When I arrived in Strasbourg, I was greeted by a very warm weather. My legs felt like it was being baked inside my boots and I began sweating profusely like I myself was being baked as well inside my jacket. I felt so out-of-place with my very “winter-y” clothes on while everyone around me was wearing shorts, slippers and tank tops. I was not prepared for that weather, not that I don’t like it but all the clothes that I had with me were for the cold. The weather application on my iphone told me that it will be between 5-10 degrees celsius on the day that I was to arrive in Strasbourg, not 24 degrees! Dragging the two suitcases with me, I braved the heat of the sun and walked towards the center of Strasbourg. The train station was about 15-20minutes away from the center itself on foot. However, I got lost and it took me about 45 minutes to get to my hotel which was actually right at the tram stop, it would’ve been easier for me if I took the tram. Luckily though – a friendly, good-looking and English-speaking French student showed me the way to Place Kleber as he was also going towards there. Phone numbers were not exchanged, just to be clear and no, I didn’t see him after that. Oh well! :p

The view from the entrance of Le Kleber Hotel.

I was so tired from the long walk and the heat so the sight of my room at the Le Kleber Hotel made me giggle in delight. It was pretty, it was clean, it was big and it had the perfect location. Among all the hotels that I’ve stayed in during this trip, this was the best (of course not including the hotels included in the business trip) and I couldn’t have made a better choice. As mentioned before, my decision as to which hotel I will stay in a particular city while traveling will mostly be judged by the following criteria:

1. Good reviews from previous guests (specially about the cleanliness of the room and the bathroom).
2. Affordable
3. Location

Le Kleber Hotel is what you’re looking for if you have the same requirements as I do. There were lots of good reviews about it and I just can’t believe that none of those reviewers mentioned how awesome and perfect the property was. It actually surpassed my expectations and I couldn’t believe that I paid only EUR55 for a night’s stay in this fantastic hotel and I also think that it deserves at least a 3 star and not a 2. To start of the room was spotless clean, huge (for France standards) and had a really fresh/young design.

The bathroom is the same – clean and big. Seriously though, the amenities that they have is not what I have expected considering the amount that I paid for it. I think it was too cheap.

I didn’t book breakfast as there were lots of cafes and restaurants around and I actually do prefer to eat outside of the hotel. The property is highly recommended (isn’t it obvious yet?) specially for a solo woman traveler since it is in a perfectly safe and accessible location. If you are not happy after you stayed in this hotel, you will not be happy anywhere. You’re probably a very miserable, demanding and unhappy person who’s got no money to book a 5 star property and expect a 5 star facility from a 2 star hotel.

You may visit their website here: Le Kleber Hotel Website

Disclaimer: The review is valid at the time of the author’s stay in the hotel which was the 14th of April 2013. Just in case the hotel changes its management and will not put the maintenance of the property in priority. :p

Being a Saturday, the place was packed. It was actually only 9pm when we went there but we already had a hard time looking for an empty table in the bars/clubs. K initially brought me to a club. Yes, a club. I forgot to tell her that I have long retired myself from going into clubs because the loud music gives me a mini heart attack – comes with the age I guess or maybe I have already reached the adult’s maturity level. Hooray for me!

Nope, not for me anymore.

So we went to the next door pub/bar called Yellow Mad Monkey which is an American bar with an interior which looks like you’ve walked inside a jungle. It was a bit grungy but the crowd is a little more laidback – everybody looks like they’re all having a good time without the need to be flashy. It was full, K approached a guy who she has mistaken to be a waiter and asked for a table for two. The guy who was probably mesmerized by my friend’s beauty immediately fixed two chairs at the bar and offered each of us a free shot of tequila which we gladly took of course. I then later realized that he wasn’t working at the bar when he joined some other people behind us and didn’t look like he was assisting them to get a seat. LOL. It was a fun night but I wouldn’t give all the credits to the bar itself as it was mostly because I had a good company with me.

With K, the girl who can make a waiter out of any guy. LOL

We left the bar at around 1 am since I need to wake up early the next day to go to Strasbourg. That was my last night in Paris and it was a really good way to cap off my Parisian trip. Thanks to K and her warm hospitality. She made sure that we’ll have some time together even if she herself is one busy bee in this lovely city of Paris.

“If you want to become a Parisian, you must start first by dressing like a Parisian. How do you do that? Well that’s easy, it’s the same for men and women – wear a black shirt with a black pants with a black boots and bring a black umbrella, if you’re a little bit crazy then put a gray scarf.”

That was an excerpt from the show and it totally floored me. I was laughing so hard as I did notice how “black” is the statement in Paris when it comes to fashion. I thought that it was just because it was still cold when I went there but then it turned out that it is how the Parisians dress.

While I was researching for my trip to Paris, I had it in my mind that I must at least watch a show while there. There was a ballet performance at the Opera during that time but then the tickets were sold out on the only free day that I have. I then came across this show on tripadvisor and I asked my friend who lives there if she would be interested to go with me. She agreed and I immediately booked our tickets – all the while having no clue as to what’s in store for me as I didn’t read much about it anymore.

I arrived at the Theatre des Nouveautes (nearest metro station, Grand Boulevard) at around 6:30 pm and met my friend K. The theater was very small and it was packed by tourists and locals alike. It’s quite amazing for me that PArisians were actually there to watch it, won’t they take offense on this comedy? After all, it’s all about them.

Unfortunately, I had to sit thru the whole show with a woman towering in front of me and blocked my view altogether. So one tip, book a front row seat – if you are ready to be a part of Oliver’s jokes that is. Oliver Giraud is a French comedienne who lived in the US for quite some time. It was a one-man show which I think he delivered very well. He was very animated, his facial expressions were hilarious. At some point though during the performance, he got really distracted by an audience’s infectious laughter which actually made him laugh as well. It went on for a few seconds until he could compose himself once again. Although it was a satire comedy which is actually of course focused to ridicule the most obvious Parisian stereotypes (that they are rude and appear to be miserable all the time), he was not at all offensive. I noticed that those who laughed the loudest were actually the Parisians themselves.

This is absolutely a must-see if you have the time while you’re in Paris or maybe even London as he’s also going to do some shows there. It is only EUR24 per person which is really worth every penny. A very good alternative as a nightout while you’re in Paris rather than just having dinner and drinks. Although it is highly NOT recommended for you to go as a family, no matter how old your children are. It will be quite uncomfortable for the whole family once Oliver starts to discuss the Parisian’s lovemaking skills. LOL.

You may book your tickets on their website: How to become a Parisian in one hour.

Being the second largest public park in Paris, the crowd was not at all annoying. It’s massive and it would be very impossible not to find a spot for you to relax. I was taking photo of a kid trying to reach something from the huge fountain in front of the Luxembourg Palace when a man started a conversation with me in broken English. I found out that he is Italian, from Rome and that he would like to have lunch with me. I declined the offer but he was persistent and he kept following me around. At some point, a group of Chinese tourists came by and I pretended that I was with them and joined their flock as they walked around the park. I apologize to the group’s leader for joining them without paying for the tour, for what it’s worth – I didn’t understand anything she said anyway so there is no reason for me to pay for her services.

We were in front of the statue of liberty when I realized that I lost the Italian guy who was hungry for lunch so I left my newly-found Chinese friends and went back towards the Luxembourg Palace. I sat on one of the reclined benches, propped my feet up and ate my eclair. It’s such a nice place to just sit around and watch everything that is happening around you. I love the fact that Paris has this park where children can enjoy and be active and not just be inside their homes playing a video game. I brought my book with me but I had no inclination of opening a page of it since I was so engrossed of the activities all around me.

Sitting there for a long time actually made me sleepy. I realized that I’ve been walking around the city for the past week and that was the very first time that I actually felt relaxed, in no hurry. I have all the time in the world – well at least until 6pm that day as I was to meet my good friend K to watch a show. It was still early though, so I leaned my head back and closed my eyes still aware of what’s been going on around me – or so I thought. When I opened my eyes, a good 15 minutes already passed by. I blame the cool breeze and the warm rays of the sun against my face but frankly though, I needed that nap.

As soon as I regained my strength and was no longer feeling lazy, I walked around some more. Took some photos, watched the kids at the playground, bought myself an icecream (sugar fix) and just walked around the huge park without really knowing where to go.

Then I heard music, a very faint one. It sounded like an orchestra so I followed the direction where the sound was coming from.

I was unable to figure out what the performance was for or who they were but they played well – mostly 90′s songs which sounded awesome to be played by an orchestra. This free performance just made me love the Luxembourg Gardens even more.

I left the park at around 5 in the afternoon to meet my friend. The Luxembourg metro station is right in front of its entrance which adds up to the convenience to reach this park. It’s a must-see when in Paris, if you have half a day to spare.

For more photos, do visit my Facebook page: Pinay Flying High

Les Invalides, officially known as L’Hôtel national des Invalides (The National Residence of the Invalids), is a complex of buildings in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, France, containing museums and monuments, all relating to the military history of France, as well as a hospital and a retirement home for war veterans, the building’s original purpose. The buildings house the Musée de l’Armée, the military museum of the Army of France, the Musée des Plans-Reliefs, and the Musée d’Histoire Contemporaine, as well as the burial site for some of France’s war heroes, notably Napoleon Bonaparte.

Source: Wikipedia

I really have nothing to add there but to be honest with you, I didn’t go inside. It was on the way to my real destination which is the Pont Alexander III so I passed by it and took a photo.

At least I’m being honest. :p

For more Paris street photos, do visit my Facebook page: Pinay Flying High.

I started my Pigalle discovery tour from the iconic Moulin Rouge along Blvd de Clichy. It was actually a pretty decent area to walk around and because I didn’t want to miss anything, I walked along the pedestrian aisle in the middle of this boulevard. It was quite an interesting walk and it will really turn your curiosity on. My thoughts all the time that I was walking there was “what could be behind those curtains?”

Having seen one of those “ping pong” shows in Patong area in Phuket, I don’t think it will be any different from what they have in Pigalle. Or is it? Can anyone let me know please? To satisfy my curiosity, I went inside one of the sex shops. I chose the one which was the biggest, about 4 stories of all things kinky – called Sexodrome. With a building that huge, this place means business. It’s impossible to miss as it’s the biggest sex shop there is in the area and the entrance actually looks like you’re about to enter a theatre. It is also right across a metro station which if I’m not mistaken is the Pigalle station. Photos and taking videos inside is not allowed, not that I would take one even if it was allowed. The store sells videos, kinky outfits and even kinkier sex toys to match the outfit. It was interesting and funny at the same time. At some point, a store attendant approached me and tried to explain how a questionable thing that I was holding works. She probably saw the confused look on my face while I was studying that little piece of rubber which looked to me like a tiny rabbit. Then she asked me if I wanted to buy it, no but merci!

Photo source: canalblog.com

I’ve read somewhere that it also had an erotic library shop and some sauna, jacuzzi and peep show booths. Massage is also on offer, I was told. I’ve seen some blow-up dolls with different hair colors, it really is funny. Half the time I was just chuckling while browsing thru what they have and it’s fascinating as to how they were able to think that someone out there might need it.

Another fascinating thing about Pigalle is the fact that the Sacre Coeur Basilica is literally just steps away from it. I guess some people do go to the Basilica after a sinful day in Pigalle to seek for forgiveness. LOL.

For more photos (of Paris not of the sex toys, you naughty person!), do visit my Facebook page: Pinay Flying High.

I asked for a table for 1 outside, it was cold but I still prefer to sit outside. I ordered croque-madamme which is actually a croque-monsieur but with a sunny-side up egg on top of it. It was aMMMMMazing! I’m not really sure if it was THAT amazing or I was just famished at the time.

I took my sweet time to finish my brunch and ordered an extra hot chocolate to warm me up. The restaurant’s location is perfect for people-watching, there were lots of cafe and other restaurants around it and I just stayed there for quite sometime watching everything that was going on around me. I saw lots of ladies carrying baguettes and it fascinated me for some unknown reasons. Tourists trying to read a map who probably haven’t realized it yet that the Sacre Coeur is just a few steps away from where they were. A French couple sat beside me and they immediately ordered a wine (for the girl) and beer (for the guy). I think I must start drinking wine from now on before having my meal if I want to be as thin as her.

As I sipped the last drop of my hot chocolate, I paid the bill and bid goodbye to the waitress. In a correct way, “Au Revoir!”

One must not miss the opportunity to get lost in this beautiful area of Paris. The narrow, steep and cobbled stone streets add up to the charm of this district. There’s so much history here apart from all those films shot in this area, one of which is my favorite: Amelie.

Typical Parisian cafes, authentic French restaurants and bakeries add up to the very French ambiance of this area with the smell of their fresh baguettes. Of course, I didn’t pass up the chance to have my meal in Montmartre.

The parks, the residential areas and the artists just makes this place as the real Paris – at least for me.

I was planning to take a hotel in this area but was put off by the numerous travel tips about Montmartre being a pickpocket haven. However when I was there, I didn’t feel threatened at all. Of course I’ve seen some very questionable men lurking around the area but as I’ve said previously, just be aware of your surroundings and you’ll be ok. That rule must be observed in the whole of Paris, not only in Montmartre.

And of course, the beautiful Sacre Coeur is on top of this charming hill – which for me is much more beautiful than the Notre Dame.

The Pont Alexandre III is an arch bridge that spans the Seine, connecting the Champs-Élysées quarter and the Invalides and Eiffel Tower quarter, widely regarded as the most ornate, extravagant bridge in Paris. It is classified as a historical monument.

Source: Wikipedia

This is one of my favorite spots in Paris as it’s just grand with all the elaborate sculptures all over it. I saw this bridge at night when we took the Seine River cruise and it’s just oh so amazing! I started one of my days from this point and walked along the river and that was one of the best things I ever did while in Paris. It doesn’t really matter which way you go because you will definitely pass by something familiar (and unfamiliar) on the way. I was told by Asli, an instagram friend, that it’s nice to walk there at dawn – when the whole city is still half-asleep. Maybe I’ll do it next time I visit Paris.

For more Paris street photos, do visit my Facebook page: Pinay Flying High.

My view for lunch.

Mussels in white wine.

You can’t go wrong with mussels which is why I ordered it, unless of course it’s not fresh. Well thankfully, they served me a fresh one. It was still steaming when it was served and I love the fact that my iphone was able to capture the steam coming out of it. I finished the whole bucket even if it’s quite a challenge eating it.

Ahhhhh the bellevue kriek, my favorite beer. It’s sweeter in Bruges which is how I like my beer to be.

And while I was having my lunch, it rained ice which made my stay in the restaurant longer than planned. I waited for the rain to stop of course which lasted for about 20 minutes or so.

Pizzeria Da Mario received a lot of bad reviews on tripadvisor accusing it for not serving a perfect Italian food. It’s a good thing though that I didn’t order Italian so I found the restaurant nice for its ambiance and the food they served was perfect for me. Hence in this case, I’d probably advise for you to steer away from their Italian menu and order a Belgian local food instead, you won’t regret it. :p