Our last leg in Europe and this year of travel ends in Paris, France and a visit to one of my best friends, Miiko. This is the first time our families have met and the first time I met her kids! She lives right near the Eiffel Tower, so we decided to stay in the 16th in an Airbnb. We had the Eiffel Tower in our sights pretty much every day. One night we climbed up to the second floor observatory at night and enjoyed the tower lit up in lights. The sun doesn't set until after 9:30pm, so it was a late night, but then again, most nights are late nights in Paris!
We visited the Louvre and the Pompidou for some beautiful art and a peek at the Mona Lisa. We walked from Notre Dame to the Arc de Triomph, where we were surprised to see people running across the huge traffic circle! I don't think they knew there was a tunnel to get from outside the circle to the middle of Arc de Triomph. There is no crosswalk for a reason! OMG so dangerous!
Paris has delicious food and every day we enjoyed their bread and pastries. Dexter, Max and I also took a baking class - we made macarons! One of our very favorite Parisien pastries for sure! I believe I heard that the macarons were invented in Paris and the pastry has since taken off and has become popular all over the world! Now I can make them on Maui!
Au Revoir Paris! Til we meet again!
We had a late night arrival into Paris. Miiko and Michiel met up us at our Airbnb (long story, but they picked up the key for us). We went out for a late night dinner, Paris style.Who can resist Pavlova???Our first night with the Eiffel Tower. . . Bonjour!The boys and I desperately needed haircuts, so we went to a place recommended by Miiko. French haircuts!In the garage of their apartment, Michiel showed us this huge "lazy susan" that helps to turn cars from their tight cornered spaces. Scot and the kids had a little run. . .I pretty much took a picture of the Eiffel Tower every day, but this was the only day the whole family was in the photo.Avec mon ami, Miiko.At the Louvre with Miiko and Michiel. It was a beautiful day!The famous pyramid of the Louvre.The start of our museum adventure! The Louvre is a HUGE museum and it takes days to really see everything in it.We decided to start with their special "L'Olympisme" exhibit about the history of the olympics.L'Olympisme relics of past games."Quatre Captifs" (Four captives) by Martin Van den Bogaert represents the nations whose defeat led to the Peace of Nijmegen, Spain, Dutch Republic, Brandenburg and the Holy Roman Empire."Baccanale d'enfants. Le Sacrifice de la chevre" (Children and Satyr Children. Leading a Goat to Sacrifice" by Claude Michel"L'Amour embrassant l'Amitie" (Love Embracing Friendship) by Jean-Baptiste Pigalle.We finally got to see the Mona Lisa! There is a huge crowd in front of this painting. You sort of have to make do with where you end up, but we got a pretty good angle.Can't really get up close to see the details because it is roped off, but it's pretty amazing to see.The Ausems-Andersons treated us to some drinks on the rooftop with an awesome view of the Seine and the Eiffel Tower!Fourth night in Paris and on our way to climb the to the second story observation deck. . . . and Dexter, still yoyoing!Starting the climb!View from the top. This is the set up for the opening ceremony of the Olympics in front of the Eiffel Tower.What a handsome couple!Sunset atop the Eiffel Tower.After sunset, they light up the tower. . .In front of the Olympic rings.Finishing up our Eiffel Tower visit. . . .Another view of the Eiffel Tower, right before the light show that commences at the top of the hour. The sparkling lights are only on for a minute or so, but it's very cool to sit and watch.The Pompidou Museum - had a lot of interactive exhibits and a TON of art. Again, so much to see and so little time.Funky arty fountain in front of the Pompidou."Nu de dos troisieme etat" "Nu de dos, deuxieme etat" "Nu de dos premier etat" (Nude back third state, second state and first state) by Henri Matisse"Femme a la corbeille" (Woman at the Basket) by Julio Gonzalez"Siege Living Sculpture" (Living Sculpture Sofa) by Verner PantonMark RothkoMy two chefs. . .Max stirring the custard.Dexter prepping the macaron to pipe onto the baking sheets.Yummy!There is a Statue of Liberty at the end of the Isle of the Swans by the Seine River. This is the third Statue of Liberty we have seen! One in Tokyo, this one and of course the one in New York.Countdown to the Olympics!The majestic Notre Dame in repair.This was a weird place that Miiko pointed out. It's an exterminator with actual dead rats in their windows. Yuck!Taking a break on some trampolines in the park. While we were sitting there watching Zoe and Max jump, we saw some mice scurrying freely here and there. . . no wonder there are exterminators!Arc de TriomphMemorial to the unknow soldiers
