Paris, when it sizzles

Bismillah.

What a long break I took to resume on my journal on Europe Trip which had been discontinued for couple of months. Okay. After strolling in Swiss, we are here in France. Paris to be precise. City of love, most people claim. Really? Hehe. We spent two two days there and were lucky to have our friend from same faculty who did her internship in Paris to take us around on a sight seeing. Thanks to Pika and also Jason! ;))) We owe you!

Breakfast. Say hi to Ms Pika, the one with blue sunglass.

Arch de Triomphe. This is one of the most famous monuments in Paris. We see this a lot in movies. Can you name any movie which has this in it?  :)

Arch de Triomphe again.

The Arc de Triomphe (in English: "Triumphal Arch") honours those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and the Napoleonic Wars, with the names of all French victories and generals inscribed on its inner and outer surfaces. (Wikipedia)

Beneath its vault lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I.

Postcard, anyone?

Next, we went to public garden in Paris where Parisians celebrated, met, promenaded, and relaxed. Tuileries Garden.

Buat macam ni kat Malaysia, memang hangus.

OK. Tak payah tunggu kat Malaysia. Kat sini pun boleh 'garing' dah. hahaha

Behind us is the Tuileries Palace. Was a royal palace. The palace looks so 'Cinderella'. Fairy-tale like setting.

This triagular monuments is called The Louvre. It is located at Louvre Palace and also a museum. It is one of the world's largest museum and most visited art museum. 

Notre Dame de Paris which means Our Lady of Paris. It is actually a cathedral. It is known widely of its finest example of French Gothic architecture.

Do you see that? Those people are actually lining up to get into the cathedral. Very very long queue. A friend of ours say it was like a church day. That is why the cathedral was crowded that day.

Next, we took  public tansit system, Paris Metro. It is similar to our LRT and Monorel. However, it is actually one of the densest metro networks in the world, with 245 stations! Can you imagine? That's a lot! Huhu.

Here, we are, finally. Arriving at people most dreamed place to be. Alhamdulillah. I'm looking at Eiffel Tower with my bare two eyes. 

I used to dream of being in Paris when I was a kid. But then I came back to reality with thought of, "Nah. It is impossible to go as far as France". But, then, when I saw Eiffel, I pinched myself to make sure I was not dreaming. Ever since, I told myself nothing is impossible. Never doubt what Allah might have stores for you. Referring to Surah Al Baqarah, ayat 117, that translated;

"Originator of the heavens and the earth. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, "Be," and it is."

This magnificent building will not stand if it is not because of the Creator granted knowledge and inspiration to human being. So, if we are impressed by human's creation, we must be highly impressed by who creates this human, am I right? Subhanallah! :)

The city of Paris. Nice,man.

We chilled for a while.  Mr and Ms Tour Guide sitting on the pavement. The day was bright and sunny and it was hot considering the transition season from winter to spring. It was almost 5 months of freezing and dryness and suddenly we were sweating and tanned! :P

Below is Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris. It is actually a church built in 1875. You can find variety product line of souvenirs just down the road before you hike up to this church.

And careful with the street magic trick performer (usually they are immigrants) around this area. If you look or stare at them, they would go up to you, and perform the trick and ask you to involve by showing you which string to pick and when they have finished, they will ask you for money. Therefore, do not look at them. Some might cheat on collecting donor for disabled and poor kids. Just ignore them all and make sure you guard all your belongings especially your begs. This is normal and it happens anywhere. Just don't be surprise if you see they are more aggressive there since Paris is one of the world's top tourism area and high cost of living. By the way, you are there to see beautiful city of Paris, not them. Just be careful. :)

We had biryani rice for lunch and it was so filling and successfully cracked my craving. Yummieh! After visiting Basilica, we jumped on the Metro, since our kind guide, Pika was on a schedule. So, we headed home.

And I was so excited to meet up with one of my close classmate that evening, who did her internship in Abu Dhabi. She flew all the way from U.A.E. to Europe on a trip with her husband. :) I was so happy she waited for me before she departed on EuroStar train to Prague that night. I didn't know what to give her, so I just bought juice drink for her from Carrefour. ;)

Fatima and me

That night, after dawn, we slipped into the city again to see Paris at night. Mostly, we got into shopping stores (Our target is H&M! :p ) The night still young for Parisians but not for us. Our feet are hurt after a long day of walking and we need to get rest for another journey on the next day.

Destination: Frankfurt, Germany