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Although it isn’t a well publicized fact, Paris is the second largest European city ; also known as affectionately as the City of Lights. Almost everyone taking a European vacation will decide on a short stay in Paris; there is so much to see and do that often only the main tourist attractions can be done.
It is renowned for its wonderful Gothic inspired buildings and street markets; including famous sights like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe . Traveling through the city of Paris can be very enjoyable; the Metro underground system is easy to understand, efficient and reaches everywhere even the most enthusiastic tourist would want to visit.
No visit would be complete without a trip to the top of the almost 1,000 feet tall Eiffel tower; it can be seen throughout most locations around the city. Illuminated at night, it dominates the city’s skyline; guided tours are available where the patriotic tour guides give you an in depth history and an insight to what it is to be French.
Don’t forget to include the famous Champs Elysees in your list of places to visit; with shops, cafes, and restaurants littered along the wide pavements, it is a ‘must see’ for every visitor. When you visit this region of the city you will see it is a much more select area; the exclusive five star hotels are situated in this more select part of the city.
If you are an art lover you will enjoy the Louvre , a truly amazing museum; with over 300,000 wonderful artistic works, you simply cannot see all of it in one day. There are enough art exhibits to keep you occupied for more time than your short stay in Paris would allow; approximately 8 million visitors a year come to see the Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa , both of which are on display. Many well known artists spent years of their lives in Paris; chances are that you will have the opportunity to see a number of famous paintings.
Another famous Paris attraction is TheArc de Triomphe which was built within the first decade of the nineteenth century. Originally commissioned by Napoleon , it bears the names of generals of the Napoleonic Wars to honor them and his troops. The Unknown Soldier from World War I is buried there. Although not generally well known, the Arc had an observatory installed after it was constructed to provide views of neighboring areas; it stands in the place where the city’s main avenues begin, including the Champs Elysees.
This city has a huge variety of places to visit; although no trip would be complete without seeing the main attractions mentioned here. They may be best viewed as part of a guided tour, some of which are actually free. Most people find their Paris short stay vacations exciting but only see a small sampling; you would probably need another week to view the main galleries, visit medieval castles and explore fabulous gothic churches.
It is so relaxing to dream of balmy ocean salt water and warm sand squooshing through your toes. I have lapsed into a tropical-craving-state more than once as I have been scraping ice off my car’s windshield with the heel of my shoe ( I need more adult supervision). And sometimes dreaming of a seven to ten day vacation doesn’t cut it; I have been ready to pull up stakes, sell the farm, blow this popsicle shack. But what next? The Mediterranean? I don’t do Euros or scary man-thongs. Florida or Texas? They put insects on a leash they’re so big.
Which left me with the California coast. Thousands of people relocate to California each year, and hundreds of thousands worldwide vacation there, from San Francisco to San Diego. Each area is unique and I could see myself setting up my life in any number of west coast places, no problem.
And it’s not all about the coast. My friend in San Jose informed me Northern California is nothing like Southern California, which is nothing like Sacramento, which is not anything like Lake Tahoe, yadayada. I looked and he was certainly correct, but I was still craving a warm coastal climate, which is in abundance in California.
What I found on further investigation however, is also the abundance of housing costs. Combining monthly mortgage and property taxes would be waaaayyyy up there. A lot of people slam California for its mudslides and earthquakes. Their complaints may be a way to avoid admitting they can’t afford Golden State living.
Why does anyone crave the California scene in particular? If you have ever been, you know that besides glitz there are amazing places like Big Sur, Bear Valley, and Mendocino. No relationship to smoggy L.A., just incomparable wild beauty. However, most people do end up visiting Hollywood. And why not? There’s a pretty good chance of seeing an arrest of any number of young celebs. Soon you’ll be able to google Paris, Nicole, and Lindsay through the Department Of Corrections.
Many months later and after researching my options, I have decided to only visit the California coast. Sure, like many others, I would love to live on the beautiful Pacific coastline, but visits will have to do. I simply can’t spend my future childrens’ college educations on an $800,000 mortgage. I’ll have to soak my toes in warm bath water instead. OK, maybe the warm water of an occasional spa (what am I, a loser?).
Have you ever noticed how many people choose tropical destinations for their choice of a vacation spot? I sure have. Ask someone where they want to go for a summer vacation and chances are they’ll say "The Caribbean or Hawaii or some tropical destination." It’s a given. So I get it already. People like the beach and sunny weather. They always ramble on about deep sea diving, bathing in the sun, or watching the sun set over the ocean. Well, if this is something you absolutely have to do in your life, then I recommend that you go prepared. That means a lot of sunscreen, some high-tech diving equipment, and an awesome swimsuit.
My sweetie keeps telling me that she wants to go diving in some far off tropical island. Well that’s just great. First of all, we don’t have any diving equipment. And second of all I’m terrified. Didn’t anyone watch that flick "Open Water"? I believe that movie pretty much said it all. The couple went out with a group of people to try deep sea diving. Yeah, I’m talking in the middle of nowhere. That’s always a dismal start.
Anyway , although they had quality diving equipment and a tour guide, they came up from below the water and realized that everyone else had left. What is with that? If I lived, I would definitely sue.
Unfortunately neither of them made it. Their new-age diving equipment did not save them in the least. Once the husband was eaten by sharks, the wife drowned herself. It was quite the uplifting story. Anyway, they should have had more advanced diving equipment. If I’m going out there in the middle of nowhere, I need diving equipment that converts into a submarine or something. I want that oxygen tank to transform into a jet-pack. I mean come on!
So, you no longer have any desire to venture off to some tropical spot and go deep sea diving, right? Okay, so maybe the movie didn’t sway you. I should remind you that it is based on true events. Regardless, I know some folks are dying to go scuba diving. Get it, dying?
Anyway, be sure you purchase quality diving equipment if you’re doing it on your own. And if you’re taking on of those diving tours like in the movie, make sure you’re loud and obnoxious so everyone remembers you. This way they won’t leave you behind. playourplanet.com
Dear friends and family,
I wrote this the night I arrived home from our African Safari. I did not want to forget any details of this particular day.
Hello,
Yes , it is good to be in my own bed. But , we could have stayed in Africa much longer. Simply , this was the most wonderful trip, experience, that I have EVER had. It was truly an African Safari. Our host, guides, ( a family) kept us entertained and provided the knowledge that was needed to hunt in Africa. Don and I had "Mel". He is the African equivalent of the Crocodile Hunter. I was signed up to hunt 6 trophy animals..Common Springbok, Black Springbok ( substituted for 2 smaller things that I called Jungle rats), Impala, Kudu, Blesbok. I added an Nyala and Lion. Yes, I said a Lion.
I just can’t put into words what this means, and how I felt on this hunt. I was thinking about it as one hunter had gone earlier in the week. A second hunter had signed up, but on the morning of his hunt, he backed out. A knock on my hut at 6 am with the sudden news, and the question. I just said yes. It was good that it happened this way. I had two requests one: that my friend Don went along ( he is the reason I went on this trip anyway) and the other was I got to use my Dad’s rifle (A 30.06, about my age).
This was very important to me. The legal size is a 375 caliber, minimum. The 460 Magnum ( the most powerful hunting rifle available is used mostly, duh) My caliber is small for lions , but I had dropped everything with one shot up to this point. Placement is the key because of some concern on the earlier hunt when the lioness had hidden in the grass after being wounded, and was literally 5 feet from the hunters, when she pounced, and was shot with a flurry of cannons. Knocking one hunter down in shock. We have this on video as the fee includes a camera man! This is what I had to think about for several days before I signed on. I had to agree that the guide could shoot if necessary, since I had a small caliber rifle ( for lions).
The hunt lasted most of the day. In the morning, I sprained my ankle a few hours into the hunt, and could barely walk. I was in sharp pain with each step. but mostly pissed off that I may have to stop ( and basically not enjoy) this of greatest experiences. At one point in the trees and brush, the lion was 30 feet away. She was on the other side of a thick bush. The guides are amazing. I only could see a faint dark yellow shade on a lighter yellow background.
At this point we were all tense to say the least. As we walked around the trees, she moved away and nobody heard nor saw her go. This is a Cat, just a very big one. Later, I had 2 "hail-mary" shots at the lion at 300 - 400 yards in the AM, but missed to the right each time.( I plead wind factor.) This was as we walked back to the trucks (the guide saw her sticking her head out of the trees up on the hill we had just left ). Even with the scope she blended into the trees.
We broke for lunch ,and to get drugs and ice for me. At camp, I iced and took a pharmacy. The pain subsided, and so did my head! I was calm to say the least. I had to be the first lion hunter on Narcotics! (humor)
After a few hours we went out again and began the tracking. She was spotted in the tall grasses (4-5 feet high). They can really move around without any sight or sound. At 5 feet away, you would not know they were there. Only when we walked in the grasses did I feel the fear that this was real and that anything can happen. The lions want us as much as we want them. It was during these times that a glance to Don would say it all. We both knew that after 40 years of friendship, and shared experiences, that we just may be dumber that we thought!
We finally spotted the lioness in the grass about 150 yards away. We took up a position on a knoll and just waited for her to move. After 30 minutes, one guide took the truck and drove around the spot in circles trying to flush her out. Nothing.
The truck had driven around her within 5 feet and she did not move one inch! Amazing. And she was not spotted. There was much discussion between the guides (brothers) in Afrikaan language about what to do next. One said she was there, another thought she moved down into a valley. I was sitting with the scope on the spot. After about a hour of this cat and mouse, she raised her head up for a look-see. Like a turtle in the creek. You could not see her with the naked eye, yellow on yellow grass. This is nature’s best. They are invisible. Only with the scope could I see a head in the grass like one of the paintings that have painted horses in the trees.
I had plenty of time to aim and squeeze. Only the top of her head was faintly visible in the yellow grasses. An ear flick, a dark eye, was all there was. The guides had much advice as to where to aim. I did not want to only get a head shot and mess up the mounting. I had her in the cross hairs, and squeezed slowly. Crrrack! Her head dropped like a rock. I didn’t see the head drop since the rifle moves too much in that instant. The guides thought she was hit. Much discussion again. Waiting for her to move. They usually move, jump, or growl when hit. Nothing. I got high fives. Great shot was claimed by all. "But, no, no , but hell no" in the words of our guide Mel in his Afrikaan accent. He was not convinced. We waited. 10-15 minutes. Nobody was jumping up to walk out into the tall grass to "check".
I was staying put! I was seated, braced onto a tripod. (and enjoying the pain relief, I might add, :-)…..calm.
Then, Mel and Don took the truck and began to work his way down to the area that the Lion was spotted to check things out. He moved around her position so as to flush her out toward a better shot position.
As I kept the scope onto the area, the Lion was spotted. She raised her head again, like a yellow ghost. She was looking to the right and then turned toward me, only the eyes and ears were visible in the dense grass. This time I didn’t wait for any advice. At this distance(150 yards), there was no need for any calculations. Crrack……….she dropped again. Nothing.
Mel, then continues into the grass, only the window area of the truck could be seen. He spots her and backs off. His brother,JP, then says to me, "lets go" and "check" . Now it’s real. We walk down and into the grass. It is at my shoulder level. JP is in front, with the 460 cannon. Mel is about 100 feet away from the area with Don in the truck. Both with rifles. We walk toward the spot , slowly, ( can you say blood pressure). As we walk up, you can not see anything 5-10 feet away. And after the earlier lion hunt events, I am FOCUSED. Suddenly JP sweeps his rifle in the grass, like a blind man with a cane. He sees her, and motions me to come. As I moved forward, I could not see her until I was 5 feet away. JP had said the lion is not dead until you touch their eye. He motioned me to put one shot into her for the final check. He touched her eye.
And there she was. A Cat the size of a pony. And not a mark on her. JP raised her head and the air let out a growl. That little surprise took 5 years off my life. As I said , there was not a mark on her. I had shot her right up the nose!
I will probably never be able to describe the emotions of this day ….Africa, a Lion hunt, my friend Don being there, using my father’s rifle ,and testing myself.
And this was only ONE day of the 3 week trip………………….
P.S. and yes, I have this story on video……thanks to Philipp (another guide) who braved the hunt with only a camera and pistol.
