Contiki Day 1 - London to Paris

Finally after 6 days on the road I get to update the blog... read on

5am start this morning had to meet the rest of the tour at 6am for a 6.45am leaving time. It was hard getting up so early, but didn´t really sleep that much anyway.

We packed up and went down stairs checked out of the backpackers (cos it certainly wasn´t a hotel) and checked into Contiki. We actually didn´t get away till late, and we had a ferry to catch and rush hour traffic to get through. We have three contiki people on our bus, Renee (the tour manager), Chris (the driver) and Jelly (the cook).

The start of the trip was on a motorway to Dover. Where we would catch the ferry to Calis France. Row and I weren´t sitting together because we ended up being the last couple of people on the bus. But that was ok, we got to meet a couple of other people on the tour.

A couple of hours later we got to Dover and after going trough Customs, we boarded the ferry. We had lunch which included Beer, Vodka, Sandwich and a pastry. We did get some photos of the white cliffs of Dover. There are more of the white cliffs than I thought.

Row bought a bottle of Bowmore´s Whiskey, which is distilled on the same Island as Laphoaig (his favourite whiskey). Next stop FRANCE!!!

Got off the boat and started our journey to Paris. After a couple of hours on the bus we stopped at a service station to pee and get some food. We just brought a coke as we had already eaten. It was interesting trying to understand them. When buying the coke, we just looked at the amount and gave them the money, cos we couldn´t understand a word of what they were saying. The bathroom was another interesting aspect of France. No toliet seat. I figure I´ll get strong legs.

After the stop, we continued onto Paris. The countryside is very flat and at the moment the fields are either full of veges or have just been cut for what I imagine is hay or something similar. Although you notice your not in Kiwiland cos the street signs are not in english and the houses are different.

We made it to camp early afternoon, we were actually shown how to put up a tent. Honestly wouldn´t take a brain surgeon, but then after looking at some of the tents afterwards, you´d think so.

Before dinner we were introduced to snails. Yes they brought snails for each of us to try and also red bubbly wine. The wine was sweet and very nice, the snails well I managed to eat one. They taste like mussells, which i don´t like, but at least I can say I´ve had one.

After dinner we cleaned up and those on duty did the dishes and then we went into Paris for a night tour of the sights. Wasn´t really night as it was still light, but hey its all part of it.

The tour gave us a general idea of where things are, Effil Tower, Notre Dame, Napolean´s tomb, Museums, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe etc. The Arc de Triomphe is where 12 avenues join and there are NO rules on the round-a-bout. Well I think you have to give way to those getting onto the round about, but its madness really.

By the time we finished the tour it was 10pm, some people went to the Bar, but i was too tired. There is a whole nother day in Paris tomorrow...