on the Open Tour double decker hop on hop off sightseeing bus.  We got started on another very nice mild day about 10AM.  We spent some time at the Eiffel Tower, than at the main square with the Egyptian obelisk.  We then walked through the Tuileries gardens over to the Louvre stop.  We then road around some more ending up at the Musee de Orsay that was recommended by a fellow traveler on the Ferry over from Dover.  Lyle took the bus back to the Marriott but the three of us spent about two hours looking at some very nice paintings by well-known artists, Monet, Rembrandt, Cézanne, and Picasso  to name a few.

When we got back we decided to work on the rum so as not to have to take it home partially full.  We were successful pouring the last into the souvenir Russian flask. Dinner was a result of some wandering around and we ended up at a small Italian restaurant owned by a young man from Florence.  I had meatballs and penne which were very good.

Before getting back to the room for packing, I found an ATM and got the euros for the morning taxi 60.

The alarm and the wakeup calls started at 4:30 AM and we out an in a taxi by 5:20 AM.  Looking at my watch that was now 18 hours ago.  We had a little problem finding the right lines to wait in and then got to wait for a very long time for the security process, although it is less extensive that US you can leave your shoes and belt on.   (Just got the announcement that our aircraft to Wilmington has called maintenance for low oil pressure…….not a good sign)

Sun was up and bright when we boarded a Boeing 637 Jet painted Delta although we had been advised that we had to check in with Air France.  Nine hours, three movies, two meals and some sleep we looked out and saw green fields around Hartsfield airport.

Passport control and customs went well, but I had bought a bottle of Captain Morgan to replace the Bacardi Oak heart we finished in the room the night before, and I had to get a fourth bagged checked so it could come with us.  We had been able to check 4 bags going but in France they only gave us three.  You get one free for international, and I have the Delta Gold American Express card which gives a free bag on every flight for the annual fee.

So we are here in Atlanta, Charlotte has her Kindle Fire back plugged in and I plugged my computer in after detaching the converter adapter plugs we needed in Paris and of course a different one for the cruise….so we are back on USA AC.

Charlotte just talked to Monique who is still struggling with her stomach and leg.  Grace has been tremendous in helping out while we were gone and it looks like Charlotte will be leaving very shortly for a caretaking stint in Nashville.  I cannot go as I have commitments to the town and to our business, and to a couple of board meetings for the next couple of weeks.  Because of the greater needs in Nashville we have decided that we will not go to Arizona for the cousins reunion scheduled for Flagstaff the second week of October.  I was really looking forward to that, but I am sure Russ will do an excellent job sharing the new letters, cards, and insights that have been developed on the Greens since out last review a couple of years back.  Also I expect to see Glenn Rex and he and David are making a trip next week to look for a vacation home on the Carolina coast and will be staying with us (now me)

So it is time to wrap up the fabulous Baltic Cruise with a couple of thoughts that I came up with.  First though it was really special to share our third trip with Lyle and Marlene and to share their 47th anniversary and Lyle’s birthday in St. Petersburg.  I guess the world leaders are there soon too for G 20.

Speaking of the world leaders.  After this trip I rank world history leaders this way.  Charlemagne, Peter the Great, Napoleon, and Winston Churchill….I have omitted the religious perspective which is probably even more significant at least if you look at the headlines today. 

I have also theorized that world history is like a game of rock, paper scissors.  The rock is the buildup of economic systems, paper is the laws and to govern, and scissors is the war and destruction.  So history is a reordering of each of these elements with each one being displaced and dominated by another.  Success as a world power requires balancing all three elements, sound economics, fair and even laws for the people, and the ability to conquer and protect with superior weapons.

Anyway I have enjoyed putting some personal perspective on all those western civilization history stories I have read and learned along my life’s journey.  I do hope that Charlotte and I can continue to build on this pleasurable exercise, but if not, it has been a real nice experience.  I hope that those who came along in the blog had some fun too.

Good Bye from the Baltic Cruise 2012 but here are some last images….

Triumph

 The Arc de  Triumph near our hotel on Av Des Champs-Elysees

 Very Attractive Special Display that is the Eiffel Tower

 on the Place de La Concord biggest square in Paris

 I did not buy everything I saw in Paris

 View from top of Musse de Orsay looking through Clock to other side of Seine

 same idea

 From Left Bank one of the places we did not ride the river cruise boats

 the lower photo is packing the taxi in the dark for trip to airport

 we recommend the plastic 4 way swivel luggage for travel avail at Costco

 inside Charles de Gaulle airport just before sunrise

Survivors of the Great Baltic Cruise of 2013

 

 

 

Paris Perfect

I am back again after a full day in Paris.  We just finished dinner at a small Swiss restaurant on a back street behind the Marriot.  Much more reasonable than last night but I am back in the room while Charlotte and Marlene enjoy an evening in Paris….they plan to walk to the Eiffel Tower 1.2 miles away,

After a 9:30 AM breakfast at the Marriott we decided we would jump on the “open tour” hop on hop off tour bus.  Besides the Grand Tour they have other loops with over 50 stops in Paris, so we bought two days.

The weather was perfect started at about 59 and a high of 77 Fahrenheit. There was not a cloud in the sky so it looks like almost three weeks with opening the umbrella since the first day…..we were very fortunate. 

Since I have internet that is free and fast this one will just show you lots of pictures we took today, 

 The number one Icon of the trip

 lower view of Eiffel tower from Universal Exhibition of 1889

 Charlotte enjoying early morning bus ride

Temple of Glory Napoleon 1806

 Paris Flower Market

 Outside of Notre Dame

 a souvenir shop on the Left Bank of Seine

 This was Dinner restaurant for Labor Day in Paris

 a complimentary appertiff

 a purchased bottle of wine

Dick's first French Fries ever

Taxis, Buses, Ferry, Trains and Reward

Happy Labor Day from Paris, I am a day behind in the blog so this one is for Sunday.  As you recall we docked in Dover where we had boarded Carnival Legend 12 days ago on a Tuesday.  We decided to “self assist” for debarkation, which simply meant we had to get our own suitcases off the ship which we accomplished about 6:50 AM after a quick last breakfast for Charlotte, Marlene, and me.

Our first order was to find a taxi which was no trouble and he took us a short distance to a bus station for on 8 pounds including our 8 suitcases.  We had to wait at the station for a connection bus which came about ½ hour before boarding time for the ferry to Calais.  We got lucky we did not have to take out suitcases off for the security check but just our persons.  Once at the ferry we put our cases on a baggage trolley and just had to walk on to the ferry on an incline for 7 floors.  We were fortunate that there were not many foot passengers but many people had driven their car on.

The ferry ride on the P & O Ferry took 90 minutes.  Once off the ferry we reversed the process and claimed our bags once again.  We thought we had to take a taxi to the train station in Calais but

discovered a shuttle bus for just two euros each (see we have switched back to euros once again except on the ferry Charlotte and Lyle bought coffees but got change in crowns….)

Once at the Calais “Ville” station Charlotte and I bought our ticket but then they said that Marlene and Lyle had to buy on the train as it was time to board.   We could not move our luggage fast enough and the conductor waived us off as we were about to descend step to a waiting train….so…….  We had to buy another ticket this one 10 Euros each more a total of 71 Euros, but the next train was two hours later at 1:35 PM.  Lyle got a seat in the waiting room and watched the suitcases while the rest of us took 15 minutes to check out the town.

Finally we figured out which track out train was to come on and “horsed” the luggage down three flights of steep steps to the platform and boarded the local train to Lille Flanders.  I was assured by a French train conductor the transfer at Lille would be easy.  The trip to Lille was in a beautiful new train and was through beautiful rural French countryside.  The ride was 90 minutes stopping every 20 minutes and picking up a few passengers seemed to be mostly young people on the way to school in Paris.

At Lille there were lots of tracks and we only had 12 minutes to find our train and switch.  It was a close call as we first had to figure out which track and the board was hidden by sunlight but found someone who could read it.  Once we found track 8 our car was number 13 and Snows were in number 16.  We hustled down the platform each pulling two suitcases we found a conductor that told us our car had a green door about two cars ahead.  A nice person helped Charlotte pull her bags aboard and I was right behind.  The doors closed almost immediately and we began looking for our assigned seats which turned out to be all the way forward so we were trying to get our bags down the full length aisle of a moving train.  Fortunately there was a luggage storage area empty right next to our seats.

Turns out we were on a high speed train.  Once we were up to speed we would be moving at least double the speed of cars on a four land highway we could see.  I hear they can reach speeds of 300 MPH.  A quick one hour later we pulled in the Paris Nord the main train station.  With all out luggage we found Lyle and Marlene had made the train and actually we ahead of us walking towards the train station.  The second person who approached offering a cab was selected and we followed her in a different direction than the posted taxi signs.  Giving her a 10 Euro note she found a cab that had a meter.  With an address of 70 Champs-Elysees the cab knew where the Marriott was.  The fare was about 14 Euros but with extras for 8 suitcases it was 25.10 Euros or rounded to 30 making the taxi 40 Euros nearly $50.00 but we had survived the trip and were at our objective.

Eschewing any more “assistance” Marlene elected to pull her two bags on the escalators and I followed next was Lyle and last was Charlotte.  A few minutes later at reception I noticed that Charlotte was not there.  Turns out she did a forward fall on the escalator leaving one suit case behind and caused a number of people to panic that she may be hurt.  She was not but the bellmen were scolded by an offended French guest for not showing her the elevator.

Well turn outs the rooms were not ready so Marriott bought us a drink and parked in the lobby for about 30 minutes than gave us one room.  That room is ours and is VERY nice, but without a view.  Is spacious, has both a bathtub and a shower and a wide screen Flat TV with a couple of nice chairs.  On the desk was a bottle of champagne and a cake that said Happy Birthday.  The Snows sent a nice thank you to Chad, but alas, it was a mistake as the hotel switch rooms to get us both on the same floor the gifts were for another guest.  But they let us keep it.   So there was a reward at the end of a very strenuous day.

After our relaxation time we walked up what I think is the most beautiful avenue I have ever seen and found a restaurant and had a nice meal albeit a bit pricey…but then this is Paris…….