One of the best things about 2011 was you, Prague...

Feelings of wonderlust whenever I look at the photos.  I'm procrastinating posting them, so I can keep writing about Prague all year...

The Old Town Tower as you approach Karlov Most, in astonishing gothic style.  

Crossing the bridge... dotted with 30 statues.  

If you rub St John being thrown into Vltava River and make make a wish... When in Rome!

Foggy morning view from a park I stumbled onto on my last day (which ended up being my favourite spot in Prague...)  This is the view when it's not foggy. 

11/11/2011

They say that how one spent 11/11/11 will set the tone for the future.  If that's to be believed then sign me up.

On 11/11 I woke up in Paris about 3:30am with 45 minutes on the clock to finish packing and make my way over to CDG for the flight to Prague.  A croissant and a coffee definitely hit the spot at the inhumane hour, no matter that it cost a bazillion dollars.  I was getting tired of paying Paris prices.

After a short hour flight, I was in heaven.  When I was initially considering the Paris trip, I thought why not do another city?  I desperately wanted to go to Belgrade, and it was torture flying over Serbia and not being able to go, but 4 days was an unfairly short amount of time to consider it a destination so I decided on Prague (the other possibility was London).  The decision was helped by the bargain of a life time - a return flight from Paris and 3 nights in a 5 star hotel for less than AUD370.  Thanks Expedia!

I instantly fell in love with Prague.  I fit right in, what with looking so obviously Slavic and being well above average height.  Nobody stared.  I understood the language too.  What a revelation.  Sign number 875 that I belong in Eastern Europe.  After a very cheap train ride into town, I was in a fairy tale.

Prague is impossible to describe with words.  A bit like New York, it just made me happy and at peace.    I indulged in the most delicious street food, the best hot chocolate I have ever had. I'm already plotting ways to go back.  The one regret I have is not getting a guidebook to read as I walked around.  The architecture and the history of each building is incredible,  everything had a story.  I walked around all day with a huge grin on my face, eating amazing food... if that's how I'm going to spend the rest of my life... may the rest of my life start now!

The incredible street food sausage in the freshest baguette

Roast potato with ham and onion

Trdelnik.  If I could eat only this incredible pastry for the rest of my life I would.  I had 2-3 every single day... 

Tyn Church in old town square.

The buys

Even though I promised myself not to buy anything, bar books, who was I kidding!?  The "who knows when I'll be back and if I'll ever come across something like this again" feeling seems to take over.  My obsessive personality takes hold.  Just like I obsessed over a scarf in Singapore for 3 days until I bought it.  I spent half a day trawling H&M stores across Paris looking for an orange hat.

I wanted to get one amazing piece in each city.  I couldn't go past Chanel in Paris.  The service was so wonderful, I had trouble deciding which brooch to get.  In the end I decided on the classic pearl.  Very happy with my choice.

I also thought it was time to upgrade my beloved, 5 year old Chanel 5101 sunnies.  The 5183 are similar, but different enough.  Instant love.

When I checked into the hotel in Prague, I fell in love with this black garnet and CZ ring that I saw in the little jewellery store on the premises.  Prague is full of jewellery stores and I literally walked into every single one looking for something similar.  When I realised that nothing close or as equally beautiful existed I made sure this one came home with me.  I love the symbol behind the stone and I'm sure I will cherish this ring for a long time to come.  It was so sparkly for the price that I paid.

I came across this wonderful jacket hiding in the corner of the Zara store in Prague.  I had well and truly had run out of room in my suitcase by that stage, but what's a girl to do.  Hence why I had to fly back to Australia wearing 5 layers and 3 scarves around my neck.  Worth it!

It's perfect with this brooch I picked up for a couple of Euro in a little store in St Germain.

Gold Zara goat skin bag, which is sadly too delicate to carry too often.

I have also developed a serious love affair with the new Chanel shadows.  I exercised some self control and only purchased Mirifique from Sephora... and I'm lusting after Illusoire and Epatant too.  Patience...

Prague posts to come this week... x

"Paris is always a good idea" - Sabrina

As I emerged from the Louvre the sun was shining for the first time since I arrived in Paris.  I hadn't planned to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower, then I thought to myself... hang on, you're in PARIS, go atop the Eiffel Tower.  And I did. To watch the sunset.

Many misconceptions were cleared up about this magical city:

- the French are not rude. The service isn't friendly, it's professional. It's refreshing
- most people speak English.  Say bonjour and ask if they speak English in French and they will help out
- it is preposterously expensive to buy a drink at a cafe or restaurant (I paid 7 euro for a juice and 6.80 for a pot of green tea)
- the metro is meritorious. 12 euro for a 10 trip and trains on all lines run every two minutes day and night
- I heard that Paris was dirty. Not what I saw at all.
- macarons at Laduree trump those at Pierre Herme.  My favourite Laduree macaron is vanilla.
- walk into every store on Rue Montaigne and touch everything.  Nobody will mind.  And it's surprisingly more affordable than elsewhere

Musee de Louvre - my favourite day in Paris

As I've mentioned in previous posts, I packed seriously wrong.  I lugged two pairs of boots, a coat and gazillion layers as everyone kept telling me it was COLD.  Well they were wrong.  It was overcast and thus rather muggy.  Melbourne is cold when it's 15C, Paris is NOT despite what the Parisians may think.  By the end of it I was quickly tiring of overheating and pulling layers on and off, especially in the very, very, overheated indoors.

The day I chose to visit the Louvre ended up being the first sunny day in the 5 days I had spent there, so I used my time efficiently and decided to spend the afternoon at the Eiffel Tower to maximise the clear skies and picture opportunities.

I don't know what's better, the Louvre itself or the art within it.  I didn't know whether to look up, down or sideways.  Honestly, there are museums and then there's the Louvre.   The 8 departments today house over 30,000 works! It's impossible to see everything unless you have a couple of solid days.  Best done in genres.  The Denon and Richelieu wings were my personal favourites.

I suggest getting there at opening to avoid the queues.  By midday it does fill up, even during low season.  And as I said, try and get to the Louvre at closing time prior to your visit and pre purchase museum tickets from the tobacco store which are undated and can be used at any time.  The process is so much quicker and you are not charged a premium.

Just me and an empty Jardin Tuileries on a Paris morning.  Bliss.

No queues!

My favourite Da Vinci. So hauntingly amazing.  It was his last ever work.  A painting of St John.  It's often overlooked as everyone races over to the Mona Lisa.

The views from inside are wonderful.  In my opinion the best views in Paris.

Zomp boots, 2 pairs of Wolfords layered, Kookai bandage skirt, H&M wrap cardigan, Scanlan & Theodore belt, Zara goat skin bag.

The Mona Lisa.  A painting that haunted Da Vinci.  He carried it with him for 5 years and was never completely happy with it.

Napoleon's apartment

Apologies for the overload of images.  I just love this place.