INDEPENDENT TOUR ~ DECEMBER 2010
5 DECEMBER 2010 Safe arrival in the snow!
Nous voila a Paris ~ 2 degrees and snowing! In spite of very little sleep, all were delighted to have arrived in France and with no hitches at immigration or with our luggage, we were in our coach by 7.30am ~ to note, France is 1 hour behind SA. The private taxis were ready and waiting outside Accord to whisk your sons & daughters off to their host families and although all were a little apprehensive, everyone was looking forward to a nice warm bath! ...update 7.00pm: We have had a wonderful afternoon but we are now officially EXHAUSTED! At 2.00pm all made their way to Accord by metro and we then travelled to l'Hotel de Ville, the magnificent Town Hall, after which we made our way to Notre Dame in front of which stands an enormous and brighly decorated Christmas tree. The highlight was the purchase of small Parisien souvenirs in the many little shops which surround the square and at 5.30pm, laden with parcels we all said au revoir as everyone returned to their host families for dinner. There is NO doubt that we will all sleep well tonight!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
6 DECEMBER 2010 A wonderful afternoon on the Champs Elysées!
What a wonderful day we have had! Janine & I met everyone as they arrived at the entrance to Accord around 8.00am, when it was barely light and once the assessment was over, all were assigned to a class which corresponded to their individual ability. When we met at midday, the majority were very happy with their placement, but 1 or 2 indicated that they wished to change, which we discussed with Management and this will be implemented tomorrow. After a group chat at midday where we discussed the afternoon arrangements, we headed off with great glee and anticipation to the Avenue des Champs Elysées. I have travelled with groups for 9 years, but never before at Christmas time and I can honestly say that the sight of this famous boulevard bedecked with sparkling lights and decorations actually defies description, as the many photos will confirm!When we re-grouped at 5.30pm the consensus was unanimous ~ everyone absolutely loves Paris, which is a veritable winter wonderland in December!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
7 DECEMBER 2010 It's snowing!
IT'S SNOWING! I am so excited to see the snow flakes falling steadily and the cars are covered in a thick white layer! We have the Eiffel Tower and our cruise booked for today (brrr), but everyone knows to dress warmly and it will I am sure be a memorable experience. Think of us... more later! 21h00 What a wonderful afternoon we had and all were so thrilled with the snow, to the great amusement of fellow classmates and teachers! After lunch we made our way on the metro to la Tour Eiffel, where we queued with bated breath for confirmation that they would permit us to ascend! After 20 anxious minutes, we received the good news that we could proceed and all were delighted with the view and the experience, not to mention the delicious hot chocolate served from the restaurant on the 2nd level! Thereafter we made our way to the Bateaux Parisiens for our ‘covered’ cruise on the river Seine and the interesting commentary + sparkling lights + appropriate music made this an absolutely magical experience. Everyone returned home for dinner in a jovial mood, having thoroughly enjoyed a very special and memorable day!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
8 DECEMBER 2010 We've experienced a snow storm!
Well we all wanted snow, but we never expected the blizzard we got today! Read this excerpt from a website: ‘Heavy snowfall is unusual in Paris and has forced the closure of Charles de Gaulle airport and shut down the bus system. It has quickly turned into a slushy mess in Paris' streets, stalling traffic and Parisians and tourists alike are cautiously braving the slippery roads’. Sadly this has also affected our Paris by night coach tour, but I am hoping to be able to reschedule this for tomorrow evening. After school we all braved the snowstorm and made our way to the ornate and vastly impressive Opéra Garnier, where we enjoyed a guided tour. Without exception everyone was overwhelmed by the beauty and opulence of this magnificent historic monument and thoroughly enjoyed the tour. Then, braving the blizzard once more and with shrieks of laughter, we all carefully made our way to neighbouring Galéries Lafayette where we were able to warm up and enjoy all that this world famous department store has to offer. At the very centre is an enormous Christmas tree, beautifully decorated and with brightly wrapped parcels suspended from the ceiling ~ a child’s dream and certainly reminding us that Christmas is a mere 17 days away!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
9 DECEMBER 2010 Calm restored!
After such an eventful day yesterday, we surprisingly woke up to bright blue skies and Paris looked pristine, as if it had had a good face wash ~ the transformation was miraculous! At 2.30pm we made our way to the Musée du Louvre, where we took countless photos of the impressive exterior prior to entering the museum and meeting our tour guide who expertly introduced us to many famous works of art. Thereafter we travelled to the Place de la Concorde where stands the famous obelisk and at this time of year it is flanked by an enormous Ferris wheel and a vast array of Christmas stalls ~ a veritable fairyland! I am delighted to say that our Illuminations tour will take place tonight and I can imagine that on such a clear, calm evening it will be very special and certainly memorable!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
10 DECEMBER 2010 Our final day in wonderful Paris!
Today marked the final day of classes, with a total of 20 hours of French tuition in one week! All were proud recipients of an accredited DELF certificate which attested to their attendance and the standard achieved. Everyone has really enjoyed the course offered by Accord and all can attest to the professionalism of this establishment. Once again I find myself basking in reflected glory as I receive a multitude of compliments about our wonderful South African students ~ they really are world class and both Janine & I are very proud indeed! After lunch we travelled by metro to the Musée d’Orsay where ‘most’(!) really appreciated the incredible Impressionist Art on display and thereafter we made our way to the highest natural point & the oldest district in Paris, Montmartre. Having turned really chilly we did not extend our stay here and everyone chose to return to their host families fairly quickly in order to have a warm bath and a hot dinner, followed by ‘une petite sortie’ to conclude their stay in Paris! We are all prepared for our departure tomorrow and taxis are to collect everyone between 8.00 – 8.30am for our 9.15 am departure to Roissy Charles de Gaulle. We have all loved Paris, but look forward with great anticipation to our last leg in the south of France!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
11 DECEMBER 2010 We all love Antibes!
Nous voilà à Antibes and we are all so very happy with the slower pace and the sunshine of Provence! Private taxis collected everyone from their homes early this morning and by 9.00am we were all aboard our coach en route to Roissy Charles de Gaulle. Check-in was quick, with no complications and the flight itself was really relaxing, affording us all time to recharge our batteries. There was great delight at our approach into Nice, Côte d’Azur where the landing strip extends out into the sea, giving the impression of a water landing! Our luggage arrived swiftly and in the company of Bernard, our dedicated coach driver for the next 3 days, we made our way to Antibes. The hotel is lovely and after a warm welcome from reception, everyone appreciated having some time to settle in and freshen up before starting to explore this magical town. The Christmas markets and all the stalls/boutiques in the vieille ville are indescribably beautiful and families are out in their droves. In such a safe environment permission has been granted to explore until 10.00pm, when we will all meet in the foyer of the hotel and share anecdotes. We have delayed our departure until 10.00am tomorrow morning, a popular decision since everyone really needs to be able to sleep in!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
12 DECEMBER 2010 Another wonderful day on the Côte d’Azur!
After a good night’s sleep and a slow start, at 10.00am we all hopped on board our coach bound for Grasse, known as the ‘balcony of Provence’ for its magnificent views. It is also recognized world-wide as the home to French perfume and everyone thoroughly enjoyed a fascinating guided tour of the Fragonard ‘parfumerie’, followed by a visit to their on-site boutique where they had the opportunity to purchase gifts ~ judging by the many packets, all had a successful shopping spree! We then made our way to Cannes and Bernard treated us to a comprehensive coach tour of La Croisette where we all ooh-ed and aah-ed at the plethora of name brand boutiques which line this illustrious boulevard! When we alighted from the coach I directed them to the reasonably priced ‘back-street shops’ which they really appreciated and have the shoes to prove it …! We also enjoyed wandering amongst the Christmas stalls which line the beachfront AND we have evidence on camera that Annie Thomson actually braved a swim in the Mediterranean ..... and lives to tell the tale! A very happy band of travellers arrived back at our hotel around 5.30pm and the planned evening activities seem to include visiting the Christmas stalls, meeting for a hot chocolate and a scheduled ‘hair salon session’ in room 38 (yes, this includes the boys!)
Written by: Jenny Peddle
13 DECEMBER 2010 Monaco, Nice + au revoir!
Our final day as a group and what a memorable one it was! We all boarded our coach at 10.00am and everyone was in awe of the beautiful scenery en route to Monaco as we drove along the ‘route du littoral’, which extends from the palm-tree lined Promenade des Anglais through to Villefranche and Beaulieu-sur-Mer. We were all amazed by the pristine cleanliness of this small principality and we were so pleased to arrive just in time for the changing of the guard at the royal palace! We then had some time to souvenir shop, before visiting the Cathedral where Prince Rainier and Princess Grace are laid to rest and finally strolling through the beautiful exotic gardens. At 13h00 we made our way to Nice, the ‘Queen of the Riviera’ and our meeting point was on the newly revamped Place Masena. The majority headed off to the name brand boutiques along the Boulevard Jean Medecin, whilst others preferred to meander through the narrow streets of ‘la vieille ville’ and look for bargains and a few decided to soak up the ambience on the seafront. Suffice to say, the day was a real success and at 18h00 we arrived back at our hotel in high spirits. We managed to negotiate a really good price for a pizza/pasta + dessert + cool drink at a local restaurant and the tour ended on such a high as tour anecdotes were shared! The airport transfer for our group is scheduled to depart from the hotel at 13h00 tomorrow for our 15h50 flight from Nice to Paris and once at Roissy Charles de Gaulle we will remain in transit for flight AF 990, which is scheduled to depart at 23h20 and arrive at OR Tambo on Wednesday 15 July @ 10h45. Here we will say au revoir to Gavin & TK and the girls will then have a further connection to Durban. Janine, Alan, Anthea, Olivia and Maxine have separate flight arrangements tomorrow and provision has been made for their various needs. It has once again been my great joy to escort an outstanding group of South African students to France and I would sincerely like to compliment each and every one on their impeccable behaviour and sense of adventure. All have fully embraced every opportunity and they have been superb ambassadors for South Africa. The ultimate success of any tour depends largely on the chaperones and Janine, along with her husband Alan, have been exceptional role-models ~ your children have certainly been very privileged to have travelled with them and Janine’s compassionate nature & enormous generosity of spirit have been overwhelming. So much has been packed into the last 10 days and as parents you can rest assured that you have afforded your children the most wonderful opportunity ~ I have no doubt that each and every child will return not only academically enriched, but enriched as a person, having matured and grown in confidence and the precious memories & firm bonds of friendships will last a lifetime. It remains for me to say ‘merci beaucoup, bon retour et à la prochaine’!
Written by: Jenny Peddle