And thats Paris, France. Not Paris, Texas, not Paris Street in Kallangur, Queensland ; Paris, France.
Killing seven and a half hours at Bangkok Airport after nine and a half hours on a plane, with another twelve hours to look forward to, may not seem like a great way to kick off a trip.
Ive just finished a brief snooze lying across three very hard plastic seats and I think my back had taken the shape of the ceiling at this airport ( see pics).
Security in Tullamarine seems to have gone higher tech, as they no longer require you to empty your bags. COVID Vaccination Certification was a must though.
Bangkok, on the other hand was extremely thorough and I had stuff spread through four plastic tubs, had a full body scan, a whip over with the magic wand, and luckily was chased up to give me back the items they had taken out of my bag to make up a fifth plastic tub, that they hadnt told
Still, they have a big job. This airport is a small city with every step another opportunity to spend your money. Duty Free everywhere.
The plan in Paris is to get a train and an Uber to our hotel near the Opera House, offload our stuff, and go sightseeing. I dont expect it to be a late day; were buggered.
If the drugs dont kick in on the next leg of the trip, I may make some inflight observations. Otherwise, Zzzzzz.
Well, the flight went well and , being night and travelling into more night, the plane was silent. I had a kidney shaped beanbaggy thing around my neck and the purple airline blanket but can never in such a restricted area. After trying more positions than the Karma Su.., well anyway, I ended up sitting upright with my blanket as a cushion at my lower back, and my arms folded ; disturbed sleep for 7 hours. Pretty good.
As the plane banked south into Paris , the blended shades of pink and blue against the clear sky bode
Immigration was divided into Europeans, Australians and others. Luckily we were in the minority, so the ‘preferential priority treatment Europeans were offered actually slowed them down.
Then you wait for your luggage. Now, I dont know if youre aware of this, but the name Sherry on a case always has it as the last one out, or not at all, as happened to my backpack in 2018. It was being minded for me in some officials office until I reported in to claim it. I now know dirt and sweat must smell like drugs.
Border Force, Customs, or whatever they are here, are nothing like Australia, where a young man stopped me and asked me if I had enough money for my trip. How thoughtful. He actually asked how much money I was travelling with.
In Paris, the officers lean against a bench chatting, occasionally looking up to admire the ladies. Older folk struggling with too much luggage are no threat in France. Theres always plenty of help available if you cant navigate their ticket machines, or dont know what queue to get on.
and asked if we were the people needing wheelchair assistance- I think they were talking to Sue - and if they asked me now, the answer is yes. My back didnt like 29 hours of being cramped and its rebelled.
A quick train ride latter, past all the housing project areas you dont see in the brochures, and an Uber ride, we arrived at our hotel near the Opera House. The concierge regarded us as VIPs - his words not mine, often repeated - and we had our room cleaned while we waited, so we could be in before 11am. Tim booked the room, so Im not sure who he thought we were. Not politicians I hope.
The room is about 300 metres from the Opera House and a 10 minute walk from the Tuilerie Gardens and all they have to offer. Lush gardens, a lake where kids push little sail boats with sticks, and cold creamy ice cream to name three.
We visited the Opera House where the legendary Phantom was thought to inhabit, and it really should be close to the top of your Paris Things To See list.
Ill leave it to the photos to tell the tale but it must have hosted some wonderful shows and experiences for the people who matter. Still does.
