The Melbourne Martins' Grande Tour 2014

What a day we had today! When we awoke, we discovered that the Easter bunny had tracked us down and left the girls some chocolate goodies!

After a leisurely breakfast of delicious toast & strawberry jam (& chocolate!) we took to the streets to check out all the delights that Paris can offer. We crossed the Seine to the left bank and over to Notre Dame cathedral where the Easter Sunday service was in full swing. We then jumped on the open top bus to do a full circuit of the sights. The girls were sweating on seeing the main attraction and it wasn't long until the Eiffel Tower hove into view! By the looks on their faces, it lived up to their expectations!

We stayed on the bus as we're paying a full visit tomorrow with tickets up to the top. The delights of the shops on the Champs-Élysées did however tempt the girls to disembark to engage in a bit of retail therapy! Also had a wander around the Arc de Triomphe which is a majestic spot to view the city. Seeing the names of all the battles inscribed on the arches, with the tomb of the Unknown Soldier below was a sobering experience.

We were all a little tired after a big day of touring, none more so than Bronnie who went for a 'little lie down' before dinner at 6:30 and still hasn't woken up at 11pm! I guess I'd better hit the hay too to rest up for our trip up to the top of ET! I'm sure Liv will want to 'phone home' to tell all her friends about it!

Well we finally got here! Paris in springtime is just as gorgeous as I remembered. A bit of a nip in the air and cloudy but the place is really buzzing with the holiday crowds swarming along the avenues of the hip Marais boulevardes.
Our apartment is tres bien but being on the third floor sans elevator it was hard work getting the bags upstairs. Great location, with a view over the Seine to Notre Dame:

It's in the heart of the shopping and restaurant precinct so all appetites are catered for:

Poor Bronnie developed a migraine on the last leg of the flight and had to take to her bed on arrival (together with Liv who was also feeling a bit crook) but both seem ok after a few hours kip. All of us fading with jet lag / sleep need now so will grab some chow and have an early night so we're ready to hit the City of Light tomorrow!

Nothing like a 14 hour flight & a bit of duty free shopping at 2:30am to tucker you out. Bye Dubai, hello Paris!

1:15am & finally finished packing! ? now for some shut eye before the wagons hit the road!