To understand this post, you’ll have to go through my 1st boring post “My trip to Paris Pt 1 – At KLIA Airport”, “My trip to Paris Pt 2 – Touchdown Paris” & “My trip to Paris Pt 2.5 – Touchdown Paris”

Just look at those Parisian Buildings. Oh, how I love them!

18th January 2007
Yesterday, I slept at 10pm. I lied when I said I couldn’t sleep because I was worried about my customs stamp. I slept like a pig! Woke at 5am only to realize that its already 1pm Malaysia time so decided to force myself to sleep again. Had my breakfast buffet with Sogua at the Hotel for 7 Euros and guess what they serve? Croissants, a few other kinds of breads, slices of bacon, slices of cheese, yogurts, kiwi & grapefruits, lychees, chocolate malt drink, coffee, tea and fruit juices which we guessed were mix fruits, orange and apple juice because they were all written in French! Why I had such an expensive breakfast? I guess I wanted to appreciate the time I had with Sogua.

• 9.30am

Before that, I phone the embassy first thing when they opened. Luckily for me, I found out that its not complusary to stamp on the passport! Phew! I was beginning to imagine that I was going to visit the Paris Jail or something!

• 10am

After the whole passport drama, I thought to myself that since I failed to walk, I thought of asking the hotel staffs again how to take a bus. Another girl answered my question this time but again she failed to answer which bus number! I realize they prefer to show me the Metro (their subway trains there) because the routes are stated in the maps unlike the busses. Its one thing to be scare to taking the train but I thought that I would have a great view of Paris by taking the bus so instead, she showed me a tour bus which allows you to hop on and hop off and stroll Paris at your own speed, L Open Tour. For 28 Euros for 2 day’s ticket, I think it’s the fastest and most convenient way to see Paris. Okay, so I had to get to one of the bus stops called Trinite (where Gare St Lazare (pronounced as ga saint la-za, a beautiful church and garden is located)

• 11am

Walked to St Lazare and waited at the bus stop for the bus. The walk to the bus stop was about 15 minutes walk from the hotel. However, I waited for the bus for quite sometime. Finally, the bus arrived. Showed bus driver (whom thank goodness understands and speaks pretty good English) my voucher that I bought for 3 Euros from the hotel and he handed me a ticket, a map, a booklet of vouchers and a earphone in exchange for the balance for 25 Euros I had to pay for this ride. The amazing thing about this L Open Tour is their system which each seat has a place for you to plug your earphones into and choose which language you prefer. They then narrate you along the way on the history of the places the bus passes by and tells you what you can see at each stop. The most funniest part is how does the system knows at what speed the bus is going through. After all, they have traffic lights and jams as well but somehow, the electronic narrator seems to know when to speak out. Sogua’s theory is that the bus driver might be controlling the system.

Passed by one of the beautiful Opera House in Paris that’s said to have some history but I forgot. After all, too much information is information overload!

The magnificient Opera House that is still used today for ballet performances. The operas are held in a more beautiful modern building at the other side of the city

A view of the Opera House’s rooftop. Just look at those detailed sculptures!
I finally also found Musee Erotica where along this street, Moulin Rouge starred Nicole Kidman was filmed. There it is also a paradise for those sex hungry people. There are so many sex shops, sex-y lingeries, sex videos for sale and rent, sex cinemas, etc.

I found Musee Grevin at Grands Boulevard stop. Its pretty interesting but slightly expensive entrance fee because with the 20% voucher I had from L Open Tour, I still had to pay a hefty 13.50 Euros. Heck, this is why I’m here right. Tried to walk slowly but seriously, walking at a wax museum for a scardy cat like me is no easy task. There wasn’t any humans at some places which scare me and instead of strolling, I ended up running.

some of the light shows showing at Grevin

He looks like the younger version of Arnold Schwarzenegger

Elthon John playing “Candle in the Wind” for me!

Does she look like Julia Roberts?

Pretty or not?

Settings at a Paris Cafe Scene 1

Settings at a Paris Cafe Scene 2

Settings at a Paris Cafe Scene 3

Settings at a dress room in the Opera House at Grevin

Phil Collins “performing” at Grevin

Grevin’s very own fashion show

After that, I walked along some of the shops and found Paris Hard Rock Café. Wanted to collect my own series of Hard Rock tees but as soon as I saw the price (about 25 Euros), I changed my mind. Also saw a bakery store with pretty tempting breads but since it was only my second day here. I had to save.

to be continued….