We dropped by Nil’s uncle’s place in Paris recently for the weekend and did the whole tourist thing (I chucked my knitting and assignment reviews for things like atlanta blinds aside), except that we just settled for the Albert Kahn Musuem & Gardens, a boat ride along the river Seine and a visit to the National Museum of Natural History. I fell in love instantly with the last place we visited – the menagerie and gardens were simply amazing to say the least and it was also the place when I went trigger happy with the camera. Here are some of the pictures from the trip…

Along the river Seine – it wasn’t a really great day. Rainy, cold…

At the National Museum of Natural History

All in all, a very nice day!

It is snowing here in Lyon and definitely the epitome of a white Christmas. So far, a good start to the trip. I was pleasantly surprised at how well Eva took to the flying – she was her usual toddler self on the flight from Singapore, had a snack – we bought our own – on the short flight and joined us for dinner at KLIA airport. Because our flight was at nearly midnight, we found a quiet corner near the gate and allowed her to take a snooze while we wait it out for boarding. She ended up sleeping…right up till it was time to board the plane.

We ran into some problems then as we were booked behind the front rows (where they place the bassinets) and no one wanted to switch their seats with ours. The flight attendant, Jim Liew/Lim was very apologetic about the whole thing and while waiting for the matter to be resolved, we found out that we had forgotten Nil’s suit – the flight attendant from the previous flight had forgotten to pass the suit back to me and so Nil had to check if they found it or not and so forth. Turned out that they didn’t so it meant lodging a report once we land in Paris. Gah. In the meantime, our seat problem was resolved by the fact that we got placed in a row of four empty seats – I suspect it was because there was a monk seated in the row which meant no women. Turned out to be a good thing as Eva had her own seat and could sleep better plus we had more space for things like eating and so forth. She slept for most of the flight up till four hours before we landed whereby all she wanted to do was nosy around and what-not. We came well prepared with a book, but found added help in the packs of snacks, paper tray and tissues. She occupied herself well with those things!!!

Once we landed in Paris, the weather shocked us! It was utterly chilly and I thanked myself silently for having the initiative to buy the stroller footmuff and as well as a sweater to tide Eva through. She burrowed herself in the footmuff while we waited for the TGV train at the platform. Standing in the cold at 8am in the morning was not my idea of fun although seeing steaming hot breaths coming out from people brought back memories of life in Switzerland which I sorely missed. On the TGV, after some snacking, Eva fell asleep again in my arms – I guess it had something to do with the fact that I was asleep as well!

We arrived in Lyon two hours later and since then, I must say that my daughter has surprised me at every turn. She is embracing the weather well not to mention the food – she loves foie gras!!!!! Although she is still on Singapore time, she takes instructions well and understands the rationale behind “everyone is sleeping so Eva should sleep, plus no sleep, no go out”. I’m really proud of her and hope that the coming days will continue to be this wonderful (sans the little accident with me forgetting to bring some accessories for digital cameras – BAH)!

In the meantime, have a Merry Christmas…from Eva, Nil and myself!

When most people travel to Bali, they head to places like Tanah Lot, Jimbaran, Seminyak and Ubud. Nil and myself together with Eva opted to stay the full length of our trip just in Ubud and make daytrips, if possible, to the surrounding areas. You could say that it was a very leisurely holiday for the both of us and a chance for Eva to bond further with my in-laws. It came at a good time as she is beginning to experience some separation anxiety but more on that in my baby blog.

Note: Ubud has a no-electricity-town-wide every Saturday from 6pm till 10pm so choose your activities wisely.

What’s nice about Ubud?
In a nutshell, if you like culture, a slightly more laidback environment (compared to the hustle and bustle of Kuta), then stop here. Tourists flock here for the cultural shows, as well as the arts and crafts (galleries, markets, shops, etc). Most people will opt for about two to three days but if you’re staying longer, you can explore more than just the center of Ubud.

Where to stay?
There are plenty of resorts, homestays, cottages and villas – the sky is the limit…or rather your wallet, that is. Most people opt for accommodation in the centre of Ubud, which is along Monkey Forest Road and Jalan Raja Ubud. There are a few hidden gems in the other smaller streets like Jalan Goutama, Dewisita and so forth. Because our accommodation was paid for and we didn’t have to scout around (we stayed with my in-laws at Agung Cottages along Jalan Goutama), I can’t be too sure about the prices but what I do know is budget accommodation are priced below 100,000 rupiah per night.

Do be careful when it comes to choosing a place to stay – you’ll want hot water as the water in Ubud can get frighteningly chilly. Bonuses are things like air-conditioning (you won’t need it around this time of the year as the rains are heavy and very cooling) and a swimming pool (which is great if you’re heading there in the hot months).

What to eat?
Balinese cuisine, of course! While rich in spices, it is an eclectic mix of Malay, Chinese and Indian influences, making it very unique. The traditional bebek betutu (roasted duck stuffed with herbs and spices before being wrapped in leaves) and babi guling (roast stuffed suckling pig/pig) are must-tries on the list. If your palate is adventurous, you can opt for some lawar – with or without meat. Other Indonesian favourites like gado-gado, bakso and soto are good options as well.

Warungs or simple family-styled eateries are your best bet if you’re on a budget and would like to stretch your rupiah to the limit. Warung Local and Dewa Warung along Jalan Goutama have pretty delicious choices starting from 6,000 all the way till 15,000 rupiah (and more). Warung Ika Oka serves up some yummy roast suckling pig that is a hit with the locals during lunch and it’s located opposite the palace.

Posh places like Nomad and Kita serve up pretty good food but the ambience is more for tourists rather than locals or budget eaters like myself and Nil. Tourists love Nomad and another spot called Bunute for its lively environment and in the case of the latter, a very talented local band.

What to do?
Relax.

Seriously, if you’re looking for adventure or a boisterous nightlife, Ubud is hardly the right place to stay in. Come here if you’re after some cultural shows – there are plenty all year round – and some art. There are plenty of galleries to feast your eyes on plus the surrounding areas like Batun, Mas, and Celuk are home to some of the loveliest works of arts in this region, be it in the form of canvas/paint, stone or wood.

Spas and massages are popular as well; expect to pay 50,000 rupiahs for an hour’s worth of traditional Balinese massage on site. Add about anywhere between 25,000 to 50,000 if you want the masseur to drop by your hotel. Pedicures, manicures and facials are available as well not to mention the full on treatment of a lovely scrub plus a bath. Options like mandi lulur, milk baths and what-nots are available. Yes, when it comes to pampering oneself, Ubud is the place.

If you’re bored, rent a bike or bicycle and head off to the surrounding villages. The view can be fantastic with scores of paddy fields and houses/villas lining the skyline. Alternatively, if you don’t mind, take a walk. Best times are during the early hours of the morning. Bring some sunblock and an umbrella in case the heat gets unbearable OR in case it rains.

For those into shopping, expect some lovely gems at the local Pasar Seni located along Jalan Raja Ubud. Remember to hard bargain as anything and everything can be priced exorbitantly especially if you’re a tourist. Don’t be afraid to ask for less – your cue is this: if it doesn’t have a price tag (even handwritten ones can be challenged), it’s okay to bargain. Start off at the lowest possible – at least 75% off the original price before making your way up. Then again, don’t die from a heart attack if you end up paying more than what someone else paid. Most of the time, the difference hardly makes a dent in your pocket but means a lot to the locals.

Special notes
Drink only bottled water (a large bottle of 1.5L only costs 3,000 to 4,000 rupiahs) and avoid fresh vegetables & fruits (salads, etc) whenever possible.

Also water here is quite soft so if you’re doing laundry, you may want to skip the water softener and buy local detergent available at the mini-marts or Delta chain stores here.

Watch out for dog poo as you’re exploring the streets as Bali has an awful problem with the huge number of stray dogs – they are not wild, just loose. Most are harmless and some, well, their bark is worse than their bite.

Where we went
Versailles
Versailles, formerly the home to the French royal family up till the death of Louis XVI (and events preceding his execution), is today one of the most expensive, traditional and wealthy suburbs in Paris. You won’t find factories or industries here. Ohno, a good part of the suburb is dedicated to the the grounds of the Château de Versailles and its gardens while the rest features shops catering to both locals and tourists, as well as residential homes and other “service”-oriented buildings like schools, administrative buildings and so forth.

While Paris remains as the official capital city of France, in practice government-related affairs like senate and parliamentary meetings, greeting of dignitaries and so forth are still held at Versailles. It is very much still a place of political power as it was in its heyday as well as a popular tourist destination.

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WARNING: Ultra long entry ahead!

First things first, some basic information…

Getting around
Your best bet if you are staying within Paris itself is to go on foot or by train. Now, the Paris network is split into two types – metro or RER (the train line leading out to the suburbs like Paris Disneyland, Versailles, airports and so forth). One way to know which is which is to look for for signs like “Metropolitan” or “M” to signify metro lines (stops within Paris itself) and “RER” (stops outside Paris city).

Prices are as follows:

• One way tickets WITHIN Paris – 1.60 euroes
• One way tickets OUTSIDE Paris – depends on where you are stopping (for example, Champigny to Nation/Gare de Lyon costs

There is a Paris Visit pass for those who intend on staying for 1, 2, 3, 5 or 6 days and this depends on how many zones and so forth. Prices and more info is available on the RATP (the Paris network) site here (in English but also available in Italian, German, French, etc). The site has information, fares and guides to help plan itineraries as well as maps too.

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…when you’re in your 9th to 10th week of pregnancy!

These were taken at my father-in-law’s place at Molines en Queyras where the Le Tour de France went by last year. It is along the French Alps and is popular amongst skiers plus hikers during winter and hikers during summer when the weather is beautiful with plenty of sunshine and lots to see and take in, like wild deer and marmots!

The only problem with this is that it’s very dry – I had some nosebleeds – and cold but with the right clothing, you’ll do just fine. All I had on was a turtleneck, a polar pullover and a winter jacket (windbreaker + polar inside) and ski pants topped off with hiking shoes. The sunglasses are necessary because snow reflects A LOT of light and can be painful plus a beanie and gloves will do your head and fingers a world of good. But really, after 10 minutes of walking, you’ll start to feel hot, hot and hot!!!!

Trust me, it may look dangerous but it was actually very very safe and fun, even. I fell on my bum a few times but it was landing on a huge pillow of feathers! Have a look and gauge for yourself!

Right now, I’m off to take a look-see at some corsets!