Jalan-jalan Paris

Tell ya the weird feeling was just temporary. I still never really understands why I blog though. All I know, I can't cope being not to blog, because this is where my random thoughts, my expectations, my memoirs are kept.


Paris

June 04, 2008

I woke up as early as 5.00am. Tried hard to sleep back but I just couldn’t so I watched Disney in-house channel. Despite extremely tired, I couldn’t sleep well. I was too excited!. In my head : I’m visiting Paris today…woohoooo…... I need the energy, I need rest but my excitements subdued my body. 5++ I took my camera and out wandering around the hotel area. It was cold and quiet.




the abandoned city, small canal belakang hotel,camping site apache’s style,cute wooden rocking horse

Alice caused such bad blisters that I had to wear my sleeping sock. Mind the very contrast color of everything I wore. And that Nike pink hooded sweater again? Hahahahha


Arc de Triomphe

We stopped at Charles-de-Gaulle (Metro) station and exited at Champs Elysees. On the right, just few steps away is the majestic Arc de Triomphe. Eh, I took notes tau at every place I visited. So don’t be surprised how I can still remember the susah-nak-sebut-let-alone-nak-eja places. Hehehehe.

Anyway, the Arc stands in the centre of the Place Charles de Gaulle (Star Square) as it said but it’s just like a huge roundabout to me. There are twelve streets feed into the motorway that circles the Arc. Don’t be daft and try to brave the mad traffic of French driving, I kid u not, honking monking, cilok2 just like us maa! There is an underground passageway to get to the middle of the square.

A close look at the detail of the monument was really worth it. hey...not that thing la....sajer upload this pic...hahahahhaha
I also paused at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier from WWI (to pose actually). Each day the flame is rekindled and fresh flowers set in place. The flower is nice…ye la…bukan nak menjiwai perjuangan dia pon kan…hahahahhaha.

Champs-Elysées

Here is a picture of Champs-Elysees as I saw it. Yes everything is possible here. The cafes and shops are exquisite but horribly expensive! I didn’t do any shopping here, not even a cup of coffee. I didn’t find the x-factor of this street, its just big, grey and full of tourists…may be it was the weather, I don’t know.


Eiffel Tower

No matter how cliche this might sound, a visit to Paris truly wouldn't be complete without a visit to the Eiffel Tower. We took the Metro to Trocadéro station and exited at the Musee national de la Marine.

Here, we just couldn’t avoid the best view on the Eiffel Tower. Also pretty hard to avoid the many gagak (Chenta’s word) selling souvenirs. They speak Malay annoyingly well. Tak suka!

These are the way i wanted to be photographed with Eiffel. Cool tak akak?

You might already know that there are three levels of the Tower. We paid €12 each like any good tourist to ogle at the view from the topmost tier. The view of Paris is fantastic! Its worth the money, the waiting (buying tickets and queuing for elevator).

well planned city

From the 2nd tier, tried to be adventurous as many of other tourists suggestion I read in the net, I decided not to take the elevator to go down. It took me few floors to realize that it was a bad idea! Gayat!!, why they said it was easy? Oh no, I’m at 2nd level just now. They suggested from 1st level to the ground!!. Sh**t… I burst my lungs stepping 359 steps to the 1st level! Don’t pity me yet, pity those mat salleh yang climbing! 3 of them. One ask me how far more to climb. I just said I lost count already, good luck!. At some point I was so gayat that I sang Cuppycake song (Iman’s fav). If you hear it, it was more like jeritan ketakutan!. I heard they laugh at me, those stupid mat salleh. To add injury to the already injured lungs and legs I took another 345 steps to the ground.

cant even see people kat bawah..bila angin kuat...woooo.....akak duduk!!

Gila tak? Mengah! from afar I saw Topek, Izyan and Kak Yah enjoying their ice-cream at the bench near the garden. I walked slowly toward them, tried hard to control my breathing.

Oh Eiffel, It's a must see. How could you go to Paris and not see this magical French epitome? It gave me that feeling of validation and said to myself, "Yes, I have arrived in Paris and I have my own story of Eiffel. “


The Louvre

You see, unlike the other three, I was the only first timer here. I handed my wishlist to Topek and Izyan, they did the whole traveling plan. Somehow from Eiffel to the Louvre, we took the wrong direction and ended up walking about 1km and not knowing we were lost. I didn’t blame them though, those lucky kids been traveling with their parents, with driver and all. You get the picture. So we are apparently equal. Plan changed, we took the train instead.

Dapat naik train 3 tingkat!!!. Adda hikmahnya sesat tadi.

We stop at Solferino station, just two blocks away from Musee d’Orsay. Some say d’Orsay is much better than the Louvre but I don’t care. We stop just to pose. May be next time, heheh. We walked across a bridge on the Seine, The Louvre is on the apposite bank.

And, I was here.... at The Louvre! A Mecca for art lovers. When planning my Paris trip, a visit to the Louvre was 2nd after Eiffel Tower. I so wanted to see Mona Lisa and the Venus of Milo. Last time, Chenta didn’t get a chance to come so I promised him I would. I knew it would be impossible to see everything, so I had to choose.

As Po (Kungfu Panda) said, I only see paintings of this painting before!.

The high ceilings and diffused light are just great. The arts are all arranged in a way that it is easy to see everything. The supposedly 1 hour stop became more.

i love the louvre and from Topek's lense - cun kannn...

You can see for yourself the scale between the building and the people around the building. It was massive!

Across the road, there was this arch, I do not know its name. It led towards Jardin des Tuileries. I wanted to lepak there but apparently we don’t have much time left.


Notre Dame

From the Louvre we took bus no 41 (rasanya) to Notre Dame, cost us around €6. I ask the bus driver to drop us to the nearest bus stop to Notre Dame and he was kind enough to do so, shouting from the driver seat “Miss, your stop is here!”.

My heart bloomed once I sat my eyes on Notre Dame. I have seen it on the net, on travel documentaries, on papers, now she is there in front of me. I was about to take a step towards it when suddenly my SIL said, “Laparla…kita makan dulu la…dah pukul berapa ni,…bla..bla..bla..” My ears refused to get the remaining words she said…treeeeeettttt. Potong tak? Hahahahahha. You see, after the sesat incident, I was the one giving instructions where to go next. Lovely Izyan will always ask me, “Next mana Cik Ida”, “Where else you want to go Cik Ida?” hehehe. And I kind of lupa diri bila berjalan. I wanted to see all and afraid I can’t, so, eating is not compulsory. I forgot about my SIL.

doner at paris

Now I am here, standing on the outside, slowly walking around it. And even that was already so impressive. But in the end I never went inside. I wonder how many people have this same thing. A place like Notre Dame is a dream comes true for all who love architecture. Am not I always wanted to be an architect?. But on my short visit to Paris, I decided not to go inside.

Am I stupid? Probably yes. Am I regretting it? in a way: yes. I still want to see the inside!!! I want to see the oldest part of Paris from the tower, the carved wild beasts and the great bell. Blame the mass they had that day. It’s a Cathedral, what do you aspect. But I know I won’t be comfortable inside. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the whole building from the outside.


La Seine and Its Bridges

focus on Izyan's pic, i love this pic most. cantikkkkkk

Now the river, the famous Seine River. On the apposite bank from Notre Dame, there is a Batobus stop. Batobus isn't a sightseeing-boat company. It's more like a bus line that offer hop-on hop-off service at eight stops along the Seine. You might wonder why we didn’t get in this boat earlier. What with the sesat, the train and the bus. You see, that was my idea. I wanted to do all remember?. Yes now I can proudly say I’ve done it all. The public transports – checked. Just like Venice, from a €0.50 traghetto to three tier cruise.

Cruising on the Seine gave me a whole different perspective on Paris and was a nice break from all the walking. Nice to have a glimpse at Place de la Concorde, Palais Royal and many beautiful buildings and jardins along the river. Plus, I got to see among many others, the elegant Pont Alexandre III Bridge. Notre Dame is in fact at the farthest of Seine from other attractions. So, it was like doing it all over again, this time from the boat..

The pleasant evening

The last stop of the Batobus is at Eiffel.

Izyan ask me do I still wanted to go to

Galeries Lafayette . Oh no, I wanted to stay here, to wait till its dark and Eiffel will illuminated. But then I remember how Chenta tell me his same stories of Paris over and over again especially about Galeries Lafayette and its chandeliers. I wanted to see the chandeliers! But, but, finally I decided to stay. Eiffel seems a better choice.

This time, we really lepak at the gardens around the tower. And I didn’t get a chance to see the Eiffel illuminates too. In that season, the day didn’t get dark until around 9pm. By that time, it will be kelamkabut to get back to Disneyland.

From Eiffel, we then walk real slow, like taking our sweet time to CDG station through Cleber road. The cafes along Cleber mostly full with young trendy executives, doing their drinks-after-office thingy. I can’t help but pandang2 their handbags, shoes, ties, jackets and all.

Oh, so jealous. Along the Cleber - nice road

, ferrari shop, gas station-just park at the side of the road and do your business...coolll.

inside the underground passage - very tired! and Champs-Elysées again

We then wander around Champs-Elysées again before heading back to Disneyland.

Oh, I hate to say goodbye. When will I be here again?

What kind of blogger am I?

My spirit was that high *pointing to klcc* to continue writing bout my not-so-hebat vacation (but momentous enough for me) until last Sunday. Last Sunday Ezz hosted such a fun party despite the birthday girl was sleeping the whole afternoon. I always love party. Meeting friends and their kids, catch up stories, gossips and stuffs.

Last Sunday was different. We did chat… a lot… and suddenly I heard ‘blogger tegar’. Sorry, but to concentrate on a discussion while eating and keeping your eyes on your kid and all was pretty hard for me. Are they talking about me or my friend? What was the topic just now? Then I heard Paris…tak larat nak baca…. tengok gambar jek……. Well that’s must be me.


I don’t know but I kind of dislike the word tegar. I don’t want to be known as tegar. I’m not. I write because I wanted to. It gives me self-satisfaction out of knowing that what I write can inspire others, or relates to what other people goes thru. I share because I thought its fun to share. But, am I telling too much? Now I hate my blog. The intellects say, when you write something out in the open, you'd have to be open enough to accept anything that comes your way. Am I ready for this? They are my close friends. God knows what other people out there might want to say about my blog. Syok sendiri…tu pon nak cerita…you know all that sorts.

Then, when Iman expertly and excitedly clicking away the plastic camera toy, they said oohhh look, anak blogger. Now they even have phrase anak blogger. It hits me. Will Iman be happy to what I wrote about him? Or will he hates me for this? You know, what people say or leave online will stay pretty permanent. Scary huh? So the idea of hoping he will not be finding this blog is pretty stupid. Wallaweiiiii that’s pretty deep, isn’t it?

I don’t know what’s wrong with me today. Its too early for PMS but perasaan begini amat tak best. May be I need my old style strong drinks - coke botol super sejuk.

Eh, don’t get me wrong, I’m not mad at you, my friends. I’m mad at myself. I still love party…..writing…and all……apada????

Jalan-jalan Disneyland Paris

Date : 2-5 June 2008

I plan to visit Paris since the very beginning of planning the whole London trip. Again, my advisor Chenta said I should go to Paris. You know, when it comes to places he had been to, he will insist advice me to go. Then he will try to influence everybody else in the rombongan to go too. You have been there, I have been there, so we can plan other places we had never been there for other time. Aci? Aci tapi tak best kan. Venice and Paris without him? Emm…so now you know how romantic my Chenta is.

Well, the initial plan was to go by train. But, Topek been busy to arrange, and by the time we said yes we’re going to Paris, the budget flight tickets were way much cheaper than the train. Easy Jet rocks! So as London’s Luton airport with Krispy Kreme.

Luton airport

CDG

CDG airport is huge. Our plane parked at the other end of the terminal which is quite farrrr from the train station. Finding the right counter tu buy the train tickets was one thing, finding the right line and coach at the station was devious. Topek and Izyan (oh Izyan is Topek’s friend) tried hard to figure it with the maps, the French signboards, the train schedule and all. I walked straight to a lady in uniform (ntah uniform papa, ketapi ke,,airline ke,) and ask for direction. She is a French Muslim, speaks Ingles well, and just came back from her holiday and guess where? Malaysia!!!!. Am I lucky or not?.

From airport we headed to Chatelet Les Halles station, then change to a different line to Marne-la-Vellee-Chessy which is only few steps away from the Park and the Disney Village. We were staying at Sitting Bull, Hotel Cheyenne, Disneyland Resort. Free shuttle buses are provided from the train station to all Disney hotel

bus to hotel

When once upon a time is now.

As we were staying at one of the seven Disney-owned hotels, the entrance tickets were covered and we gained access to selected attractions an hour before the park opens to the general public. Yeay…..

The kid in me was so excited that I skipped all the way from the security check point to Main Street USA. Eh, mana itu castle? People been writing that the first thing you will see is the beautiful castle. I didn’t see it. It actually wayyyyyy insiiiiiiide the park. Walk Dd…walk…..

cik kiah menonong

akhirnya.... a dream come true.

I always wanted to go on a merry go round. Been jealous to little Sarah all this while. Now is my time…woot woot….

My first ride in the park Le Carrousel De Lancelot, then followed by Dumbo the flying elephant. Glad we did these kids favorite rides thingy early, by noon, the lines were unbearable!

All and all dengan pujukan dan paksaan terhadap my SIL we covered ALL ticked as extremely fun, fun and best rides in the leaflet at all lands. Dasyat tak? All of them were AWESOME except;

spoiler no 1: Space Mountain (Discoveryland)
Oh I hate this ride! It was tough and harsh!. Ok, maybe it was me who couldn’t fit well in the seat. But how on earth are you going to enjoy the force and those small lights that simulate stars and the space-like ceiling with your head kept banging to the seat and the bar in front of you? Sakit nak mampos!! They said put away your glasses and hat, or you may lose them. Should also said : don’t wear tudung licin, u may lose them too. I didn’t lose my tudung, but ggrrrrr I nearly suffocated by it!. If you want to try this, I suggest you do it last, enjoy everything else first.

Spoiler no 2: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril (Adventureland)
It was pretty harmless, but we queued longest time here. And the ride does have loops and that’s it. Few loops and finish! We were like…ha..dah ker?

sanggup queue tu nak jugak....

Around 1.00pm++ we rushed to nearby shopping attraction, La Vella Outlet Shopping Village. This outlet is only one station away from Disney Park.

meonong through the shopping complex

On the right side of the station is the Center Commercial Val D’Europe (shopping complex). We walked through this complex and the Outlet Village is at the end of this building.

Picture taken at the entrance gate and just few steps in I was ready to snap the branded factory outlet stores when a gentleman approached and ask me to switch off my camera. “No picture inside miss”. Ye la…ye la…. Potong betul la. Even at the factory prices, or at least 30% discounts, I still can’t afford to buy anything fun. Jeans are €80++ and above. Yes, CK jeans at RM400 is cheap. Celine small purse at €120, but I don’t have budget for those! Timberland got this crazy sales but they don’t have shoes my size. Demit. All I can afford is a tiny pepper grinder from Bodum.

We went back to Disney Park just in time to catch 4:00pm Once Upon A Dreams Parade! I didn’t know that there are few points where the floats stop and the characters will dance and also might interact with guests. I was standing at one of that points!. Hah!
The grand finale to the entire parade was this giant float featuring four princesses! Beauty and he Beast, Snow White and her prince, Cinderella and her Prince Charming and Sleeping Beauty with Prince Fillip on the hillside of glittering crystal chateau. Beautiful!

meriah

My Alice Crocs ate me. I got only few hours left so the idea to rush back to the hotel to get my sock was bad! With blistered foot Izyan and I headed to Walt Disney Park. My SIL was too tired to join so Topek accompany her back to the hotel.

We started with Studio Tram Tour: Behind the Magic

. I love the majesty of full-scale movie sets. They even have this fictional London Underground station used for the burned Reign of fire set. The best part was detour into the Catastrophe Canyon film set where the tram wobbled over the edge of the rock and hundreds gallons of water fly over the roof of the set and into the canyon, missing us by mere millimeters!. Talk about precision…huh.

terkejut daku....cepat2 off camera!

Then we watched Art of Disney Animation at CinéMagique

. This is an action-packed journey through movie milestones from around the world. Starting from black and white and silent era to the productions of Titanic and all. You must go and watch yourself to be blown by the whole movie. I won’t spoil you no more. Enough spoiler…heheheh

Next we joined other extras filming a new effects scene on Armageddon. I enjoyed the fiery blasts and the vacuum effect most. Watch me in Armageddon 2 ok! And if you’re here with small kids, you should avoid this as these two effects are rather intense.


We ended the day by watching High School Musical street performances and the parade. Before that Izyan wanted to try this rock n roll roller coaster. After stupid Space Mountain I cant endure any more pain and suggested she do it alone. But lovely Izyan tak mau. Hope she didn’t blame me, sorry girl, I just had had enough.

We bid goodbye to the staff (kami among the last yang keluar) and headed to Disney Village. Did some crazy shopping again at Planet as t-shirts were on sale! Buy 1 at original price and get others on the sale rack for €5 each. Gila tak? Iman’s cost me more than Chenta’s! Aci? Another damage done at Disney Store. Lagi gilerrr.

Back to the hotel and found both anak beranak tidur! No wonder they didn’t pick up the phone when we rang like zillion times for dinner. End up; Topek n Izyan went back to the village and tapau McD. My first fish fillet in Paris.

What a day! I wish Iman was there. And Chenta too.

next? hahaha.....

IPP

The UUM Vice Chancellor didnt know that the IPP is actually involved with gas and fuel.

Kesian ada, hampa dan sedih lebih lagi.

Saya termenung memikirkan bagaimana graduan UUM nak berdepan dengan fakta ini.

Saya malu.