Jordyns Blog

Yesterday we went to the Louvre and everyone was in a gigantic line outside the glass pyramid but we were smart and researched it and found another way in which we only had to wait 10 seconds to get in. When we got in there we saw the sign that said the Mona Lisa was up the stairs and everyone seemed to be going up there then there was about 10 more signs that said the Mona Lisa was that way, then that way. When I saw it, it wasn't that impressive (because it's tiny).

The Amazing Race

Perfecting that model pose - not meant to be smiling !

Today (Sunday) we took part in the Mitchell Family "Amazing Race" courtesy of Blue Bike Tours (Blue Bike Tours Link). Our guide Hava is from Chicago but now lives in Paris with her Parisian husband and two children - they own and run the tour company.

After fitting us with appropriate sized bikes (Addi had a tag-a-long bike attached to Peter's), we headed out into the Paris traffic. But don't worry - it was Sunday so there wasn't as many vehicles on the road as normal.

Peter mimicking being a Parisian model 

The Challenge Card

At each landmark we stopped for a brief history lesson and to answer a challenge question. Sometimes we also had to act out the challenge. Failure to complete the challenge correctly resulted in a penalty - One penalty had Jordyn & Peter running around the Louvre pyramid during peak tourist time! Each successful challenge was rewarded with a collectable gold coin!

From the Gare d'Austerlitz train station we headed on our bikes along the river Seine to Notre Dame, then around Saint Chapelle and across the Pont Neuf bridge.


When we reached the Pont Des Arts we encountered our first real obstacle - the Paris 20km run.

So we had to take an alternative route through the Louvre grounds, along the Tuileriers Gardens and across the Seine to Hotel Des Invalides. At regular intervals we had more challenges to meet - testing our knowledge of history, french art and local land marks

Too many to choose from......

Following from there we stopped at a gorgeous pedestrian street to purchase some lunch supplies.

Notre Dame

On the streets of Paris

Nicks turn to complete the challenge

After a memorable lunch on the grass near the Eiffel Tower, we had an interesting challenge. We had to make a tower with our family - but not a person pyramid. More difficult than we thought but we did it.

Hava and the Mitchell kids

The Challenge - to create an Eiffel Tower

From the Eiffel Tower we continued our ride - stopping for more challenges at Place de la Concorde (apparently the egyptian needle is one of the few artifacts Paris didn't steal from the Egyptians!), The Pompidou Centre and the heading back to Gare d'Austerlitz along the Seine.

Fountain at Beaubourg, Pompidou Centre

It was a great day - lovely weather (it got to 11oC !), fun activities and happy kids. Although we left at 10am and didn't finish till 4pm - the day went really quick and there were no complaints (except for sore bottoms).. 

Whats happening tonight

At the moment there is sunday night mass and the bells are very loud. Jordyn and I went in - but of course the mass is in French, which I don't speak.

Our big day in Paris

 After a late night last night (so late the kids were able to face time friends in Australia - the time difference meant it was 6.30 in the morning in Aussie) we caught a bus to Parc Asterix ( Click to view park ). The park is named after the comic book character Asterix and is based on Gaul (French) history. 

We weren't the only ones waiting 

The place was filled with rides, a few side shows and some food shops. Although there were a lot of busses at the park it is the french shoulder season and we didn't have to wait very long for most rides. The two longest waits were for the lamest rides - go figure? Nick & Jordyn had a long wait for their favourite ride 'OzIris' but they said it was worth it as they got to 90km/h and did loops and twists. Glad it wasn't me!

Before the OzIris experience

If your not tall enough you can't ride .. lucky for Addison she was OK with most rides

I wasn't scared Mum - really......

They also went on a seven loop roller coaster, a traditional wooden roller coaster (apparently scarier than the others - and Addison went on it and loved it!) and well as every other ride in the park. Nick had the map and made sure he marked off ALL the rides we went on. They got to go on about 10-15 rides (depending on the hight restrictions). Of course Mum and Dad shared the rides (although not equitable - Mum is the first to admit she is a sook when it comes to rides).

I'm all wet - aaaahhhh

We also went on the water rides - and they were fun. Pity the temperature was only about 10oC! Lucky Mum had packed disposable ponchos so we stayed pretty dry .... except for Jordyn who was at the front.

Jordyn at the front in the yellow

I'm pretty sure we did go on every ride - and our feet felt like it! We were there for opening at 10am and it closed at 6pm - the bus arrived back in the city at 7.30pm. A long day....

However coming into Paris at night is worth it - so stunning all lit up. Being a Saturday night the streets are alive and people are having picnics on the paths and bridges, street musicians are playing outside our apartment and street performers are around the corner. Our apartment is 20m from Notre Dame, so we are able to see the church as well as listen to the night life around us. Very cosmopolitan.

With the Eiffel Tower in the background

We wish we could stay out later - but  we have exciting activities scheduled for tomorrow also. So much to see and so much to do. So little time.......

What is Peter looking at - on the bridge of love???

So many people hoping for love (padlocks on Pont des Arts - lovers bridge)

The River Seine & Ille de la Cite (Island)

Our new home

We have just arrived in Paris and the view from our lounge room window is stunning! Have a look ....

Notre Dame Cathedral

We have just spent two days in Berlin. Although it was very wet we saw some wonderful things and the children learnt some interesting facts about history - the Berlin wall , the holocaust and the world wars.

Brandenburg Gate - with Quadrega

Potsdam - last emperor of Germany Palace

Nick was fortunate to meet his German penfriend who lives in Berlin. We spent the afternoon together at Legoland and then had dinner.

Jordyn, Addison, Jared Moeller & Nick @ Legoland

Berlin had their October lightshow on display and it was interesting to see - many of the main monuments were used as a background for light shows. It looked great, but just too wet to walk around and view so we took a bus. Unfortunately the windows were steamed up - so we couldn't see anyway. At least we got to see some.

Tomorrow we are off to Parc Asterix and the seven loop rollercoaster - yee ha!

A quick update

Paleontologist at work

Brunswick Cathedral (and Nick)

Tools? What tools?

It has been a busy few days in Germany. On Wednesday we took a drive to Brunswick to see the cathedral (Founded 1129) and to walk the streets of the city. From there we drove to a Paleolithic Museum where the exhibits had been excavated on the site and were 300 000 years old. In addition to the exhibition the kids got to play on the computers and to experiment as Paleontologists, which was really interesting, but according to them the playground was the best part of the tour.

Before and After

From the restaurant

From there we travelled to a Osterwick which used to be in East Germany and has many homes dating back to around 1410. It feels surreal to think we are walking the cobblestones that have been there for over 500 years, and looking at homes that have not changed markedly for the same period of time. One of its most recent points of interest is that George Clooney was there this year when he made the film “The Monuments Men”.

happy days .....

George Clooney was here

Pete & the German boys

Jagermeister for all! Good for the health

On Thursday we went to a 50th birthday party where there was copious quantities of great food and drink. You know it is a serious party when the guests turn up with a total of 8 bottles of Jagermeister - Peter was very pleased. Pity he was a driver that day! When the children grew bored of playing tag or hide’n’seek with the German children, they created things with the abundant supply of Chestnuts that are lying around the place. A different activity than what they are used to!

 

Chestnut necklace

On Saturday, while is was raining heavily, we made a trip to the Harz Mountains to walk through caves where remains from 3000 years ago have been found. It also appeared that all the children in the area wanted to do the same same - well....it is the German school holidays. The mineral composition of the caves meant that the bones were so well preserved scientists were able to remove DNA and to link these to two men living in the local village – who have since become somewhat famous. Having been to Jenolan Caves Nick wasn’t impressed with the formations inside the cave.

With a train this fast what is there to see?

Hamburg

On Sunday we made a quick (199km/h) trip to Hamburg in northern Germany on an ICE train. We visited the Miniature Wonderland where there are 3 floors of miniature worlds to explore . The first floor has dioramas of Hamburg from stone age through to present detailing the changes, also the history of Berlin depicting the erection of the wall is displayed. The next two floors are full of railways, roads and airports - all working and displayed in such minute detail (that must be why they call it miniature world !!). 

On Monday the weather was a warm 15oC so we drove to the top of the Harz Mountains. Peter and the kids went of  for a bob sled ride and then we went for a short walk. This must be a German version - 12 kms later we got back to the car for lunch (??) at 4.30pm. But it was worth it - lovely bavarian restaurant with great food (and the best beer Peter has ever tasted (apparently)

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Nick & Jordyn on chair lift to bob sled

Henrika & Addison