hwanch

2008.12.20

Impressions
My flight back from Nice was quite an ordeal. The actual flights themselves were good. It’s everything else that sucked.  My flight from Nice to London was delayed and we landed a hour twenty minutes late. I’m ok with a little delay, but not when that cuts into my flight connection time.  Objective: Go from Terminal 1 to Terminal 5 to catch my flight in less than 30 minutes. I literally ran with my carry-ons through terminals and escalators, caught a bus to get to the right terminal, and caught a train to get to the proper gate.  All of this just to make my connecting flight. I never thought I could cover so much ground in so little time. I guess i looked really bad when I got there because someone asked if I was OK since I was sweating like a pig.

Luckily I caught the flight, but I don’t think British Airways thought I would.  While I was seated, the flight attendant asked to see my ticket and said, “Oh, you made it…”  I guess that should have warned me because when I got to JFK, they didn’t have my suitcase.  Nope.  It’s still in London at Terminal 5.  The joys of traveling.

What I Did
Car to Nice airport
Return car rental (bye bye Mercedes E220)
Fly out to London
Sprint to catch connecting flight to New York
Land in JFK and see my girlfriend ^_^

2008.12.19

Impressions
My last night here.  I went out with my coworker to Nice to drop him off at his airport-hotel and grab some dinner there.  We got pizza at the first restaurant I ate at in Nice. I have to say this was one of the best meals here.  I think I’m getting sick of eating the same type of food.  Oh, and leaving tomorrow probably makes everything taste better. I get to leave tomorrow to go home.  And I get to see my gf after 3 long weeks.

What I Did
Car to Sophia Antipolis office for work
Car to Centre Commercial CAP 3000 (shopping center) in Saint-Laurent-du-Var
Car to Novatel hotel in Nice to drop off cowowrker
Cab to city center for dinner at La Pizza (Italian food)
Cab to Novetel hotel to pick up car
Car back to La Bastide de Valbonne

2008.12.17-18

Impressions
So this week, I’ve been taking it easy because I’m extremely tired from this trip. Being away from home for 3 weeks is really killing me. Anyhow, no more going out and exploring since I’ve pretty much done all that I can in the area. I just want to go home.

What I Did
Day 1
Car to Sophia Antipolis office for work
Car to La Bastide de Valbonne
Car to Grand Mercure Sophia Country Club (French cuisine) for dinner
Car back to La Bastide de Valbonne
Day 2
Car to Sophia Antipolis office for work
Car to La Bastide de Valbonne
Car to Grand Mercure Sophia Country Club (French cuisine) for dinner
Car back to La Bastide de Valbonne

2008.12.16

Impressions
Today was the first day of my business training so back to work as normal.  I met some of the guys from our London and NY office, and I found out from them that they are staying at a nice, modern hotel, not the quiet inn I’m staying at.  I didn’t even know such hotels existed in this area.  The best part- they actually have a restaurant and bar at the hotel. I’m surprised such a “modern” hotel exist in this area. I thought only quaint and homey hotels were in this area.  You learn something new everyday.

What I Did
Car to Sophia Antipolis office for work
Car to La Bastide de Valbonne
Car to Grand Mercure Sophia Country Club (French cuisine) for dinner
Car back to La Bastide de Valbonne

2008.12.15

Impressions
My last day in Paris. There really wasn’t much to do today since I got almost everything I wanted to do in.  The only thing left was viewing the city from the Tour Montparnasse, but that didn’t work out too well.  There was a thick fog over the city so there is no visibility.  Like I said in my first day in Paris, I have the best luck…

What I Did
Metro to St. Paul area and walk around south towards Port Royal area
Metro to Tour Montparnasse (did not go up due to fog and no visibility)
Late lunch and relax a restaurant next to Tour Montparnasse
Metro to Airport Orly and nap
Fly to Nice and pick up car rental (Mercedes E220)
Car back to La Bastide de Valbonne

2008.12.14

Impressions
Another busy day in Paris. I have to say, I like this city. When they say Paris is the city of love, they weren’t kidding.  It really does feel that way. I’m sure the city’s beauty contributes to that statement, but more than that, I see couples all over the place through out the city, kissing at every other corner.  And this is in winter. It’s not even spring. I really wish I was here with my gf instead of by myself….

On a different note, my site seeing spot in Paris is the Sacré Coeur. The cathedral itself is magnificent, even more so than Notre Dame. On top of that, you get a great view of the city from there.

What I Did
Metro to Musée du Louvre
Quick lunch at Museum Cafeteria (Cafeteria food)
Metro to Eiffel Tower
Metro to Arc de Triomphe
Metro and walk to Sacré Coeur
Walk around area to Moulin Rouge
Walk through Paris towards Hotel de l’Exposition, exploring and eating various food

2008.12.13

Impressions
I landed in Paris today and did quite a bit of the site seeing stuff.  The only bad thing?  It’s raining, and it looks like it’ll rain the whole weekend.  I have the best luck.  I end up in Paris when it’s freezing cold and raining/hailing.  Well I’ll just have to make the best of it.  I’ll admit, I’m tired from all the walking but I’m happy about it.  At least there are tons of people around and I can actually walk somewhere.

What I Did
Car to Nice Airport
Quick breakfast at Ouishop (Airport quick stop food)
Plane to Paris
Metro to Hotel de l’Exposition
Metro to Notre Dame area
Walk to Centre Pompidou, Hotel de Villa, Notre Dame
Quick bite at La Rosace (Crepes and Cafe food)
Tour Notre Dame
Walk to Hotel de l’Exposition, exploring along the way
Rest at hotel from cold
Dinner at Le Leonard Cafe (Bar food)
Walk to Rue St Denis area, where they have some night life, exploring and snacking
Walk back to Hotel de l’Exposition

2008.12.12

Impressions
The last night I’m here with the guys from NY. The London guys already left to go back, and the NY guys are leaving tomorrow. We went to Cannes and hung out at a bar in the area. Cannes isn’t the most happening city, but after a few days of boredom being in a rural country area, even this small city seems lively.  At least they have some people walking the streets.

Tomorrow Paris.

What I Did
Car to Sophia Antipolis office for work
Car to Kontraste Restaurant (Bar food) for drinks and food
Car back to La Bastide de Valbonne

2008.12.11

Impressions
We couldn’t go out too far for dinner because we have to take our certification exams tomorrow. We ate at one of the French restaurants within walking distance and came back to prepare for our exams. Oh, and I found out that our hotel is near the border of the towns of Valbonne and Mouans Sartoux since the restaurant is in Mouans Sartoux.

One more day before Paris.

What I Did
Car to Sophia Antipolis office for work
Car to La Bastide de Valbonne
Car to Restaurant Bleu Lavande in the town of Mouans Sartoux (French food)
Car back to La Bastide de Valbonne

2008.12.10

Impressions
So there aren’t too many places left to visit near us, at least not at the evenings after work. Since most of the places around here closes by 7:30 PM, it really puts a damper on one’s social life.  Did I mention I hate it being so empty here?

We stayed near our own town and just ate dinner a this bar/restaurant. I can’t wait for the weekend.  I’m flying out to Paris. It better be more lively there than here, or I’m going to have a very bad impression of France after my trip.

What I Did
Car to Sophia Antipolis office for work
Car to La Bastide de Valbonne
Car to Brasserie-Pizzeria Le Montparnasse (Bar food)
Car back to La Bastide de Valbonne