Paris!

Daddy and Mummy were planning for a short get-away to Bali over the Deepavali holiday, but had to cancel it coz Daddy was assigned a work trip to Paris! We decided to go there a week before his meetings to tour the city. Initially, we wanted to bring both Nadine and Aaron, but decided that it'll be really tough for Mummy to manage both kids alone on the way back, while Daddy stays for his week-long meetings. So we had to make the heartbreaking decision of leaving Nadine behind. We decided that Paris is not a fun place for a toddler, and since Mummy is still breastfeeding Aaron, it's easier to bring Aaron.

Nadine was sent to Gong-Gong and Po-Po's place. We figured that she loved it the last 2 times when she stayed over, so she should be ok. We didn't realise that she's a lot more grown-up now, and has preferences. Apparently she kept asking to "go home". And according to Bibi, she wasn't her usual bubbly self. Ah well, this will be the first and last time that Nadine will miss a holiday with us! Unless Daddy and Mummy do a trip without any kids!

Anyway, Paris was a really beautiful city. Mummy had been there many many years ago, as a poor student. The experience this time round is totally different.

We caught the Eiffel Tower at sunset, just before it was lit up. It was magnificent!

One good thing about bringing a baby around is that we didn't have to queue! Not at the Louvre, nor at the shops!

It was amazing to see throngs of people trying to take a photo of Mona Lisa when there are so many other beautiful paintings at the Louvre!

Arc de Triomphe

Finally, on the day that we went to Chateau de Versailles, the sun was shining brightly, and the winds were taking a break, so Daddy could carry Aaron front-facing, to let him see some sights.

We bought this nice, colourful hat from Marche Bastille. It's made in Ecuador! So exotic!

Sacre-Coeur. We actually climbed all the way up! Bravo, Daddy!

Harpist busker at the stairs leading up to Sacre-Coeur. And behind him (framed by his harp's strings), was a Chinese couple taking wedding photos! So funny to have a swarm of curious, unrelated people in your wedding photos rite?!

There are so many buskers in Paris - on the streets, in the trains, etc. But this pianist we saw outside Galeries Lafayette was just awesome, for 2 reasons: 1 - he trucks his piano around to busk; 2 - he is a very very good pianist! Check out his playing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuHbbLETpWw

When we brought Nadine for her first trip to Perth when she was 9-months-old, the most inconvenient thing was bathing her. Most of the hotels we stayed at did not have a baby bath tub, nor a detachable shower head. So most times, Mummy showered with Nadine, and Daddy had to be on standby to take Nadine out of the shower to dress her. This time round, Mummy's much smarter. Went to Paris well-prepared with an inflatable bath tub!

Aaron was asleep most of the time. The only inconvenient thing about bringing him along is that we needed to go sit down at some cafe or restaurant every few hours to feed him. Other than that, he just quietly followed us around the whole day long. No complains. Sometimes he'll keep awake and just take in the sights.

And usually by the time we get back to the hotel, he'll be zonked out for a while. But after his bath, he'll be his happy bubbly self again, rewarding us with coos and chuckles. The previous entry of him chuckling was taken in Paris.