Le Crazy Horse

& a bottle of Chanoine Tsarine.
We saw their new show and it was so delightful. Much better than Moulin Rouge. And on the same level with the Las Vegas show.
In fact, although they do claim to have a brand new show, there were several numbers borrowed from LV. I don't know if these were old dance pieces that were kept in the new production or Las Vegas imports.

Back in the room

#2? Even I was a bit surprised.

Back in the hotel...

When French say there will be champagne in the drink, they mean it.
In mine, they poured Veuve Clicquot - that is something I never see in America (where Champagne means anything wine-like that sparkles).
At 15 euros a serving, it was the most delicious cocktail that tasted like pear soap. It was really good.
Tyson had a martini, for the same price.

Laduree

We finally did it! Three years later we visited the famed Laduree Tea Salon.
The line for the shop stretched outside.

Inside, the restaurant looks like a Faberge Egg – very ornate and charming.
We had probably the most expensive tea we’d ever have – at 7 euros a silver pot Earl Grey and Fruit Teas were delicious.
On the side – traditional and ever so delicious French macaroons (not to be confused with the coconut macaroons).
Flavors tried: Chocolate, Vanilla, Raspberry and Lemon.

Overall mark: HIGH.

Paris

It’s a shame to sleep in in Paris, unless you do it in such a hotel.
These beds are sooooo comfy!
We had breakfast and took a nap and at 3pm were ready for our walk.
It is Sunday, so most non-tourist shops were closed.
We walked for hours. It was beautiful.


Morning view:


Paris:

Renaissance Arc de Triomphe Paris

This hotel is a category 8 Marriott – there are only 13 in the world (4 in the US, 3 in Paris, 4 in UK and 2 in Italy).

Opened just six months ago in May 2009, it was designed by Moroccan-born French architect Christian de Portzamparc, who also created the Societe Generale building in La Defense.
The hotel is located on the Wagram avenue, two blocks from Arc de Triomphe, and is simply magnificient.
Our room was upgraded to the Prestige Room and upon arrival, a bottle of champagne, Piper-Heidsieck Brut, was waiting for us in a champagne bucket.
What a tremendous end to a stressful 9-hour drive.


The Hotel.


Renaissance & The Arc.
--What happened to all the tanks?--

The room:




The bathroom:



Le bar:


Piper-Heidsieck Brut:


The Window:


The Day View:

The Drive

Tyson tried to tell me, but I just wouldn’t listen...
Yes, he did mention a while back that the drive would be long, but I think it just didn’t register in my mind.

The drive had everything you can think of.
Bad weather? Check. It rained and drizzled along the way.
Icy roads? Check. For a while we kept watching the thermometer dancing around 32F (0C). The roads were wet the entire way and, as I mentioned before, the car has no snow tires. It was intense and stressful. Luckily, ice never formed.
Construction? Check. There were miles and miles of construction and reduced speeds and narrow lanes.
Fog? Check. And the fog lamps just wouldn’t turn on!

The speed limit is 130 km (80mph) in France and the highways are not free. Driving from the German/French border to Paris cost us around 30 euros.

We finally got into town at 2am. Exhausted, Tyson quickly woke up when he got to Champs-Elysees. The traffic wasnt dreadful. It was simply...a pandemonium. French are in love with traffic circles. They are very convenient, yes; only it takes time to figure out the system which governs the driving.
There were buses that did 4 lane changes, cars that stopped right in the middle blocking traffic, and crazy motorcycle drivers that shot around cars like there was no tomorrow. There were even bicyclists.
What is interesting is that there was very little honking, no accidents, and no traffic lights – somehow it just worked.

French drivers are better than American. More skilled, I should say. I think it has to do with manual transmission that keeps a driver alert. Tyson is trying to convert me to become a “real” driver.


I guess we ain't in Kansas anymore.
120 mph ;)


Traffic.


Paris Tunnel


Oh...Champs-Elysees...
We will never again pan the French cab drivers.

Dachau??

We started driving towards Dachau. Well, because of such a late start, we ideally only had 15 minutes for the entire visit. Alas, with traffic and weaving through the tiny streets of German towns, it took even longer than expected and we arrived in Dachau 20 minutes after the memorial closed.
Tyson was disappointed that he didn’t get to see the infamous gates and I – slightly shocked: it was half past five and ahead of us was a 500 mile drive to Paris.


Slightly annoyed Tyson at the Memory Lane.

BMW Welt II

We woke up later than planned – beauty sleep was in order!

First stop of the day was the renovated BMW museum. We have visited the museum while it was under construction in 2006. Back then it had only two or three rooms.

Today it is an attraction that can take several hours to complete.



Tyson next to the clay model of 1er.


Mef next to one of the most prized antique automobiles.




BMW concept car with "skin",


The lounge.

After the museum, Tyson suggested that we go back to the lounge.
No questions were asked as we walked in – I don’t know if this is German way or the BMW Welt way.
We enjoyed a nice quick lunch and headed back to the hotel.

Tejano

Los what?

How come Texas didn't get any?

München at night

I/we hate this weather. It's cold (~32 F) and rains all day long.
Where is sunshine? And warm winds?
The only cold thing that should be allowed is beer.

You miss Texas the most when...

If it’s Friday, it must be Salzburg.

It was a late morning and a gloomy day.

We had a lazy breakfast and then drove to see Eagles Nest. In Austria.
How awesome is that?
As we were getting closer to our point of destination up in the mountains, the temperature dropped to the freezing point. Going forward was too dangerous: wet roads and summer tires don’t mix well.

So I said:
Honey, let's go to Salzbug

Back in 2006 we tried to get Mozart Ice Cream at one cafe, but running out of time, we had to rush to the airport. So this time we decided to go on a wild goose chase and visit this cute town.
Honey, let’s go to Salzburg for icecream.

Neither of us had any idea of the name or location of the place, so we ended up walking up and down the streets saying “I think it was here, I think it’s just around the corner.”

We didn’t find it, but the stop was enjoyable.

Roasted chestnuts are sold on many corners and make a nice snack in the cold weather.

A wonderful shop that sells wines and liquors and vinegars from barrels. We bought some oak-barreled red wine made from a traditional Austrian grape.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

bmw welt

Alarm is set to 5:30 but we awake at 5:23.

It’s freezing and dark outside.

We have a quick breakfast and hurry to the Olympiaturm subway stop.

“You are here for the European Delivery, sire? Let me escort you to the Premium Lounge.”

Thus we were greeted at 7:50 when we stepped inside the BMW Welt.

The card that has your name on it:

We checked in and went over car documents

then

We had an interactive virtual tour of the car and a computer test drive

that allowed us to see some car options in action (“the blind nanny” DTC).

it was the only time Tyson would let me touch his car, haha.

then...

the actual delivery!

There it was, brand spanking new, with a light shining on it.

Seeing it from the second story, walking down the stairs to it...it was a Leo&Kate moment.

After taking a few pictures, Tyson got behind the wheel and did a victory lap around the area and then down the belt into the street.

We dropped the car with a valet and went to the lounge.

The atmosphere in the lounge was so laid back. Food choices were very impressive. And so was the view.

We spend an hour relaxing and then went on to take a factory tour.

Afterwards – a celebratory dinner at our favorite Do&Co.

Tyson had fish&chips and I – white tomato soup and wasabi tuna.

Then...the first drive. Not the most enjoyable – we had to fight rush hour traffic and crowds of people. Grrrr!! I don’t know how we would have done it without the Navigation system.