Day 8 - Belgium and Paris

We departed the hotel, as usual after a good breakfast.

Our first halt was at The Atonium, in Brussels. The Atonium, is an exploded view of the Atom. By exploded, I mean exploded a billion times. They have created this huge structure out of steel. That this is an atom makes one wonder. This was a 15 minute halt, where we all took photographs. There was an exhibition, in the place the previous night and the adjoining areas, were fully littered with beer bottles/cans and junk. The city wakes up late.

We then had a long, long drive to Paris. We eventually reached the outskirts at 1330 hrs, where we parked for lunch in an Auto Grille. We sat out and had our usual lunch, this time with some pickles and ended with a lot of fruits.

As we entered Paris, we saw a burning car n the middle of the street. Perhaps an accident. There was no hue and cry. Our tour guide, was informing the key places to us, before a local guide joined us at the Opera House.

She showed us around, with some explanations, here and there. The guide had a very good sense of humour. She showed us the various carvings/statues of the old music wizards in the Opera (All sitting in the coach). She showed us the famous Ritz, where Princess Diana stayed with her boy friend, who was the owner of the Hotel. We parked the coach for a 15 minute photo shoot at the Concorde square. The place where thousands were guillotined made us wonder, how cruel rulers could be. The guide kept telling us about the latest French president and his model girl friend turned wife and their living habits. It seems he is nicknamed "Tring Tring", as he loves to have money around him always.

We then drove around Champs de Elysees and gaped at the various latest showrooms. The Arc de Triomphe, resembled the India gate, and has also been made as a mark of respect to the dead soldiers. A good looking sight.

We saw the famous Louvre museum (seated in the coach). When referring to the paintings in the Louvre, the guide did make it a point to mention that "The Last Supper " painting was not in The Louvre, as mentioned by Dan Browne, and that The Da Vinci code was only apiece of fiction.
The pride some people have in their religion is amazing!

The last point of halt was the Eiffel Tower. We had a good 90 minutes halt here. The tower is just imposing to say the least. The scenario, with gardens all round and the beautiful Siene running across, is a sight to relish. This, according to me Ia a place, where one can spend entire evenings gaping around. We went to Level 1 only and had a few snaps, besides having a good view around. We came down, after 40 minutes, and strolled around the place merrily. We then had a cup of white coffee, while sitting and admiring the visitors from all countries.

The next was dinner t 1030 hrs (good food) before retiring to bed at a new hotel. The next day was off (on our own). The feeling that we could get up late, was very refreshing.