....and now comes the final leg of our trip to Europe. Final stop: Paris, France. After an epic 14hr bus ride (the horror!), we were deposited in an ulu corner of Paris and had to find out way to our hostel by ourselves. That we managed to do and we arrived at Gare de Lyon metro station which is actually less than 5 mins from where we were staying called the Blue Planet Hostel. 1 bathroom and toilet per level of around 10 rooms which hold 3 people each. Funnily enough, I never had to wait or saw anyone waiting to use either one. Anyway, I digress..
Gare de Lyon station. There is a much grander entrance to the station but this was the one we always used to get to the station cuz it leads straight to the hostel.
FYI, this was actually taken on the final day (2nd of jan) but I wanted to show u what the place looked like.
After depositing our bags in the cloakroom cuz they wouldn't let us check-in till 3.30pm, we took a small tour around our area. We were pretty tired from the bus ride but we didn't have our rooms so we had to kill around 3+hrs. We then started walking for the fun of it. 
Ended up at a parisian market.
Loads of cheese!
After getting tired of walking aimlessly, we aimed to visit Basilique du Sacré-Coeur (Sacred Heart) since we had walked the majority of the distance there already. As we got closer, we finally saw tourists and we knew we were on the right track.
On the way up, Amy and I were approached by big black guys selling friendship bands. Man, that was scary. They were really pushy and in large numbers, saying things like "Respect, respect" & "Listen to me".
The french city of Paris
Basilique du Sacré-Coeur
It was really nice inside. We even sat down for a breather. No photography inside though.
When we got out, it started hailing little bits of ice.
Walking down the long flight of stairs was quite hazardous, thanks to the wet conditions.
Making our way from Sacred Heart, we found our way to Moulin Rouge. Was a bit disappointed after watching the movie. I kinda expected more from the place. We didn't catch a show because of the prices.
That's it...Moulin Rouge.
Haha, the way u clasp ur hands is funny. I can't explain why :D
On the way home, waiting for the metro. 
After a short nap, we headed out for dinner. Unsure of whether or not we were going to get ripped off or where had nice food, we took a trip around the block to find a suitable place.
On the way home, waiting for the metro. Kudos to Amy was summoning up the energy to smile for the camera...haha.
After a short nap, we headed out for dinner. Unsure of whether or not we were going to get ripped off or where had nice food, we took a trip around the block to find a suitable place.This was not it.
Starters: Escargots.
Amy's duck confit
My salmon and scallops
Was a good meal and we had dessert after that.
Creme Brulee for her
Chocolate mousse for me
After that, we had an early night which was a bit strange for me, sleeping with 3 strangers. Damn creaky beds kept waking me up. Next day, we decided to hit the major spots in Paris in a methodical way, from point A to B to C...haha.
First stop: the Effiel tower
Impressive!
But it was a rather misty day so u couldn't see the top.
The effiel tower of Paris, an enormous phallic symbol in a country famous for being amorous. Couldn't help but throw a bit of Freud in there :D
On the way to the Lourve, we discovered the Flame of Liberty. Apparently, it is supposed to be the same one as the one atop the statue of Liberty in New York Harbour.
HAHA, Amy and her self-timer cam shots. It went off 3 times and I didn't know.
Le Grande Roue
Does this look familiar? It's pretty similar to Brandenburger Tor in Berlin. There's a story behind it but I don't remember.
We have arrived at the Lourve. Home of the Mona Lisa and backdrop to the Da Vinci Code.
Swarms of people everywhere around the Lourve
Lunch-time. Excited, no?
Just near-by was Cathédrale Notre Dame. There are many different versions of the tale. Who knows which is true?
U could be a bandit with that scarf.
Across the river from Notre Dame
Do u know who this is? I'll not mention his name in case my blog gets swamped like Amy's did. Who knew that would happen? Haha, I hope u feel more secure now, Amy.
On the night of new year's eve, Amy checked with the front desk of the hostel and was informed that Champs-Elysées was the place to be. Major disappointment up ahead.
The Arc de Triomphe
We arrived here way way too early...
...so we walked the whole stretch of road that was Champs-Elysées. The decorative lights were really pretty though. Reminded us of Orchard Road..haha..but the buildings were not as close together.
Haha, facebook profile pic..
On our way back up Champs-Elysées, we bought some macaroons. Another disappointment :( I didn't like most of them except the chocolate and some other ones.
Yeap, the macaroons. Was a bit worried that it would mark us out to pick-pockets but it was alright.
The streets starting to fill before midnight.
French police keeping an eye on proceedings. There were several groups of teenage boys and girls walking around shouting things. Seemed pretty innocent but then the groups got bigger and bigger. And they follow the police, making monkey noises. Won't get that in Singapore...haha.
The anticipation grows..
... Everyone getting ready...
It's already past midnight...wait? what? Nothing happened. No fireworks. No countdown. No annoucement. Damn that bad information!!
As u can tell from my face, I was not impressed.
The whole place was packed and we couldn't make it through the crowds.
We were desperately trying to get to the metro to go back to the hostel becuz of the cold and the disappoinment but the police block the entrances to the subways to prevent overcrowding. We didn't know that so we had to travel all the way down after avoiding most of the crowd. Policemen breaking bottles, I assume, to prevent it being thrown at them. Groups of teenage boys following them around, all hyped up. Mobs of people that could literally trample u if u fell. It just capped off a really bad night...haiz :(
It was nice to meet a group of french people though. They wanted to learn how to say "Happy new year" in as many different languages as possible. And they thought Amy was Korean...haha. Classic! 
Excellent photo-taking as usual :D
We were a bit bummed out because the first ride we queued for (Space Mountain) broke down. We decided to just wait it out and were rewarded shortly thereafter. Got to jump to the front portion of the queue too. Well worth the wait... 
Lunch time at Disneyland. I tried to pick something that wasn't fast food but it turns out it still was when we arrived. Bummer.
Amy's mickey mouse burger shaped like a mickey mouse head. 
Pirates of the Caribbean
Danny Seng moonlighting at Disneyland. We just had to take a photo once we saw it...the first thought that popped into our mind was that of Danny Seng.
Starters: Escargots.We decided to indulge ourselves. Good call!
Amy's duck confit
My salmon and scallops
Was a good meal and we had dessert after that.
Creme Brulee for her
Chocolate mousse for me
After that, we had an early night which was a bit strange for me, sleeping with 3 strangers. Damn creaky beds kept waking me up. Next day, we decided to hit the major spots in Paris in a methodical way, from point A to B to C...haha.
First stop: the Effiel tower
Impressive!
But it was a rather misty day so u couldn't see the top.
The effiel tower of Paris, an enormous phallic symbol in a country famous for being amorous. Couldn't help but throw a bit of Freud in there :D
On the way to the Lourve, we discovered the Flame of Liberty. Apparently, it is supposed to be the same one as the one atop the statue of Liberty in New York Harbour.
HAHA, Amy and her self-timer cam shots. It went off 3 times and I didn't know.
Le Grande Roue
Does this look familiar? It's pretty similar to Brandenburger Tor in Berlin. There's a story behind it but I don't remember.
We have arrived at the Lourve. Home of the Mona Lisa and backdrop to the Da Vinci Code.
Swarms of people everywhere around the Lourve
Lunch-time. Excited, no?
Just near-by was Cathédrale Notre Dame. There are many different versions of the tale. Who knows which is true?
U could be a bandit with that scarf.
Across the river from Notre Dame
Do u know who this is? I'll not mention his name in case my blog gets swamped like Amy's did. Who knew that would happen? Haha, I hope u feel more secure now, Amy.This chance meeting was freaking awesome. I really like him as an actor although the one I vividly remember him from is the 3 muskeeters but that's just me.
P.S. My sis was so jealous cuz I've got to meet James McAvoy and K.S. in the 4months since I've been over here studying.
P.S. My sis was so jealous cuz I've got to meet James McAvoy and K.S. in the 4months since I've been over here studying.
On the night of new year's eve, Amy checked with the front desk of the hostel and was informed that Champs-Elysées was the place to be. Major disappointment up ahead.
The Arc de Triomphe
We arrived here way way too early...
...so we walked the whole stretch of road that was Champs-Elysées. The decorative lights were really pretty though. Reminded us of Orchard Road..haha..but the buildings were not as close together.
Haha, facebook profile pic..
On our way back up Champs-Elysées, we bought some macaroons. Another disappointment :( I didn't like most of them except the chocolate and some other ones.
Yeap, the macaroons. Was a bit worried that it would mark us out to pick-pockets but it was alright.
The streets starting to fill before midnight.
French police keeping an eye on proceedings. There were several groups of teenage boys and girls walking around shouting things. Seemed pretty innocent but then the groups got bigger and bigger. And they follow the police, making monkey noises. Won't get that in Singapore...haha.
Waiting in the cold for midnight. We were constantly assuring ourselves that it would be worth it and trying to keep from shivering. Haha, probably the worst experience in the cold, especially coming from sunny Singapore.
The anticipation grows..
... Everyone getting ready...
It's already past midnight...wait? what? Nothing happened. No fireworks. No countdown. No annoucement. Damn that bad information!!As u can tell from my face, I was not impressed.
The whole place was packed and we couldn't make it through the crowds.
We were desperately trying to get to the metro to go back to the hostel becuz of the cold and the disappoinment but the police block the entrances to the subways to prevent overcrowding. We didn't know that so we had to travel all the way down after avoiding most of the crowd. Policemen breaking bottles, I assume, to prevent it being thrown at them. Groups of teenage boys following them around, all hyped up. Mobs of people that could literally trample u if u fell. It just capped off a really bad night...haiz :(
It was nice to meet a group of french people though. They wanted to learn how to say "Happy new year" in as many different languages as possible. And they thought Amy was Korean...haha. Classic!The next day was Disneyland, Paris as everything else was closed on the holiday.
Excellent photo-taking as usual :D
We were a bit bummed out because the first ride we queued for (Space Mountain) broke down. We decided to just wait it out and were rewarded shortly thereafter. Got to jump to the front portion of the queue too. Well worth the wait...I've discovered a love for rides ever since I took a really good one in Australia just recently. Showed me what I was missing. Man, I would like to go another round on that ride.
This was the Star Wars ride. Pretty lame but I guess it was for the kids
Lunch time at Disneyland. I tried to pick something that wasn't fast food but it turns out it still was when we arrived. Bummer.
Amy's mickey mouse burger shaped like a mickey mouse head. It really made u happy, Amy? Haha...
Pirates of the Caribbean
Danny Seng moonlighting at Disneyland. We just had to take a photo once we saw it...the first thought that popped into our mind was that of Danny Seng.
Me likes :)
This was a good ride. Really fast and exciting. 
After that, we did a bit of look-see.
Figurines everywhere. Mass-produced. 
The castle was really impressive at night.
Haha, nice, no?
Space Mountain! We came back later after getting the fast pass..one of the best rides.
Big Thunder Mountain.
Love that old Disney magic. Reminder of my childhood...haha.
Main Street USA
This was the start of the parade...
...Goofy and Chip/Dale...
Evil Queen from the Sleeping Beauty (Didn't like it that much)
I think this is Jaffar from Aladdin
Ursula from the Little Mermaid
Snow White & Prince Charming 
Ariel and Prince Eric from the Little Mermaid
Beauty and the Beast
(Loved it as well)
Aladdin and Princess Jasmine
A pity the Lion King was not included...loved that one too.
In no hurry to go back this time, Amy and I shopped abit...well, she did. I wasn't looking to buy anything. We then went to have something to eat.
Amy's berry tart. She LOVED it!
I prefer my doughnuts :)
Important to hydrate oneself
Loads of candy. Was sorely tempted but I resisted the urge. Better not to start...
And so, that was the last day I spent in Paris. After that, we went back for some sleep and it was off to the airport the next day for me. After a bad start from the bus ride, I started to enjoy myself alot more in Paris. I think Amy really enjoyed herself and I'm glad we went on the trip together. Granted, it could have been better planned but it was just a combination of bad timing and circumstances. Good luck for your last semester, Amy...all the best. It was nice to see a familiar face to talk to and even more so because of our history. Can't wait till I see everyone back home again. Till the next chapter in my life...
This was a good ride. Really fast and exciting. It was so fun, we did it twice...
After that, we did a bit of look-see.
Figurines everywhere. Mass-produced. Everyone wants a little piece of that Disney magic.
The castle was really impressive at night.
Haha, nice, no?
Space Mountain! We came back later after getting the fast pass..one of the best rides.
Big Thunder Mountain.
Love that old Disney magic. Reminder of my childhood...haha.
Main Street USA
This was the start of the parade...
...Goofy and Chip/Dale...
Evil Queen from the Sleeping Beauty (Didn't like it that much)
I think this is Jaffar from Aladdin
Ursula from the Little Mermaid
Snow White & Prince Charming 
Ariel and Prince Eric from the Little Mermaid(Loved the show)
Beauty and the Beast(Loved it as well)
Aladdin and Princess Jasmine(Loved this one too)
A pity the Lion King was not included...loved that one too.The parade concluded with Minny.
In no hurry to go back this time, Amy and I shopped abit...well, she did. I wasn't looking to buy anything. We then went to have something to eat.
Amy's berry tart. She LOVED it!
I prefer my doughnuts :)
Important to hydrate oneself
Loads of candy. Was sorely tempted but I resisted the urge. Better not to start...
And so, that was the last day I spent in Paris. After that, we went back for some sleep and it was off to the airport the next day for me. After a bad start from the bus ride, I started to enjoy myself alot more in Paris. I think Amy really enjoyed herself and I'm glad we went on the trip together. Granted, it could have been better planned but it was just a combination of bad timing and circumstances. Good luck for your last semester, Amy...all the best. It was nice to see a familiar face to talk to and even more so because of our history. Can't wait till I see everyone back home again. Till the next chapter in my life...
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