My Nineteen Run: 2016 Inaugural Disneyland® Paris Half Marathon Weekend – New! runDisney Castle to Chateau Challenge – 25th Sep 2016 feat. Skiddoo Singapore, 8 Days in France #CasperlynCouriraParis #GerlynXDisney
Hello Readers,
Today I will be sharing with you the last runDisney half marathon I did in 2016. Tinker Bell Half Marathon in America is not the end but the start of the runDisney journey! But I am still not done yet. I am intending to fulfil Boon Hee dream to do Full Marathon now.
Some background story. Last October…. October 2015… Boon Hee won a PAIR of Air Tickets to PARIS! Like PARIS! PARIS! Not BALI is PARIS!
So awesome and unbelievable and Boon Hee thought it was a SCAM! So he went to search if Skiddoo was a scam a not! HAHAHHA!
It’s so funny and I am like “No la.. Not scam la..” Yes indeed is not scam!
Inaugural Disneyland® Paris Half Marathon
At the same time we were informed of this RACE!!!! The Disneyland Paris Half Marathon! Which is happening on 25-Sep-2016! But booking of Bib only starts in February 2016.
So we informed Skiddoo we would like to fly in September 2016.
Skiddoo was very nice and accommodate our timings instead of having any blockout dates but they let us fly whenever we wanted. Initially they told us to give them 2 dates but I said “Sorry, we need to attend this….”
WHY?! Because we did Tinker Bell Half Marathon in California in May 2016 and by doing Paris in Sep 2016…
We are entitled to ….
New! runDisney Castle to Chateau Challenge
runDisney races go global with our first-ever country to country challenge race. Run any half marathon or greater at theWalt Disney World® Resort or the Disneyland® Resort and the Disneyland® Paris Half Marathon and earn the inaugural Castle to Chateau Challenge Commemorative Medal.
Eligibility
- It is possible to receive two different medals at the same event.
- Runners can only earn each unique runDisney Coast to Coast Race Challenge medal once in a calendar year (January 2016-December 2016).
- You must have an official time for each of the races that you complete and each race must be either a half marathon or marathon.
- At the race weekend where you earn your Coast to Coast Race Challenge medal, Kessel Medal, or Castle to Chateau Medal, runDisney staff will identify you as an eligible participant during packet pickup.
- Runners receive their medal after completing the second leg of their runDisney Race Challenge.
- runDisney Health & Fitness Expo (Race pack pick up)
- Disney Events Arena®
- Thursday, September 22, 2016 – 3pm-8pm
- Friday, September 23 & Saturday, September 24, 2016 – 8am-8pm
- Free access
*Hence we need to arrive before 22nd Sep. And 22nd Sep is my birthday and I would like to celebrate in Disneyland hence skiddoo arranged for me to go Paris on 21st Sep early morning. So I get to rest a day and get to go rest a day before a day of DISNEY!
Disneyland® Paris 5KSaturday, September 24, 20167amParticipants must be older than 5 years old (at the day of the race)Price: 29€
*We are going to Etretat, Normandy. Hence we have to skip this unfortunately. But my kind friend from Canada, Mona actually gave me her t-shirt and medal to complete my collection. I am very touched. :'(*
runDisney Kids RacesSaturday, September 24, 2016From 10am(Ages are stated “at the day of the race”)100m: from 1 to 3 years old included200m: from 4 to 6 years old included400m: from 7 to 8 years old included1km: from 8 to 10 years old included2km: from 10 to 12 years old includedPrice: 12€ per person
*No kids hence we cant do this.. I hope Xiao Monkey (future kid) get to do this!*
- Disneyland® Paris Half Marathon
- Sunday, September 25, 2016
- 7am
- From 18 years old (at the date of the race)
- Price: 69€ per person
*We are going for this!*
The registration: As mentioned in Tinker Bell post before, the registration is damn crazy de lah! So you have to camp there. Somewhere in February 2016 on a 12midnight, The race registration opened!
I completed my registration from 12midnight to 12:24am. Then i came back to the website to take screenshot.
There is only 3300 “Bib-only” category. Last Oct / Nov or Dec I cant remember there is the package version means you book a Disney Hotel + Bib. Obviously more bohua (not worth it) but you can secure your place way before me. The same morning at 10:12am, I decided to check the website “FOR FUN” and OMG! It’s sold out!!!
In less than 12hrs! Everything is gone! But you still can buy the package version or with Travel Agent (package too with Theme Park Tickets) or lastly… There is rumours in August 2016 (1 mth before the race) there is more Bib released.
Then you still have an opportunity. It’s Bib Transfer.
What is Bib Transfer? So maybe some ppl cant make it due to health issues or work or personal reason…
Then Disneyland Paris allows you to transfer your bib to other runner. Then you paypal the money to each other and then email runDisney about the arrangement. ***Note: This is only apply to runDisney Paris***
US runDisney dun allow this!!! My bff Brenda’s daughter was pregnant during Tinker Bell Half and she cant do the race as she is not used to running then Disney dun allow her to transfer or postpone to the next year so she let it go to waste. :'(
Same day at 6pm then I received the “ENTRY” confirmation. And this is not “confirmed” yet!!!
Now wait for the confirmation email…..
Here is the confirmation email! But still there are terms and condition! Read on to find out!
Runner Login Details to Submit Medical Cert & Castle to Chateau verification Portal
They will send you an email with your login Username and Password.
Double check and make sure details are correct especially First & Last Name must be same as Passport.
****MEDICAL CERTIFICATE****
To do any race in France, it’s required by the France law that you need to have a Doctor to certify you are fit to run!!!! Read more below…
This is a Screenshot taken before I get my certificate from Tinker Bell Half Marathon.
So after I gotten the cert, I can “upload” the certificate to this special Runner Login Portal.
Once you obtain your medical certificate, you also upload it to this portal.
After you get your cert, you can upload to the portal, then they will send you an email to inform you of the status.
Castle to Chateau verified! Means I have an additional medal~
Medical Certificate and What it is all about!
So I printed this form and bring it around Singapore and see if any GP doctor is willing to sign it for me.
I went to 3 different clinics, Family Clinic, Famous Clinic and the clinic I went for Full Body Checkup for my Outward Bound Singapore Outdoor Camp Expedition. All the doctor said the following same thing.
Clinic Assistant 1: “We don’t do this.”
Clinic Assistant 2: “We never see this before.”
Nice Doctor: “We are not sure what to check.”
I reply. “You just need to verify if I am fit to run a half marathon.”
Nice Doctor: “Sorry I can’t do that.”
But how? No registration will be valid unless you provide a Health Certificate!
Then if not provided by 1st June 2016 then I am not allowed to participate!
I am thankful to the Facebook group and my good friends from US which told me to go to this website.
http://www.cyclosportmedicalcertificates.co.uk/
I was unwilling because of the price $65 pound and for 2 of us is $130 POUND!
You see ah. The race registration is $69EURO but the Medical Certificate is $65Pound (equi. $73 EURO)
Liddat where got worth it? But do you think I have a choice?
So we went ahead to order and we have no idea if it will work! $200SGD on uncertainty!
Then I am afraid next year Hong Kong SCM will need Medical Certificate like this hence I also declare I need it for them *Just In Case*
You can see the efficiency of them. I request on 23-May-16 informing them the deadline is 1st June 2016 but they gave me on 25-May-16!!! So fast!
But this is like you know I go online declare declare but who knows what I declare so I am afraid France side wont allow and I will lugi $65 Pound. But guess what!!!
What are you 弄啥嘞? APPROVED! Verified and accepted. Wow. Okay.. Good for me then!
钱能解决的问题就不是问题!问题是老娘没钱! HAHAHAHA!
People say “Paris race is cheaper than US.” but after this 65 Pound hor, really not true. US is cheaper!!!
So well, US can cheat my money really soon. Maybe cheat Boon Hee money!
I am always willing for Disney to cheat my husband’s money! Happy Wife = Happy Life = Happy Husband!
As to why Singapore Doctor are unwilling to sign? Hmm… You know I know but I WON’T SAY IT!
宝宝知道但是宝宝不说!
Speed of race? Same as US, 16mins / mile or 9:56sec/km
Then really no joke got people kena sweep by Cyclist!!! I saw the cyclist. Oopsie I run very slow this time again. Until I see the cyclist at 9km and I am at 14km because there is a turn so I caught a glimpse of the Cyclist and tadah! 小宇宙爆发! Chiong AHHHHHH~
MEDALS!
When I first saw this I was a little Disappointed because I prefer a coloured / painted medal. But then the official website say is “PRESTIGIOUS” because of the Gold Colour and my Running Kaki Grace say very pretty and she very like. Then I ok lo. I shall accept it. HAHAHAHA!
This Medal Design is super nice. First time I see, I am so in love with it. The 2 flags… France and America is so “Castle to Chateau”. Chateau means Castle in French and the France flag really very nice. I very like!
Then here is the design for the 5km medal which I am unable to join. But Remy is like my favourite character in Ratatouille. So I quarrel with Boon Hee that if I could join the 5km in July 2016.
But he say no…
#1 No time as we need to go Etretat and Etretat everything already booked so we really cant do this.
But it’s ok because I got my full collection because of Mona!!!
YAY!
8 Days in France
Day 1 20th-Sep-2016
Changi Airport, Singapore —–> CDG Airport, Paris ——> Mister Bed Bagnolet
20th Sep 1.55am Singapore time. We are leaving our home and going to the airport.
As our home is a new estate and at this unearthly hour, it’s hard to get a cab!!!
But lucky us.. We got a nice Malay uncle to drive us to airport and he did a trip in Paris before and gave us lots of tips too! So awesome!
2:30am — > My mandatory 走起 shot in airport!
3.40am in Singapore but I have already set my watch timing to Paris time which is 6hrs behind Singapore.
My nails is from Garden Nail Salon, Yoriko Lai.
Click here to see the details of my nails.
The watch is a Birthday gift from Boon Hee and it resembles the France Flag colour.
Blue + White + Red
Finally 4:30am and we can get our boarding pass from Oman Air!
Why didn’t we want to come later to the airport and we arrive at 2:30am?
Dun ask me! I dunno and now I am wonder the same thing as you.
I shall question Boon Hee later! I think is because he scare we will overslept so better to come to airport earlier or something.
Then hor.. He has an issue! He kept telling me you can go in Lounge to rest.
EPIC CONVO
I was like, “You need your boarding pass!”
He say “Can do online check in!”
Me reply “Then luggage oso online check in or mail to Paris issit?”
He kept arguing this with me non-stop. HAHAHA
So funny and cute!
So we checked in our luggage. It’s heavy because of our costume for the run and maybe I bought alot of trench coat to wear! HAHAHA! I really treat Paris as a fashion show walkway since the week we go coincide with the Paris Fashion Week! LOLS!
11.2KG for the Purple and 21.5KG for the Golden
Hopefully when we are back we don’t burst the limit but problem is how much is the limit ah?
Nvm.. The sky is the limit. KEKEKE
Boarding Pass CHECKED!
We are going to KL first then to Muscat (Middle East) then to Paris.
But in KL we are not alighting from the plane hence 2 boarding passes only.
Do you Skiddoo? Hehe
I am wearing the souvenir t-shirt given by Skiddoo last year up the plane.
Why? Because it’s comfy! You need to wear something comfy so you can go to bed easily on such long haul flights!
A little wine will help you to sleep better too!
But eating so heavily is not recommended however the food SATS premium lounge provided is…..
Haizzz.. You need to eat more to grow taller right?
HAHAHA!
So we approach the Departure Bus Gate in T3 and we will take a shuttle bus to our airplane. Not my first time taking the shuttle bus but Boon Hee’s first and he was shocked as he never took it before.
But 1 thing I really liked about taking shuttle is that you can take photos of the airplane up-close. If I were given the opportunity to go up EVA Air Hello Kitty Airplane like this I would go totally crazy selfie-mode.
Probably all the passenger wont board until they get their selfies so hence we understand why EVA Airplanes get to board directly!
Current time 7.07am and we are jetting off~
First time seeing Safety Video in Arab Language. Quite cool although I dun understand but the animation was fun.
Once we were on board we are served a cookie and Apple Juice.
Luckily I ate heavily at the lounge. But it makes sense serving this because this plane is going to KL (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) about 1hr journey!
We arrived at KL but we are not allowed to alight but all the other passenger alighted.
Then is quite cool to see crew cleaning up the cabin and tidying everything.
We asked if we can go down but Air Stewardess say no.
Meanwhile we are waiting for Malaysia Passenger to come onboard.
And this is fish. I prefer the chicken set meal better.
After 7hrs of flight, we finally reach Oman @ 12.22pm (Oman Timing)
The sun is scorching I cant even open my eyes and they say is 84 F which is 29 degree celsius. I cant believe it!
The transfer for international flights is a bit complicated for us but thankfully the airport ground crew speaks English and helped us alot.
“People Mountain People Sea”. But everyone was queuing very orderly.
It’s just complicated because so many flights, I cant see my boarding gate number and the screen keeps changing every 5secs! Can you find our Flight to Paris?
Yes you are right, we belongs to Gate 16! We reach at 1pm sharp hence we took 30mins to navigate around a local airport and clearing the X-Ray security scanning.
Finally next stop is Paris and it will be a 8hrs flight! Now I will enjoy some movie and then catch some sleep!
So happy that the plane has one of my favourite movie, Zootopia. Eh.. What’s on my nails?
You mean you watch Zootopia, you will have it painted on nails? HAHHAHAA!
It’s meal time again! One thing I like about taking airplanes is you keep eating without feeling hungry. The air stewardess like keep feeding you food non-stop. Maybe because due to lack of activity so we dun feel hungry but the food just keep coming!!!
He had chicken and Biryani!
It’s 7.10pm 20th Sep 2016 on my watch and we just need another 11mins and we will arrive in PARIS!!!
Finally the part we have all been waiting for!!!! WELCOME TO PARIS everybody!
Hooray I am in Paris. I must take picture with every single thing i see with the word “PARIS” on it!
Going through Airport Clearance.
Erm.. Can you see what’s wrong with the passport? If no then nvm. See if you have sharp eyes like me!
Yay! My first Paris stamp! Keke! Welcome to CDG Airport!
Then we met up with Insidr Paris, Marc which we liaise via whatsapp previously to rent a portable WiFi device.
With this device, we will not worry about internet issues, GPS, Facebook Live and everything else.
Thanks Marc for meeting us at the airport. Usually Insidr will meet people in Paris city but we prefer to meet them in Airport because we are unsure of the road to hotel and not sure what time we will arrive at hotel.
But luckily we got the device first..
What happen next will bring you to tears and you will be thankful that we have INTERNET!
Meanwhile Marc helping me with the luggage and we proceed to the car rental services.
Then hor… Very funny la, you set up a counter and you direct people to another office outside the building.
Paris Airport is HUGE! Crazily huge!
The car rental counter is not operating and you need to proceed to the office in the middle of the carpark.
Seriously?!
Luckily the staff is friendly so I am not too pissed because long haul flight is tiring enough and making me walk up and down the escalator is no joke!
All is well… Goodbye CDG airport and Hello to Paris City~!
Time is 9.09pm 20th September 2016 and we are setting off!
Now I shall share the most happening stuff of the night!
Check this out! Our hotel is located along the expressway of “BAGNOLET” but apparently it’s closed for renovation for that day and it’s open the next day.
You see the word BAGNOLET is being striked off. But our Garmin GPS, Google Map, Map.Me kept asking us to take this route and we refused by going a long way and they keep bringing us to this expressway.
This expressway have a few entrance but all are being cone up and sealed off. None of the maps above can help us! So we asked for help from Insidr Paris team, Marc.
He told me to open “WAZE” app.
I am suppose to reach Hotel at 10pm 20th Sep 2016 but at 2349hrs, 11pm I am still looking for a way to arrive the hotel! Thankfully for Waze and Marc (Insidr Team) if not that night we will be sleeping in the car and probably died in the cold!
Finally I arrived! But guess what, there is no parking nearby the hotel so we have to park at the METRO station… Which is 15mins away from the hotel! There is a shortcut but we only knew about it after staying there for 2nights!!!!
The carpark at the Metro is $10Euros for 24hrs which is cheap compare to places in Paris. This is near the outskirt of Paris so maybe is relatively cheaper.
On day 1, the first French word I knew was not Bonjour or Merci (Thank you) but is…
SORTIE (Exit)
I was crazily looking for the word EXIT to exit this carpark. Eventually we failed and resort to the most “TRADITIONAL” way, we exit via where we enter. Yes we walk the road the car drove in. We walked pass the gantry and walk as if we are like a vehicle! I almost thought I am filming the movie CARS!
You must be thinking why don’t we take the above exit? Reason, this exit requires us to walk down 6 levels of stairs to the Metro and at 12mn I am terribily afraid even I survived the 6 levels of stairs down but in the end the Metro’s exit is shut and I need to climb 6 levels of stairs up!!!
What a nightmare right? So going the “CAR” way is the only way to go “LITERALLY”
Eventually we managed to settle everything… Haven’t taken a shower!!! Or even unpack our luggage just checked into our room @ 1mn of 21st Sep 2016!
Most important I look for in a hotel, it’s the toilet. This toilet is a little small.
This is the shower area. I was telling Boon Hee “Like portable toilet” hor? LOLS.
The room was small and we have no space to even open up one luggage. We have to open them one by one on the bed. But this hotel was clean just small, but all hotels in Paris are of this size so don’t expect anything and you wont be disappointed. And one thing, we both go for budget hence this is considering very good for a budget hotel.
Day 2 21st-Sep-2016
First Metro Ride —–> Blue Bike Tour —-> Burberry —-> Dinner Cruise
GOOD MORNING! Why I took this photo? Because there is no dressing table mirror so I use my phone to act as mirror. Thanks Boon Hee for always curling my hair for me.
You know he is a keeper when he help you curl your hair!
Amazing curl from Hubby and Hair colour from James Poh Hair Salon, Batu Pahat (Malaysia).
Free morning breakfast by the hotel. Not bad hor.
Next stop we are taking Metro and heading towards our Blue Bike Tour by Blue Fox Travel.
Bought our tickets, it’s $1.90 euro for a single trip.
Ah hah! My memory never fail me, really EUR $1.90!! All single trip within Paris even to Disneyland is all EUR $1.90.
Metro station in Paris is not friendly. Lots of stairs so if you carry tons of luggage it will be a problem.
Our hotel is at Gallieni Metro Station, Parc de Bagnolet. See the word Bagnolet I will be so upset with the closure of expressway again!! LOLS!
Guess what Boon Hee is doing behind? He is finding out which side of the train we should take.
Then a nice passerby told us, “You can take any sides because we are in the last Metro stop.”
So I am right, we are at the outskirt of Paris.
About 15minutes later, approx. 8 stations we alighted at Sebastopol.
We need to transfer to another Metro line towards Montrouge.
We need to hop on this metro and alight 4stops later.
6mins later… Arrived… Actually Paris Metro quite fast right?
#FOLLOWGERZTO
Follow me to…..
The famous Fontaine Saint-Michel, we are also supposed to gather here later for our Blue Bike tour.
It’s where my favourite show Dreams Link was filmed. The lead actors ran pass here!!
Time now is 9:17am and we are supposed to gather at 10:15am for our tour at 10:30am.
So let’s go walk around!
We decided to buy some fruits. JUST KIDDING!!
Ok, I went into a Pharmacy. I tell you, everywhere in Paris has a Pharmacy!! LOLS! Everywhere is Pharmacy!
So they have my favourite brand of skin care products AVENE (pronounce as Ah-Van).
Honestly speaking is CHEAP! Maybe it’s made in France thats why is cheaper than what I buy in Singapore and Malaysia. But we are going bike tour so we will come back later.
Meanwhile Boon Hee was calculating and converting and see why is it so cheap!
The Avene Cleanance gel is 6.99 Euro = SGD $10.60 (300ml)
Let’s see Singapore’s Pharmacy Online Website
Usually I only buy when there is 20% off! So it’s $24.40 when I purchase. But 200ml only but it can last me for 6mths.
But we don’t stock up. We only buy 1 bottle only as we still have 1 more bottle at home so it can last me for a year!
Then anyhow walk walk then I saw NOTRE DAME!!!
#FollowGerzTo Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
It’s where my favourite Disney Movie, Hunchback of Notre Dame was filmed and Dreams Link was filmed here too! LOLS! So many shows filmed here~ Look at the ROSE WINDOW! It’s so pretty!!
I love Notre Dame! How I wish I could take wedding photos here! HAHAHA! There are couple taking wedding photos here and I believe it will look amazing!
Really… It amazing on the outside but we don’t have enough time to spend time queue-ing to enter the church. :'(
Live update Post later again! HAHA! I took lots of video so maybe you can check them out in Ger’z World Facebook Page.
Meanwhile doing what I always loved to do! CHASING BIRDS! HAHAHA! So childish!
10:30am to 1:30pm —-> Blue Bike Tour by Blue Fox Travel
We gathered with our guide and I forget her name.. >.< But she is very good. Very detail in her tour. This is one of the best tour we have!
We went into a underground carpark to collect our Bikes and have toilet break. This Carpark is mainly for the Lawyers and Judge and Policeman who work in this area as it has a Magistrate Court nearby!
We were told to be extremely careful and not to scratch their cars as their cars are all luxurious ones.
Meanwhile our guide explaining the road condition and brief us on how to ride safely on the road.
I have a little difficulty as the bike are a little tall for me. Ok fine. I am just too short. They have kids bike for me but I think they dun look nice enuf. How can I not ride a blue bike in a blue bike tour?
Actual fact, there is lots of other bike tour in Paris but I chose Blue Bike tour…
MAINLY… BECAUSE!!! Their Bike is blue! HAHAHA
I AM THAT SUPERFICIAL!
But obviously Mr Kat chose Blue Bike tour I think because of their good reviews and reasonable pricing.
He wont care about it being blue although I kept harping and say “I go Paris once in my lifetime, I wanna ride a blue bike also cannot?”
HAHA! Verdict: WIFE WINS!
A little struggling with the Blue Bike but I think I should be fine as I have many years of “cycling experience” HAHAHA! More than 20yrs of experience so I think I should be totally alright!
First Stop: Notre-Dame de Paris
Erm.. I come here before ALREADY~ An hour ago! HAHAHA!
What I really like about this tour is that our guide is very very detailed and even show pictures of relevant historical moments of things we should take note of.
She told us about stepping on the Zero Point and someday you will return back to Paris again.
Tadah~ We both stepped on it together hence we will be back TOGETHER! hehe!
So you must be wondering, so many blue bike how we know whose is whose?
My bike is call Rodin. Rodin is a famous sculptor.
Boon Hee’s bike is call La Vie En Rose. It’s a famous french song.
Then next up we are at somewhere near the Pont Alexandre III and Grand Palais is behind me.
The guide oso told me this is the bridge where Adele filmed her MV for “Someone Like You”
I was like OMG! I am gonna rename it to “Adele Bridge”!!
Next stop: HAHAHAHA! Need me to tell you meh? Eiffel Tower LAH!!!
The guide told me lots of History about Eiffel Tower like it was built to be demolish easily. Even now if they wanna take it down also can.
Then they get elephant to climb the Eiffel Tower to prove it’s very steady.
And then the top of the tower has satellite so it became useful for military.
Now…. Of course it’s useful la! TO ATTRACT TOURIST! HAHAHA
How can you come Paris and not see Eiffel Tower? It’s so big and u can see it everywhere!
Can you spot the Eiffel Tower in my photo? In Paris even the lamp post is so exquisite.
Then our guide shared with us the gift Egypt gave to France the, Obelisk.
So it was told they went to to Egypt to collect it the first time and realise the ship is too small.
Then the second time they return only manage to bring one back. It was said that Egypt wanna give 2 to France.
Then eventually it was too much hassel to transport the Obelisk and erect it up.
So yeah, France settled with one only.
You can see there is engraving below with pictures / manual on how to bring the Obelisk back if France wanted to bring the second one back.
If without the guide, I wont know what is there. So quite thankful for this tour for giving me a “History” crash course.
Next stop: LUNCH (Self-expense)
The guide told us we are beside “Amorino Gelato”!!! We went to one in Beverly Hill, California and I wanted to come to the Paris one and what a coincidence! She brought me here!
Our sinful lunch but since we did a 3hrs cycle.. Hmm it’s ok to sin.. HAHA!
EYE-SCREAM!
Rose-Shaped ice-cream are the most amazing flower you can gift to a girl!
Boon Hee got himself a waffle.
Next stop: Louvre Museum! LOLS! Almost bang into my fellow tour mates!
So why Louvre is built in a shape of a pyramid? As you can see, in Paris there is alot of Egyptian stuff but we realise that there is no pyramid right? How you bring Pyramid back?!
So there is this architect who built pyramid for Paris. He built a total of 5 Pyramids.
But we can only see 4 on the top and 1 more is inverted one and you have to go and see from the shopping center underground below.
I am getting more confident with this bike already. Can play stunt liao! HAHAHA!
I really think Louvre Museum is so amazingly beautiful and it also marks the end of our 3hr tour.
Galeries Lafayette
I was told Lafayette (Lao Fo Ye aka LFY) is the best shopping place in Paris for many.
They have many brands, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Prada, Long Champ.
I am not sure issit they have “everything” but for Burberry (my favourite brand) apparently is just a small corner like a pop-up store. They do not have lots of Variety. Level 1 has leather goods, “limited” in my opinion. Level 3 has apparel like my favourite trench coat but also very “limited” in my opinion. Level 5 has kids wear which I think is good and better than what they have for the adults! HAHAHA
Eventually I did not buy anything from LFY except for a 3EUR Mineral water.
Maybe LFY is good for other brands like my favourite make up brand, “Dior”. The rest I shall not comment because I did not visit the stores but I will say I think in “Burberry” aspect, LFY will not score so well on my score chart.
But LFY is very pretty!
Feel free to open up this 360 degree photo of LFY.
The ceiling has very pretty stained glass dome and it’s amazing.
They have DISNEY Store!! LOLS! But I did not buy because I would like to go into the Park and see if I can get it there.
Burberry!!!
We were quite disappointed with the LFY Burberry collection so we text the Insidr Team.
Immediately they helped me to locate the above stand alone 3 level Burberry store.
They not only gave us address and they tell us how to travel there using “citymapper”.
How happy I am when I see a whole level of Trench Coat!!!! I am a coat fan like big big fan.
The heritage colour is a must have which I wanted to get but eventually I settled for something exclusive and limited edition. HAHAHA!
Thanks Hubby for the trench coat although it’s so not practical in Singapore to have one “SAYS NO ONE EVER!”
Trust me I wore them in Singapore! HAHAHA! Who says you cant wear in Singapore?
Someone say I “Buy for the sake of buying”… Seriously.. You think if no use my Mr Practical Husband will allow me to buy meh.. HAHAHAHA!
I am not kidding he is the one who told me “If you like it, then I will buy it for you.” I cried sia…
He said in Chinese “如果你喜欢,我就买给你”
But he told me that in LFY when I dun like the trench coat design and the price was not ideal.
But he ask me to buy. Then I ask Insidr Paris for help. See! I dun BUY FOR THE SAKE OF BUYING!
If I did, I will buy the coat in LFY already!
But really luckily Insidr Paris helped us to find this Burberry Store. If not I will not find my dream Trench Coat and “Buy because I really like it!”
And the husband also very pleased because Happy Wife = Happy Life.
My husband really is a keeper!
Even now typing this and recall what he said my tears are rolling in my eye. Awww.. Really touching sia..
Boon Hee also bought a leather pouch for me to place my new keys for the new home.
He say, “New house, New key, New Pouch!”
Very sweet of him. Always buying me what I like. LOLS! I wanted a key pouch from Samantha Thavasa but he gave me what I wanted deep down inside!!!
Next up I think I will be aiming a Pink wallet! HAHAHA! But maybe when my current wallet is spoilt. But I dun wan current one to spoilt because it’s a gift from Boon Hee too. What a dilemma! HAHA!
Woohoo~ My trench coat which came with a cover and the cover has Burberry logo too! HEHEHE!
Tadah~ My loots! Really really super happy! I am a LuckyGirl92! With a GoodHusband80!
Even Insidr Team so happy for me!! LOLOLS!
Showed it to my bffs and all so happy for me! :D
A better photo of the Obelisk.
My guide told me smth I just rmb at dunno which year, someone go put a “Pink Condom” over the Obelisk to for the World AIDS day in purpose to promote safe sex. Super darling hor? They are not from Govt agency just normal ppl I think.
Hey, look it’s Musee d’Orsay. It used to be a train station and now Museum! HAHA
The original love lock bridge “Pont Des Arts” has been kinda stopped and replaced with Glass Panels. This is another bridge “passerelle Léopold–Sédar–Senghor” a 2 Level pedestrian walking bridge which have tons of locks.
But actually the new place to lock is called Pont Neuf. There is a corner for you to put the locks.
But passerelle Léopold-Sédar-Senghor is a very good resting point. It has chairs for you to sit and enjoy the view of River Seine. We rest for 30mins and proceed to our dinner!
Then walk until halfway, my phone notification kept ranging because Singapore is 6hrs earlier than Paris hence at 7pm (Paris time) everyone’s birthday wishes starts pouring in!
Birthday Dinner Cruise Celebration
This dinner cruise is organised by my Facebook friends Brenda, Julie and Dianne.
It was a dinner gathering to know each other better and celebrate my birthday.
This is the cruise and it is turned into a restaurant and it looked so pretty. Meanwhile I will be changing into my coat so I will look more formal!
We were escort into the cruise first before any other guest because we came simply too early!
Checking the menu out and texting Brenda to see if she is reaching! I am so excited to meet her for the first time!
We made a 50% reservation deposit to Brenda which on behalf of us she paid to the restaurant already.
So the balance 50% where to be paid after dinner.
This is the menu that we have selected.
The cruise starts at 8pm and ended at 11pm ++ so it’s very worthwhile.
They have arrived. Beside me is Brenda and behind is Dianne. Beside Boon Hee is Julie.
Julie is a fellow Pokemon GO fan and she was saying she saw Dratini sightings but have yet to catch anything she did not already have.
Dianne and Brenda are long time best friends and I think they work together.
And me and Boon Hee is their new BFF! HAHAHA!
This is the appetiser for me. It’s salmon with seaweed.
Then Boon Hee’s appetiser is “warm” goat cheese. I think mine is better! HAHA!
As the cruise rotated, we saw STATUE OF LIBERTY! Omg! Am I in New York?
Of course not, the Eiffel Tower is just beside!
This is a gift from America to France to celebrate their friendship and this is a smaller version.
I think Singapore should give Merlion to France too so next time I visit France I can see our Merlion!
Imagine our Merlion spouting water into Seine River? Cool hor?
Boon Hee had Steak for main course.
I had Guinea Fowl which is a bird and only today then I know is a bird… Erm…
I should have taken fish. HAHAHA!
Me and the yummy bird. The bird actually not bad to eat. Oppsie!
Hey look it’s the sparkling Eiffel Tower! It sparkle for 5mins every hour till midnight.
Selfie time with the Sparkling Eiffel Tower~
Selfie with Mr Kat and the most funny thing is that this is not taken at our seats!
Our seat cannot see Eiffel Tower so we go to the opposite side table and take photos.
You must be wondering.. Then the opposite table no people sit meh?
Ah hah! They are all outside in the “deck” all cramping up to see Eiffel Tower.
I think I cant fight them and I am super cold so I went inside and I pulled Boon Hee over.
I said “Hey, here have better view take from here lah!”
He reply “You win liao lo!”
One last photo at my opposite table seats and I have to go because they are returning to their seats.
Guess what happened after i returned to my seat?
Tadah~ Happy Birthday to me~ Woohoo~
Surprise segment planned by the ladies! Thanks lovely ladies. :'(
I was so touched!
Here is the video of the celebration!! OMG!! I was moved to tears!!!
Thanks Brenda for everything for planning this cruise + surprise birthday celebration! Cheers to our friendship!
Thanks Julie and Dianne for coming to this dinner and celebrating my birthday with me. I really appreciate it a lot! It’s the best birthday ever! You girls will be my Best Friend Forever!
Thank you so much!
Thanks Julie, Dianne and Brenda bff for coming and of course thanks Boon Hee for making this possible!
So glad to have friends like you! It’s my greatest honour to be your friend!
What a happy happy night I have!
Also thanks everyone in Singapore for the well wishes on FB and Whatsapp!
Day 3 22nd-Sep-2016
Disneyland Paris —-> Auberge de Cendrillon —–> runDisney Expo Race Pack Collection
Tadah~ What we have been waiting for all my life~!!! DISNEYLAND!
We parked at Disney Village Carpark and it was $24EUR per 24hrs. But of course Disney is definitely worth this price. In Singapore, Universal Studios is also $20+ SGD per day already!
There is 6 Disneylands in the World.
#1 : Paris – CHECKED today 22nd Sep 2016!
#2: FLORIDA
#3: TOKYO
#4: Hong Kong – CHECKED in Oct 2014!
#5. California – CHECKED in May 2016!
&&&
Shanghai don’t have Zero Point yet!
3 down and 3 more to go! But I have an entire lifetime to conquer them!
Zero Point for Disneyland Resort in California! We both stepped on it hence…
Excuse me, how much is the Mickey Mouse clock selling?
Getting our tickets! We bought them online on Viator and now we are here to exchange for tickets.
We realise Park tickets if you buy from 3rd party website it’s cheaper. It worked for Disneyland Resort Anaheim, we got it from ParkSavers.com with a fellow blogger DLR Prep School, Casey’s discount code.
Why we got from Viator I think is mainly because the Disneyland Paris website transaction does not even went thru at all. Not sure price issit cheaper as Disneyland Paris “website” have got discount previously.
But the website price and Viator price is definitely cheaper than what we see above, i call it “gate price”.
In Disneyland, even the credit card machine oso have Disneyland logo wor!!!
Tickets, GET-ed!
Next stop, went to City Hall to get my Birthday Button but in Disneyland Paris they dun have button it’s a sticker. Then I cant bear to stick them… Hence… I jus kept carrying it around.
Tadah~ Castle + Birthday Button + Princess = Perfect Match!
Self-claimed Princess!
We went on the Peter Pan’s Flight ride as the “First” thing to do in Disneyland Paris.
Not sure if I mentioned before, due to jetlag, Boon Hee fell asleep on the ride when we were at Disneyland Resort Anaheim. Hence we need to retake the same ride in Disneyland Paris.
In order not to let him fall asleep, I made him video the whole process down!
HAHAHAHA! I am smart right?
Then we met Mischievous Pinocchio and his foster father!
Do you know the name of his Foster Father? It’s Mister Geppetto!
Then next we went to took the Pirates of the Carribean ride!
Why?
Because the Pirate ride is 2hrs in California but only 5mins wait in PARIS! Are you kidding me?
Then we went for makan time at Auberge de Cendrillon.
Why we picked here? Because it’s the only place with Character dining in Disneyland Paris!
Please remember to do booking for all dining options in DLP!
A very very pretty Cinderella Pumpkin carriage!!! So awesome!!
Then I met Cinderella’s step sisters, Anastasia (Pink) and Drizella (Green) !!!
Anastasia is really the kind one as seen in Cinderella II & III. She sang me a birthday song!!! LOLOLS!
Next we checked into the restaurant.
I dunno how it happened or why it happened .. The photographer keep asking us to stay in French then say is the first day of Halloween Deco and I must stay or something.
I super blur la.. Stand there for 5mins doing nothing.. Suddenly this happened!
I was in total shock and after taking the photo with us, they left. So we are the only guest that took this photo with them!!!!!
Super honoured maybe because it’s 22nd September so I am so lucky!
After the photo taking, we went to the restaurant and have a seat.
The setting and deco is really very Cinderella-ish.
Even the MENU was printed with Cinderella’s picture on it.
This is the Menu. We chose the $69EUR set meal. We wanted to share but not sure if it’s allowed because I definitely cant finish it!
Guess who she is, she is SUZY! The Mice from Cinderella’s Movie. Remember the green one is Suzy..
The cast member was very fascinated by my nails!!! LOLS! One thing I really like about Disney is they always make their guest feel so special. I really feel like a VVIP! HAHAHA!
She was shock because I told her i will be running this weekend for the Disneyland Paris Half Marathon!
I think I looked like I couldn’t run! Actually I cant run. I only run for Disney!
If we have Suzy, how can we not have PERLA?! Hello Perla! OMG!
I have never met Mice of Cinderella’s in any Disneyland and Paris is the first!
So amazing to meet my favourite Mices on my birthday!!!
Guest of the restaurant get to watch Cinderella and Prince Charming having their FIRST DANCE!
My first time watching them LIVE!!!
Ariel also join in the fun! And Suzy is so engrossed!
Next we have Aurora on the dance floor!! WOOHOO~
Here is our Appetiser. He is having Crayfish & Crab.
Meanwhile I am having Cream of Pumpkin for appetiser. How can you not eat anything pumpkin here?
Cinderella is famous for pumpkin mah! Her Pumpkin can make into a Carriage!!!
We are also served a Prince’s Cocktail cold drink. It’s Pineapple Juice. Very refreshing!
While I am starting to drink my soup… Aurora came to visit us!
Aurora is the first Princess in Hong Kong Disneyland whom tested me…
Sleeping Beauty: “Do you know my name?”
Me: “AURORA!”
HAHA! Dun trick me I know my Princesses well!
2nd encounter with Ariel. Actually was hoping that she is in the Mermaid form but I think we only see the mermaid form in Florida.
Woohoo! First time I see a Disney Prince!!! It’s Prince Charming! AWWWW!!! Super Love!
A hug with my favourite Princess!!! I am so blessed!!
Boon Hee is having Chicken in Truffle sauce for mains.
Me? RICE!!! RICE RICE!! I am a rice addict.. Always looking for Rice in Western Countries!
“WHAT A WEIRD GIRL!”
This is Scallops Risotto!
Super super yummy!
Bon Appetit!
SUDDENLY!!!!
Cast Member sang happy birthday to me!!!
I was wondering why there is a CAKE? When did we even buy a cake????
Making a wish and hoping Fairy Godmother will make it come true!!!
Thanks Hubby for paying $27EUR for the surprise birthday celebration! I really love it!
It’s a MICKEY MOUSE CAKE!!!!! WOOHOO~~ My dream cake and a cake design I never had before.
Here is the Video of my surprise birthday celebration in Disneyland Paris!
Hooray!!!
The cake is so big that it can serves 5-6 pax in my opinion.
It’s also my favourite Strawberry ICE-CREAM CAKE!!!
My Cinderella Tiara engagement ring fits this “Glass slipper pillow” so well right?
Boon Hee was like “You better remember to wear them back later and not leave it here!”
HAHAHAHA!
Joyeux Anniversaire Princess
It means Happy Birthday Princess in French~
Today I am a French Princess!
So what shall I do with this Half of the Cake?!
Since it’s my birthday.. I shall bless kids in the restaurant!
I blessed 3 kids with my birthday cake! Hope they enjoy the cake.
This very cute Peter Pan actually came over to thank me personally and wish me Happy Birthday!!!
Guess what, it’s his birthday too! So happy for him that he gets to enjoy Disneyland on his Birthday too!
COFFEE, TEA, or Cinderella Chocolate?
One trend Boon Hee realise in France is their Coffee is never filled to the BRIM!
I dunno why but Brenda realise this too!
Boon Hee usually looks at bill frowning but today look so happy maybe because the Bill is from Disneyland Paris!! HAHAHA! Tinker Bell sent him the bill!
$168.99 EUR in total about ….
The cake alone is $40SGD luckily we never waste it and gave it to the kids.
Thank you Disneyland Paris I had so much fun! I am going to the EXPO now to collect race pack!
WHAT?! What is going on? The queue is so long outside?? Inside the Arena tentage there is queue too!
My oh my! The queue starting point is no where to be seen.
Excuse me.. Got Fastpass anot ah?
Wonder why am I smiling but I am actually tearing inside. Can you see the tears in my eyes?
So I made a decision.
Since we already paid for Park tickets, we should spend more time in Park rather than queue-ing because based on queue like this, the Merchandise I wanted will all be gone even I start queue-ing now.
So I shall go to Walt Disney Studios now.
Woohoo I am in Walt Disney Studios (WDS) another park opposite Disneyland Paris which requires separate park ticket unless you got the “Park Hopper”.
I got the Park Hopper so we went to WDS to see what is all about in there!
Woohoo, we are back in Hollywood Mountain! HAHAHA!
Boon Hee’s dream mountain “Mount Lee” which he already conquered in May 2016.
I also get to see my favourite Mike from Monsters Inc. !!!
Guess whose door is this? It’s BOO! I wonder how old is she now!
I hope she still remember Sulley and Mike!
I have not been to Toon Town in Disneyland Resort but I been to Toon Studio!!!
That’s why I need to go back California!!! I havent complete Disneyland Resort and Disney California Adventure.
Next up is the MUST-DO RIDE in Walt Disney Studios Paris!!!
The Ratatouille 4D Ride !!
Ratatouille: The Adventure
This ride is only available in Paris!! So definitely a must-do!!!
This ride is damn cool and you should do it! It’s like you are in Remy’s Point of View (POV) and being chased by the Chef! Then can feel the heat from the stove and it’s damn awesome!
Next Ride is…
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith
You will first be escot to a room where by they discuss the music.
They played a total of 5 soundtracks and then you will be blast into the world of rock n roll in 3secs at the speed of 100km/hr!!! Then there is drops, turns and the lightshow is damn awesome!!!
I dun mind doing it AGAIN!!!!
Next ride is
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™
Sorry I am not a fan of drops!!! But Boon Hee really enjoyed this ride alot in Disney California Adventure. So he say he wanna do it again.
This ride is about 5 people in 1930s actually got lost after taking the Hollywood Tower Hotel’s Elevator!
Then we will take the same elevator up to 13 Storeys high and then the lift plummets down.
Most scary part is in total darkness and everything around you flys up!!!
This ride is “Crush’s Coaster®” it’s a high speed spinning roller coaster ride and I hit my shin which let me become crippled for 20mins because I was in huge pain. I did not know what the show is about ok I know got Great Barrier Reef and Finding Nemo cast but the rest of the ride I was in pain.
>.<
Then one thing very cool about WDS in Paris!!!!
They are the only part with “Studio Tour!”
The first studio tour i took is at Universal Studios Hollywood and it’s amazing!
One thing I really like about this tour is very little people!!! HAHAHA!
Walt Disney Studios Present….. Studio Tram Tour®: Behind the Magic
So we get to see all props Disney used in their movies!
Do you remember this three gargoyle statues?? They are friends of Quasimodo in the Disney Movie, “Hunchback of Notre Dame”!!!
The Statue of Liberty again! LOLS why i keep seeing statue of Liberty in Paris?
Next up the tram will stop at this “Catastrophe Canyon” area.
It starts with heavy rain and earthquake.
Then the oil tank explode and rain water gush down from the canyon. Very cool effects.
After the Studio Tour, the park is closing for the day. So I decided to take a #FollowGerzTo Earffel Tower.
Take note, is a pun of Eiffel Tower. This is a fake water tower because it has no water but has a Mickey Ear above. The water tower love Mickey ears just like me! LOLS!
It’s 163-foot tall and is Paris Walt Disney Studios Icon!!
Goodbye Walt Disney Studios!
Again.. I did not complete but I hope to come back again to complete it!!!
We proceed back to Expo to collect our race pack because it’s 6:30pm already and Expo closes at 8pm.
Behind me is a real hot air balloon which you can ride on at additional cost.
Finally no queue!!! We can go in directly!
Collecting our Race Bib! Woohoo~ My last Disney race bib of 2016. So sad….
First thing is of course to have my photo taken with my race bib!
He also want to copy me! Tsk tsk.. Copy Kat (Cat)!
So how we got our photos? The photographer will scan the barcode on your bib and it will link to your photopass.
This is something new because in America they dont do that. They manually keyed in the bib number.
This Mr Blur Blur tot this is photo taking for the Castle to Chateau challenge like what he did for Pixie Dust Challenge in America! LOLS!
The one and only photo of our bib before we need to tear off the top part to collect Event tee.
Next important thing to do is getting ourselves verified as Castle to Chateau Challenger!
Waiting Patiently…..
Oh yeah, I am verified! You see the Epcot chop?
But Boon Hee have some issues. We cant find his name for the Castle to Chateau submission.
We tried, Kat, Boon, Hee, Kat Boon, Kat Hee, Boon Hee, all no use!!!
Otherwise I need to faster find his Tinker Bell Certification from my previous blogpost and we spent 30mins hogging the queue then the queue became so so long!
In the end his name was found in another system.
Phew~
My suggestion: Next time to have 2 laptop / 2 counter so at least one counter stuck or hogged the another counter can continue so they queue wont be so long!
Next up is purchasing the $40 EUR Photopass.
The good thing about this photopass is that you can get 4 days worth of photos from 22nd Sep to 25th Sep in parks and for all the runs and it can link up to 6 bib number.
5km 1 bib, Half Marathon 1 bib so 1 person will have maximum 2 bibs.
So this can benefit at least 3 persons or up to 6 persons.
If you buy in the expo it will be $40Eur if you get it later it will be $50Eur.
So we decided to get it first.
We have a few ‘not so lucky’ friends from the facebook group, one of them bought the pass at $40Eur but in the end she only get 2 photos from the run only! Poor thing.. Not sure if she manage to find more photos.
I got a total of 39 photos with some duplicates but never mind at least I dun have any missing photos which is a good thing as many of my FB friends still have missing Castle photos and such. Let us wish them luck in finding the photos!
MERCHANDISE SHOPPING!
WOOHOO! CAPS! I love caps! And all headwear! LOLS!
Now I am gonna bring it to Hong Kong for Embroidery as Paris dun have embroidery. They dun even have Ear Hats! LOLS!
How u force your husband to buy stuff u wan?
Step 1: WEAR THEM to show him whose the owner and how badly you want them!
Step 2: Keep asking questions!
Example: “Nice anot?” “What size should I take?” “I take S or XS?”
Step 3: Make sure you buy something for him too.
Example: “I buy this Mickey mouse Finisher tee for you ok?”
Then he will be very happy to foot the bill!!! HAHAHAHA!
By the time i arrived, these are the only Pins left… The Half Marathon Official Logo Pins only. The limited edition ones are all swept off.
I heard within the first 30mins it was all gone!
Was quite upset as I really wanted one 5k but it was too costly too and Boon Hee dun allow me to buy them. I think $15Eur for one pin.
Got this Chef hat for Keslyn because she is a Pastry Chef.
Then since I did not get any Mickey Ears and this hat is “Paris” Exclusive then I say…
I will start cooking in our new home’s Kitchen so I need a Chef Hat too!
Woman is a creature who can come up with any reason to buy something!
Reason or excuse doesnt matter as long as it works!
After Merchandise shopping we went to the extreme ends of the EXPO to collect our Event T-shirt.
I very like this t-shirt! So so super like.
After I collected my shirt, I was recognised by Heather! LOLS! Now she is my new friend on facebook!
How do i know I met her after i collected the shirt? Look at my Bib. The top part is being teared off means I used it to exchange for the t-shirt!
Once again….. runDisney I really think you should issue the t-shirt together with the Bib!!!!
CASTLE to CHATEAU official backdrop! So happy!!! See the both Castle.. ahhhhh~
See the both Flag… ahhh.. You dun understand one lah!
The medals display!!! Behind me is the place to collect the Castle to Chateau challenger badge by showing your wristband. But I did not know that so I did not collect it.
So the next day, Brenda BFF actually went to EXPO to collect it for herself but one person can only collect one.
She told the Cast Member, “My friend Gerlyn from Singapore did not collect hers can you give me another one so I can give it to her?”
Something liddat. She told me this when she handover the badge to me.
Thanks Brenda darling for the badge! Check out my matching nails! LOLS!
Then next up a “Must-do” for all Disney races is MEDAL ENGRAVING!
$20EUR!!! I paid $20USD in for Tinkerbell in May and now you tell me $20EUR?
What worst? It’s the same company same team, same sales rep that talked to me.
Ok nvm… I can’t find anyone else to do this either. It was $26EUR if u see carefully and now $20Eur so it’s cheaper already!
10-May I complained having a medal engraved at $20USD was a heartache!
Now having it engraved at $20Eur is more heartache. Then my friend told me, she forget to bring enough Euro so the sales rep told her “You can pay in USD $20 instead!”
What?! I should have said I have not enough EURO and gave them $20SGD instead!!
HAHAHA!
My bff Bianca said “You should tell them you are from Malaysia and give them $20 Ringgit instead!”
HAHAHHAHAA!
Brilliant Move Bianca!
Then Brenda told me she could get it cheaper to engrave when she is back in America.
But I am not in America… :'( Sob
So now we are rushing back to Disneyland to do our tax refund.
Thanks Casper for carrying the happiest place on earth’s shopping bag!
Doing our tax refund do take note, you need to spend a minimum of $175EUR per day per shop to qualify for these. Remember to bring along your passport wherever you go too.
After the Tax refund is done, just nice it’s the start of the night show!
A Night Time Spectacular Show: Disney Dreams®!
It started off with Peter Pan’s shadow escape to show us the rainbow reality of Disney Dreams.
This is an Award-Winning Spectacle
In November 2012, Disney Dreams®! show won the IAAPA Brass Ring Award for best overall production with a budget of $1,000,001 or more.
This explosion of light and colour follows his adventure as he weaves his way between classic Disney tales, dashing through incredible lasers, fantastic fountains and peaking in an extraordinary finale.
From March 26th 2017, Disney Dreams®! will be replaced by Disney Illuminations
Not sure Illuminations will be better anot but definitely it’s my honour to catch this wonderful show before it ends!
ALICE IN THE WONDERLAND!!!
Lastly it’s Cinderella’s ball gown transformation!!
It’s like a dream come true to celebrate my birthday in Disneyland. I always wanted to celebrate in Disneyland Hong Kong but due to work schedule Boon Hee is unable to make it but who knew, my first Disneyland Birthday Celebration will be in PARIS! City of Love~ City of Light!
City of FIREWORKS!
And the City of SHOPPING! HAHAHAHA!
Seriously… Tell me this shopping bag isn’t your favourite shopping bag!
Lastly, in this video… I thanked everyone for celebrating this special day with me!!!
Day 4 23rd-Sep-2016
Paris —-> Etretat, Normandy —-> Chambres d’Hotes Villa l’Esperance
Early morning at 10am my Parisian Friend, Paul woke me up with a notification from FB!
He is watching all my videos on my Paris journey @ work!!! LOLS!
Remember I did mention tat we cant exit the carpark and we need to exit via the “main road”?
This 6 digit, “742900” is actually the passcode to exit the carpark.
Poor us… We only figured this out on the last day of staying at Bagnolet!
After we enter the carpark, we are to set off to Etretat, Normandy!
The northest part of France means we are leaving Paris for a road trip!
My lack of sleep / jet lag face. This time round we took much longer to overcome jet-lag!
We are on the way to cross this long bridge and toll so we can leave Paris.
Goodbye Paris and Hello Etretat!
As you can see on the way to Etretat, we no longer see tall buildings but more of a french village kind of style.
We start to see beef! I mean cow… Too hungry already!
The cow here are less shy compare to those I seen in Aussie! Aussie ones when i go near them, all runaway..
But France cow is so friendly. Still can take Selfie with me!
Tadah! We have arrived! I strongly recommend you to watch this video!
I will share with you a weird parking logic in Etretat!!!
Parking Fees here are calculate in a weird manner.
Never mind I screenshot for u to see!
30mins = $1Eur
1hr = $2.50 Eur $2Eur (if 30mins is $1)
2hr = $3.50Eur $4Eur (if 30mins is $1) $5Eur (if 1hr is $2.50)
3hr = $5Eur $6Eur (if 30mins is $1) $7.50 (if 1hr is $2.50)
So weird right the calculation?
I dun get it.. Do you?
But one thing good is tat it’s free after 7pm till next day 9am.
But it’s rather complicated for a parking in a village!!!
Next we found our hotel but check in time is 3pm and it’s 12pm now so we went to had lunch.
Our host told us we can have lunch at this Marie Antoinette down the street.
Then look for him at the Antique shop @ 3pm to check in.
I am so glad he spoke very good english. Otherwise I will be so confused.
As you can see, there is a “Pink room” and a normal room.
Boon Hee wrote in to request for the “Pink” one as it was my birthday.
I wish I will have the pink one!!!
We had the most fresh-est seafood platter in my entire lifetime.
The oyster is fresher than the ones i had in Fremantle, Western Australia.
When I first walked past this shop, I tell Boon Hee, I want to eat “FRUITS”….
Coz it’s been days I had fruits so I really wanted to eat fruit salad or something..
But my host said this shop is really famous for Seafood… Hmm…
Then i realise… Fruits means SEAFOOD in french!!!! LOLS!
Tiny fruits! LOLS!! These tiny prawns are really awesome tasting! Very crunchy!
I dunno if I should shell them but I just ate them as a whole. HAHA!
Check out the crab roe (egg) OMG!!! It’s full of it!
In Singapore or even Malaysia I never eaten crab with so much eggs in it!
I think it’s illegal according to Boon Hee. He said something like conservation of marine animals.
He said he used to see them till he was 8 or 9 years old and never able to eat crab with eggs after that.
HUGE SEAFOOD PLATTER!!! And with his Tiny Coffee…
Total cost about a $89eur which is $135sgd.
One thing about France.. Their coffee is really tiny… Am I complaining about the coffee size again?
Then we went to a supermarket nearby to buy some Mineral Water for our Morning Jog tomorrow.
Guess what I found? Tsum Tsum Evian water!
$0.70EUR each
I never see them in Paris at all and my friend Liz did not see them in United Kingdom.
Hence I think they are Etretat’s Limited Edition! LOLS!
This is the biggest place we stayed in France! Airbnb style room is much better than hotels.
Hotel are so small!
Initially we had issues with booking this Airbnb because our host email us to pay a deposit upfront and to teletransfer to him but eventually we spoke to our agent Agoda & booking.com and hence we avoid paying it. Otherwise it’s very troublesome.
OMG! There is a bathtub! How amazing!
2 wardrobes and they are so victorian-ish! Amazing! I am loving this room so much! But I will hope it’s the Pink Room even if it’s smaller.
Our host telling us where we can do a morning hike or jog to have a good view of the cliff.
He also shares with us some new places like Allouville-Bellefosse with a very old oak tree chapel which we can visit when we are leaving tomorrow. Then he also tell us a tip which is go for dinner by 8:30pm!
This is so important because in this village, 9pm the restaurants are closed for orders!
We went for dinner at 8pm and guess what all cafes are closed only left expensive restaurants available.
But we shall do a small evening sunset hike to see the Cliffs of Etretat!
Amazing view right? The beach is soooooo pretty!
Cant help but stop for a picture.
In 2011, I did this picture in Perth…
In 2016, I did this in Etretat! HAHAHA! With Pebbles! So funny!
Next we are gonna climb stairs to catch sunset in the church above!
Half of the stairs climbed. I love France weather. So cool, no sweat at all!
I can see the tip of the church! Oh yeah!
Taking a break right now. Haha.. So tiring!
Time for photos! Lets breath in the fresh air!
#FollowGerzTo Etretat Cliff!
I love sunset… So pretty, So amazing!
So romantic right?
Casper with the Etretat Cliff.
This is a Casino and a restaurant where you can have buffet. But we did not dine here as we are not a fan of either Casino or Buffet.
We had dinner here because they are the only few restaurant still operating at 8pm and it has Pasta and soup and coffee because we are so cold we need to drink something hot.
I had Pasta Bolognasie and it was $13.50eur meaning it’s $20SGD!!!
We are in a Village, outskirt of France but a Pasta is $20sgd…!!!
Casper had soupe de poisson!! He eat poison.. No lah.. Poisson is fish in French.
It’s $9.90eur which is $15sgd for a bowl of FISH SOUP!!!!
This meal is certainly not the most expensive one we had in France but definitely very expensive for a village. But we have only ourselves to blame!
Why? Because there are cheaper eateries but we came down from hill at 8pm hence all the cheaper options are closed!
Literally “Paying for our mistake”.
Nvm, we still had a wonderful yummy dinner and great evening so we shall end it with a hot tub bath!
This tub is big enough for the both of us! Woohoo! Luckily we are petite couple! LOLS!!!!
We shall sleep early tonight and wake up early for our morning jog!
Day 5 24th-Sep-2016
Etretat, Normandy —-> Oak Tree Chapel Belle Allouville —-> Sejours et Affaires Rive Gauche Apartment (a Metro Station away from Disneyland Paris)
Good morning.. I woke up at 5:30am and realise I cant get back to sleep so we went for a morning jog earlier than expected.
We wanted to jog at 9am but we jog at 6.50am and it was….. FREEZING!
We warmed up our muscle in front of the church for 10mins.
7.15am! In front of my favourite church! Ok.. One of my favourite church! HAHAHA!
Too many favourites in France!
Was supposed to start jogging but I was stunned by the sun.
Let’s stop for some photos. I was telling Boon Hee that this is very “NZ” New Zealand.
Me and the cow from the local farm!
Love having sunrays on my palm~
There are one Danger sign to tell us not to stand to near to the Cliff edge.
And it reminds me of my favourite disney movie, “Inside Out”.
Bing Bong told Joy “DANGER is Shortcut!”
Did a funny Ger’z World Video on this sign and felt so funny! HAHAHA
A selfie with the cow of France farm! HEHEHE
I love sunrise too! I love the evening sun, the morning sun just not the afternoon sun!
Running towards the SUNRISE!
Running at the EDGE of FRANCE!! WOOHOO~
The same morning my friends were doing the 5k in Disneyland Paris.
Well done, Brenda, Julie, Dianne and Jill for the good job!
I did a better job, 7k in Etretat but I have no medals!
But it would be better if I can do the 5k with them, having a full collection of the medal and visit Etretat too. HAHAHA! I am GreedyGirl92!
Morning Breakfast prepared by AirBNB host. BNB = Bed + Breakfast !
Love the breads in France. So so yummy and filling and it helps me save money for a meal!
FRENCH BAGUETTE
Pronounce as BEAR-QUET or BAH-GET definitely not how we pronounce below!
But Singaporean call it BAK KUT TEH (Pork Bone Soup with Chinese Tea)
BA-GUE-TTE
See this joke by our local 9GAG (SGAG)
But I shall not lie I did call it “BA-GUE-TTE” when I first came across this word. HAHAHA!
Cheers!!! I love my breakfast! BREAD-fast!
Last bathtub shower for myself…
We had a great time here in this AirBNB apartment. Just a pity about the “Pink room” …
Next up, Photo taking session by my Personal Photographer, Mr Kat Boon Hee! Where?
#FollowGerzTo Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Garde
#FollowGerzTo Cliff of Etretat
I told you, I am a girl obsessed with walking on Edges!
我就是喜欢走边边!
I love edges of cliffs! HAHA! Born a risk taker~
Enjoying the view together. What a wonderful and blessed day!
I thank God everyday for this wonderful trip!
Sealed our love here and hoping we will be back someday!
Au revoir Etretat
Now on the way to Allouville Bellefosse.
When we arrived, it’s an awkward timing of 3pm.
Lunch is over, but dinner is not ready but we did not had anything after breakfast and we are so hungry now.
We went to 2 restaurants and their kitchen is not operating at all till dinner.
What to do?
We ate Ice-Cream sundaes and had Coffee as our lunch. Look @ Casper’s Coffee Size.
Apparently this meal is not cheap either the sundaes was $7eur EACH ($10SGD).
But we are getting used to see these prices.
No wonder my french friend who came to Singapore said our food is so cheap and we had food everywhere and anytime. Now I am missing Singapore.
I miss $3.50 Char Kway Teow (Fried Noodles).
I shall never complain Singapore’s ice-cream places being expensive or what anymore!
After we had food, we visited where our Host told us we should visit the 1200years old Oak Tree.
The cool thing about this Oak Tree, it has a church inside… And it has not just one church but TWO CHURCHES!
You see, Age estimated 1200 years!
1 thing not so good in France is their signage are not translated to english. So i used “agaration” aka estimation to guess the words!
The ground level is the Mother Mary church.
What? It’s called Notre Dame again? Why everywhere is call Notre Dame?
What Notre Dame means? “Our Lady” so i think this means “Mother Mary” and this is a Catholic church.
The church is very tidy and neat which I was expecting no one to do so because is like a church in a tree like not anyone’s duty to do so. But there are still servants of God who helped tidy this church.
This is the Spiral staircase which lead up to the 2nd church, the Hermit Room.
The stairs is very small I like the feel of it.
Behind me is our saviour Jesus Christ Statue and this is the 2nd church hosted in this tree.
I also saw that this tree are behind held by tons of thick steel rods to keep it’s steadiness.
#FollowGerzTo Chêne Chapelle
We are leaving this wonderful outskirt of France and heading back for…. Our Disneyland Paris half Marathon tomorrow!!
Why Casper kept complaining about the traffic…… Here is the reason…
It’s a Saturday Evening and you can see there the jams are pretty bad..
Expressway electronic boards are in French… Goodluck to us but 25/09 is tomorrow so I think is not very important.
The sun just settled and we are still not yet arriving…
We are heading towards Marne La Vallee, Val d Europe which is near our hotel.
Oh yes! What did I just see? Val d’ Europe???
Hooray! I think we have arrived.. But nope… Still need to find our hotel!
30 mins later at 8.44pm then we found our hotel….. Luckily parking was free on weekend and we found 1 parking lot directly outside the hotel. Note: There is only 2 lots.
But on Monday when we are leaving, we are told we need to pay for hourly parking on the main road after 9am or otherwise move our car into the parking within the building which is $17eur / day. So we took our chance by parking along the road without paying. HAHAHA! Luckily we weren’t caught.
Because the hotel staff told us to write a note to say we will leave soon and the car park officer will give chance lah. LOLS!
Finally had our first proper meal of the day at 9.24pm. The last proper meal I had was the breakfast. How could Casper be full by just eating ice-cream?
A little difference here and outskirt, restaurant closes at 10pm and last order at 9.30pm.
I feel this operating hours are better suit to our life style.
We wanted to have Pizzas at first but the Pizza restaurant was fully book and waiting for a table was 30mins. But I was too hungry. So I walk down the street and found… THIS!!!!
Korean Food.. RICE!! I am so happy that I had rice!
I paid for $43.90eur for a soup, a dumpling and egg pancake.
$66sgd actually not that cheap but Paris standard and for good food, it’s worth it!
We both commented that we would like to go back! HAHAHA!
I tried to go back, the first time after race when we came back we are too early they have not operated.
Then we went disneyland and came back at 11pm and they were closed for the day.
Then the next day when we left at 11am they are not yet open too.
3 times we visited but too bad…
It was one of the best food we had in Paris. Yes, if i am going back Paris, I am definitely visiting here again!
Day 6 25th-Sep-2016
Disneyland Paris Half Marathon Race —-> Disneyland Paris
So the story above is that at 2.41am I looked at my new watch and told Casper to wake up!!
It’s 9.25am!!!!
Then he got a shock of his life. We are supposed to wake up at 5am and the race starts at 7am and we need to take Metro to the start point etc.
9.25am imply we are late, we fail to get our medals, we fail to get Castle to Chateau and came to Paris literally for FUN.
Anyway we are so dead!
Then he quickly pulled the curtain in our hotel room and he went back to sleep calmly IGNORING ME!
I was like why are you going back to sleep? You gave up?
He told me to look at my phone and I saw eh… 2.41am?
Impossible! Then how come my watch put 9.25?
WHYYYY???
Then I asked him why it’s 9.25?
He replied calmly in his sleep *I can feel that he rolled his eyes*
“25th September equal Nine Twenty Five”
Ahhhh… Then I went back to sleep after sharing this fb post!
HAHAHHAHA!
Moral of the story like my friend Alma told me : “Get a less complicated watch!”
Learn to read the “needles”
And then lastly an advice to Casper, “Get your wife a new watch.”
But this watch is new right?
Erm.. Nvm… Casper you can do it…
We woke up at 5am to dress up and by 5.37am we are ready to set off!
The temperature is 13 degree celsius, not as cold as America because Tinker Bell was 7 or 8 degree celsius.
Before we set off, we are to wear this Castle to Chateau wristband without it, we cant take our special medal and we need to wear this without dropping it on the race course. And yes! We are done, let’s go!
When we left the hotel, we met a very nice couple!! They are amazingly good people!
We did not do research on how to go Disneyland Paris aka Start point.
Boon Hee said to even “WALK” to DLP. He is that dead serious.
Then the couple said they are going to train there. I mean take the metro.
And so I ask “Sorry, can we follow you behind?”
They say “SURE!”
Then I rolled my eyes at Boon Hee….. Seriously… How could he…
You will be saying, why dont I do the research instead.
Ok fine.. Next time I shall do the research then…
I am pretty sure Libra has a good talent of being a blogger because we can really talk to ourselves.
HAHAHAHA!
Eh wait… I am a virgo right? Hmm.. Whatever..
We arrived at the Metro like 8mins later.
$1.90eur per trip to Disneyland for one person.
Ehhh.. Paris ah, 1 stop only leh..
1 stop for $1.90eur?!?!
That’s like $3SGD!!!
Ok you win.. Because you are Paris.. You are suppose to be that expensive right?
Yes ticket, stop reminding me of the EUR 1.90. Appreciated!
The Boon Hee mentioned something he say Disneyland Paris loves Ratatouille a lot even named it Cheesy!
Because Rats love Cheesy, maybe Mickey Mouse loves cheese and Remy loves cheese too..
Val d’Europe.. Yay, I am taking a train from Europe to Disneyland Paris.
Taking the train with so many other runners! Then met this very nice runner who lend me a piece of tissue to wipe my nose!
Selfie with my mickey and the entrance of Disneyland Paris.
Right now we are queue-ing to cross the security scanning check point.
To see if anyone bring selfie sticks or prohibited items!
The only time I run is for Merchandise! Run for Shopping!!! Guess what, the stores are open! HAHAHA!
Woohoo! Half Marathon Map! Really one big round!
I am ready to RUNDISNEY! Are you ready?
Sad thing about this race is that we are not allowed to carry bags. Jialat (Oh no)!
Without water bag means we have no water, no cookies to eat when I am hungry.
Most important we have no place to put Boon Hee’s big wallet and our handphones!
But we did not have any choice so we just carry our phone on hand, wallet leave it in the bag and proceed to Corral C.
You can see we are so far away from the start line. The number of people joining this race is 15thousand people and I think 70% are from overseas. 0.0001% from Singapore!!! Which is the both of us!
Our Wristband and we saw lots of runner wearing this. Which means most of them did a race in America and then Paris.
One thing I really like about Disney race is they keep playing non-stop Disney’s Movie soundtrack!
Somewhat nearer to the Projection Screen but still a long way till start line.
We are technical the last wave in our Corral.
Time now is 7:30am and our Corral C first wave just flagged off.
7:50am and finally we are next in line for the flag off.
Ahhh… 8am and not yet we are definitely the next to go this time!
8.08am and let us countdown together!!!
What happen was that I always start runkeeper first then video the countdown so I can start running and not go back to the app and on the tracker again.
Hooray let’s run inside Walt Disney Studios.
I really love Walt Disney Studios a lot. I prefer the rides here! Oopsie!
Me and the Sorcerer’s Hat plus the broom which help Mickey the apprentice to do his chores.
BFF Elvina’s favourite Chip & Dale!
RC Racer my favourite ride and technically the most thrilling ride in Hong Kong Disneyland. But of course this is not the most thrilling in Paris lah!
Me in front of one of my favourite 4D ride.. Ratatouille~
And Hello to the Kittens of Aristocats “Toulouse, Marie and Berlioz” !!!
They are only available in Disneyland Paris. So it’s an honour to meet them!
The cast of The Incredibles! Mr Incredibles and Elastigirl !!!
I think Disneyland Paris and Run Disney team really spend alot of money and effort. You see the cups was printed with the logo. My friend Liz Read actually still keep the cups. She folded them and kept in her belt. If I bought my bag, I would have bring it home. But too bad. A photo will be suffice.
Run Disney Run! Woohoo~ But opposite direction! LOLS!
We shall run towards the castle!!! Look at my tail so cute right? HAHAHA! I keep feeling it to make sure I did not drop it. Dun wanna drop anything in Disneyland anymore.
The morning sun shining at the castle. It’s soooo amazing!
3KM! Casper is pulling me away to avoid me getting caught by the CLAW CATCHER!
Helpful Cast Members helped us with a photo and this is Casper’s only photo with the KM marker.
Star Wars time. The queue was super long. So Nvm, we will just take a photo from afar~
Guess whom I met? It’s the first time I see Beast in Human Form or Prince form!!!
I so wanted to queue but Casper said no….
My favourite place.. It’s a small small small small world! HAHA!
Cast from Alice in Wonderland! I saw the White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, Alice and March Hare!
A selfie in front of the Castle
It’s 4KM! The lantern in the backdrop and you remember the movie?
It’s Tangled, Rapunzel movie! During her birthday you will see lantern right that scene?
And this photo was missing from my photopass. Luckily Boon Hee took one for me otherwise I will be so sad.
I dont usually do characters but … There was no queue.. So why not!!!
The cast of Aladdin. Abu, Aladdin & Genie!!!
I am super happy to see the characters of my favourite movie!!! UP!!!
It’s DUG!!! Lols.. Actually Dug is my favourite in the movie! HAHAHAH!
5KM already and we are leaving Disneyland compound.
A photo with the Disney Channel Paris Studios because I grew up watching Disney Channel!
Guess who I saw… Gargoyles from Hunchback of Notre Dame, Laverne.
What? You mean DLP have their own Firemen?! Cool!!!!
7km around a sports stadium in Paris. I visited a sports stadium in Paris!
I was super happy when I see apples! It gave me perks and energy to JUST KEEP RUNNING!
Not only we are given apples, Special K sponsored the Half Marathon hence we have tons of Energy bars!
8km and I am with the Merida’s Archery Target Board! I bet you did not recognise!
Only a true Merida fan will recognise! HAHAHA!
6 Miles. So not use to seeing Miles but yeah, it’s a American Thing.
And Yes.. Princess Gerlyn is pulling The Sword in the Stone!
Local school band came to perform and cheer the runners up.
A photo with their Elephant Mascot!
Told ya, I am ELSA~ Let it go……
Then I saw my facebook friend, Sherri!!! She dressed up as Minnie!
Then I was talking to Sherri and then I see someone waiting for me.. It’s Brenda!!!
Hooray, Half of the Half Marathon is done-ed! Time for celebration!
Cheerleaders from local school came to give us support too! They are so cute!!
I really like running around the lake.. It’s so pretty and Casper was like, I wanna buy a house here!
HAHAHA!
Me: How you gonna buy a house when you dont even know french?
Casper: I just need money to buy a house.
13km and I am holding the Glass Slippers.
Guess what happen at 14km? The opposite lane is actually the 9km marker and I saw the sweeper, cyclist chasing people and collecting the cones. Oh No!!! I gotta run faster!
So you are a CASINO or Supermarket?
Then I know Casino is a brand name of Supermarket just like Walmart. Ok…. What a unique and confusing name…
9MILES!! So happy 4 more miles to go!! And I will be done!
16KM
It’s Golden Wheat Fields… 秋天黃昏與你徜徉在金色麥田 – 小苹果歌词
It’s the Disneyland Carpark Entrance! Woohoo!! We are nearing!
We are at Hotel Santa Fe I call it the Cars Hotel and my friend Liz Read stayed here this weekend.
Hehe.. I have been to Los Angeles, Hollywood Hill and Disneyland Resort! Conquered! But I will still be back!
I really like Hotel Santa Fe alot because Cars is my favourite movie. Mater is my favourite truck! HAHHA!
Hooray I got the Piston Cup! KEKE!
18km and we are back in the Backlot of Walt Disney Studios. So happy to be back but it also marks the end of the race…
19km and coconut juice to perk me up!
The view was truly awesome. The houses here are so pretty!
12miles! Last 1 mile to go till I see my medals!!
Magic Carpet and the Lamp.. I hope Genie will appear and let me have more days in Paris! Let me visit all the Disneyland in the world. Let me have more energy to keep on running.
Woohoo.. 21km runDisney Graffiti Banner with Earffel Tower and Castle on the right.
One thing I notice about Paris is that they are very encouraging about Graffiti. Singapore is very strict about it.
Minnie gave me a hi5 for a job well done!
Mickey also hold my hand to congratulate me. Don’t ask me how I know. I just know!
Nice volunteers carrying so many heavy medals and still slow motion put on my medal for me!
Us with our Medals but is that all? hmm.. NO!!!
You forgot our Castle to Chateau Medal!
The Volunteers are really very good looking. Their nose is so sharp! HAHAHA!
Still gave me a thumbs up! Thanks Guys!
Helping Fellow Runners to have their photos taken. I am a nice RABBIT!
A photo of me with the backdrop taken by Casper. I did not ask people to help us take as I trust the photopass team. But apparently my friend did not receive her finisher photo till date. haizzz…
I am glad I am lucky to receive our photos.
Meanwhile I will share with you some favourite photos taken by the Photopass Official Photographer.
Next up, I went to engrave my medal! It’s pretty fast because I pre-paid and so I get to cut the queue a little.
#MedalPride with Tinker Bell behind me!!!
Sleepy head sleeping on the train back to hotel.. Excuse me.. It’s one Station away….
My friend Brandon was like “He is tired because you woke him up at 2am!!!”
….. Brandon so bad!!
Then we exit the wrong direction and took a long way back to the hotel in heavy rain.
Now we deserve to wear our Finisher tee on!!!
We had Western cuisine for Lunch. I got a medium rare steak but it’s too rare…
I don’t really like it. I prefer Korean food!! HAHAHA!
Rose whipped cream coffee for Casper! First time in Paris I saw a big cup of coffee filled to the BRIM!
After lunch we headed back to Disneyland Paris @ 2:30pm we technically wasted the park ticket.
Not a waste because it was raining heavily that morning and when we arrived, it turned sunny!
First we met up with our friends and they helped us with some pictures!
Thanks Brenda dear for the nicely taken pictures!
Our mandatory kissing shot in front of the castle with Disneyland Paris Medals.
See below for the same shot taken in Disneyland Resort, Anaheim.
After the meet and greet session with my friends, I proceed to enjoy the park rides with Brenda, Julie and Dianne!
First ride of the day… SPACE MOUNTAIN MISSION 2!
Meanwhile, Julie and Dianne went to collect FP for Buzz Lightyear.
Julie said she need to compare this ride for her son to see if it’s the same.
Meanwhile we did the ride again with Brenda!!
Obviously I definitely have the lower score…
Bang Bang Bang!
Then we proceed on to take the Pirates ride!
Afterwhich I am meeting more friends at Phantom Manor!!!
I met Jill for the first time!!! And she was so nice to me like way before we met. Actually wanted to celebrate her birthday too at the cruise as she is a september baby but her schedule can’t make it.
Before we go in for a ride!
Took a Live Video with Liz Read as she always take videos like me! haha!
After we took the ride! The scared faces… LOLS! Then it’s time we gotta split up.
Happy times together with friends always pass so fast… :'(
Then I went to the castle to have some photos taken with the medals.
#MedalPride with Castle!
I love Castle, I love running, I love blings!
Sorry Casper that your jacket is torn. I think because his bag is too heavy with all the medals!
Did I mentioned something? We bought all our medals to Disneyland and when we pass the security check, the scanned lots of medal in Casper’s bag.
Then they called the security guard to come over.
Then I said “I think is the medals..”
Then they laugh it off and let us go…
HAHAHA! You thought what? GUN?!
Since his jacket was torn, I bought him a new Disneyland Jacket. It’s an excuse because I wanna buy 1 myself too.
We got cookies for le colleagues.
And Chocolates for them! I dun expect them to be yummy but at least they looked pretty!
We should get the #BestColleague Award right?
This marks the end of my Disneyland Journey in 2016!
Hope to visit DLP in near future again!
Day 7 26th-Sep-2016
Segway Tour —–> Photoshoot with Mabel
Our last 2nd day breakfast! Today we are having some French Pastry aka Pâtisserie!
Hmm a $11.50Eur Simple Breakfast… I never knew how much bread + tart + coffee + chocolate cost so much like $18SGD!!!
Our next destination, Hotel near Eiffel Tower aka Paris City.
As there is a lack of parking facilities there, expensive parking, terrible traffic condition to drive..
We decided to park our car back at Bagnolet (Outskirt) the place we first stayed.
So after we checked out, we drove back to Bagnolet and park our car there and proceed to our hotel near Eiffel via METRO…
Although Metro is a hassle and expensive but still better than driving.
One thing I learnt is not to carry so many luggages if I am coming back to Paris. I will carry more backpack instead. Then I will not rent a car instead buy the Metro Passes to get unlimited train rides!
We changed a few times to reach our Location, Trocadéro and this place is still very far away from our hotel… We are busy navigating until I dun even have chance to take photo at every platform I changed.
Then we quickly checked in our hotel and left for Segway tour at 2pm!
On the way to segway tour and I saw a Maple Leaf!!! Reason I love Maple leaf so much is because it represent fall / the autumn and I am born in Autumn.
About 30 mins walk, we arrived. If we took train, it would take longer so Paris is really a very walkable city!
Next up is signing Indemnity as you know Segway is still an outdoor activity and it might be dangerous and you may fall.
The our tour is 1.5hrs so we are taking the Blue route.
Wearing helmet although I am very reluctant but we have to wear a helmet.
First our guide Sue from South Korea taught us the basics on Segway for about 10mins.
We learnt how to turn left and right, up the kerb and down uneven road. And about 5mins or less I gotten a hang of it. It’s very fun and it even tempted me to get a segway for myself in Singapore!
Once we are confident, Sue proceed with the tour while we follow closely behind her.
Sue helped us with lots of touristy picture! And tell you something which is very lucky for us!
We had a private tour because no others joined us hence we became the only two persons in the tour and it became a private tour!
We are at Pont Alexandre III and Sue did tell us something.
If you kissed on this bridge, your love will last forever! And she made us kiss, helped us with photos and tell us we will last forever! She is very nice!!!
Took a selfie on the go! Segway-ing and behind me is Eiffel Tower! In Paris, you can see Eiffel tower EVERYWHERE… It’s a matter of Big or Small.
Bypass Ladurée Champs Elysées which is famous for Macarons.
We have this in Singapore but I never eaten before so I was hoping to try it in Paris.
Hopefully I have the opportunity!
It’s LV!!! Wow!!! It even have a France Flag above.
Gaumont Champs Elysées checked! We cant watch a movie here in fear that it’s in French!
OMG! It’s Arc de Triomphe !! First time seeing it!!! I really do hope to walk under it or go close up but we do not have the time. That’s why I need to return to Paris!
Kissing on Segway isn’t an easy task because when we lean forward, our segway goes forward too!
Mandatory Kissing shot in front of Eiffel Tower!
Jumpshot @ Eiffel!!!
End of our tour! Thanks Sue!!!
We hope you have a wonderful working holiday experience in Paris!
Here are some videos I took on my first time on Segway!
Next up we are preparing for our Photoshoot session!
Gonna dress in my new Burberry Trench Coat and a dress bought specially for this occasion!
Decided to give Casper a Korean Boy-look so made him tie the Disneyland Paris hoodie we bought yesterday around his neck.
Apparently I think it looks quite nice!
Initially he wanted to wear the brown torn jacket we bought specially then after it’s torn, he just wanted to wear his white shirt which I find it too plain. So yeah.. How do you think he look?
I think not bad right? I am a natural in dressing him up! HAHA!
As the trip was sponsored by Skiddoo and we are supposed to sent them pictures, we decided to engage Mabel as our photographer for a professional shoot. I usually don’t do this but I got no choice as Paris is not a very “safe” place to put my camera on Tripod and on timer *as advice* by my friends. Several friends!!! Even locals say don’t ask people to help you take photos by passing them your phone or camera.
So if we wanted to take photo ourselves is either Casper taking pictures of me or it’s a selfie.
We set aside a $400SGD budget for our photoshoot although we overspent eventually but I will say it’s very worth it and Mabel did a fantastic job!
And how I found Mabel? It’s through… INSTAGRAM!
I did this Tippie Toe by myself I dunno why just feel like doing and Mabel said she likes it a lot!
Mabel like this shot alot she calls it “A day in the park..”
But this park is not any normal park…..
“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” – Gustave Flaubert
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.” – Mark Twain
“In Life, It’s Not Where You Go, It’s Who You Travel With” – Charles Schulz
“I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.” — Mark Twain
“Never go on trips with anyone you do not love.” – Ernest Hemingway
“A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it.” – John Steinbeck
“And the seasons they go ’round and ’round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We’re captive on the carousel of time
We can’t return we can only look behind
From where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game.”
“Life is a carousel. It goes up and down. All U gotta do is just stay on.” – Pharrell Williams
“There are only two places in the world where we can live happy: at home and in Paris.” – Hemingway
“Even the pigeons are dancing, kissing, going in circles, mounting each other. Paris is the city of love, even for the birds.” -Samantha Schutz
After we are done with Day shoot at Eiffel, we are going to do the Mandatory Love Locking thingy!
We took a cab at our own expenses I think it’s $10Eur or less for this trip.
Casper being the one with better handwriting will do the honour!
“Marriage is an act of locking two hearts together and then throwing away the key.” – Dave Willis
This lock cost $5Eur if you wanna save, you can buy a cheaper one and lock it here.
If you want something more special, you can customise and engrave one online and bring it here.
Otherwise you can buy one from the lock seller. I got this one because it’s purple pinkish and then it’s engraved with Eiffel Tower, the word Paris and 2 hearts.
But you should not pay more than $10Eur for any locks as advised by locals.
Finding a place to lock our love. The density of locks is quite scary! LOLS!
“Lock up all your love and go and throw away the key.” – Carrie Underwood
“Holding hands in love is underrated, while sex is overrated. Don’t you think so?”
― Kiran Joshi
I think this quote is just too true!!!!
5 Steps on How to lock your love in Paris?
#1 Write your name
#2 Write your lovers name
#3 Write today’s date
#4 Lock it on the bridge
#5 Throw the keys down Seine River
My matching nails design drawn by Yoriko vs the engraved Eiffel Tower on the lock.
Initially Casper was hesitant to lock it here but as you can see the rest is too dense to lock on the bridge.
Then I told him, we need to lock here as pictures taken here will definitely be nice.
So Mabel came to take more pictures of the Lock before we throw the keys.
One thing I really like about Mabel is she check her work! She make sure they looked awesome before we proceed off and sometimes she shows me the awesome photos she took and she like!
I was like “WOW!” “This is nice!” “So pretty!”
HAHAHA! Thanks Mabel!
You see, she did a better job than me right? I said locking here is good! See the picture turn out so well!
And choosing a pink lock is so right!!!
“Lock me in your heart and throw away the key.” – Anonymous
After we threw the keys Mabel asked “Where is the keys?”
Because me and Boon Hee joked “Uh oh!”
As if we are so afraid of being locked up together for life!
This is the original love bridge. See, locks are removed and Glass Panels installed.
But I kinda like this instead of the densely populated gold locks!
“Hugs were invented to let people know you love them without having to say anything.” – Anonymous
If someone would ask me what a beautiful life means, I would lean my head on your shoulder, hold you close to me and answer with a smile, Like this. – Anonymous
“We stood there, looking at each other, saying nothing. But it was the kind of nothing that meant everything.”― Jenny Han, It’s Not Summer Without You
Spread your wings
It’s time to fly.
Make the leap.
Own the sky.
Poem quote by Ms Moem
“You’ve got this life and while you’ve got it, you’d better kiss like you only have one moment, try to hold someone’s hand like you will never get another chance to, look into people’s eyes like they’re the last you’ll ever see, watch someone sleeping like there’s no time left, jump if you feel like jumping, run if you feel like running, play music in your head when there is none, and eat cake like it’s the only one left in the world!”
― C. JoyBell C.
“One love, one heart, one destiny.” ― Bob Marley
One of the best feeling in this world is when you hug someone, and they hug you back even tighter!!!
I really like this kind of chatting pose. We did it by accident.. I dun even know what I told Boon Hee maybe I said “I am so cold…” But the look he gave me is like he is really listening!!!
“You’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching,
Love like you’ll never be hurt,
Sing like there’s nobody listening,
And live like it’s heaven on earth.”
― William W. Purkey
Sometimes when I say “I’m okay.” I want someone to hold my hands and look into my eyes and say “I know you are not. Here’s two tickets to Disneyland, let’s go! – Gerlyn :’)
#NotAHint
I did not know we are suppose to make funny faces!!! LOLS!!!
After Louvre, we took Taxi to the Inception Bridge!!!
When we arrived, I was shocked I kept asking Mabel why Eiffel is in Purple colour!
She said is common for Eiffel to change colours as it’s just projection and during Euro Cup they changed to different countries flag colour. But she has no idea why it’s purple today!
At the end my friends told me on FB that it’s not purple, it’s PINK! For the Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign.
dépistage means screening
Mabel suggested to take photos from Inception Bridge instead of going back near Eiffel.
Reason being: Eiffel Tower lack of lighting and she doesn’t uses flash for her photos next is that there will be lots of people which means photobombs!
Then I asked: “You have confidence to take super awesome photos if we go this place?”
*I dun even know which place she wants to bring us to!*
She replied “Yes!”
So I trusted her and I am glad I did! She’s a local photographer and she definitely know better but she needs to discuss with me out of respect but you know me lah.. I give lots of freedom to people who work with me as long as they produce good stuff.
Taking photo at the Middle of the bridge, there is a horse behind and most importantly the Eiffel is sparkling.
It sparkles for 5mins every 1hr till midnight. Hence we need to capture it fast enough as our session with Mabel is ending soon!!!
We moved to the sides to avoid the crowd of people. I love this photo a lot! The Pillars is just so nice looking! And Mabel is standing across the road so we don’t even know if she is done.
But night shots means to stay still if not you will have blurry photos hence we do very simple ones and stand very still….
“Grab my waist, pull me close, kiss me.” – Anonymous
“We’ll walk together holding hands, and kiss in broad daylight, and love each other as much as we want to, and no one will ever try to keep up apart.”
“I’ll lean on you and you lean on me and we’ll be okay” – Dave Matthews Band
After the shoot, Mabel gave us the SD card and that’s the only copies. She did not even keep one and gave us all the high resolutions one. I was very impressed. We took more than 300 photos with her in the end. None of it was unglam or not nice look.
After Mabel left, Casper help me took some photos on my FR100 and it turn out pretty good!
Thanks Casper for such a wonderful night!
#FollowGerzTo Inception Bridge
“You don’t choose the day you enter the world and you don’t chose the day you leave. It’s what you do in between that makes all the difference.” – Anita Septimus
SMILE! For the last photo before we walk back to our hotel!
Walking around the neighbourhood~
Had Chinese cuisine as dinner because I am missing rice like always! Although not to my liking but still rice and soup and dumplings are still my love! As usual very pricey….
Next time I come to Paris I will bring my own instant noodle to cook in hotel!!!
Day 8 27th-Sep-2016
Morning run in Paris —–> Lunch Cruise —–> CDG Airport, Paris
Our last day in Paris…..
In the morning, we woke up for a RUN! Parisian run I call it. Because during my bike tour I realise there is alot of runners in Paris so we decided if we have the time… Why not?
The sunrise is quite beautiful right?
It’s quite cold so I run quite fast to get myself warmed up.
Eiffel Tower is in my hand! Are you ready to pay the ransom? HAHAHA!
Ok you paid the ransom with such beautiful medals I shall let Eiffel Tower go…
How I wish I am living in Paris and I can do a morning run everyday like this….
Was always hoping the medal have something gotta do with Eiffel but since the medal has no Eiffel, I will bring the medals to Eiffel.
Thanks Hubby for the Long Legs! HAHAHA! I love my camera FR100 because it gives me long legs~
You can see, we are hugging together because we are freezing!!!
My favourite Adele Bridge~ Did u spot Eiffel Tower? I told ya, Eiffel is so huge and wherever you go, you can see it! It’s not call photobomb is call Eiffel-Bomb!
Did I mentioned, Louvre Museum is not open on Tuesday… Haizzzz…
Not open never mind but it is barricaded!!! Like why?!
Because they have private function so only special guest can enter.
Technically Tuesday Louvre is open but not to public….
Be smart.. Don’t be like Casper & Gerlyn!
Fall is coming.. So many Fallen Leaves of course Fall is coming!
Breakfast time… I ran pass Laduree and kinda forced the hubby for some Macarons only…
But then when we walked inside he say “Let’s have proper meal here!”
So yay to breakfast inside Laduree.. Something you cant do in Singapore’s Laduree!
Thanks Hubby! I hope you can happy eating the sugar cubes! LOLS!
He ordered Coffee as usual and I order Hot Chocolate. The chocolate is sooooo soooo soooo THICK!
The nice hubby celebrated my birthday for the “N” number of times!
This time with Macarons!!!
Happy Wife = Happy Life
Wife very happy already!! Got Laduree Macarons already enough still got birthday Celebration!!
Thanks to this wonderful man sitting opposite me! You are the best!
I love Paris, I love Macarons, I love Laduree~
Meanwhile, Casper ordered an egg white omelette. It’s omelette but white in colour.
Even Boon Hee said yes to Laduree Macarons he is not someone with sweet tooth.
For me? I never ate Laduree Macarons before but I shall say it’s the best Macarons I have eaten. Because in Paris, any food is good food!
Next up, it’s the little booklet of BILL!!! HAHA!
Boon Hee say “You see for what? Also not you pay…”
This meal we did not eat alot but definitely one of the most expensive breakfast for Egg Omelette + Coffee + Chocolate + 4 mini Macarons …
It’s $50 SGD for a breakkie.. Erm… Ok.. He did not scream at me.. But I quickly say..
“Thank you hubby, you are the nicest ever, this breakfast is the most awesome-est…”
HAHAHA!
Hopefully this make him feel that his money is well-spent…
Running in Champs-Élysées. Why this direction? Because behind me is the famous “Squarish” Tree.. I dunno why they cut the trees or trim the trees into square shaped. But it’s so iconish…
And not to forget… Arc de Triomphe…
Yes… Victory! I completed the run!
#FollowGerzTo Arc De Triomphe!
At present, tourists in France pay a compulsory “city tax”, sometimes called a “tourist tax” (or “taxe de séjour” in French). It is collected by the owner of the accommodation and varies according to the grading of the hotel and the town. For our hotel, it’s 3-Stars so we paid $1.65 EUR per pax. The higher the grade, the more you gotta pay.
We pay this during our check-out and we left our stuff with the hotel and proceed to our lunch cruise.
Last meal in Paris..
On the way to the lunch cruise.
Here is our boarding pass. It’s so cool, it has boarding pass. Because different seating has different price.
We took the window seat which is the 2nd least expensive one.
They gave us a map to tell us where we will be travelling and some introduction to the places of interest.
We start off from Eiffel Tower.
I feel that this cruise is all about ALCOHOL.. First they serve us Champagne then serve us White Wine.
We can request for Red wine too but we asked for sparkling water instead!
Just to let you know, alcohol are free flow inclusive in your package!
We bypass the cruise we took with Brenda, Dianne and Julie on Day 1.
Cheers to our wonderful time spent in Paris.. I feel that the whole trip is like eating and eating and eating again.. LOLS!
Looking at the menu. Actually just for fun because we gotta choose our menu and dishes when we did the reservations.
Casper’s cream of he dunno what.. He say he dun even know what he drank… -.- ok…
I remembered mine is something with Lime Sorbet and green apple slices appetiser.
I feel that French cuisine place alot of emphasize on plating.
Current location:Musée d’Orsay
Me and my appetiser and a full glass of champagne and white wine..
Finally, it’s time for main course.
Casper’s main course is Stew Beef.
While I have Dory Fish. I think it’s a little salty for me but the fish is very fresh and yummy!
You can see there is some space behind me. That is the expensive seats. Like most expensive ones.
Cheers to good food!
Next up is my favourite! CHEESE! I dunno what cheese but it’s so amazing with the jam!
When we pass by this bridge, an announcement was made to tell us to close our eyes and make a wish under Pont Marie Bridge. As if you make a wish under the bridge your dream will come true.
But of course don’t share it out if not it will not come true.
Meanwhile the status of the wish is coming true….
Next up is going under Lover’s Bridge, Pont des Art. You can see the glass panels imagine if it’s locks it would be quite cool.
Time for dessert! I love this dessert it’s Almond Ice Cream + Strawberries. My favourite!
I am missing this dessert right now!
Behind me is my favourite Adele Bridge.. LOLS! See.. Told ya, Paris alot of bridges!!!
Casper cant remember what he had.. I am assuming it’s Apple Caramel Tart? Maybe.
Back at the Inception Bridge! Pont de Bir-Hakeim!!!
What a coincidence, the metro just went passed! I am so lucky!
I hope you can see.. But if you cant, I dun blame you. It’s Statue of Liberty.
I am not sure if we can visit but if I visit Paris again, I will try my best to visit Statue of Liberty if possible!
This is the best close up I have of me and Statue of Liberty.
Back to Eiffel. It means this is the end of the trip.
Thanks Hubby for this wonderful trip!
Cheers to you for following me through my trip in Paris!
Cheers to Skiddoo Singapore for sending us to Paris for free!
Next we have official photographers to take our photos.
We purchased this photo at $15Eur , $22SGD and we are promised to have soft copies by giving them our email address.
However after 2wks we did not receive the photos and we emailed them and they said they most probably have already deleted our photos.
Ok…………….
It’s the photography company that the cruise company engaged who deleted our photos.
So… Whose fault?
Oh wells… What is deleted cant be retrieved so no point to pinpoint fingers.
:'(
Last selfie with my favourite iconic attraction of the world before I am leaving.
A pity that we did not climb it.. I really need to come back!!!
Meanwhile we got souvenirs from peddlers around Eiffel as the sell the nicest and cheapest Eiffel Tower keychain.
Eiffel Tower, I will be back! Wait for me!
When we are back at the hotel, the hotel manager told us to use their services back to Bagnolet to retrieve our car as our luggage is abit troublesome for us to navigate in the metro station.
So they quote us $35 Eur ($50SGD) from Paris City to Bagnolet.
But we really cant take metro because we carry too much items.
After we collected our car, we proceed to the Airport.
To return our Car we need to go to Terminal 1….
But our check in counter with Oman Air is in Terminal 2A.
It’s a super long journey from T1 to T2A!!!
Everyone who rents a car need to come to the same location as us to return the vehicle.
They even said “Carpark for rental cars only”
We need to drag our luggage to take the airport shuttle and then go to Terminal 2A.
After we reach Terminal 2A, there is still a very long walk!!!
Thanks Nina for waiting patiently for us because we are so unfamiliar and we are late.
Also helping us to check out the tax refund procedures.
Do prepare additional time for Tax Refund if you want to get cash back immediately.
The queue takes quite some time.. Even my god brother Kenneth warns me about it already.
Lastly with Insidr’s Courtesy we get to mail a postcard out. So we mailed to our new home address!!
Casper say: “Goodbye Paris~”
I say Goodbye Laduree….. When you are in Singapore, Casper wont buy for me..
Goodbye Burberry… I shall see you next time.. Hope I get to visit you in UK! HAHAHA!
Goodbye Tinker Bell!
As promised here I am to share the loots from Paris!
HAHAHAHAHA! P/s Sponsored by Loving Hubby Mr Kat Boon Hee Casper!
Souvenirs for my friends and family!
My skin care and makeup loots! Avene is really alot cheaper in Paris!!!
See the size difference. Left is from France and Right is what I got in Singapore.
My burberry loots! HAHAHAHA. So happy with my buy! Ok.. With husband’s buy for me!
runDisney loots! We just got a cap and I did it t-shirt.
The back of the t-shirt for the I did it one it’s the route of the running course.
I kept the paper bag too which was used to put the snacks.
In Disneyland Paris I got 1 pink jacket because it is 1992 and it’s my birth year which also coincide the year Disneyland Paris was established!
Got a couple hoodie with Casper.
Cookie for colleagues but I kept the tin! HAHAHA!
Chef Hat for me and Keslyn.
Disneyland Paris souvenir cap for myself.
And lastly a Pink Sorcerer Hat because there is no exclusive ears in Disneyland Paris and the only exclusive headwear is this!
We did a live video and alot of our friends we made in Paris watched it!
Paul is so funny! He asked Boon Hee to wear the pink hat which was meant for me.
I almost forget, because we need to spend more to hit the minimum amount for Tax refund as Boon Hee got me this Park Exclusive earring.
Then Boon Hee bought me a Belle Rose as during my birthday he is supposed to give me flowers but he did not because we are in Paris hence this is the flower for my birthday!
A glass slippers to signify my run in Paris!
Special thanks to Liz Read for sending us gifts
Special thanks to Mona Windl for the 5k Medallion
Expo + Race Review: Same suggestion as I gave during in Tinker Bell Half. Simplify the whole process. Collect t-shirt, Bib and verification of Castle to Chateau status together. Also the souvenir button to be given to us during verification.
During the race day, the flag off was delayed by an hour from 7am to 8am! Many were freezing but they did not give any emergency blanket like in US. They do not allow us to carry hydration bag, we cant bring wallet and handphone if we have no pockets and we need to hold them on our hand which is a hassle.
Running route is awesome. scenery is nice, weather is good and there is lots of characters in the park.
Toilet and water point was sufficient.
Runners were given treats like apple and energy bar and is enough to go around.
There is street performance by local school such as cheerleading and band which gives runner high morale.
Medal engraving is very expensive. It should be same price as in USD since they are the same vendor.
Blue Bike Review: Price is reasonable, tour duration is just nice, tour size of 10pax is good too. Introduction is very detail too like she shared about the Notre Dame Zero Point. However the height of blue bike is too high for me. It’s a very good introductory tour in Paris if you got no idea or never research on where to go in Paris. Go for this tour and you will be able to do your itinerary easily.
Burberry Outlet Review by Casper: I think Cheaper than Singapore and i think service is better than certain famous departmental store. The departmental store is flooded by people and need to have bag checked before going in but we are welcomed by smiles by the staff of Burberry outlet. Design is more, 3 storeys of Burberry Item for you to choose from, Men, Ladies, Leather goods.
Dinner Cruise Review (La Calife) : Very worth it as the City of light has really nice lightings and night scenery is amazing, but there is a lot people snatching for photo spot in the deck and crowd around it. Then because it’s the night hence the photo lighting is not so good and photo dont turn out that great.
Disneyland Paris Review + Walt Disney Studios Review: Park Merchandise is quite little as compare to US. I have a hard time shopping. Ladies apparel is very limited, I have to get kids sized jacket. Rides are awesome, not as crowded as US or HK and there is a lot of good photo spot.
Unique rides such as Aerosmith Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Ratatouille 4D ride, Space Mountain: Mission 2 is very much worth a try.
Studios Tours is very impressive.
A Night Time Spectacular Show: Disney Dreams®! is wonderful too! Something I have not seen before.
Although park is not as big as California, bigger than Hong Kong but it’s worth the trip.
There is no exclusive Mickey Ears but they have got exclusive Mickey Hat.
Aribas Brother’s Engraver is always around unlike America’s one who will not be there all the time.
However opening hours in Paris is much shorter.
Disneyland Paris, Auberge de Cendrillon Review: Their service and food is good however it’s pricey and $27 Eur for a birthday cake is rather expensive although it’s an ice-cream cake. But I had a wonderful experience.
Etretat Review: Seafood especially crab roe was good. Beautiful scenery and cliffes. Road are very small so when parking at road side you should be very careful. Take note, parking are in Parallel style. Parking not as expensive compare to Paris.
In Etretat, not alot of people understands English. Knowing some French will help along the way.
Mealtime not after 9pm as they stop serving by 8:30pm.
When passing toll, please prepare credit card.
Segway Review (GO GO TOURS – Segway tours in Paris) : It’s a fun and cool experience. If our guide can explain more detail it would be better. Quite costly but luckily we had it as a private tour as no one joined us during our time slot.
Photoshoot Review (Mabel) : Expensive but worth it as you know you cannot place tripod to take couple photos otherwise very soon you would need to buy a new camera… “If you get what i mean”
Lunch Cruise Review (Bateaux Parisiens) : It’s very classy, food and wine is good. There is live singer and classical instrument playing while you dine. They gave us lots of additional introduction when we arrive at special places of interest and shared with us brief history of it.
Photographer (additional charges @ $15eur/photo) but misplaced the soft copies of our photos.
Insidr Paris (Mobile WiFi) Review: Helped us a lot in living like a local. Special thanks to Benjamin, Marc and Nina for lots of tips during our time in Paris. Marc especially helped us when we are lost during the road block. They also help us to find Burberry store and lastly helping us to do booking for Cafe Mickey too so we can avoid international calls charges.
Whole Paris:
Food very expensive but very yummy. Food anyhow order oso nice!
Metro not so friendly to people with luggage, traffic is very horrible and chaotic. Road is very small as it is use to carter for horse carriage but never upgrade.
Hotel room very small and expensive in Paris, Elevator so small that if u have 3 luggage you need to take the lift 3 times.
Parking is very expensive and cant find parking within paris.
Be careful of pickpockets/ snatch thief , be very alert.
Weather is perfect, scenery is perfect, everywhere can see Eiffel tower and when see eiffel tower everything is so perfect and romantic, a very artistic country, lots of bridge, alot of good photo spot.
Tax refund not friendly, go airport earlier as there is alot of delay like Terminal 1 to Terminal 2A is very far apart!!!!
Paris need alot of walking, dun bring too much luggage, bring backpack, travel light, no complimentary parking for hotel too not like in US. Dun make your itinerary too pack dun rush and go slow… Prepare more days to enjoy yourself.
Personal Thoughts (Regrets 遗憾):
Our trip is unfortunately too short, on Tuesday Louvre Museum is closed hence we did not get to visit. Did not get the opportunity to climb Eiffel Tower and visit Notre Dame on the inside. Did not get to visit Mont Saint Michael, missed Cafe Mickey breakfast and it’s closing down soon. Did not get to go Provence (Avignon) to see lavender.
Certificate
Today 4-Nov-2016 Disneyland Paris announced that the Long-Awaited Finisher Cert is ready for download!
http://run.disneylandparis.com/download-your-certificate
To my pleasant surprise… They have Castle to Chataeu Certificate too!!!!! This is something I never expected.
The medal is a beauty. Even the cert looks exceptionally nice. But to be honest this wont not be done if we did not win Skiddoo Air Tickets… TO PARIS!!!!!!
Lastly… Thanks for reading my super lengthy 20thousand word blogpost!
More photos on this 3 Facebook Albums:
Album 1: Disneyland Paris Photopass
Album 2: Friendship made in Disneyland Paris Half Marathon FB group
Album 3: 360 degree photos taken by us!
Album 4: Our trip highlights by Skiddoo!