Finally arrived in Bali after almost 36 hours in transit, so have combined two daily entries into one.
Alarm went off at 630am, had bath, packed and off to catch bus to airport at 745am, arrived airport at 830am, then 12 hour flight to Singapore, 10 hour stopover in Singapore, two and a half hour flight to Bali, then a couple of hours getting through the rather elaborate Indonesian security before arriving at the hotel.
So I can tell you a good deal about Singapore's airport but perhaps not very much of any great interest.
The shame of it was that I couldn't sleep on the first flight and then felt I shouldn't doze off at the airport as I was alone and it would leave my things unguarded.
Still Bali is beautiful and sunny and paradise-like and the place where I am staying has everything I could possibly ask for including deckchairs and a pool. I think after wearing my feet out in France, I am going to spend a fair bit of time sitting in the sun here.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Day 20 - August 27 - Paris
Finished the French trip with some sight-seeing in Paris, ended with a boat ride down the Seine and the spectacular sight of the Eiffel Tower all lit up. Had gone up the Tower earlier, which I did out of a spirit of duty as I don't like heights much. To try and get some exercise I decided to walk down the stairs and rather regretted it as I kept coming round a corner and seeing how far down it was. At one point the legs began to feel a bit wobbly, but I made it down and lived to write the tale.
Day 19 - August 26 - Lyon - Paris
Returned to the French capital for a day and a bit of intensive sight-seeing.
After a longish bus journey, I had what is probably so far the highlight of the trip - a night at the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret.
I like going to the theatre but don't recall going to a cabaret before. It was sort of like a circus combined with a series of spectaculat musical and dancing pieces. The base of the show was the massive musical numbers with dozens of dancers, but they were broken up by juggling, acrobats, a clown act and a ventriloquist act. There was also a woman who swam in a giant water cage filled with snakes.
The singing was for the most part in French so I didn't get the words obviously but there was enough just to look at. Dozens of dancers in the most spectacular costumes... some of the women were topless. But beautiful energetic vigorous dancing... it made me feel like getting up and dancing and singing myself. I 'really don't know how they did it, as it was intense physical work and they'd \rush off and be back a few seconds later in an even more elaborate costume.
If you go to this page and click on the entry ""La Revue Ferrie" you get some idea of the spectacle of it. But it's much better in person - you are all seated at tables where they serve dinner first, we were in seats right next to the stage, and so this is all happening about 10 metres away.
The support acts were all excellent too. Juggling and acrobatics may sound ho hum, but believe me, they were not. Amd the ventriloquist's act was as funny as could be imagined... and suprisingly to em, in English, though I guess the audience was 90 percent made up of tourists.
I just can't praise it enough. Yes it was pricey but you are missing something special if you go to Paris and don't experience something of the theatre life. Next time I would try another show but I wouldn't mind seeing the same show again.
After a longish bus journey, I had what is probably so far the highlight of the trip - a night at the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret.
I like going to the theatre but don't recall going to a cabaret before. It was sort of like a circus combined with a series of spectaculat musical and dancing pieces. The base of the show was the massive musical numbers with dozens of dancers, but they were broken up by juggling, acrobats, a clown act and a ventriloquist act. There was also a woman who swam in a giant water cage filled with snakes.
The singing was for the most part in French so I didn't get the words obviously but there was enough just to look at. Dozens of dancers in the most spectacular costumes... some of the women were topless. But beautiful energetic vigorous dancing... it made me feel like getting up and dancing and singing myself. I 'really don't know how they did it, as it was intense physical work and they'd \rush off and be back a few seconds later in an even more elaborate costume.
If you go to this page and click on the entry ""La Revue Ferrie" you get some idea of the spectacle of it. But it's much better in person - you are all seated at tables where they serve dinner first, we were in seats right next to the stage, and so this is all happening about 10 metres away.
The support acts were all excellent too. Juggling and acrobatics may sound ho hum, but believe me, they were not. Amd the ventriloquist's act was as funny as could be imagined... and suprisingly to em, in English, though I guess the audience was 90 percent made up of tourists.
I just can't praise it enough. Yes it was pricey but you are missing something special if you go to Paris and don't experience something of the theatre life. Next time I would try another show but I wouldn't mind seeing the same show again.
Day 18 - August 25 - Nice - Lyon
Lyon, a city of tunnels. It was like an old movie wandering underneath the city through secret tunnels, and absolutely fascinating.
Also had one of the world's best dinners. French cooking is every bit as good as you hear!
Also had one of the world's best dinners. French cooking is every bit as good as you hear!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Day 17 - August 24 - Nice
Spent the day in Nice on my birthday, found some time for sipping champagne and wandering around in the sun.
Also wandered through this cute village St Paul de Vence.
Enjoying the sun and drink... I must be losing some weight with the amount of exercise and the sweat. Though I did have a McDonald's burger today!
Also wandered through this cute village St Paul de Vence.
Enjoying the sun and drink... I must be losing some weight with the amount of exercise and the sweat. Though I did have a McDonald's burger today!
Day 16 - Aix en Province - Nice
What a great day, had a really good look around St Tropez, a lively holiday resort, and then Monaco, before going on to Nice.
Monaco just blew me away, staggeringly beautiful and very interesting, a very small principality with an area of just 2 square kilometres, yes two! Had a look around the town but just couldn't get past looking out at the scenery. Really good.
came into Nice in the evening, had dinner on the waterfront. It's a tough life!
Monaco just blew me away, staggeringly beautiful and very interesting, a very small principality with an area of just 2 square kilometres, yes two! Had a look around the town but just couldn't get past looking out at the scenery. Really good.
came into Nice in the evening, had dinner on the waterfront. It's a tough life!
Day 15 - August 22 - Avignon - Aix en Province
beginning my wander across southern France before I head back to Paris later in the week.
Spent time today having a really good look around two French towns - both unique, both beautiful, Arles and Aix-en-Province. Arles was a delightful village, Aix-en-Province more historical and arty - it was the home of Vincent van Gogh. Yes, I have decided to see France in alphabetical order.
The history and beauty of these French towns is stunning and I am really enjoying it. And the food... and drink...
And I wore my shorts today. Found a ticket from 18 months ago in a pocket - it can't be that long since I've worn them surely?
Spent time today having a really good look around two French towns - both unique, both beautiful, Arles and Aix-en-Province. Arles was a delightful village, Aix-en-Province more historical and arty - it was the home of Vincent van Gogh. Yes, I have decided to see France in alphabetical order.
The history and beauty of these French towns is stunning and I am really enjoying it. And the food... and drink...
And I wore my shorts today. Found a ticket from 18 months ago in a pocket - it can't be that long since I've worn them surely?
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