Paris 3

Hall of Mirrors at the Chateau de Versailles

On Thursday we handed our open tour tickets to my brother and sister-in-law, since we were planning to go to Versailles. I wanted to visit the chateau there. It took us over two hours to get there by train so by the time we were in Versailles it was lunchtime. After our nuggets we headed towards the Chateau de Versailles. The room I most wanted to see was the Hall of Mirrors and I was not dissappointed. It was absolutely stunning. Now, if it had only been empty... But after we had seen opulent room after more opulent room we decided it was enough and went outside to visit the gardens. We took a tractor-trainride towards the Hamlet of Marie-Antoinette and I guess that was the highlight of the day. Those royals definitely had more money than sense, but that Hamlet (Hameau) was really pretty! Little houses and even a small 'farm', none of which had anything to do with real life.

One of the cottages in the 'Hameau de Marie-Antoinette'

On Friday my brother and his family went home again. The cold, the lack of playthings on the campsite and the fact my youngest niece (1 1/2) was feeling a bit under the weather all contributed. My parents, my sister and I went back to Disneyland. We had only seen about half the things on Monday! However, the first thing my sister and I headed to was 'It's a small world' and my sister graciously allowed me to go twice in a row! (Isn't she the best?) We were haunted in the phantom house, we nearly got pirated by Captain Hook and we saw the parade again. This time from a perfect spot though, so no waving hands on the photos!

Snow White and her prince during the Parade

After another long day we had our first proper French meal. My sister and I had stuck to burgers and ribs all week and my parents had cooked pasta several times. The restaurant wasn't of Michelin star quality, but the people were friendly, the food was plenty and good and French! We had salade aux crevettes et asperges (shrimp and asparagus salad), agneau (lamb), canard (duck), brie and crème brulées. Yum yum!

I love 'barbe à papa' (cotton candy)

Saturday saw us all cleaning the caravan again. Packing our suitcases and my dad packing everything in the car. We would take my sister to the airport first, so it was a bit tight for the first hour. We dropped her at Charles de Gaulle about six hours before her flight was due, but she had a book with her! The traffic was easy on our way back home and just after five in the afternoon I dropped my parents off at their home. I then drove home myself (my parents are leaving on another holiday in a few days and I am allowed to use their car in the mean time).

I had a great time and have taken a lot of photos. I took about 1,000 but deleted about half of those and ended up with 482! I am however also very glad to be home again. With my own stuff, enough blankets and with my own little felines!