Last but not the least! As we left Paris in the rain, we drove through some lovely countryside, with many farmlands blossoming with yellow, purple and white flowers from all the crops. We stopped at the ‘Fromelles’ Cemetery, where a battle took place on 19-20 July 1916, between  the German reserves and the 5^th Australian Western Front with help of and 61st British South Midland  troops, over 5000 Australian and British soldiers were killed, and it was only in late 1990 where the mass grave was found. It was extremely moving walking through the battlefields, and seeing so many of our tour group aussies, very moved and emotional, the saddest of all is most of the killed men we as young as 16-19 yr old.

We boarded a ferry at Calais to cross over to Dover. Wow, I finally saw the white cliffs of Dover, I had a pinch me moment, could not believe the sight. We started saying goodbye to some of the group members along the way as we dropped them off at certain destinations where they carried on the rest of their own holidays, the bus was now empty. Finally I saw big Ben, and all the rest o0f the famous buildings, and I was quite excited.

Today I took myself off for a walk at 7.30am, it was chili but my first destination “Buckingham Palace’ I walked through Hyde Park, and saw some people training their horses. Believe it or not, I was the only ‘traveller’ (I decided I was not a tourist haha). Then off to see Big Ben, Parliament house, Westminster Abbey and generally the center of town. I tried to find the hop on hop off station, and could not find it, so decided to walk back towards Buckingham through Mall Street. I was lucky to be at the right place when one of the ‘palace’ gates opened and a horse and carriage came clopping out. I asked the policeman to please tell me who it was, and he said ‘You will never believe if I tell you…..It was the postman’!!!! Yes, a postman delivering the Queens mail by carriage!

I found the busstop and hopped on to do the red route around London. Saw Madam Tousous, etc, and the bus was so slow because we were in Traffic jams…well I got fedup, got off and walked all the way BACK again along Oxford street this time, and I did abit of shopping in the most famous shopping street. I ambled through Hyde Park again, towards Kensington gardens just to see Kensington Palace, where Princess Dianna Lived. What beautiful gardens and a lovely walk, but I must say by this time it was2.30pm, and I have not stopped walking.  I could not believe how many squirrels I saw, and they tame they come right up to you, dog walkers and people just enjoying the outdoors. I was disappointed to see construction work at Kensington Palace, and did not see her in her splendor self, but at least I was there!. The weather started cloud over again with impending rain. I tried to rush on to Harrods, my last destination. My feet were so aching, and I was hobbling along slowly, got soaked by the rain, but Harrods, I am coming to see you!. Finally I was in Harrods, and all I can say is WOWEE….I HAD to stop and rest, otherwise I was going to faint, so I had a very expensive Harrods café Latte!!! Of course I did not buy anything else, not even a bag! There was a little memorial of Diana, and Dodi, and on display was the ‘engagement’ ring he bought her! Well, I had to just get back to the hotel, I just could not walk anymore, so found myself strolling through Hyde Park again towards Marble Arch. I arrived back at 5.15pm, and I did not move again, A glass of wine, and yes KFC for dinner……some junk food for once….

9.06.2011 – Getting ready for my transfer to Heathrow….I leaft the hotel at 8am, and leave London at 12.05pm to Singapore. Then Home sweet home…….this trip was my trip of a lifetime, and all my dreams come true, I saw everything I wanted to see, had some great times, had some emotional times, and most of all, met some fantastic people along the way, and some who are now very good friends I will stay in touch forever. Thanks to Insight Travel group, they are simply the best travel group, we had 4-5star accommodation all the way, fantastic food, entertainment, coach, and most of all we had the BEST tour director ever, Sharon Tooman, she always kept us informed of every single bit of history, why when where and what, she looked after us like a mum looks after her kids, she was terrific! Over and OUT!......Thanks for following my blog. Love always - Shona

06.06.2011 – Paris

Finally I saw her….the famous Eifel tower, and she was magic! We went up to the second level, to survey the city in all her splendor. Unfortunately for us, it was raining, but I still had a ‘pinch me moment’ I could not believe I was on the Eifel Tower. We were then whisked off to ‘The Louvre’ and I finally had another moment when I saw the “Mona Lisa’, all little dreams do come true! We had a guided tour to explore the largest museum in the world, if one paused for 2 seconds at each display it is said the you would be in the museum for 2 months! We also admired Notre Dame Cathedral with is beautiful rose window, and no, I did not see the ‘Humpback of Notre Dame’, it was just a fictional figure. L We had a walk along the Concorde of Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe, and that was a wow moment!

Tonight we took a cruise on the river Seine, and again viewed all the famous sights we visited today. We enjoyed an excellent traditional Parisian Bistro dinner, and yes, I ate ‘escargot’, no frog legs though! We also saw the Eifel Tower glitter up at 10pm, and that was beautiful to see. The evening ended and not without a sad thought of Princess Diana as we drove through that fateful tunnel. We said goodbye to a few of our tour group family as some were staying on in Paris. Overall, I need to come back to Paris one day, as I have not even felt her heartbeat, she is probably one of the most elegant and beautiful cities throughout this whole tour.

Tomorrow is our last day, as we travel up to London, we have travelled over 9140kms in 34 days, that does not include the Greek Isle miles. Thank you all for following my story, my dreams of a lifetime come true…..back to normal in a couple days.