Christmas in Paris... Almost!
hee... Just came back from a Paris flight. Depature time was 2150, christmas day, even with Paris 7 hours behind Singapore time, we were only halfway there by the time christmas was over. haha... Nevertheless, still considered as i spent christmas overseas.
Anyway during the lull period, i look out of the window just to see where the heck are we already, i saw the most beautiful sight that i've not seen for a long time. From up above the cloudless night, the cities below were all lit up! Can't really discribe to u, u have to see it for yourself. But it was really really nice. Usually what i always see are ocean lah, all blue and damn sian...
13+ hours flight, 2 meal service and we've finally landed. But first order of the day was to hit the bed first! Anyway it was merely 7am in Paris and all dark and gloomy. Winter isn't exactly very friendly u know! haha... Nothing to see so early in the morning, not to mention shop.
*10am, View from the hotel room.
Showered, watched some TV (which 90% of the channel were all in french), after which i slept like a log till Jane called to meet for lunch. Hee... Frankly, being the junior there i should always call to meet for lunch, hee... but every flight i never one lah. I "jio" the crew before we land, the rest just add on only. Time and place all set at the hotel lobby before we hit our rooms.
This way everyone get mental preparation also right? Can plan ahead, no need to get disrupted mid-sleep.
Anyway i'm not the most junior on this flight! haha... But generally everyone on this flight were nice, no pulling of ranks. Well... maybe there was some "draw line" thingi... haha... But it was fine lah, in fact, it made the flight more hilarious. haha... There was this joke about the "draw line" people, but we shall not touch on that! haha...
Went for late lunch with the gals working with me in EY. Chief called to "jio" us for lunch too! haha... So nice leh, first time hear got Chief "jio"ing us. Unfortunately, we've plans already, so no choice but to reject the invitation, but the thought was really appreciated lah. : )
In the night we were off to visit the LV shop, Actually it's not a shop lor, it's a bloody building! haha... 3 levels of LV wallets, bags and accessories! From our hotel we took a subway from Porte Maillot to George V. U come up from the subway u will see the building already! U won't miss it one. I've never seen such a big Louis Vuitton sign anywhere else!
If u ask me, LV is really cheaper in Paris than in Singapore. Although it's in Euros. After the conversion it would cost around 20% cheaper. That would translate to a $1000 bag costing only $800 there. But of coz there is always the tax in Singapore which all travellers try to "siam"...
Rule of tumb, if u buy anything overseas, especially things that cost thousand-over-dollars discard the box and wrappers and use the item, or attempt to make them appear that they are being used, If not u will be taxed in Singapore.
Anyway, nobody bought anything, no one could decide what to buy. So after that the rest went back while me and Casey decide to go visit the Eiffel Tower. It's a freezing -2 degrees even with a Down jacket u could still feel the chill. Because i didn't bring my gloves and beanie, my ears and fingers were all numbed from the cold. But we damn hardcore lor, die die must see the Eiffel Tower. haha... We were shivering like mad lor.
The tropical Singaporeans are just not made for winter. haha...
But it's all worth it. The romantic hue of the Eiffel Tower lights really felt as if we were in a movie set. Truely beautiful. Seems like the best moment in my life i will never get to experence it with my gf, not that i've one now, but so far it has always been with friends or alone. Even if i've a chance to go back there again with my gf, the feeling will never be the same. Nothing beats the first experence.
Hee... Like Wendy commented after we watched "The Holiday" last week, Winter for single is well... "cold, single and lonely..." haha... Which is true to a certain extend! Thank goodness i've got company!
Anyway I really pity those street peddlers who sell their wares on the streets. It was so cold, yet they have to stand in the freezing weather to sell their stuff, mainly souvenirs and toys. I was at Trocadero, which was across the river facing the Eiffel Tower. For the 1 and 1/2 hours i was there i didn't see anyone buy their stuff.
How can anyone survive like that in winter? But well, they still managed to survive this way for the past decade. Come to think of it, living in Singapore isn't that bad, at least the poor dun have to freeze to death. At most just homeless only. haha... Duh...
*The Arc De Triomphe in the background.
Oh and i saw something damn cruel while i was at George V, someone left 4 dogs on the street in the middle of winter, cold and huddled up. It's both sweet and heartbreaking. Sweet as in the 4 dogs were all huddled together, sharing warmth and heartbreaking as in who the fuck leave their pets in the open in the middle of winter, leashed to a tree with nowhere to hide from the cold. Basket right?
We finally decided to go back around 10pm. It was really too cold to stay outside lah. Took the train back to our hotel.
Oh by the way, the station for Eiffel Tower is Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel. There is actually another train line leading there from our hotel at Porte Maillot. The Train line is direct but u have to wait as there are 3 or 4 different trains on the same line but going to different train. U have to make sure u hop onto the right one.
*On the train, enroute to the Eiffel Tower.
As for the subway, from Porte Maillot u have to alight at Charles de Gaulle Etolle and change onto another line which goes Bir-Hakeim, which is the same station as Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel. Confused right? So was i! haha... Best part, few will try to communicate in English. lalala... U're alone if u decide to backpack. Better brush up on your french!
Anyway, when i was in Paris i was feeling damn jet lagged! 7 hours difference could really be quite screw up. By evening time u would feel damn lethargic coz it's like past midnight in Singapore.
Next day nothing much, we went to GALARIES LAFAYETTE by the subway. The station is Chausse d'Antin La Fayette if anyone would like to know. But if u take from Porte Maillot, u would have to change onto another line at Franklin D. Roosevelt which will bring u to Chausse d'Antin La Fayette.
Think of GALARIES LAYFAYETTE as one gigantic DFS. haha... 2 super big shopping complex actually! Remember to get your Tax rebate when u shop there. Finally everyone bought something, the gang finally gotten their LVs, while as for me? I'm still budget shopping. haha... But i did got myself a pair of glove and a scarf at H&M opposite GALARIES LAYFAYETTE.
There was also ZARA, but the price is the same as singapore and the range are about the same as Singapore, well... maybe except for the winter collection.
Hee... The cashier was damn stunned when she saw my VISA mini. haha... Just love the look on her face. She had never seen such a tiny VISA card before. haha... She was even more stunned when she swapped the card on the machine. It could actually work! haha...
Landed back in Singapore yesterday morning. All in all it was a good flight back! Well maybe except for someone appearing to be "drawing line" with me. haha... But nothing i couldn't managed. Even met up with Wendy at the DFS after we cleared immigration. Her flight returned early from London while mine was back on time. So we both arrived around the same time.
It was really a pleasant surprise. Anyway good she was back early coz her STA was scheduled 20mins after mine and i've bought this super lumpy Nougat back in Paris for her. haha... So dun have to wait to pass it to her!
Got myself a bottle of wine from DFS to add to my collection- Wolf Blass's Grey Label Carbernet Sauvignon. But i dun really like the screw cap though, which seems to take away the pleasure of opening a bottle of wine. Hee... well, maybe except for onboard the flight, scew caps are the best. Hassle free! haha...
The selections at DFS are just too little already. Just too bad Europe flight can't bring liquids onboard, if not i could have gotten a bottle of french back. It's cheaper and has far wider range than in Singapore.
Got another Paris flight coming up in Febuary. But i think my shopping will have to wait. Household expenses are mounting, thus more bills to pay. Spending budget will to be reduced, thus spending power will be halved. But well, that's the fact of life, when u thought u have gain the upper hand in life, something else will come your way to keep u on your toes.
When u say "Live Life to the Max", it also means living life with everything coming your way, the good and the very shitty.
hee... Just came back from a Paris flight. Depature time was 2150, christmas day, even with Paris 7 hours behind Singapore time, we were only halfway there by the time christmas was over. haha... Nevertheless, still considered as i spent christmas overseas.
Anyway during the lull period, i look out of the window just to see where the heck are we already, i saw the most beautiful sight that i've not seen for a long time. From up above the cloudless night, the cities below were all lit up! Can't really discribe to u, u have to see it for yourself. But it was really really nice. Usually what i always see are ocean lah, all blue and damn sian...
13+ hours flight, 2 meal service and we've finally landed. But first order of the day was to hit the bed first! Anyway it was merely 7am in Paris and all dark and gloomy. Winter isn't exactly very friendly u know! haha... Nothing to see so early in the morning, not to mention shop.
*10am, View from the hotel room.
Showered, watched some TV (which 90% of the channel were all in french), after which i slept like a log till Jane called to meet for lunch. Hee... Frankly, being the junior there i should always call to meet for lunch, hee... but every flight i never one lah. I "jio" the crew before we land, the rest just add on only. Time and place all set at the hotel lobby before we hit our rooms.
This way everyone get mental preparation also right? Can plan ahead, no need to get disrupted mid-sleep.
Anyway i'm not the most junior on this flight! haha... But generally everyone on this flight were nice, no pulling of ranks. Well... maybe there was some "draw line" thingi... haha... But it was fine lah, in fact, it made the flight more hilarious. haha... There was this joke about the "draw line" people, but we shall not touch on that! haha...
Went for late lunch with the gals working with me in EY. Chief called to "jio" us for lunch too! haha... So nice leh, first time hear got Chief "jio"ing us. Unfortunately, we've plans already, so no choice but to reject the invitation, but the thought was really appreciated lah. : )
In the night we were off to visit the LV shop, Actually it's not a shop lor, it's a bloody building! haha... 3 levels of LV wallets, bags and accessories! From our hotel we took a subway from Porte Maillot to George V. U come up from the subway u will see the building already! U won't miss it one. I've never seen such a big Louis Vuitton sign anywhere else!
If u ask me, LV is really cheaper in Paris than in Singapore. Although it's in Euros. After the conversion it would cost around 20% cheaper. That would translate to a $1000 bag costing only $800 there. But of coz there is always the tax in Singapore which all travellers try to "siam"...
Rule of tumb, if u buy anything overseas, especially things that cost thousand-over-dollars discard the box and wrappers and use the item, or attempt to make them appear that they are being used, If not u will be taxed in Singapore.
Anyway, nobody bought anything, no one could decide what to buy. So after that the rest went back while me and Casey decide to go visit the Eiffel Tower. It's a freezing -2 degrees even with a Down jacket u could still feel the chill. Because i didn't bring my gloves and beanie, my ears and fingers were all numbed from the cold. But we damn hardcore lor, die die must see the Eiffel Tower. haha... We were shivering like mad lor.
The tropical Singaporeans are just not made for winter. haha...
But it's all worth it. The romantic hue of the Eiffel Tower lights really felt as if we were in a movie set. Truely beautiful. Seems like the best moment in my life i will never get to experence it with my gf, not that i've one now, but so far it has always been with friends or alone. Even if i've a chance to go back there again with my gf, the feeling will never be the same. Nothing beats the first experence.
Hee... Like Wendy commented after we watched "The Holiday" last week, Winter for single is well... "cold, single and lonely..." haha... Which is true to a certain extend! Thank goodness i've got company!
Anyway I really pity those street peddlers who sell their wares on the streets. It was so cold, yet they have to stand in the freezing weather to sell their stuff, mainly souvenirs and toys. I was at Trocadero, which was across the river facing the Eiffel Tower. For the 1 and 1/2 hours i was there i didn't see anyone buy their stuff.
How can anyone survive like that in winter? But well, they still managed to survive this way for the past decade. Come to think of it, living in Singapore isn't that bad, at least the poor dun have to freeze to death. At most just homeless only. haha... Duh...
*The Arc De Triomphe in the background.
Oh and i saw something damn cruel while i was at George V, someone left 4 dogs on the street in the middle of winter, cold and huddled up. It's both sweet and heartbreaking. Sweet as in the 4 dogs were all huddled together, sharing warmth and heartbreaking as in who the fuck leave their pets in the open in the middle of winter, leashed to a tree with nowhere to hide from the cold. Basket right?
We finally decided to go back around 10pm. It was really too cold to stay outside lah. Took the train back to our hotel.
Oh by the way, the station for Eiffel Tower is Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel. There is actually another train line leading there from our hotel at Porte Maillot. The Train line is direct but u have to wait as there are 3 or 4 different trains on the same line but going to different train. U have to make sure u hop onto the right one.
*On the train, enroute to the Eiffel Tower.
As for the subway, from Porte Maillot u have to alight at Charles de Gaulle Etolle and change onto another line which goes Bir-Hakeim, which is the same station as Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel. Confused right? So was i! haha... Best part, few will try to communicate in English. lalala... U're alone if u decide to backpack. Better brush up on your french!
Anyway, when i was in Paris i was feeling damn jet lagged! 7 hours difference could really be quite screw up. By evening time u would feel damn lethargic coz it's like past midnight in Singapore.
Next day nothing much, we went to GALARIES LAFAYETTE by the subway. The station is Chausse d'Antin La Fayette if anyone would like to know. But if u take from Porte Maillot, u would have to change onto another line at Franklin D. Roosevelt which will bring u to Chausse d'Antin La Fayette.
Think of GALARIES LAYFAYETTE as one gigantic DFS. haha... 2 super big shopping complex actually! Remember to get your Tax rebate when u shop there. Finally everyone bought something, the gang finally gotten their LVs, while as for me? I'm still budget shopping. haha... But i did got myself a pair of glove and a scarf at H&M opposite GALARIES LAYFAYETTE.
There was also ZARA, but the price is the same as singapore and the range are about the same as Singapore, well... maybe except for the winter collection.
Hee... The cashier was damn stunned when she saw my VISA mini. haha... Just love the look on her face. She had never seen such a tiny VISA card before. haha... She was even more stunned when she swapped the card on the machine. It could actually work! haha...
Landed back in Singapore yesterday morning. All in all it was a good flight back! Well maybe except for someone appearing to be "drawing line" with me. haha... But nothing i couldn't managed. Even met up with Wendy at the DFS after we cleared immigration. Her flight returned early from London while mine was back on time. So we both arrived around the same time.
It was really a pleasant surprise. Anyway good she was back early coz her STA was scheduled 20mins after mine and i've bought this super lumpy Nougat back in Paris for her. haha... So dun have to wait to pass it to her!
Got myself a bottle of wine from DFS to add to my collection- Wolf Blass's Grey Label Carbernet Sauvignon. But i dun really like the screw cap though, which seems to take away the pleasure of opening a bottle of wine. Hee... well, maybe except for onboard the flight, scew caps are the best. Hassle free! haha...
The selections at DFS are just too little already. Just too bad Europe flight can't bring liquids onboard, if not i could have gotten a bottle of french back. It's cheaper and has far wider range than in Singapore.
Got another Paris flight coming up in Febuary. But i think my shopping will have to wait. Household expenses are mounting, thus more bills to pay. Spending budget will to be reduced, thus spending power will be halved. But well, that's the fact of life, when u thought u have gain the upper hand in life, something else will come your way to keep u on your toes.
When u say "Live Life to the Max", it also means living life with everything coming your way, the good and the very shitty.
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