A&E Abroad: Paris. July 1

We got up early again to beat the crowds to get into the Louvre. Somehow we found the mysterious quick entry by accident, we just caught our metro line to the Louvre stop and entered underneath the glass pyramid from the station and literally got ahead of the queue. The Kropps were somewhere above us waiting outside in the hot hot desert, this is where I wanna (not) be, so when we got in we could get straight to the ticket line and bought all of them. We then walked in and missed all crowds. Elise led everyone around to all the main features, as she'd been before. After seeing the key pieces the Louvre is known for, such as the Mona Lisa and the Winged Victory (Nike lady), we wandered around the rest, covering most of the areas we thought were interesting. It was actually the perfect day to go to the Louvre as it was one of the hottest Paris days in 10 years. Yayyyy. We don't think you need reminding about that heatwave.

Winged Victory

Mini lost

Bad directing on Ash's behalf

We skipped dis

After finishing our Louvre discovery we all split up. Michael, Nick and Kate went back to their apartment in Montmartre, Elise back to our apartment in 13 and Ash and Shaz did what they do best, went shopping. In their defence, Shaz's day pack bag broke (Ash took her actual intended backpack with her because she was desperate) so they went hunting for a new one together. It was incredibly hot however, and they just made it down the shopping street near the Louvre. But, they did find a backpack, and Shaz got some really cool sandals, good one Shaz.

Shaz and Ash then metroed back to Montmartre so Ash could spend some time with the fam before they left and they could all also pack, as they were leaving the next day. The Kropps had a yummy afternoon tea of baguette and cheese and cured meats and fruit and rose and it was the best. Ash and Michael also tested out the apartment slant, having a fun game of throw the grape in each other's mouths, with all the misses rolling to that one corner. How convenient.

Ash then took them all on the long and convoluted journey from Abysses station in Montmartre to Tolbiac station in 13th. Which, BTW is very long and convoluted, like 3 different lines, involving several changes that are basically like walking from one station to another because the change covers so much ground. Anyway we made it and we went to an Indian restaurant for dinner in our area. Sadly though, as good as the Indian was, the only fan in the restaurant, in the first five minutes, actually collapsed on itself. It was a tragedy and we had to sweat it out for the rest of the meal. Indian was so tasty though.

We then trekked, much to the Kropps delight, a bit of a way to another metro stop which took us direct to the Eiffel Tower station. It was about 9pm ish when we got to the Eiffel and we all took in its beauty as the sun began to set. The sky was actually incredible, all pinky and amazing, with v good lighting. We then decided that we should go up and check out this famous view. We waited for a bit in the line, preparing ourselves to go up before finding out that the elevator we were going to take on our side was now broken. Ha good one elevator, you had one job. So instead of getting a refund, Ash insisted we go up, because when in Paris right? We ended up being taken over to another elevator and going up.

Much beauty.

Woah, where are we again #conflictingimages

Very wow

Much cute

At the top the view was amazing, of all the city lit up, as well as the Eiffel's own light show going off. We also saw some fireworks going off a little bit further out in the skyline. The breeze up their was also a highlight. Sadly it was getting late and we had to farewell the Kropps, wishing them well on their continued journey to Germany and Prague. They descended to go home and we stayed a little bit longer, really enjoying the view. We also finally descended and went home, getting back a little later but knowing we had the whole of tomorrow free to do as we pleased and mostly sleep and maybe watch OITNB.