Paris

Okay, alright, Paris. It's my favourite city so it was an easy decision for me to choose where to spend my Birthday. It's always been a bit of a dream of mine. 

Things started off on a sad note because Paul and his tour group had just been robbed. He lost his passport, medication, cash and a range of other belongings. Not being well, this created an urgent situation for us. Ruby and I departed straight away from Lake Como, 2 days earlier than planned to help Paul out. Our focus for the first few days was arranging the new passport and gaining more urgent medication. The Australian Consulate was incredibly efficient in arranging the documentation and with the help from Scott in the US, we were able to gain the medication in time so that Paul's treatment wasn't effected. After that, we had a relaxing and beautiful stay. There was no urgency to do anything touristy so we just strolled the streets, explored, picnicked and shopped (of course). Paul and I woke extra early each day to walk up Rue di Rivoli and up the Champs Élysées to the Arc di Triumph and then back through the Jardin di Tuilleries. This one hour walk before breakfast was a great way to see Paris without the crowds.The 3 of us also jogged this route on the day of le Tour de France. We met the Australian girl's team and stood at the finish line. We also walked up a traffic free, blocked off Rue di Rivoli. We had a wonderful view of le Tour de France on their final route in Paris just passed our balcony. We invited 5 people to come and join us on our balconies but somehow word spread and we ended up with 20 people squeezed into our room, some I was never introduced to (Paul also had no idea). It was a memorable day!

My Birthday was everything I dreamed of. Everywhere we went the Parisienne's gave me champagne or flowers or cakes - delightful. We shopped at Le Bon Marche food hall for seafood, baguettes and cakes and picnicked in Jardin di Luxenburg for lunch while for dinner Paul & I spoiled ourselves, dining at a renowned Paris restaurant (where Napolean once ate). This was a change from our usual brasserie style dinners.

Ruby especially enjoyed her daily rides at the annual summer fair in Jardin de Tuilleries. Surprisingly, we got into the swing of saying 'wi, Merci, sil vou plat' and numbers in French. Although sometimes I would say 'wi per favore'. Paris amore!