Day 1 passed in a haze and we were determined to start the "actual sight-seeing". After breakfast at the local Mac, we sent F&M to the Louvre. Must see Mona Lisa - I must have repeated that line 50 times. However what I didn't realise F&M were not into art. Darn - wasted $? After the terrible Japanese dinner last night (actually Chinese food masquerading as Jap food), we were determined to get this right.
We walked down the Avenue Opera in search for some authentic Japanese yakitori and tempura and stumbled upon one. First impression was good but the second rekindled last night's fear - the lady serving us spoke in Mandarin. However the food turned out to be pretty fab and we actually forgotten to take some pictures!
Four satisfied stomachs and we subsequently headed to Eiffel Tower. A must-go and one that catches all imaginations. Just the sight of it inspires romance (fair to say, the French had great disdain for it in the early years). Me and wifey went up four years ago and the sight was very pretty. Sweeping view of Paris and street lamps lighting up glorious Paris at night.
We soon sent F&M up to enjoy the sights while we headed for a much-needed rest. €5 for a small bottle of water and a hot-dog! No wonder the French are not complaining about the Eiffel Tower. American tourists or OL (old ladies) in the words of Mrs Ong were lapping up the obviously-overpriced food. I headed for the residential areas in search for a better bargain (Singaporean mah). After 25 minutes, I finally found a local store. €1.44 for two 1-litre bottle of Evian - more like it!
F&M obviously liked the Tower more than Louvre, evidenced by the 90 minutes they spent up in the air. M even got some souvenirs! The sunset glow cast on the Tower makes it prettier and it was certainly difficult to peel myself away. Have to return again some day.
In all our previous trips to Paris, we made sure that each trip brings us to a differnt part of Paris. This was no exception - except this new part wasn't exactly glittering and sexy - Chinatown at Port de Choisy. Eng Khim has arranged for us to feast on some proper nice Chinese cuisine tonight.
Eng Khim, a very good friend of mine, was posted to Paris as part of his military tour. Having just become a father, it was certainly very heart-wrenching to leave all alone for a foreign land. I know that feeling. What's worse he arrived in a non-English land. As he shared with us the initial problems and feelings over superb dishes of duck and char siew, I can't help but admire this man. He has always been known as the Ironman among the brothers but even a tough nut can crack under such circumstances.
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