We are blogging live from The Queen Mary — a boat on the Thames. We are trying out a new feature on TravelForTwo. With the recent site upgrade and new iPhone WordPress app we are now able to blog from whereever we are and bring it to you live!
This evening the weather was nice (rare in London) so we decided to head down to the river for a drink. Look out for more live updates in the future.
Regent’s Park, of course 🙂 In town this weekend and surprised by brilliant weather despite the ominous rain forecasts, we decided to enjoy the great outdoors London style. First, a 5 mile walk about the Parks (our usual Primrose Hill + the Regent’s Park Circuit down to Bond Street). A couple lattes to stand out a passing rain cloud in Chalk Farm and then back to the flat to take care of chores.
But, while out and about in Regent’s we decided to take advantage of the weather and attend one of the night-time shows in the Park. Last night was Romeo & Juliet. Fun! It’s a small, intimate open-air theatre nestled amongst the flowers and trees of Regent’s Park. It brought to mind the Rose Garden version in Raleigh. They have a wine and champagne bar and grilled burgers and sausages for those who come in advance of the show. And we did.
I’m really lucky that G happily suffers my spontaneous ideas. Especially when they involve walking back 45 minutes to our flat at 11pm. Would could’ve taken the train, but it was SO nice out. 🙂 And to take advantage, we walked at least 10 miles about town…
On other fronts, we submitted our paperwork for Visa renewal on Friday. The new Tier 1 (previously HSMP) visa requires 75 points to pass. I scored 110! So, we don’t anticipate problems and hope that an approval will make its way to us quickly. I don’t suffer the clipped wings of visa renewal too well. But, I have begun to investigate fun things to do about London in order to take advantage of the beautiful summer weather. Regent’s Park Theatre was one. Next up, the Globe Theatre. And I’m also taking a stained glass course in August. And researching wine and sailing courses for G and I. Others have suggested Coventry Cathedral and Stonehenge…anything else you guys can think of to keep us busy for 6 weeks 🙂
Today, we’ll celebrate our visa paperwork with champagne on our usual Primrose Hill and will drop by our new bakery. We’ve gone from famine to feast with bakery/cafes in Belsize…once upon a time we had none. Now, within two months of each other two have opened. Yum! Lattes anyone?
Every good holiday starts with a nap :). After staying out a bit too late with Friends in London on Friday and rising to take Saturday morning’s first train from London to Paris, we were exhausted. First things first, a nap…
Upon waking, we walked about town to get our bearings — staying in Le Marais, we ventured to Place de Vosges — a scenic square nearby, toured the shops and boutiques in Le Marais’s backstreets, had heavenly gelato (you pick two flavors and they use small tools to make the scoops into a flower shape. Gorgeous! And Delicious!), walked to Notre Dame and the island towns — and then back to the hotel before heading up for a beautiful view upon Montmartre (a chapel atop a hill in Paris) for a little wine and cheese and people watching at sunset.
After crepes for dinner, we headed to the nearby Cabaret district to take a look at the Moulin Rouge exterior and ended the night with a late call to the Arc de Triomphe. What an amazing sunset (at nearly 10:15!). It was a long, but relaxed day in Paris and primed us well for the fun to come. Those who traveled with us years ago will be surprised that our morning routine’s a bit more leisurely these days 🙂 No more dawn to dusk tourist ventures followed by dinner and games until the early hours. These days, we travel as if we’ll return many times. This way, you don’t feel you have to pack too much in… you just go, get a feel for the place and enjoy being a local for a few days (well almost… a local who likes nice dinners, galleries and hops from cafe to cafe for lattes :))
This was especially true of this trip. On Sunday (13th), we grabbed pastries and headed to the nearby square again (Le Marais). No one does pastries like the French… so delicate and rich. My French colleague once brought in a homemade pastry that was just like a huge almond croissant for the office to share. How they make these things, I haven’t a clue. But I am SO glad they do!
Next up, we headed to the Orangerie and Tuilleries Gardens (both recommendations from my client who lived in France for a couple years). Great recommendations. Monet’s waterlillies live in the Orangerie and it would seem that the place was specially fitted for the works. The huge canvases are stretched into the ovular walls. They’re huge. But, it’s easy to see why the works were so controversial for the day…just as some debate the merits of modern art these days, Monet’s waterlillies don’t look like much when placed next to the old classics from Rembrandt. They’re so different!
At the Tuilleries Gardens, we watched as kids raced tiny toy sail boats on a reflecting pool… such a cool idea. There’s no remote. They’re kid and wind powered. Brilliant! And next to the Musee d’Orsay for G’s favorite — Van Gogh. Starry Night… the hay stacks… a crazy haunted house… at least two self portraits… incredible collection. We were pleased — and we’re still struck by his style. The patterns help bring you into the painting. If only he had lived longer — imagine how his work would have moved and changed had he lived another 50 years.
And, my favorite part. Frosty drinks on a boat docked on the Seine before heading to an amazing dinner with the BEST butter we’ve EVER had. We took the label and nearly stole the spare butter. Seriously good butter. Not to mention the actual meal. Writing this, I want some now… hmmm… and after dinner we headed out to the local concert and to the Pompiers (local parties put on by the firehouses as a fundraiser the night before Bastille Day — they’re like huge frat parties). And wow do they come with a line. have to admit that I felt a bit old standing in line as the 20 somethings ran for the cheap Chinese noodle shop for a quick fix of starch before heading into the Pompiers… they kept asking us to save their spot in line. At this moment 30 felt old :).
Bastille Day is the French equivalent of 4th July in the States. Parades… fireworks… picnics… lounging in the park. With this in mind, we planned to wake up and see the military parade along the city’s main promenade. But, luckily for us, each course of the parade visited us outside our hotel window instead… first the brass band at 7:30am. Followed by the horse guard (there were SO many). We had no idea that would happen and were a bit surprised… I think the band’s tunes wove themselves into my dreams somehow… the perfect alarm clock. If only we hadn’t gotten up to take photos and then rolled back over. We woke again just in time to watch the parade on TV and then see the air brigade fly by our window with colored smoke tails.
This time, more pastries, but off to the Park by Notre Dame — and, as luck would have it the end of the military parade flew overhead as we were enjoying our tarts — helicopters. Then, for a visit to the Cathedral (everyone else was at the Parade). While it’s stunning, we’ve been to so many churches these days that it was a bit (dare I say) underwhelming. Back to the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. And to the park for more sailboat watching before heading to the local Carnival. We had amazing views of Paris from the sky high ferris wheel.
How fun! G planned an amazing birthday weekend, but the highlight was definitely the 5 course dinner on a boat along the Seine at sunset. Followed by fireworks viewed from inside our glass-roofed boat (30-40 minutes!), a bit of dancing (they even played our song), and finally a bit of revelry with the locals below the Eiffel Tower as the games came to an end. The bongo players and wine made for a beautiful end to an amazing 30 years.
Yesterday, a teaser. Today, photos. Tomorrow, a post. I promise! Where has the night gone? To see photos from our weekend in Paris, click here.
On an unrelated topic, I’ve now discovered the problem with working out. I love the cute clothes and have fun when I’m working out. But, as I watched others sweat it out with their trainers tonight, I discovered the crux of the problem. People who have trainers are drippy and sweaty and have non-cute, functional workout clothes. So, I have a new workout goal. To look like I don’t need a trainer :). That should keep me going for at least a few weeks…
We’ve just returned from a few magical days in Paris. We did as the locals do, ate as much French cuisine as we could handle (even the butter is divine)… had wine with the locals below the towering Eiffel Tower, took in the Bastille Day fireworks from a Glass roof river cruiser along the Seine (complete with white tablecloths and a 5 course meal and TWO champagne toasts…not to mention the 4 piece string band that happened to play our song) and had an overall amazing getaway.
30’s not so bad afterall 🙂
Now, we’ll settle back in to life in London.But, not before we share some photos and a more complete post about the weekend away. Look back later this week for more.
On Bastille Day nearly 30 years ago, I was born in Roanoke, VA. Half way (or nearly so) around the world, a country celebrated its national birthday with fine wine, cheese, champagne and fireworks (my favorite of all). As this is a landmark vintage in my cellar (or so to speak), we decided to combine the two. I will have fireworks in France on MY birthday. It’s difficult to find two things that go more perfectly together (fireworks and a birthday)….I can’t wait!
Look for photos and updates following the trip next week. We’ll return on Tuesday.
And…no worries. I had my mid-life crisis at 26 🙂
Following next weekend’s trip to Paris to celebrate my 30th, our wings will be clipped. For the following 4-8 weeks, we’ll need to stay in the UK as our Visa renewal is processed. With this in mind, our efforts have turned toward:
1. Summer! Life in London.
2. Filling in our Visa Renewal Application.
3. Planning Future Travels
This said, we have a question for you. Which is best, Vietnam OR Thailand? We’re looking for a bit of tropical mid-winter respite to break from London’s grey winter blahs in early 2009.
Taking a cursory look, it would seem that both may offer similar beach experiences, but that perhaps Vietnam would be a bit less expensive and bit more adventuresome since the masses haven’t yet made it there.
Anyone out there have experience with either to offer?
