SkyWatch #68: Parisian Sky

The mad rush to see the sights in about 4 hours (minus 1.5 hours train to and from airport and about 30 mins to navigate around airport)began. We had to stick to our research to map out our itinerary. At home we made print outs on how to get from airport to Sight 1, from Sight 1 to Sight 2, etc. This way we thought we could maximize our time the best, in case we have no time to get to the hop on hop off bus.


Sight 1 happens to be Notre Dame De Paris (or Our Lady of Paris)
Fact: One of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture in the world.

Fact: No time to visit inside. There was something going on inside judging by the crowd that was rushing to get in. Did not bother as you know clock is ticking. But husband and I had taken quite a few photos.

Personal Impression: Amazing architecture, reminds me so much of San Sebastian Church in Manila. I don't which one I am more impressed. Of course I haven't seen the interiors of this one.

Sight 2: Eiffel Tower (no surprise here)
Fact: Nothing more iconic than Eiffel Tower. Tallest structure in Paris and according to wiki it is the single most visited paid monument in the world (did not know that). Very impressive record.

Fact: Arrived to the tower from the back (I'm assuming) which is a pleasant angle to view the tower and where all of my shots were taken. Again, time constrainst prevented us from further inspection, like taking the ride up. The temperature which was chilly all day had taken a bit more of a drop when we were there, which only heightened the experience I thought.

Personal Impression: I was very impressed. We sat on a bench, ate our delicious Parisian pastries, fed the pigeons while watching the imposing beauty in front of us. Glad to have made the effort to see it. Will I plan a vacation around seeing it again? I don't know.


Sight 3: Arc de Triomphe (again no surprise here)
Fact: One of the famous monuments in Paris. It stands to honor the those who fought for France especially during the Napoleonic wars. The numbers are: 49.5 m in height, 45 m in width, and 22 m deep. It's architectural stye is considered as ASTYLAR (architectural term given to designs in which neither columns or pilasters are used for decorative purpose).

Fact: Watched from across the street when the sun was starting to set giving it a certain glow, making the experience much more satisfying.

Personal Impression: Seeing the monument in person even from across the street is much better than just looking at other people's pictures of it.

Mission accomplished. We had seen the sights, took photos, ate pastries, drank coffee, walked by the Seine, bought some souvenirs, fed the birds, helped by friendly Parisians (who says they're rude?) to find our way/s and best of all, made it in time to catch our plane.

This is my early entry to this week's Skywatch. All photos were taken November 11, 2009.
Next post will be filed under "also seen in Paris" category.

Comments

  1. What a nice trip to Paris! I have really enjoyed this interesting post with its wonderful pictures, and it reminds me of my visits of years ago to that charming town.

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  2. Beautiful places you've seen, typical European structures and architectures which make it more special. I love your angle of the eiffel, mine wasn't as good as this. :)

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  3. Wow... you could write a guidebook...how to see Paris in 6 hours...
    Your pictures are beautiful...I don't feel the "stress" in it.

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  4. @ SIDNEY-- believe it or not the time we had seemed longer than it was. and no stress, believe it or not. there was only fun in exploring this foreign city.

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  5. beautiful iconic places! both you and your hubby did a good job maximizing the four hours. i agree about Notre Dame, looks like Baste church except for the colour.

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  6. Ahuh! Didnt know you we're going there! And why was Vienna not included? hehe.

    Amazing, it was November but looks like Spring, we were there September and it was all gloomy....gray skies! Did you went below the arc too? haay...would love to trail down that long street.

    San Sebastian church was after all designed by Gustave Eiffel himself...hence, French architecture ;)

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  7. @ MIRAGE -- Vienna was included in the initial planning, which also included Lisbon. However, we had to scrap both cities off the list since it would mean requesting more vacation time off (we have plenty) but three weeks off at one time is more than what our jobs would happily give us at one time. Besides, there's some budget issues too:) Next time na lang.

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  8. I had a strong feeling you'd visit these three given the limited time you had in Paris and you were able to do it! Bow to both of you.

    The elevator ride up to the top of Eiffel tower was quite exhilarating as I remember - but the best views of it for me was in Trocadero.

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  9. given the time constraint, you've done quite well! I wish i can check these places out personally next time!

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  10. hahaha parang ako ang napapagod while reading your post! impressive din ang interior ng Notre Dame Cathedral, the stained glass windows are awesome! your photo of the Eiffel Tower is splendid, ganda ng angle.

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  11. You beat the time so well! Eiffel is always attractive.

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  12. What a fine time you had exploring in that limited time. Lovely post, and pictures.

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  13. Great shots from Paris. I've been there twice and had a great time both visits. I know a lot of people who don't like Paris, but I loved it when I was there.

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  14. Lovely architecture under the beautiful sky. I am sure you enjoyed every bit of your visit.

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  15. Superb shots! Wow...breathtakingly beautiful..thanks for 'taking me there' . Hindi halata na medyo naging "stressful" ang bisita mo hehehe.

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  16. Brilliant shots of Paris,I can't wait to visit in April.

    All the best
    Guy
    Regina In Pictures

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  17. You sound like me with your lists and directions. Love your tour, glad you worked it all in for the beautiful shots! What a great adventure!

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  18. Very nice. I was last in Paris in the 80s. These buildings haven't changed much :)

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  19. You did have beautiful skies for a marvelous trip! And you surely brought back lots of wonderful memories of Paris for me! It was fun to look at each of your shots and be able to say, "I've been there", "I've seen that"! Your photos are terrific! Hope it was a fun trip for you1

    Enjoy your weekend!

    Sylvia

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  20. Wow, lovely shots!
    Greetings:)

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  21. Thanks for the tour You got a lot accomplished in a limited amount of time. Good to get a first hand impression. Thanks

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  22. Gorgeous architecture, and some amazing photos. The Tower shot is beautifully framed among the trees.

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  23. Beautiful shots, yes, it's always better in person.
    No rain here yet, just gray skies.

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  24. Sounds like your research paid off big time! I really like the perspective of the Eiffel Tower shot! It really captures it's great height. Fabulous shots on all of them! And...the sky was on your side that day, for sure!

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  25. For a rush job, you got some terrific shots!!! Wow...

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  26. Very very impressive and well composed photographs. I loved the commentary also. I hope to see those sights one day.

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  27. Wonderful scenic views of Paris with lovely skies too ;-)
    Hugs and blessings,
    My Sky Watch

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  28. Thank you for taking me to Paris :)I haven't been there. I hope someday . I love all your photos. Lovely composition too.

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  29. Oh they are such beautiful icons in Paris. I hope to visit Paris one day.

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  30. Express tourism. Wonderful story and photographs.

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  31. Beautiful shots! You should be a travel consultant! You accomplished what you aimed in 6 hours plus and minus!

    P.S. Zee is back from a 2 month vacay sa Pinas before she knew she passed the RN here. She's job hunting, a very busy doing some digiscrap kits on her other blog. Thanks for asking.

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  32. PC: You certainly captured some wonderful sites while in Paris, nicely done.

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  33. Wow! Ang ganda! Grabeh! Thanks for sharing!

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  34. Great pictures of Paris landmarks!!

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  35. I tip my hat to you, Maria. I had no idea how you were gonna do it but you DID it. I am most impressed. And if these three tourist attractions were all you saw, you got the highlights! Gefeliciteerd!

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  36. 4 hours to see Paris?!? wow! still you were able to get great shots :)

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  37. Wow! You guys did great considering the schedule you were working with! Better than sitting around in the airport. You've inspired me. By the way, great photos, too!

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  38. Wow - nice work!
    I like them all but the Eiffel Tower shot is beautiful! Postcard perfect!

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  39. Very Parisiani! It is always like that when you're on a tour, time ticks so you have to catch up! But very well done my friend!

    AL

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  40. I only got one right guess. But all these photos are magnificent. I especially like your Eifel Tower angle. Great adventure in a short time like that.

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  41. You managed to tick the photo boxes with your lighting quick tour about Paris, thanks for adding to the sky watch friday party.

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  42. I love the way you managed to take the famous landmarks and the sky.

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  43. At least I picked the first two last week. Glad you got to see so much in your limited time.

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  44. looks like it was a quick tour but you did take the best shots of the most important landmarks !

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  45. wow! you have done and seen much in such a short period of time!

    arc de triomphe wasmuch more than i expected. too bad you didn't get to see it at night. it's much more imposing with all the lights. the same goes with the eifel tower!

    it's really not so hard to fall in love with paris! :)

    and i agree, who says parisians are not friendly? they are super friendly! :)

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