Archive for December 5th, 2022

December 5, 2022

Paris, the Christmas season and the twins 18 b-day !!!

As the best season is coming up for 2022, I try to bring nicer memories back into my life. Now that time has passed and the two great women of my life are out, (my mom Gladys and my wife Martine) this is the time where all comes back. I like to share these moment again with my readers. Thank you for reading me, and hope these posts brings joy to you and your families. These posts will be in my black and white series, no pictures.

Another year ends and Christmas season is in the air, The  December 2011 Christmas was our first one in our new apartment of Brec’h in my beautiful Morbihan dept 56 of my lovely Bretagne and my belle France. However, took the boys back to Paris because its always an excuse, because it was my twin boys 18 birthday wow!! now big men, times flies, and because it was the start of decorations, and Christmas market in the Champs-Elysées. Voilà Noël is in the air !!!

I took off from Brec’h by car as usual, with my twins boys who goes to school here while the mom and older plus my father stays in Versailles waiting for the house to be sold (have two realtors working on it). The ride was as usual very smooth on the N165,N24,A84,and A13;gas was at 1,359 euros per liter and tolls were 14,30 euros one way. Still a lot cheaper than going by train or plane or else. We arrive Friday night late just enough to sleep and ready for Paris the next day.

The day was begun at the George V parking lot underground ,one of my favorites spots to park my car as in several others. We then proceeded to a  huge visit and Dad/Mom hefty price tag at Virgin Megastore (now closed) at the Champs-Elysées. This was great as usual and they got their X360 videogame machine plus all kinds of tapes, and video games.

We walk as far as the place de la Concorde, and the big wheel or grande roue was there flashing already a Paris landmark and waited by many. The chalets or market stalls were abundant and nice with wood from the French vosges , all kinds of them, and they were already busy with the crowds. We notice some over pricing, as my oldest son work in the business of souvenirs stores in Versailles, there the prices sometimes are half of those in Paris ::) However, it seems of little importance as folks were gathering gadgets all over the avenue. We visit the Sport24 store to see some nice shirts by Real Madrid but again a bit overprice than I could pay in Madrid ::) The main point was the walk and seeing all the lights been ready,and the festive mood of the people, lots of French kisses on the avenue, young lovers abound….

Finally it was time to head back, to find something to eat, well we were in tourist heaven so not much choice,however, we had eaten at Pizza Pino at Montparnasse before and it was good portions at good pricing so we opted for it. Pizza Pino has a branch in the Champs-Elysées (now closed) right in front of l’entrecote and next to pizza roma, cant missed it. We left happy as it was, also, my twins birthdays and as they wanted to shop for their gadgets there we ate on site.

We did not finish shopping we went across to FNAC another dept store , at the Champs-Elysées, and we purchase two samsung digital cameras (mines) there plus more cd, and dvds tapes for the kids and Dad ::) We then went over to the George V parking garage got in my car and drove over to the port de Suffren where the boat Maxim’s is anchored.

The boat Maxim’s is a double decker maroons off the Seine just below the Tour Eiffel, and owned by Pierre Cardin. Every year I get invitations to the tastings of wine and goodies there, you can eat on the upper deck or just buy and go home. Over the years we have done both, this time we just bought our regular house wines from the Loire,beaujolais nouveau, and plenty of chocolates, French chocolates home made by artists of the genre, really good. The parking there is free with attendance,and you get to see and walk around the Eiffel tower which after so many trps over the years no need to go up again lol! We were loaded ,more broked ,but very happy as usual of our Paris escapades.

We headed home but knowing it was late and just the hour for folks coming in and out of Paris for the night activities we took the direction of La Defense, went around the N13 direction Suresnes and reach the A13 at just Versailles, nice ride by the road warrior once again. The day made more special because of my twins boys 18 birthday !!!

The Paris tourist office: https://en.parisinfo.com/

There you go folks a dandy experience , always remember with fondness, this is the season to be merrier, we always try even if memories of the past will come flashing by rapidly. It is always a time to cheers and in Paris much the better.

And remember, happy travels good health, and many cheers to all !!!

December 5, 2022

Versailles on Christmas Day !!!

As the best season is coming up for 2022, I try to bring nicer memories back into my life. Now that time has passed and the two great women of my life are out, (my mom Gladys and my wife Martine) this is the time where all comes back. I like to share these moment again with my readers. Thank you for reading me, and hope these posts brings joy to you and your families. These posts will be in my black and white series, no pictures.

After the Christmas eve dinner and the Christmas day gifts what is next ? I took off for a ride and walk of the city of Versailles on this glorious day. Christmas 2011 that is !!!

The city was calm and almost empty of course, there was some hardy tourists strolling in the evening but for most it was to me and my father who accompanied me while the rest of the gang stay at home watching the Christmas/Noel shows on TV. Its a special day, and wanted to be out, no snow, not cold ,just cool evening ,and no sunshine. I was by the palace, of course, then up the bd Leclerc to see the Cathedral of St Louis, and the Potager du roi, up to ave Gral de Gaulle to see the rive gauche train RER station, and the Hôtel de Ville on the corner of ave de Paris, went up to see Madame Elizabeth home on 73 ave de Paris, and back to the marché de Notre Dame.  Some was done by car and most on foot.

Its my home for now, still selling my house to move west to the Morbihan breton, but Versailles will always be home ,8.5 glorious years, another milestone in my life of moving and shaking and life goes on. I am sure another sweet land awaits me in Morbihan dept 56 of Bretagne, but the previous ones are all good. They all marked a stage of my life and learning experiences that helps me shape my life in the future. They are all remembered and share with friends and family along the ways. Versailles is no different.

The royal town of Versailles, home of the French constitution,and the declaration of support for the young nation of the United States of America. The end of the line of French monarchy. Its all here, along with jobs and schools, and everyday life’s chores.

Some updates from the Palace,,,,a new balcon has been open in the cours des cerfs; the piece des bains in Marie Antoinette apartments  are now open for viewing; and the restauration of the salon de Mercure over the last few months ,this is part of the Grands Appartements, done in 1682.

The Versailles tourist office: https://en.versailles-tourisme.com/?origine=switchLangue

The official Château de Versailles: https://en.chateauversailles.fr/

There you go folks a dandy experience , always remember with fondness, this is the season to be merrier, we always try even if memories of the past will come flashing by rapidly. It is always a time to cheers and in Versailles is royal nice.

And remember, happy travels good health, and many cheers to all !!!

December 5, 2022

My travel stories so far !!!

We are coming to the end of 2022 another year and another battle, My 87 years old father Elio is already 18 days in the hospital recuperating from an episode of epilepsy and coming along slowly in stable condition, He is the last as my mother Gladys died in 2007 and my dear wife Martine in 2018, I am at home with my 3 young men and our dog Rex waiting for Christmas and another year, I decided to look back and briefly tell of my travels and countries visited in my life, All wonderful trips with family and alone that will be in my memory forever, Hope you enjoy the reading along with me of this wonderful post,

I have gone out into the world from the Miami International airport, Orlando, and Fort Lauderdale in Florida, Later from CDG Roissy airport (Paris) and Orly airport (Paris), Lastly my trips have been from Nantes Atlantique airport or even the Lorient and Rennes airports. Many experiences all good me think even with some delays, No sad event on any of them.

The countries I have visited are group by region below :

Asia : Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, China, Dubai, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Qatar, India, South Korea, Saudi Arabia,Taiwan, and Thailand,(14)

Africa : Uganda, Nigeria, South Africa, Argelia, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania,Angola, Namibia, Mozambique,Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon,and Senegal, (16)

America : Mexico , Brazil, Belize, Chile, Colombia, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Bahamas, Canada, USA, Cuba, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay, Paraguay Bolivia,Dominican Republic,Guatemala, Jamaica, and Haiti (27)

Europe : Spain, France, Portugal , Belgium, Luxembourg, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Romania, England, Ireland, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, Italy,Greece, San Marino, Russia,Israel, Austria, Bulgaria, Andorra, Monaco, and the Vatican, (24)

So there you go 81 countries so far, and some were done from France ,the latest ones, and others done from the USA the oldest visits, All wonderful memorable moments in my life.

The family was always sitting down to figure where we are going, and the endless choices mostly turn out to be France or Spain. Lately, alone with the boys we have been concentrating closer to home in our lovely region of Bretagne/Brittany/Breizh, Life goes on, beautiful life but short to many, enjoy it fully while you can, Remember as I needed to, don’t do tomorrow what you can do today, This post will allow me to keep track of where I have been because it took some work to put it together.

And remember, happy travels, good health,and many cheers to all !!!

ps, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2023

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