Paris

A busy few days...

Wednesday visited the Western Wall - an emotional experience. 

Then the Jerusalem Archeological Park and Davidson Centre - absolutely fantastic, I can't believe I didn't go last time I was in Jerusalem.  The ruins are extremely impressive and in particular the remains of the 'street' right next to the Western Wall (ie. the retaining wall around the temple mount) comes to life as a bustling marketplace and thoroughfare.

After a felafel break in the Jewish Quarter, the Western Wall Tunnels.  Even better than I remembered it.  A travel experience no-one should miss.  It is so incredibly fascinating to be under the Old City and seeing Jerusalem 2,000 years ago - and the foundations of the Western Wall laid in King Herod's time (ie. the first century BC).

Thursday a very early flight to Paris.  A fairly ugly Air France experience which is probably best left undiscussed.  Ultimately arrived at Hotel Le Petit Paris in the Latin Quarter - possibly my favourite of all the boutique hotels I've stayed in.  Love it. 

A quick change then off to the Louvre.  Only had a couple of hours before it closed, so I limited myself to the stuff I couldn't miss - the thirteenth to sixteenth century French, Dutch, German and Italian paintings, and the Greek and Roman statues.  A phenomenal collection in a very beautiful building.   Obviously very much more time is needed to see it properly.

Dinner at Bistroy Les Papilles.  An absolutely fantastic meal.  The only option is the Menu - one choice for each course.  A really great mint and cucumber gazpacho, a chicken dish with pesto, a cheese course then a really good panna cotta.

This morning M arrived - yay.  Very happy to see her.  A quick breakfast, then walked around Paris for hours.  Notre Dame - amazing.  Ended up on a boat tour on the Seine for an hour for a break from walking.  Then the Musee d'Orsay.  Lunch there in the very attractive restaurant then a look at the phenomenal collection of impressionists and etc. 

Paris is extremely hot at present.