TOURIST TUESDAY: TASMANIA DAY ONE

In just over a week, we went from the hot beaches of the Sunshine Coast to the cool air of Tasmania. Justin had a booking for a wedding in Tasmania, Jarvis and I were lucky to go along for the ride.

Jarvis is quite the experienced traveller now, so he took packing, and flying all in his stride. His only disappointment was that he had been hoping for a blue or a red hire car. His words "oh no boring white". Next time just for Jarvis we will ask the bride to organise us a 'non boring colour car'.

The apartment was lovely. Too lovely and clean and white for a toddler! But the apartment, and my nerves, survived a four and a bit day visit by Jarvis and Justin. (Actually in hindsight I would say Justin makes more mess than Jarvis. Justin has been away for a couple of weeks in Japan and the house has stayed super clean with him away).

Justin spent the afternoon with the bridal party, so Jarvis and I set off on foot to explore the suburb we were staying in.

Battery Point, is one of Hobart’s oldest and most historic areas, it is one suburb away from the city (Dad said south of the city) It was love at first sight for me. Clean streets, heritage listed buildings, pink houses, flowers everywhere, the water one street away, and cute shops. Jarvis was impressed as well. Water, a big boat, a great park and a vintage style lolly shop. I found myself taking looks of photos of clouds and cute houses.

Side Note: Another reason I loved Tasmania.

From 1 November 2013, retailers in Tasmania can no longer supply shoppers with a plastic shopping bag for the purpose of enabling goods sold, or to be sold, by the retailer, to be carried from the retailer's premises. The primary aim of the Tasmanian Plastic Shopping Bags Ban Act 2013 is to reduce the number of lightweight plastic shopping bags in Tasmania by encouraging the use of clean reusable bags.

DES VACANCES EN FRANCE: TROISIÈME PARTIE

DES VACANCES EN FRANCE: TROISIÈME PARTIE / HOLIDAYS IN FRANCE: PART THREE
One Hotel Room at a Time

It was time to check out, and move on from Paris. We get up early, and head off to the train station; with a pit stop on the way for breakfast of crepes and hot chocolates. Also a stop off at a vintage jeweler to buy something for someone I love who was still in Brisbane, but never far from my mind. I found this amazing turquoise ring for Tamika, I know it will be (and was) too big for her fingers but I just love it and know that she will.

Trains, trains, oh how to describe how epic it is catching trains in Paris? How to describe what it is like catching a train in Paris with a 12kg 10 month old baby strapped to you in a baby sling?

We finally arrive at the car hire place, and they try to up-sell us to a BMW, umm no thanks even though she tries to tell us it will only be an extra 70 euro a day. I love how she used the term only. In the car Justin seems to struggle a bit, so before we even leave the car park I take over the driving. I am not great, OK so there was that very illegal u-turn, but without reading French or knowing the roads I managing to follow signs and guess our way back to the hotel. We are almost there and Justin finally sorts out the GPS.

I park willy nilly on the side of the road while Justin runs up and gets the luggage. Getting out of Paris is even crazier than our trip to the hotel, and add a screaming baby, you have our journey out of Paris. Once on the motorway it all seems easier, well easier once I pulled over in the emergency lane and feed Jarvis. Nothing like breast feeding a baby while cars zoom past doing 150klm per hour. Jarvis finally falls asleep, so it is back on the road and on our way to Nancy.

After three hours of driving I pull over into a service station, and we find ourselves in one of the weirdest servos. The attendant reminded me of Norman Bates, not a good thing in the middle of no where. We were stared at the entire time it took to eat a weird tasting baguette and drink our drinks.

Justin take over the wheel, this time he does better, but it is pretty easy to drive on the motorway which helps build up his confidence in driving in a foreign country on a different side of the road. Boredom as a passenger sets in, and I am soon taking random photos out the car window.  Finding our way into Nancy is easy with the GPS. We are staying in the best area! It is the old historic part of Nancy, simply called The Old City. Our hotel is amazing. But we dump our stuff, and quickly head out to explore before it gets too dark.

The town is gorgeous; Justin and I have fallen in love with Nancy in one afternoon’s walk. Over the last 15 years – after much restoration –, the old town of Nancy has revealed itself to be a significant asset. Justin described Paris as slightly faded and tacky, like a girl trying too hard. But Nancy as a beautiful classic woman that never goes out of style.

After wandering around, exploring and taking photos we stop for dinner, a goat's cheese fondue, very yummy. On the way back to the hotel we stop off at a patisserie, and get deserts, me a chocolate thingy. No idea as I can't read French, but so rich, but delicious. Justin had a chocolate éclair; I think the best either of us has ever tasted.

 Nancy you are a beautiful town.

Random things on the side of the road.

Thankful for a sleeping baby in long road trips.

 Gorgeous Hotel.

 With Amazing service.

 Must recommend the Goat's cheese fondue.

Could have sampled everything in this patisserie.