Back to Paris

November 28, 2006

A very early morning. Today the alarm went off at 7AM – unheard of for us! We needed to be in the lobby by 8AM for a special “van” taxi to take us to the airport as all of our luggage (minus my extra suitcase that’s waiting for me in Paris) cannot fit into a regular taxi, which is quite big to start with I must add.

Luggage list:

One huge bike box – just imagine a box that fits a bit touring bike
One huge suitcase that is completely over the weight restrictions
One enormous backpack – think going camping in the woods forever size
One heavy backpack that contains my laptop, camera and all the lenses
One carry-on bag that has to be checked that is full of dirty clothes
One carry-on bag with Karen’s lap top
One purse
One small pack purse

And two people to manage all of this crap.

Well, we had to fold 3 of the 4 back seats down to fit everything in this minivan, but it all fit.

Karen’s flight left before mine and given the extremely tight security as Heathrow, we needed to give at least an hour just for security screening. We checked her in first and had no problems with the bike.

Then it was time to say goodbye. The tears started flowing before we even said a word. We have had an amazing trip together with memories that will last a lifetime. I can’t believe that today she gets on a plane and heads home. I know we are both ready to go home, but it is still bittersweet saying goodbye.

I then made the trek from terminal 3 to terminal 4. Now, you wouldn’t think that was such an ordeal, but it is. The terminals are about 5 miles apart from each other. So, off I went pushing my wobbly cart with my suitcase, camera backpack and carry-on and walked to the far reaches of terminal 3 where Karen’s plane was taking off from to the underground that took me to terminal 4.

That trek took a good hour. I was lucky I had 3 hours between her and my flight. I then checked in and headed up to security. Security took another hour. The security is extremely strict and very serious at Heathrow. They are even trying out full body scan machines that you can be randomly selected for…I avoided that line.

Once I had cleared through I had about an hour to grab a bite to eat and wander around the most amazing duty free shops in the world although I only bought a book to read on the plane.

I made it to the gate just in time to board the plane, which was completely full. The flight was less than an hour, which is sad when you think of how long security check-in takes and then it took about another hour in Paris to clear immigration – one officer for the entire plane – and wait for my luggage.

By the time I reached to hotel, it was 5PM. I then spent the next half an hour dealing with the hotel staff who couldn’t find my luggage that I stored here. I was a bit frantic, but eventually they found it.

I am staying at the Trianon Palace in Versailles again as I’m using Starwood points. My room this stay is absolutely amazing. I have a view of the Palace of Versailles from my window and it’s a huge corner room…I had to take pictures. Of course, there is a nice 1/2 bottle of champagne waiting for me. So, I think I’ll kick off my shoes, order some room service, crack open the champagne and get a good night’s sleep. I want to make the most of tomorrow, my last day in Paris.