Hi, MAMA SQUEAK! Thanks for all the advice.
Our talaba group of 19 landed in Paris, at different times in the morning of May 21st.
Oh by the way, for the curious -- they ask NO QUESTIONS when entering, they just check your
Schengen Visa. IF your passport photo does not match your face -- (either way, good or bad news -- hahaha) -- then you will be asked to put your right pointer finger on the fingerprint scanning device.
That's all. No Customs inspection.
Moving between Terminals 1-3 of CDG is easy on their free airport shuttle (train) -- we had to go on that coz we had to all meet at Terminal 2.
The cheapest way to get from the airport to Paris is via the airport shuttle bus. We chose the bus that stops at Gare Montparnasse, coz we still had to purchase our tickets for the next day's early morning trip to Lourdes.
LOURDES
1. Because this Euro trip of siblings and inlaws was just planned spur of the moment (3 weeks & we were off), we had no time to purchase transpo tickets in advance. Yes, as MAMASQUEAK says -- it pays to plan ahead of time -- our tickets to Lourdes (1st class 6 hrs on the TVG, direct or no stops at 8AM -- cost E240/260 each. Half-price if purchased ahead of time. Only at Gare Montparnasse.
2. Lourdes is full of old people. But lol! in May -- the week we were there, there was this annual International Military Pilgrimage -- ang dami dami dami hunks! hahaha
The Moderne Hotel is most convenient, across the entry.
Do not expect to get good-tasting food at the restos, hay naku -- mahal pero well, basta. Well, when 1 is hungry, sige na nga. hehe
But Lourdes is a great experience. We had a teen with us, and she did not get bored at all.
We did it all in 3 days:
1st day: arrival, confession (this is the best best place to do the Sacrament of Reconciliation, believe me), & attended the blessing of the sick (sige na, you go -- sira ulo mo eh. lol).
2nd day (the 1 full day) -- Lined up at 730 for 9AM opening of the Baths, grotto after; English Mass at 2PM; Stations of the Cross from 4-6PM; rosary procession at 8PM; then 11PM grotto mass and blessing
3rd Day: Mass at 7AM; 8AM at the Taps; Departure at 10AM
3. An alternative worth exploring is going to Lourdes via planes... there are 3 flights per day.
From the rail station to the hotel is generally only Euro 6-8.
The airport is 20minutes away, and will cost approximately Euro 30 lang by cab -- per our regular cab driver.
Next time, I will try that, coz well -- plane fares really cost cheaper than train fares in Europe.
Mas mabilis pa.
Be sure to book a taxi for your trip to the rail station, medj mahirap gets specially during the weekends.
Back in PARIS, from Lourdes --
1. We did not buy the Museum card. IF you have been to Paris previously, or not keen on hitting all major museums -- do not bother. The cost is offset ONLY IF you will visit more than 4 museums.
At the LOUVRE -- use the electronic ticket machines, you do not have to line up for more than 5 minutes.
At the D'ORSAY: do NOT leave later than 3PM -- you will have a hard time with your hop on hop off bus, -- and it is extremely difficult to get a taxi. The Metro is the better alternative.
BUT we almost got inconvenienced coz that day -- susko, there was an anti-gay marriage rally that made the Police close off Eiffel Tower and some Metro Stations after lunch.
So, if there is some mass event scheduled for a day, best to keep your activities near your hotel.
2. Yes, as MAMASQUEAK says -- make extensive use of the Metro. 'although, we found the taxi drivers mostly honest -- hindi like MManila and/or Rome taxi drivers -- lol, dami with fast meters or maloko. It is the traffic that will cost you more talaga
3. Take note about TAXI FARES -- If you ask your hotel to call a taxi for you, be prepared to be charged starting from wherever the taxi driver started to go to you, including the time he waits for you to come down -- the meter keeps running. Not all cab drivers do that, but the majority called to hotels for pick-up do.
4. SACRE COEUR -- be very very very careful here.
On each level/landing, there is a group of at least 4 black men ( at times even more) on both sides of the stairs leading up to the church. Nakaka intimidate. We observed a Chinese couple, and another Caucasian couple who decided not to proceed up to the church after observing the actions of these men.
Do not even look at them, but do not act scared. When they moved to approach and surround our small group of women (buti the men did not go with us, baka mapaaway pa sila) -- what I did was to make my eyes big, face hard, and say firmly & loudly: NO! They tend to surround people going up or down, and we observed them targetting bags/purses -- so do not get distracted. Or, they touch women's boobs/shoulder/neck/arm. ughs
The scary part is the last level before hitting the church driveway -- the rough stairs curve and there is a cave-like roofing towards the end, where the men hide from others' sights & wait for people.
They try to sell you some charm or what, and harass you to overpay.
Lol, just past where they huddle is a painted warning on the floor: a pink arrow pointing to them, stating: PICKPOCKETS here.
At VERSAILLES --
1. Take time to go on the Petit Train -- Euro 6something... It brings you around to 3 stops on the grounds, which most likely you will not bother to walk to. You can stop at the 2nd Stop where they have that small lake for lunch/a snack.
2. We did not take the tour, because our scheds were fluid -- so we just decided the day before when to go, and took the Metro and the connecting RER. Easy. Takes 30-40 minutes. & more convenient, you stay as long/short as you want. Wear comfy shoes (rubber shoes best), the cobble stones leading to the gates are hell on your ankles and soles.
3. When you get out of the rail station at Versailles -- you hit the Tourism Info Office across and buy your tickets there (cost the same as at the gates) -- that saves you time lining up for a ticket, then lining up again for entry.
Just get an audio gadget -- easy to use (you are guided by room numbers posted on the floor at the entry to each room).
IF you can locate a grocery (ex SIMPLY) near your hotel -- you will save a lot on your juice drinks/snacks, fruits & hamon serrano.
BTW, it pays to have that bottle Brita for travels abroad. If you drink a lot of water, that will save you a lot. (Bought mine in the US, wala pa Manila sold).
