Hello, goodbye.

LONDON

Yesterday (day 7) was my last day in London which is a little sad but I couldn’t be sad for long because of two things (whoop, back to listing!):

1. I was heading to Harrods to do a little shopping, hehe.
2. Paris the next day!

We started out our day at a cafe called EAT which is a chain all around London, it’s great for picking up fast tasty food. I had a cranberry turkey sandwich that was wonderful and my dad had an Eggs Benedict that looked more like an egg mcmuffin but was apparently very tasty!



After that we got on the tube and headed to Knightsbridge. Once there we began walking and caught sight of a Karen Millen sale (up to 70%!!!!!!WHOO REDUNDANT EXCLAMATIONPOINTS!!!). So I got a dress for more than half off, hehe.

We then went into Harrods, the front was under construction but you could see how huge it was just from the outside. After having a conversation with one of my dad’s friends who works there I found out that there are thirteen floors and there are over 5,500 employees in Harrods. Insanity!




While you’re in Harrods look out for the killer deals, there seems to always be a sale somewhere so keep your eyes peeled. I managed to get a pair of Miu Miu shoes on sale. Just saying~


Oh god I’m a lucky girl.

After shopping around a bit we went to the Georgian restaurant on the fifth level, it’s through the kids clothing and the pet kingdom.

It’s beautiful and gives off a very prim and proper vibe. I of course managed to tip my chair over whilst standing up to greet my dad’s friend who had joined us for lunch. Trust me to embarrass myself in the first really posh restaurant we’ve been to the whole trip.




The Georgian offers quite a tasty looking buffet and tea is served at 3 PM but we decided to order two steaks and a monk fish dish respectively. Keep in mind that the Georgian is pricey, yes there are affordable things on the menu but the food was so-so. I honestly think you’re paying for the service and all round ambiance.

After lunch we headed back to the hotel to drop off our bags and had a light dinner at Pizza Express, a chain I mentioned in my previous post. I love Pizza Express, the food is great, the service is quick and the waiter was gorgeous! OKAY, not so much the last one but it helps~

After dinner we headed to Picadilly Circus to catch Mamamia!



(If you haven’t noticed I’m trying to get as many photos of me in front of things doing this silly pose, fun times!)

I’ve seen the show before and just like I remembered it got everyone dancing and singing and it was a lot of fun. I definitely recommend this for families who love Abba!

Once the show was done we headed to the hotel for a good night’s rest before our train ride to Paris in the morning.

PARIS

Today we checked out and left two of our bags with the hotel, you should keep this in mind if you’ll be traveling to multiple places in Europe and you’ll be returning to one destination before you leave for good. It saves space and you wont have to lug as many bags around.

We headed straight to Holborn tube station and got off at St Pancras Kings Cross so we could get on the Eurostar train to Paris!

When you’re in St Pancras station it’s pretty easy to navigate, just keep in mind that you’ll have to walk a pretty lengthy distance to get to the Eurostar platforms and they do check your passports so you have to make time for all of that.

Our train was delayed slightly but once we got on we began going over our plans for Paris with such a ferver that we forgot all about the wait.

The train ride was relaxed, when booking your tickets I suggest picking your seats closer to the dining cart because the chicken salad sandwiches are uber tasty. Nomz.

After reaching Paris (Gare Du Nord) my father and I went straight to a metro kiosk to buy a Carnet de Billets (10 tickets to be used from any point, for most modes of transportation, one per trip) because they were the most worth it in my opinion. Sure you can buy the day pass but when you think about it Paris is such a walking city it isn’t worth the money. A Paris Pass is also great if you want access to all the museums and modes of transportation but it’s pricey so if you’re trying to save money I suggest the Carnet de Billets. One other thing, DON’T BUY FROM THE KIOSK ON GROUND LEVEL AT GARE DU NORD THE TICKETS ARE NOT FOR MAIN LINES!

My father and I made that mistake but a little later on the lady at the Havre-Caumartin metro station was kind enough to switch all our tickets, four for you lady at the Havre-Caumartin.

After deciding not to be adventurous we got in line for a taxi.

Sortie. This is a very important word. It means exit, please keep that in mind if you’re planning on going to Paris.


Whilst in line I spotted this woman with a very interesting bag…

SHE HAD TWO CATS! Not just one! Two! I was amused to say the least. You can’t see the other bag with the other cat but the two of them were mewling at one another. Cute.

Once we got in the taxi we asked our driver to take us to 27 Rue de Mathurins, Rue means road just a heads up, the address for the Hotel George Sand where we are staying. Most people in Paris speak english if not just write a word on a piece of paper or an address and you can usually work it out with them. If not just pick up some basic French form the back of your guidebook, the one I have is fantastic! Its Frommer’s Paris 2011 and it is heaven sent!

After chilling out for a bit we walked to the Havre-Caumartin metro station, most stations look like this or similar to this if not just look for an underpass.

Its really easy to travel on the metro, its quite similar to London except they go by a number system as well as a colour system the only difference is that they have an express train called the RER which could be very bad if you don’t know where you’re going. On the Metro just look for your current destination and your destination of choice and follow the numbers or colours (work with your preference). If you’re making a connection follow the orange Correspondances sign not the Sortie sign so you don’t have to pay again/use another ticket. For the RER look at the black signboard before you get on which is above the platform and see if you’re stop is lighted up, if it is you’re golden.

If you have any questions or you want me to clarify about the London Underground/Paris Metro/Singapore MRT (lol) systems just send me an ask :)

Moving on, I have to stop going off on tangents, we arrived at the Concorde metro station so we can wander around the beautiful Place de la Concorde home to the oldest man made object in Paris- the (coughphalliccough) Egyptian Obelisk. In all seriousness it was stunning there.



We then strolled along the Champs-Élysées which is the main boulevard in Paris, it runs straight to the Arc de Triomphe which was where we were headed. We stopped in the park along the way for a nutella/banana crepe and a “hot dog”- it was in a crispy baguette, yummy! We also side tracked and took pictures of the Grand and Petit Palais which are stunning museums.


Once near the Arc we stopped for a bite at Laduree. Gorgeous macaroons, gorgeous food, gorgeous building, gorgeous restaurant that’s been around for 150 years, hell even a gorgeous bathroom! The prices are also, ahem, gorgeous, if you know what I mean (Psst! That means its pricey!).


After that we posed for peekchars and headed back to the Hotel.


More updates soon I promise! I’m just really exhausted right now, thank you so much for reading and supporting this blog!