Port Day 3 - Le Harve, France

May 9, 2014
I know I said that today's post would be about Paris, France and it will be.  However, Paris is nowhere near the ocean so we started our day in Le Harve, France (according to our guide it is pronounced L'Ave - have with a silent h).

We started our day really, really early, as we had to be on the bus to Paris by 7:30 a.m.  It was long bus ride of nearly 3 hours before we arrived.  I slept part of the way so there are no photos from the early part of the trip.

Our first stop was the Arc de Triomphe.  This photo doesn't do it justice, and I should have taken a photo of the volume of traffic.

There are twelve roads leading into the Arc; as a result there were vehicles coming from every direction!  AND they were trying to go in the opposite direction to almost everyone else in the "in the swirl of traffic that plays dodgem around its base" It's totally nuts!  Even in a large vehicle like our bus, no one gave way and it took some time for us to navigate to a side street where we were able to disembark.

The guide gave us strict instructions to return to the bus within 30 minutes so we wandered down Champs Elysees for about 10 minutes before returning down the other side of the street.

This was the patio outside McDonald's.  The Champs Elysees was a study in contrast with high priced stores next door to fast food outlets.

I would have loved to have stopped at this next store but we simply didn't have time.

We re-boarded the bus and made our way to the River Seine for our river cruise.  Although I have no pictures, we saw an near altercation between the driver of our bus and the driver of a small car. The other driver wanted our driver to back up the bus so he could get past, while the bus driver insisted the smaller vehicle give way.  After much shouting in French and gesticulating by both, the guide went over and found an authority who sternly advised the other driver to move. He did and we were able to make our way onto the trimaran for our cruise.

They served us lunch on board the boat.  The first course was duck pate with foie gras, toast, and bit of lettuce.

Now I'll admit my palate is not very refined, and frankly this looked and smelled (and might even have tasted) like something I feed my cats.

I spent a good portion of the cruise outside the boat, taking photographs and marveling at the buildings and people along the way.

This bridge's railings are covered in locks.  The story is a newly engaged couple placed a lock on the railing and tossed the key into the water to symbolize their commitment and as a hope for a long marriage.  Others followed, but no one came back to remove the lock if the marriage failed.

Notre-Dame Cathedral

After finishing the rest of our meal, meat and veg, followed by a sorbet, we returned to the dock, climbed back on board the bus and had one final stop at a viewing platform. 

We were able to do a little souvenir shopping before boarding the bus once more for the 3 hour drive back to the ship.  Again, I fell asleep for much of it, so no photos. 

Frankly, France was probably my least favorite of the stops.  Spending six hours on a bus, in order to spend only four hours visiting the city was almost not worth it.  However, knowing that I may never return I'm glad I took the tour.   I've learned I prefer tours that are not regimented as much as this was, and far prefer the time to wander about at my own pace.  

Tomorrow - Rotterdam, The Netherlands