Today, 28th August , 2012, Tuesday we started from London to Paris in the Channel Train which goes under the sea. Immigration was completed in the London Railway Station itself and we were let into the platform just few minutes before the departure of the train.
It was a very comfortable journey of about 2 hours plus and I was excited about the under the sea experience. But I could feel no difference in the journey. Had I not known that we were going under the Sea I would not have realized it. I had expected to have some sensation in the ear (just like it happens when we climb up in the aircraft). I could not even feel the speed of the train which was around 300 Kms per hour.
Later when I was discussing this with my brother he told me that the train/Car we take to New York City, every time using the Lincoln Tunnel or any other tunnel is also built under the sea as New York City is an Island. This I had not realized at all and later when I went to US in the end of the year I could appreciate the journey from New Jersey to New York much more than I usually do. We did go there couple of times.
We reached the station Paris Gare Du No rd. As the immigration formalities were done already we just got down like in any other station and came out.
We had not booked any taxi like we had done on reaching Heathrow Airport, so nobody was waiting for us . We went out and joined a queue for the taxi.
We were quite apprehensive about France because we were told that the French will speak only their language and even if they know English will not care to answer us in English.
We had written down some sentences and words in French , but I am happy to say that we never had to use the paper and show it to people to help us. Hurray.
We had booked the hotel near the Eiffel Tower near a train station. We told the taxi driver the name of our hotel (Citadine Tour Eiffel) and he drove us to the place which was quite congested and crowded road unlike London. (Now the comparison will start with London and I feel it is not right but I can not help it).
The hotel entrance was not very impressive, but luckily the person at the desk spoke English and our room was not bad, but some hiccups were there, like Microwave oven not working etc which we had to get rectified. The best part was the station Bir Hakim was just opposite to where we stayed and just when we stepped out of the hotel we could go to the station.
Our first visit was to the local super market which was very near (we had searched in the Internet and knew the location and had the maps so that we could just walk there) and bought the basics, bread , jam, fruits etc. We found it very difficult to communicate to them as to where to find Natural Yogurt, and finally managed to locate it and buy that also. By now we had, had our lunch and we were ready to venture out to see places and our first visit was to the Eiffel Tower. This was just a walk from our hotel and since the Tower was visible to the eyes we just followed our eyes. It was quite a distance, but walkable.
view from the top of tower.
The Bridges as seen from the Tower.
Another view from the top.
It was a very comfortable journey of about 2 hours plus and I was excited about the under the sea experience. But I could feel no difference in the journey. Had I not known that we were going under the Sea I would not have realized it. I had expected to have some sensation in the ear (just like it happens when we climb up in the aircraft). I could not even feel the speed of the train which was around 300 Kms per hour.
Later when I was discussing this with my brother he told me that the train/Car we take to New York City, every time using the Lincoln Tunnel or any other tunnel is also built under the sea as New York City is an Island. This I had not realized at all and later when I went to US in the end of the year I could appreciate the journey from New Jersey to New York much more than I usually do. We did go there couple of times.
We reached the station Paris Gare Du No rd. As the immigration formalities were done already we just got down like in any other station and came out.
We had not booked any taxi like we had done on reaching Heathrow Airport, so nobody was waiting for us . We went out and joined a queue for the taxi.
We were quite apprehensive about France because we were told that the French will speak only their language and even if they know English will not care to answer us in English.
We had written down some sentences and words in French , but I am happy to say that we never had to use the paper and show it to people to help us. Hurray.
We had booked the hotel near the Eiffel Tower near a train station. We told the taxi driver the name of our hotel (Citadine Tour Eiffel) and he drove us to the place which was quite congested and crowded road unlike London. (Now the comparison will start with London and I feel it is not right but I can not help it).
The hotel entrance was not very impressive, but luckily the person at the desk spoke English and our room was not bad, but some hiccups were there, like Microwave oven not working etc which we had to get rectified. The best part was the station Bir Hakim was just opposite to where we stayed and just when we stepped out of the hotel we could go to the station.
Our first visit was to the local super market which was very near (we had searched in the Internet and knew the location and had the maps so that we could just walk there) and bought the basics, bread , jam, fruits etc. We found it very difficult to communicate to them as to where to find Natural Yogurt, and finally managed to locate it and buy that also. By now we had, had our lunch and we were ready to venture out to see places and our first visit was to the Eiffel Tower. This was just a walk from our hotel and since the Tower was visible to the eyes we just followed our eyes. It was quite a distance, but walkable.
Alas it is turned as usual, can not help it......
I was not initially impressed by the Eiffel Tower but once near it , it was really impressive and huge giant of a steel structure which is really a marvel. The place in front of the Tower which was supposed to be a garden with fountain etc is not maintained well and may be that is why I felt disappointed initially.
We went and bought tickets to go up the tower. They take you up in lifts and there are steps also which we can climb. There are two stops and it takes you till the last level.
There was a big queue and we joined the queue. It was not yet dark and tower was not lighted.
The lift ......again this photo is turned......
The above two pictures shows a room at the top level. The builder had a room for himself and used to entertain famous guests in that room!! They have just kept some figures representing the visitors and host and we could see this room from outside and take picture. I was impressed with great Mr. Eiffel.
The Bridges as seen from the Tower.
Coming down by the Steps....
The lighted Eiffel Tower.
By the time we started coming down the Eiffel Tower was getting lighted and by the time we came to the ground it was completely lighted.
There were many hawkers who were selling the small replicas of Eiffel Tower, The key chains and what not. The best part of it is that all of them were made in China.
We sat there in front of the Tower even though the lawn was not that good still it was really nice looking at the Eiffel Tower. It was really The Eye Fill Tower.
We returned to our room by walk...
2 comments:
I used to think years back that Eiffel tower is to France as Taj Mahal is to India. Both are outstanding structures. Taj Mahal is an architectural marvel, made of marble is a beauty from both near and distance. Eiffel tower a mechanical engineering marvel made up of iron, bolts and nuts looks great from distance especially when lit, when viewed closeby it looks like a sorethumb.
Rama, I liked the Sore thumb view also.
Post a Comment