Mini Travel Log: Paris (Catacombs), France

This is my first outing with my brand new camera, Sony A6300. A huge downgrade for me from Canon 5D Mk2 full frame DSLR to mirrorless camera. But I do think the time is ripe now to transition to mirrorless cameras. Although I did lose some dynamic range in my pictures, the gain from being able to travel light weight and shoot movie in 4K is more than enough to compensate this slight setback.

While Paris is known as the romantic city on the surface, there is a dark side of it that lies underground. This trip, I took a detour to visit the dark side which is the Catacombs. Under Paris, there are actually various networks of abandoned mines and tunnels. Starting from year 1738, bones were transferred from overflowing cemeteries to these underground tunnels. Soon over time, it grew to house almost 6 million bodies of former inhabitants of this city. The city above Paris now has 12 million people. This shows the enormous amount of bones and skeletons stored underground.

Do take note visit to the Catacombs is not recommended for children or people with faint heart. It leaves a huge impression seeing bones and skulls stacked to the brim under creepy and dark environment. There is also no wheelchair access and the only way down is through hundreds of steps. Entrance to the Catacombs is located at Denfert-Rochereau. This place actually attracts many visitors so if you arrive here and see a queue that formed a circle around the roundabout, then be prepared to queue at least 2-3 hours. You are advised to come here and queue before it opens at 10am. Take note it is closed every Mondays.

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Related link: Mini Travel Log: Paris, France (1)

Mini Travel Log: Paris, France

* Last entry for the year 2015. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Undeterred by the gun attacks in Paris, I ventured out to see the Christmas lights and decorations in Paris. It was indeed a rewarding and wonderful experience. With more presence of police, soldiers and more stringent checks, it may cause a bit of inconvenience but I felt much safer and it is necessary at times like this.

I found a place with the best view of Paris during sunset and night. It is at the top of the Arc de Triomphe. Ticket price is at 8 euros per person. Queues can be quite long just before sunset so do arrive at least half an hour to one hour earlier. Currently, the lift is out of order so you have to climb 384 steps to the top. As tripods are not allowed (probably to deny commercial photography and copyright reasons), remember to bring a high ISO and fast camera along or else you will need a very steady pair of hands to take the impossible night shots.

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Paris: The City of Romance

City of Romance? Or a city of funny weather? Heatwave during summer is a thing of past. Mini winter in summer is the current trend. It had been cloudy for the past weeks. When it drizzles and the wind howls, temperature easily dips below 15 deg celcius. At times, it can be very chilly. I had to wear jacket during daytime in the middle of summer season. The weather changes very quickly too. In few moments, the sky clears up to reveal the sun and blue sky, but another wall of clouds move in quickly to cover up the whole sky again.

I have to give it up to the French to be able to sell Paris as the most popular honeymoon destination on earth. Every single love birds, couples and newlyweds would die for a honeymoon here at least once in their lifetime. But what are the essences that make Paris as the City of Romance? Many people will just say it's the Eiffel Tower, the charming French guys; or all those passionate kissing scenes in Paris that the TV and media show to the audiences. Having spent a lovely honeymoon here with my wife, I'd say people have got it all wrong. It isn't the Eiffel Tower, nor kissing everywhere in Paris that makes it romantic. You can create a City of Romance in any other parts of the world, not just Paris. It is about the things you do and quality time you spend together doing it - that matters. So you and your lover could have a romantic boat dinner. While passing by the Eiffel Tower, you'll just grab her by the waist and then swoop down for a passionate kiss under the beautiful lights of Paris and the Eiffel. Now that's what I call City of Romance. =D
(Disclaimer: I shall not be held liable if it backfires and you get a slap in return. hehe)

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