I’m currently aboard the ship and have been documenting my journey over the past few days. I’ll do my best to keep things organized. This morning, we took a bus from our hotel to Heathrow Airport, and then boarded another bus that brought us to the ship. After completing the embarkation process, we enjoyed some street tacos, participated in the muster drill, and are now unpacking in our room.
A few days ago, I took the Eurostar to Paris. The Eurostar travels through the Channel Tunnel at a speed of 100 miles per hour, and when it’s above ground, it reaches an impressive 186 miles per hour. The Channel Tunnel runs 246 feet beneath the English Channel for a distance of 31.5 miles. The train is quite enjoyable and relatively comfortable to ride. The journey to Paris takes 2 hours and 16 minutes, during which I managed to catch some sleep. I also read over half of “The Paris Apartment” while on board, and I must say, it has proven to be rather dull. However, I’m determined to find out who the culprit is.
Before I dive into my experiences in Paris, let me share what we did in London a few days ago. Our friends joined us in the hotel lobby for breakfast, and then we set out for the day. We had originally planned to witness the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace, but due to England’s victory in the women’s soccer cup, the ceremony was canceled in favor of a celebration. Nevertheless, I did get to see Buckingham Palace. Afterwards, we strolled over to the River Thames and took an Uberboat to the Tower of London.
At the Tower of London, we enjoyed lunch before setting out to explore the castle. We marveled at the Crown Jewels and then ascended 247 steps through the White Tower. There, we learned about Anne Boleyn, who served as Queen of England from 1533 to 1536 as the second wife of King Henry VIII, and where she was held and executed.
After our visit to the Tower of London, we made our way to the Mad Hatter’s tea party for dinner. The food was delightful, and the desserts included a delicious peach boba that we thoroughly enjoyed. Following dinner, we returned to our hotel to re-pack our bags, consolidating a few days’ worth of clothes into one suitcase. We then left the rest of our luggage at a storage facility, as we preferred not to take all our suitcases with us to Paris.
The following morning, we awoke around 4 AM to prepare for our day and checked out of the hotel. We took an Uber to the train station, where we boarded the Eurostar to Paris. Upon our arrival in the city, we checked into our hotel. It was a nice hotel. The room was much bigger than the first hotel we stayed at. Then we stopped at a café for lunch. France is known for its exceptional bread, and I enjoyed a delicious sandwich on a baguette along with a Coke Zero. Ordering was quite an adventure since we didn’t speak French, but our friend, who is fluent, assisted us with the process.
Afterward, we made our way to the Eiffel Tower for a tour. This was my second visit to this iconic landmark. During my first experience, we only ascended to the first floor, and I don’t recall any restaurants being there at that time. Now, they have several dining options, and we enjoyed our time on the second floor. We had dinner at the Eiffel Tower. We captured some fantastic pictures as well. Standing at 330 meters (1,082.68 feet) tall, the Eiffel Tower was commenced on January 26, 1887, and completed in 1889. It was constructed as the entrance arch and centerpiece for the 1889 Paris World’s Fair, also known as the Exposition Universelle, to celebrate the centennial of the French Revolution. Moreover, it was designed to demonstrate French engineering excellence and symbolize the nation’s industrial progress.
After visiting the Eiffel Tower, we made our way to the Seine River and enjoyed a boat cruise that showcased the various sights along the waterway. The tour provided us with an informative history lesson about each landmark we encountered. We admired notable attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Musée d’Orsay. Additionally, we spotted other significant sites including the Conciergerie, the Grand Palais, and several beautiful bridges. I regretted not bringing a sweater, as it became quite windy on the boat. After our cruise, we took an Uber back to the hotel. Unfortunately, Tommy lost his glasses during our outing, but thankfully, he had his contacts with him.
The following day, we all convened and boarded the train to Versailles. Stepping into the Palace of Versailles feels like entering a dream adorned with gold and mirrors. Originally established as a hunting lodge, it evolved into the ultimate symbol of royal splendor under Louis XIV. The Hall of Mirrors is particularly awe-inspiring, with its glittering chandeliers, endless reflections, and palpable sense of history. Outside, the gardens extend magnificently, each inch meticulously maintained. We spent approximately five hours exploring this enchanting place.
Then we took the Uber to the Louvre. Walking through the Louvre feels like drifting through time. One minute you’re face-to-face with the Mona Lisa, surrounded by a crowd of phones and hushed whispers. The next, you’re in a quiet corridor with ancient sculptures, the kind of silence that makes you forget you’re in the middle of Paris. The building itself is a masterpiece—ornate ceilings, grand staircases, and sunlight filtering through tall windows. You could spend days here and still not see it all, but even a few hours feels like stepping into another world.
Due to my inability to hear, I was able to position myself right at the front of the Mona Lisa and capture some photographs. We did experience some difficulty navigating, as we moved from one side of a section to the other in search of what we were trying to find.
Being the largest museum in the world, the Louvre was originally built in 1190—not as a museum, but as a fortress to protect Paris from invasion. It was commissioned by King Philippe Auguste, who wanted to defend the western edge of the city while he went off on the Crusades.
Over time, the fortress lost its military purpose and was transformed into a royal palace during the 16th century under Francis I, who also began collecting art. Eventually, during the French Revolution, it was turned into a public museum in 1793, so that everyone—not just royalty—could enjoy the nation’s art. The Louvre Museum contains more than 380,000 objects and displays approximately 35,000 works of art across eight curatorial departments.
After the louvre, we were all so tired of walking. We went back to the hotel and had dinner at the hotel’s restaurant. It was a nice dinner to end a nice day.
Yesterday, we began our day by taking the train to the Musée de l’Orangerie. Nestled within the Tuileries Gardens, this tranquil and stunning museum in Paris is renowned for its collection of Monet’s Water Lilies. The museum provides a serene experience, featuring two oval rooms illuminated by natural light that immerse visitors in the artist’s vision. In addition to Monet, the museum showcases works by artists such as Cézanne, Renoir, Matisse, Picasso, and others.
After exploring the artwork, we strolled through the Tuileries Gardens and located a café for breakfast. I enjoyed some hot chocolate, which was quite different from the American version—much richer and resembling the taste of a chocolate bar. I also indulged in a berry crepe, which was delicious. After wandering a bit longer, we made our way to the train station and returned to our hotel, where Kel was waiting for us. She had opted to stay behind, feeling that a rest would be beneficial.
After retrieving our luggage from storage, we took an Uber to our next hotel, the Radisson. It has a charming atmosphere, and I was assigned a delightful bunk bed for my stay, opting for the lower tier. That evening, we enjoyed a delicious Italian meal, which culminated in a shared tiramisu for dessert. Later, we returned to our room to repack our belongings into our own suitcases.
Paris and London—two iconic cities, just a train ride apart, yet their vibes couldn’t be more different.
Paris feels like a slow inhale. The pace is a little gentler, the aesthetic a little softer. There’s an everyday romance in the way people sit at cafés for hours, in the buttery scent of fresh croissants, and the glow of old streetlamps on cobblestone streets. Even when it’s busy, there’s an underlying elegance.
London, on the other hand, is a fast exhale. It’s a bit louder, more electric, with its red buses, layered accents, and a feeling of motion. There’s history around every corner, but it pulses with modern energy—like old and new are constantly colliding.
I am delighted to have had the opportunity to visit London and revisit Paris. So many memories came rushing back from my initial trip to Paris and my time living in Germany. Now, I need to unpack and head out to meet our friends for dinner. Tomorrow will be a day at sea and a chance for us to relax. It also means formal night, which means I’ll need to dress up for dinner. I’m not usually a fan of dresses, but wearing one for an evening isn’t too much of a hardship.
