Monday, August 15, 2016

That France Trip


I've got to put this down on record, even if it's gonna be a short one. We did an epic trip to France in the first week of August (5 days 4 nights) for Chick's wedding! It was an amazing race of sorts because of the long flight, the train ride, and the failed attempt at driving a manual car (darn my skills).  But worth every minute of it.

Day 1

We landed in Paris on an Emirates flight early in the morning, took the RoissyBus, and checked in at InterContinental Paris Le Grand Hotel, right opposite l'Opera where the bus stops. Never mind the jet lag. Dumped our bags, showered quickly, and out we go. 

Because of the hotel location (and because we are cheapskate), we walked to Champs Elysees instead. We went right for Leon de Bruxelles where I gobbled up a big pot of mussels. At around 20 euros for a special menu of mussels, fries, beer ? I am satisfied. 

Then it was another long walk to see the Iron Lady. I can't believe the last time I was there it was six years ago, with Mom. And two years prior to that, Mr. Jang proposed there. Has it been eight years already? I brought my engagement ring back, just to check that the sparkle is still there. It is. 

Homecoming for The Ring. 




Day 2

Early breakfast at Boulangerie Grand Opera (13 rue de Mogador), where they sell the fluffiest pain au chocolate. Then swung by the nearby H&M to grab some cardigans. It was chilly the night before and I didn't want to catch a cold. After throwing everything into our luggage, we checked-out and uber our way to Gare Montparnasse.

Call me paranoid but after the recent spate of attacks in France, I was a rather uneasy while waiting inside the station for our train to Tours. We got some drinks, magazine, and sushi to munch on the 1.5 hour right. And we arrived safely, warmly welcomed by P who was waiting for us.

The highlight of Day 2 has got to be the MANUAL rental car. I thought I still have the skill to handle the complicated metal beast. And cheapskate me didn't want to spend extra on an auto. Wrong move.

I didn't count on a lagging wifi google map, unfamiliar small roads, left hand driving, shifting manual gear all rolled into this panicky Asian lady driver.

To cut the story short, I went anti-direction twice in a failure to control the car, up the tram way (where I made an emergency U-turn across 2 tracks), and finally stalled on a slope entering a highway. Kind souls stopped to help (I could only say 'Desolee! En panne!'); unkind ones honked and glared. I have never felt so stressed.

In the end, we managed to wiggle our way across town, back to the rental company to upgrade into an auto. BEST 100 euro ever spent. To make up to Mr. Jang, I still sped to Chateau de Chenonceau, which we were supposed to visit before going to check in at our hotel at Villandry. In the end, we could only make it to the gift shop, and Mr. Jang gave me a slap on the face with a souvenir for effect.

My bad.



Day 3

This is the day of the wedding, our raison-d'etre in France! In the morning, we popped by Chateau de l'Islette in Azay-le-Rideau, a 15-min drive from our awesome hotel in Villandry (le haut des lys). I wanted to maximise my car rental and our stay in France, so I hit every tourist spot I could. On the way back, we even stopped by a farmers market at the pretty little town of Savonnieres to buy fruits and pizza.


The weather was really beautiful that day. We got slightly burnt from standing in the lawn at the city hall, waiting to catch the beautiful bride for a photo. It was a simple but heartfelt ceremony attended by family and close friends. Truly honoured to be witnessing this exchange of vows.


By the time we got back to Villandry, most of the restaurants were closed. We settled for nutella crepes by a street side cafe just down the slope from our hotel. 


And then it was off to Chateau de Villandry for the party of the century! I was so excited to be attending a wedding in a castle, I didn't realised our tickets for entry into the castle is only valid till 6pm. Thereafter it was only the garden and the reception area which were available for access.

Sad face.

Nonetheless, we still managed to stroll around the chateau grounds and take loads of photos before the reception began. My fave - Elsa and Anna impersonations by Sis and I! And I almost forgot how suave Mr. Jang looks like in a suit.


And we danced, we drank, we laughed the night away...



Day 4

A morning of frantic packing, check-outs and train ride later, the original Fabulous Four found ourselves back at Champs Elysees. BIL and Sis wanted to visit the Eiffel Tower after shopping, as it was BIL's first time in Paris, while we had to go to Lil's house for dinner. So we split up after eating yet another around of mussels. We met back near the Eiffel Tower after 9pm. The long summer days really let us maximise the short duration of our trip.


So au revoir, France! I will be back, like I've always said!

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