Day 1
Kim and I set out on Tuesday evening for Miami International and our non-stop flight to Paris on an Air France jumbo jet. Those of you who know me and have followed our many world travels know how much we really dislike going to Miami for our flights. BUT, we have learned that often times we can get a great flight - such as a non-stop one - if we leave from there. So, rather than fight the traffic and try to arrive directly at the airport we have a car service, Avanti, that we use. And so the driver arrived - in shirt and tie none the less - to pick us up a little before 6pm. We arrived at MIA around 6:45 and by 7:20 we were standing at the gate. Enjoyed, since we booked premium air seating, by using Viking's "Air Plus" program, that we had "Sky Priority" for check-in and our TSA got us through the security in minutes. The flight actually took off a little early and we were as comfortable as you can be for an eight hour flight since we'd booked a two-seat row. Interesting side story.....Kim had suggested on our drive to Orlando this past weekend that we listen to a book on tape, "The House Maid." I'd seen this as a coming movie attraction with two of my favorite actresses staring in it and while not knowing anything about it I had tabbed it as one to watch. The book was excellent and while I thought I'd listen to it on the plane I finished Tuesday morning. Well, lo and behold when I scanned the movie options on our Air France flight.....
So once we were in the air, about 45 minutes in we started the film at the same time on our individual screens. The movie was very good, and if you didn't read the book you'd enjoy it. But trust me, the book (as is often the case was SO much better. And I would go so far as to say borrowing the audio version really adds to the "OH MY" experience that you get. It's a thriller, and a good one!
So we lifted off a little before 9pm and dinner was served around 10pm as we watched the film. By the time we'd finished the film we had a little over five hours left before arrival. I was able to sleep, fitfully for about 3 1/2 hours while Kim got much less sleep. We landed at Charles De Gaulle International and cleared customs in minutes. We emerged from baggage, where our bags were among the first to arrive - because we flew "Sky Priority" and as soon as we came out we saw the Viking sign. The rep greeted us and said, "Hello Mr. & Mrs. Love!" Already well known :) Well, ok....not so much. We were the only passengers arriving at this time in this terminal. And so, we got our own private car & drive! Oh you gotta love Viking! Took about an hour to get to the Pullman Paris Montparnasse. Right away we met our friends from Northern California, Gary & Claudia, and then our Viking Program Director, Jen. So excited she will be with us in Paris, on board, and in Prague....love when Viking does that. We checked in and our rooms on the 24th floor were ready in about two hours - which we spent catching up with Claudia & Gary.
We met the other couple, or great friends Pam & Bob later and the six of us went to dinner. Tomorrow is a FULL day. Out the door at 8:30am for a "Panoramic Paris" tour. Getting back at 12:30, and then right back at it for an afternoon tour to the Montmartre Hill District. Enjoy the pics from today's travel day.....
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