Paris

We dropped the car off at the Southside airport and then taxi'ed the rest of the way to our hostel up in the Northside of Paris. Settled in and then went for the customary post-arrive wander around the area which included lots of cool, smaller streets with a bohemian feel. After this we stepped it up a notch and trained it into the city and walked our way towards the Eiffel tower. A beautiful clear night made for a great visit and top notch photos and the sun went down and the tower lite up.

The next day Rhi and I headed inwards for a free city tour, whilst Jane made the trip down to Roland Garos to introduce herself to the French Open. Our city tour covered all the important inner city stuff including the Louvre and Champs Elysees. During the afternoon we explored the massive Louvre. This is a place you cannot do in one go... Well if your right into your art. There are so many wings of this building all converging on the impressive glass pyramid centre piece. If your not right into old (mainly religious...<j-bomb on the cross>) paintings this is how you visit the Louvre. Make your way though the sculpture displays as they have some variety and then find you way to 'moaning lisa'. Hate to wreck it for you but she aint that special in my simple opinion. The 4 by 4 metre painting everyone turns their back to as they whip out their camera, phone or ipad to catch lisa moaning is far more impressive. From there you grab the gallery guide and find you way to the piece de resistance!! Gabrielle d’Éstrées and her Sister in a Bath, c. 1595, oil on panel! To me art is something that ascetically creates a reaction and this masterpiece does just that. Also by making your way to this painting, coincidentally you pass a number of good boob pieces from throughout the ages. If I ever get some more free time in Paris one day I will be publishing a book called 'The Boobs of the Louvre'. Now you cant tell me that wouldn't sit well on a coffee table.

The next morning I seriously pissed off the hostel overnight hack when I awoke at 6am for the footy. It was well worth it though as Freo beat the tigers in a ripper at the 'G'. Rhi and I set off that morning for the catacombs (mass graves underground) and then for a walk up the Champs Elysees which is a busy street, to say the least. That night Rhi grabbed a ticket to the Moulin Rouge whilst I wondered the entertaining streets. The next morning we said goodbye to Jane as she headed off to what would be a 2 day mens final and we jumped on a train north to Belgium.