Days 1-2: London to Paris!

I don't know whose idea it was to start a tour at 6am on a Sunday morning at one of the most pumping hostels in London, but it was a struggle getting out of bed to meet the crew on Day 1! But I, like many of the others on the tour, deserved little sympathy for being tired since it was all self-inflicted! Anyway, we all met each other and began our drive to the famous white cliffs of Dover, gradually waking ourselves up. It seemed surreal to think that, after only a short ferry ride, I would be in France - as time went on my tiredness turned to excitement.

We met our cook and driver in Calais, where the ferry docked, and made for Paris. The drive was quite scenic and along the way we encountered lots of French-speakers - I tried to remember what little of the language I had learned in my Year 10 classes, but all I could muster up the courage to say was 'Bonjour' and 'Merci'. My old teacher would be so disappointed in me!

We arrived in Paris in the evening and took a night driving tour. It was beautiful in dusk - and so clean. We then had dinner at our campsite - our cook was cool and she made a traditional French beef stew (with a vegie option for the vegetarians). There was a bar at our site so we could chill out and have a few drinks. At around 10pm we went to see the Eiffel Tower lit up and it was stunning. It's one of those famous places that you feel like you have been to before, but to actually see it in person was amazing.

The next day we took a morning driving tour around Paris and then had the rest of the day free to explore. I had to be a bit cheesy here, so myself and another girl bought berets and went around taking posing shots in front of famous landmarks, scaring off locals. We went to the Louvre and got to see the Mona Lisa which was actually a lot smaller than I had envisioned. Then we strolled down the Champs Elysses, feeling a bit daggy amidst all of the glamour and beauty that characterises the street. I wanted to buy everything and eat at every restaurant! But I settled for some French coffee and pastry, which was divine.

We all met up together in the early evening and had a champagne picnic under the Eiffel Tower as the sun set. The food was awesome and the champagne wasn't too bad either! Then we took a cruise around the river, which was narrated, and it was nice to hear about the history and tradition behind all of the architecture we cruised past. Headed back to the campsite - some people went to a Cabaret Show - and chilled out in the bar again before hitting the sack. Paris was definitely very cool - I wasn't expecting to like it so much but there was heaps to see and do and I'd love to go back! Next we hit Switzerland - can't wait to see the Swiss Alps!

Mich x