Day 11 Paris Wednesday 1st January 2014: New Years Day!
After such a life changing night celebrating New Years in Paris we made our to the hotel restaurant for our included breakfast at 8:30 am,where we shared our experiences in Paris with each other over breakfast.
After breakfast we boarded the coach at 9 am and made our way into Paris for our included entrance to the Eiffel Tower.
As we made our way towards the Eiffel Tower our Trip Manager Rebecca explained as today was New Years Day, some places might be closed due to it being a public holiday and gave everyone a list of attractions that would be open today.
We arrived at the Eiffel Tower at 9:30 am and followed Rebecca to our included fast tracked entrance,which saved everyone 3 hours or more of waiting in line which was so good to have this included.
The Eiffel Tower started construction in 1887 taking 2 years,2 months and five days to complete before opening in 1889.
The Eiffel Tower is named after engineer Gustave Eiffel who’s company designed and built the tower.
The Eiffel Tower stands at 324 metres tall.
It is possible to climb to the top but as there are 1,665 steps most people take the lift to the top.
Fun Fact: There are 20,000 lightbulbs used on the Eiffel Tower to make it sparkle every night!
As you make your way under the Eiffel Tower you appreciate what a enormous architectural achievement that it is and how long it took to build.
Before we made our way up the Eiffel Tower we had to go through security screening, as the Eiffel Tower is France’s most well known landmark and security is taken very seriously.
As we made our way up the Eiffel Tower, we followed Rebecca where we had the option to walk to the top or catch the elevator to the top.
We all decided to catch the elevator to the top.
After exploring the Eiffel Tower we had the rest of the day to explore Paris before making our own way back to our hotel to depart for our Optional Mouline Rouge Cabaret and Dinner Show at 6pm.
After taking photos of the view of Paris from the Eiffel Tower, I decided to walk down the Eiffel Tower and find a souvenir to celebrate visiting the Eiffel Tower somewhere I had always dreamed of visiting.
After purchasing a souvenir from the Eiffel Tower it was 1pm.
I explored Paris some more by walking to the the Champs Élysées and walking past all the luxury shops before finding some markets which I wandered through and purchased a crepe for lunch before walking back to the hotel at 3 pm.
After arriving back at the hotel at 4pm, I Skyped my family back in Australia to wish them a Happy New Year,as being away from them for the longest time I had ever been made me miss them a lot.
After Skyping my family I got ready for the Moulin Rouge Cabaret and Dinner Show, before making my way downstairs and meeting Rebecca and the rest of our group in the lobby before boarding the coach and making our way to the Moulin Rouge at 6pm.
We arrived at the Moulin Rouge at 6:30 pm and made our way inside.
Inside the Moulin Rouge was absolutely stunning! It felt like walking into a Royal Ballroom so beautiful and magical.
As we were shown to our table together as a group of 6 on each table, I looked around and thought OMG wow I can’t believe I’m here in the Moulin Rouge!
As we sat down the waiters bought a bottle of French Champagne to our table.
The day before we arrived in Paris, Rebecca had handed around a set menu which we chose our 3 courses for the Moulin Rouge.
For my 3 course dinner I went with:
Entree: Rabbit Terrine with Fresh Herbs in Aspic, Quenelle of Gherkins Pesto.
Main: Breast of Farm Chicken Roasted with Lemon, Mixed Seasonal Vegetables, Tarragon Jus.
Dessert: Saint Honoré Cake, Caramelized Pecan Nuts Dessert.
As our entrees were delivered to our table the Cabaret Show started with amazing Cabaret Costumes which looked amazing.
As we were enchanted with the Cabaret Show our main meals were delivered which were so delicious with so many flavours and one of my favourite meals in Europe served with Champagne.
As the Cabaret Show was close to ending our dessert was delivered to our table which was amazing full of so many amazing colours and flavours what a way to end our french culinary journey.
Experiencing a Cabaret show at the world famous Moulin Rouge while enjoying amazing french food with amazing new friends was the perfect way to end our time in Paris.
After such a life changing experience at the Moulin Rouge ended at 9:30pm, we departed the Moulin Rouge and went next door to O’Sullivans Bar next door to have a farewell drink with lots of dancing and photos with everyone as this was our last night together as our trip finished after breakfast in Paris.
About 20 people in our group were disembarking in Paris while the rest of the group was taking the coach back to London.
After such an amazing last night together we caught taxis back to our hotel at 2 am filled with so many new experiences,memories and new friends.
We all went to sleep in our rooms not just as friends but a big extended family after experiencing so many incredible memories on Contiki travelling through Europe over the past 11 days.
Contiki was the most amazing time of my life meeting so many new people, making amazing memories and experiencing Europe in winter was everything I had hoped and dreamed for and so much more!
Every life changing moment on Contiki will have a special place in my heart for all time!
Safe Travels!
Campbell 🙂
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