This sums up our experience booking tickets with Ryan Air, one of the low-cost domestic airlines that flies out of Ireland. Good for a laugh… especially if you have experienced the same thing!!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Chateau de Versailles
In this post, photos will be shared of the visit at the Château de Versailles. It's too long and complicated to describe everything and, as they say "pictures are worth a thousand words".
Château de Versailles is the palace for the late king Louis XVI, improved upon by previous generation of kings. Later Napoleon used this palace as his dwelling after the French resolution.
In short, this palace is very ornate and over the top. It is truly a palace worthy of a king. The garden is also magnificent, but we didn't have much time or energy to explore it in detail.
Enjoy the photos.
In short, this palace is very ornate and over the top. It is truly a palace worthy of a king. The garden is also magnificent, but we didn't have much time or energy to explore it in detail.
Enjoy the photos.
Location:Versailles, France
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Unpredictable Weather in the UK
Beautiful and sunny yesterday, we booked the ferry from Liverpool to Dublin. Little did we know they were already forecasting Gale Force winds making travel across the Irish Sea potentially dangerous.
Monday, January 2, 2012
From Cappuccino to Catacombs
About six stories below this café where I had my most decadent cappuccino of Paris lay the bones of about 6,000,000 (yes, six million) people - peasants, commoners and the famous alike.
In the Middle Ages, during the time that Paris was being built (Paris was then known as Lutetia), limestone was quarried to build the many architectural marvels of the city that we see today. In the 1780s, the empty quarries found a new use.
As the city grew, the cemeteries became overcrowded and the decaying organic matter, accelerated by the use of lime, was polluting their water source. It was decided to transfer the remains of the various cemeteries to the vacant quarries. At first the bones were merely dumped by group according to each cemetery. About 10 years after the French Revolution they were placed as they are seen today.
The catacombs take up only a small portion of the empty quarries. It is illegal to enter the rest of the quarry tunnels, but they are home to a secret underground culture of clandestine cataphiles who chart the many mapped and unmapped routes throughout the city. Some use this alternate reality to escape the rules of the world above ground, others look for treasures, and some just like a good party. Spend a few minutes to read this really interesting article we found in the National Geographic online.
Imagine the instability that these catacombs and underground networks can cause. In the late 18th century, several houses and roadways collapsed into caverns, previously unknown, resulting in death. (Makes you wonder about Montreal's potholes!) Today, there is a Commission which constantly surveys the "cloches" (pictured below) that are weak spots caused by natural degradation. Warning signs of potential collapse, the painted lines are markers of the distance to the above-ground.
In the Middle Ages, during the time that Paris was being built (Paris was then known as Lutetia), limestone was quarried to build the many architectural marvels of the city that we see today. In the 1780s, the empty quarries found a new use.
As the city grew, the cemeteries became overcrowded and the decaying organic matter, accelerated by the use of lime, was polluting their water source. It was decided to transfer the remains of the various cemeteries to the vacant quarries. At first the bones were merely dumped by group according to each cemetery. About 10 years after the French Revolution they were placed as they are seen today.
The catacombs take up only a small portion of the empty quarries. It is illegal to enter the rest of the quarry tunnels, but they are home to a secret underground culture of clandestine cataphiles who chart the many mapped and unmapped routes throughout the city. Some use this alternate reality to escape the rules of the world above ground, others look for treasures, and some just like a good party. Spend a few minutes to read this really interesting article we found in the National Geographic online.
Imagine the instability that these catacombs and underground networks can cause. In the late 18th century, several houses and roadways collapsed into caverns, previously unknown, resulting in death. (Makes you wonder about Montreal's potholes!) Today, there is a Commission which constantly surveys the "cloches" (pictured below) that are weak spots caused by natural degradation. Warning signs of potential collapse, the painted lines are markers of the distance to the above-ground.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe is not a place for a jaywalking Montrealer. The largest triumphal arch in the world at 161 feet high by 144 feet wide, it is also the busiest intersection in Paris.
The arch is situated at the "étoile nationale" directly translated as the national star. It's a mega roundabout that connects at least half a dozen important roads in Paris, among which the famous Champs-Élisée, a street known for many prestigious and internationally branded boutiques stores such as Louis Vuitton, Lacoste, BMW, Mercedes, etc.
To get to the arch, thankfully, there is an underground passageway for pedestrians. You can climb the 46 steps to the top for views across the western end of the city, including the Eiffel tower, pictured here behind Kirsten on a foggy day.
The arch was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to commemorate his army's victories. In 1840, four years after construction of the arch was completed, Napoleon's remains passed through the arch as they were being transferred to the Hôtel des Invalides and ever since it has been the focal point for state funerals. Since 1920, the date of the interment of the Unknown Soldier under the arch and the lighting of the eternal flame at this tomb, processions have gone around the arch instead of through it out of respect.
Sadly, the Arc de Triomphe has also been used by France's enemies to signify their defeat as well. Even Hitler's troops, who occupied France in 1941 walked around the arch instead of through it.
The arch is situated at the "étoile nationale" directly translated as the national star. It's a mega roundabout that connects at least half a dozen important roads in Paris, among which the famous Champs-Élisée, a street known for many prestigious and internationally branded boutiques stores such as Louis Vuitton, Lacoste, BMW, Mercedes, etc.
To get to the arch, thankfully, there is an underground passageway for pedestrians. You can climb the 46 steps to the top for views across the western end of the city, including the Eiffel tower, pictured here behind Kirsten on a foggy day.
The arch was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to commemorate his army's victories. In 1840, four years after construction of the arch was completed, Napoleon's remains passed through the arch as they were being transferred to the Hôtel des Invalides and ever since it has been the focal point for state funerals. Since 1920, the date of the interment of the Unknown Soldier under the arch and the lighting of the eternal flame at this tomb, processions have gone around the arch instead of through it out of respect.
Sadly, the Arc de Triomphe has also been used by France's enemies to signify their defeat as well. Even Hitler's troops, who occupied France in 1941 walked around the arch instead of through it.
Le Musée du Louvre
The Louvre is one of the largest museums in the world, and there is absolutely no way one can do it justice in one visit, or two, as we had done.
If you were to visit everything in the Louvre, you would need some sensible shoes to walk through this series of rooms totaling 652,300 square feet and approximately 14 kms of linear walking distance.
Every year, 7 million visitors dutifully line up and elbow their way through this historical masterpiece. Here you will see 35,000 pieces of art, including the famous Mona (Monna) Lisa and and Nike of Samothrace. If you were to spend just 4 seconds looking at each object, it would take over three months.
About the Louvre itself:
During the Middle Ages, the king, feeling threatened by his Anglo-Norman neighbours, built a fortress.
In the 1500’s, the King of France made the Louvre his castle and began expanding it to create the “Chateau Louvre”. With each passing King, the castle’s size and its art collection grew. You are still able to see part of the medieval fortress on the lowest floor of the museum.
In 1682, King Louis XVI moved the Royal Family to the Palace of Versailles and opened the art display at the Chateau Louvre to the public and the arts community. By this time quite a number of the famous paintings had been collected.
There was this "little" event called the French Revolution and eventually the Chateau Louvre became the property of the government and became what is now known as the Louvre Museum.
In the 1980s, the Finance department of the France Government moved out of the Louvre to make way for a the development of a complete museum. At this time, the glass pyramid which stands today was developed in the courtyard, providing light into an impressive lobby down below.
Apparently the jury is still out among the French whether this modern feature ruins the look of the Louvre or not, but in any case it certainly stands as a key symbol of this city.
If you were to visit everything in the Louvre, you would need some sensible shoes to walk through this series of rooms totaling 652,300 square feet and approximately 14 kms of linear walking distance.
Every year, 7 million visitors dutifully line up and elbow their way through this historical masterpiece. Here you will see 35,000 pieces of art, including the famous Mona (Monna) Lisa and and Nike of Samothrace. If you were to spend just 4 seconds looking at each object, it would take over three months.
About the Louvre itself:
During the Middle Ages, the king, feeling threatened by his Anglo-Norman neighbours, built a fortress.
In the 1500’s, the King of France made the Louvre his castle and began expanding it to create the “Chateau Louvre”. With each passing King, the castle’s size and its art collection grew. You are still able to see part of the medieval fortress on the lowest floor of the museum.
In 1682, King Louis XVI moved the Royal Family to the Palace of Versailles and opened the art display at the Chateau Louvre to the public and the arts community. By this time quite a number of the famous paintings had been collected.
There was this "little" event called the French Revolution and eventually the Chateau Louvre became the property of the government and became what is now known as the Louvre Museum.
In the 1980s, the Finance department of the France Government moved out of the Louvre to make way for a the development of a complete museum. At this time, the glass pyramid which stands today was developed in the courtyard, providing light into an impressive lobby down below.
Apparently the jury is still out among the French whether this modern feature ruins the look of the Louvre or not, but in any case it certainly stands as a key symbol of this city.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Notre-Dame de Paris
So Monday we tried to struggle through jet lag but realized that we felt as old and inanimate as the artifacts we couldn't appreciate at the Louvre. So we headed back to the flat that we rented and slept for about six hours and then headed out for an evening stroll to the Eiffel tower. Thanks to the 4-day museum Paris museum pass that we purchased we can return and bypass the lines. If you travel to Paris, buy this pass if you plan to visit many different sites. It will save you loads of time if not money.
Tuesday, we got a headstart on the masses to the Notre-Dame Cathedral, which is located on Ile de la Cité, the historical heart of Paris surrounded by the Seine. I think we made it through the cathedral in record time as we were looking for the way to the bell tower. As we were standing in line, we were thankful for the iPad to make use of our time (to start our daily blog post) and for the free wifi to do some travel research. We can only imagine the lines in high season. For security reasons, the "cut the line" feature wasn't available for the bell tower so (sigh) we had to wait about an hour wait to get inside the Bell tower after a quick look around inside the cathedral. We wanted to go back inside the cathedral to take a closer look afterward, but a line that weaves around the square in front of the entrance put us off. Too bad because it really is beautiful but we were unwilling to wait in line a second time for something we have already seen, however brief. As I write this I'm only now wondering if our Paris Pass would have sped up our access.
A view from the atop of the Notre-Dame Cathedral was beautiful despite the fog. This bored gargoyle keeps an eye on the visitors down below:
This bell weighs 13,000 kg with an additional 474 for the iron clapper. The bells used to be operated by 16 men, later with improved technology 8 men, and finally today 0 men with the help of a motor. This particular bell chimes in at F sharp.
Tuesday, we got a headstart on the masses to the Notre-Dame Cathedral, which is located on Ile de la Cité, the historical heart of Paris surrounded by the Seine. I think we made it through the cathedral in record time as we were looking for the way to the bell tower. As we were standing in line, we were thankful for the iPad to make use of our time (to start our daily blog post) and for the free wifi to do some travel research. We can only imagine the lines in high season. For security reasons, the "cut the line" feature wasn't available for the bell tower so (sigh) we had to wait about an hour wait to get inside the Bell tower after a quick look around inside the cathedral. We wanted to go back inside the cathedral to take a closer look afterward, but a line that weaves around the square in front of the entrance put us off. Too bad because it really is beautiful but we were unwilling to wait in line a second time for something we have already seen, however brief. As I write this I'm only now wondering if our Paris Pass would have sped up our access.
A view from the atop of the Notre-Dame Cathedral was beautiful despite the fog. This bored gargoyle keeps an eye on the visitors down below:
This bell weighs 13,000 kg with an additional 474 for the iron clapper. The bells used to be operated by 16 men, later with improved technology 8 men, and finally today 0 men with the help of a motor. This particular bell chimes in at F sharp.
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