Day 24 - Paris France

Henry Ford must be making cars for the Parisians. I say this based on his famous quote of: "You can have any colour you want as long as it's black" as most cars in Europe are that colour. We noticed this last time we were here and things haven't changed. 

After a sleep in we caught the hop on hop off open deck bus for a two hour tour. We then went for a walk along the Avenue Des Champs Élysées which was absolutely beautiful but absolutely packed. Today is the Marathon de Paris, a running marathon limited to 37,000 runners. Unlike most other marathons, but like all races in France, the Paris Marathon requires a doctor's note affirming the runner is physically fit to run a marathon.

We climbed the Arc de Triomphe for an amazing view. On the workout of a climb I could hear the accent of another Aussie. It's been the first for a few weeks so we had a bit of a chat. They're heading to some similar places to us but at different times. Looking down the Champs Élysées, it was cluttered with colour as the runners wore blue ponchos stood out against the rest of the crowd. I was really lucky to grab some abstract shots given this is a once a year event.

We next caught the bus to the Trocadero and went on a Reine River cruise. Upon return we witnessed an illegal street vendor being arrested after she was punching into a police officer. There are hundreds of people selling souvenirs illegally that quickly disappear upon the sight of police. They never stop pestering.  

Tilly's choice for dinner was an authentic 50's restaurant. Her dinner was served in a Frisbee which she got to keep and the food terrific. Upon leaving we got talking to two Dutch men. One was seventy but looked at least ten years younger. He was an artist and quite a character. His friend had paid for the trip for his seventieth birthday which was last October and didn't agree to go until now. Two lovely fellows. 

The Hotel Gramont is the hotel we are staying at which is in the Opera district and so centrally located. If we were to ever come back this would be the place we would stay again. We're really loving this.