There is a Captain in everyone of us

H.M.C.S. Sackville

1675 Lower Water St adjacent the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic,

Halifax, Nova Scotia B3K 5X5, Canada

http://canadasnavalmemorial.ca/

 

I have visited the ship with my husband (Member of the DND-military) , as you can imagine, we visit anything that is related to war (sea, air or ground). This vessel was no exception. We have waited for a cloudy day. Usually it’s 5.00$ per adults, but free for military members and their family (with proper ID’s) . The ship, has a rich history, it is the last of Canada’s corvettes, it was responsible of many convoy escort ships, it was  built in Canada and the UK during WWII. It’s the Canada’s oldest warship ( that was fighting). It was nominated as an official Naval Memorial in 1985.

If you are eager to learn more on Canada’s contribution to war, it’s a must see. You’ll learn a lot on the living conditions of the Men onboard, they were quite a  large group living in a confined spaces, at sea for months and without too much commodity . 

I loved my visit, but once you’ve seen one of those warship, it’s like seeing the same all the time . On the other hand, if you take time to listen during the tour, each one has it’s individual story to tell.

Would I recommend this tour? yes, of course. But I am not sure, that it would be appropriate to bring young kids to that activity, they might get bored in time ( I think that it would be great for pre-teens , teens , young adults , adults, veterans, or Naval history passionate).

 

 

Romantic dinner on the Seine

Bateaux Dinner Cruise in Paris France

http://www.paris-tours.net/

 “Voir Paris et Mourir ”

         Reservations can be made online or via telephone: 888-317-1530      

Activity done in March 2010 (couple)

At first,  I was looking for a romantic and special activity to celebrate my husband’s birthday. I found this website and wonder if it was not a bit expensive? but I said, if I don’t try I will not no, if it was worth it or not. I booked online.

The evening of the dinner-cruise, we got to the pier and got on-board, The atmosphere was phenomenal , grandiose, we felt like royalty. The waiters pickup the orders for food and wine, then the music starts and the boat lives the pier. Simply magical !

The food was fantastic, from the appetizers to the deserts , wine was good, but what was on top of it all was the live band, the signer must have been an angel, I still have shivers when I think of that dinner-cruise, he had a voice simply out of this world, each note to the perfection, the music just go with the flow… with each new monument we’ve been facing, they played a new song that matched that attraction (ex: the statue of Liberty, New York New York, etc.) . What a memorable evening, one that I will never forget.

I know some of you will ask , is it an activity  for everyone?  Well, to be honest I only saw one child (4-5 years old) with her parents, she was pretty alive and kicking ( bored probably), but it added to the magic of the evening, she was cute and funny. Mostly I would recommend this  cruise to  couples ,  couples of all ages that are seeking a romantic evening (even if we are sitting on long tables with strangers everywhere, it’s still romantic).

Would I recommend this ? Yes, absolutely , most of all to couple’s in search of the special moment in Paris, it’s magical !

Tips: Take a taxi to go there  or walk if it not too far and dress casual, you don’t need to be elegant for that evening, I did and I regret it !

 

Value 5*( worth every Dollars your paying)

Service 3* ( the waiters do their best, they have a crowded boat when they leave the pier)

Location 5* ( easy to find and easy to access whatever your transportation or if your walking)

 

 

 

Paris-Shuttle

Paris-Shuttle

http://www.paris-shuttle.com

info@paris-shuttle.com

 

I used this transporter service, on my last visit to Paris in August 2011, I found the link on the web. Since I was travelling solo, I was feeling a bit insecure about taking the train or the bus, and the taxi fare could be very excessively costly. I decided to give them a try, so I made my reservation online, got my confirmation number (you have to take it with you and give it to the shuttle driver on the pickup), I only made the reservation for one way, because I was not sure if  I would like it or not, and I did. At first when I arrived at the airport CDG in Paris, you get your luggage and then you get outside, I was expecting them to be right at the door waiting for me, but it was not the case, they were a bit late….I tried to find-out where they were parked usually, very difficult to find an answer, then I I called them….they were on their way (lots of traffic that day). The shuttle arrived and we got to the Hotel in no time, the driver was very professional and the ride was pretty smooth.

I decided to do a reservation for the departure, I made it from the hotel and it was very easy. Next time I will book both trip (arrival and departure) it’s a bit less expensive, when we are in Paris we do want to save a few dollars (oups , Euros) .

Tips: Book online before it’s less expensive.
Would I recommend this transporter? Yes, reliable, and at a very good price!

 

Value 4* ( good price,  well organized)

Service 4* ( respectful, professional, handle your luggage’s)

Location 5* ( they will go where you want to go )

 

 

 

Notre-Dame de Paris

I am just standing in Front of the Cathedrale

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris

 6 Place du Parvis Notre-Dame, 75004 Paris, France

http://www.notredamedeparis.fr/

Visited in March 2010(couple)

Like many of you , I had in mind that if I was going to Paris,  visiting the famous Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris, was a must and on top of my list .  I have no regret at all, the monument itself is very enigmatic  , full of mysteries , even more if you are a fan of the Da Vinci Code the movie . I have noticed lots of tourists walking in the Cathedrale with their Da Vinci books on hands, looking around for the famous symbols or sighs , it was a funny thing to watch.  But, even without the movies and the books that’s been done , it remains that the Cathedrale is a wonderful infrastructure, rich in history , splendidly preserved, independently of your religious beliefs , you can’t stay untouched by the  the Spiritual atmosphere that surrounds you when you are entering in the building .

I used the audioguide ( available in at least 10 language)  during my visit, it’s a real help when it comes to paintings, statues, the crypt, the treasury , etc.  unless you’ve went before or your a French historian, you should use one. Good to know, they have the children’s version of the tour with the audioguide, so the can understand the basic facts about each items and their history.

Tips: For the Cathedral and Paris in General:

           -Get there very early, because the later you get there, the longer line-up you’ll find.

           -Dress code in effect, so no camisole or short-shorts (Bermuda, tee-shirts fine).

           – Watch your bags at all time, it’s full of  pickpockets , they even figure ways to get your cameras, purses, etc.

*Thieves and Gypsies …they develop  more tricks  every day …they get your attention with things like : a  false Gold band on the ground ( they try to convince you that you dropped it , then you look at your hands, etc,) or while you are at crowded places , like train stations or the Cathedral, they will come to you, asking for direction ( help me I am lost) , or they could  just be acting being a blind person or handicaps . Be extra cautious, because  they even use kids (mostly when you go to ATM machine).

         –http://reservation.parisinfo.com/   I encourage you to order your Paris City Passport , it’s good for all the museums (even castles), the Parks, the Buses, Trains, You will save a bundle ….I promise!

Value 4* (worth a visit at least once in your life)

Price 4* ( a little expensive with the audioguide, but some of the money goes to the preservation of the site)

Location 5*( very easy to find)

“YOU GET WHAT YOU ARE PAYING FOR , CHEAP PRICE, CHEAP STAY!”

Hotel Harlay Compiegne, France 3 rue Harlay, 60200 compiegne, France 03 44 23 01 50 France  Europe,  Compiegne: Hotel de Harlay We have stayed at this hotel following the reviews writen on Tripadvisor, From march9th to march 12 , On the arrival it was a shock i almost checked out wright away..elevator is appropriate for midget or kids; i am 112pounds my husband is 150, i asked my husband if i should sit on my luggage to go up ( we only had one small luggage ea), it was so tight, my recommandantion go one person at a time. Next, we got to the room, now they have a policy of non smoking , but surprise when i first open the door of the bedroom it smell like a thousand ashtrays put together, i had severe headache and nausea , i had to open the window and got out for a walk while the room was getting some fresh air. Rooms are very small ( but that is Europe) toilet is close to the bed so if you need intimacy when you got to go, well you will not find it there , you can hear everything your partner is doing.The Positive, well it is well located, close to “the Loise” , it is close to the bus stop and train station , it’s about 5 Minutes walk from there. You can walk all Compiègne , it a quiet little town. The hotel itself is very quiet , you can’t hear your neighbours. Price is good. You can ask them for champagne and chocolate (40 Euros for Champagne and 30 euros for Chocolate, it is worthy, delicious!). Breakfast is very modest ( little croissant , a coffee, yougourt) for 4 Euros Extra, My suggestion on that, don,t take the breakfast there, you can have that and more at any local restaurant or go to the market , Cheese, baguette and wine are cheap ( i just couldn’t believe it) . I did not see any thieves in Compiègne ( you don,t have to watch for your wallet or purse all the time , it’s another thing in Paris!)While you are in Compiègne you should try the Marocain Restaurant , very nice place, good price , excellent food and staff very nice persons. Stayed March 2009, travelled as a couple Value 3* Location 5* Rooms 2* (Very small and smell smokes) Cleanliness 2* Service 3.5* (they try to provide you with what you need  the best they can)