Friday 27th May
All great things come to an end. The tour is over and we are suddenly left like shags on a rock by ourselves. Then again, we are in Paris – if there is one place to be cast adrift then Paris would be near the top of the list.
The sudden wrench was made a bit less severe by having breakfast with Raewin and Pauline, then meeting Kim and Kali on their way to another hotel.
So it became time to brave the Metro. Because of our hotel position, it required a 10 minute or so walk to the Metro station at La Defence. Along the way were some interesting structures.
This is situated in the plaza that also accommodates the ‘Grand Arch’ (and unfortunately a shopping centre. This is the first time I have had a body scan and bag search just to get into a shopping centre. Normally they search me on the way out, just in case….
The Grand Arch is a modern version of the Arc de Triomphe , and is lined up with other Parisian monuments. Its two sides house government departments, but the viewing gallery on the top has been closed after an incident with the elevators.
There are also a number of sculptures in the plaza.
Talking of the Arc de Triomphe, the metro ride we took was from the modern Arch to the original.
After that, we settled in a street side restaurant for lunch and a much needed coffee for Annie. First time in a while that we could relax over food without feeling rushed. Then back to the hotel (walk seemed different without definitive instructions, just trying to backtrack over the morning route.)
Chance for one last shopping expedition, and then our final suitcase packing.
The pace is starting to show, even on Annie:
