Mark did come in and steal a breakfast in the morning, and we were joined by Candace too. The three of us agreed to head out to see the palace at Versailles. First though, Mark and I have to go and move our car. We find a parking house a reasonable distance from the hostel, drop the car off and forget it.
The train ride to Versailles is about half an hour long, but it takes you to just a couple of blocks from the palace.

Versailles is gorgeous. Even from a distance the first view of it is impressive. Entry isn’t too expensive, and you get free audio guides to take you through each of the rooms. The guides talk about the grandeur of the palace, the meaning behind art works and tells day-in-the-life-of stories about the Louis’ and Ladies who lived there. I particularly enjoyed the Royal Chapel, the Herculean Ceiling, the Hall of Mirrors (the signing of the peace treaty ending World War I was signed here!) and the art work in general. What the audio guides don’t talk too much about is the means for the opulence of the kings and the stories behind why the people revolted, though it doesn’t take a Bachelor of Arts to look around and connect the dots for yourself.
The gardens that start at the rear of the main palace are simply huge. They span as far as you can see from the balcony of the palace (which is on a hill) and there are a couple “small” holiday palaces (seriously!) and a Queen’s retreat house/palace made for Marie-Antoinette.
Even around the gardens there are more beautiful works of art. Most of them were to do with mythological deities and I wish I could have heard the stories behind them all.
We left before we got to see too much of the gardens, or hire a boat to paddle around in, and we caught the train back into Paris to kick off an evening bike tour.

A bike tour is a great way to see Paris. I attested to this last year when I took the daytime tour, and it’s just as good, if not better, by night.
If nothing else, there are many beautiful things to see in Paris. The day and night tours don’t cover much of the same ground so you do get to see a decent spread. And on top of that you get to meet decent people as well. We met sisters from Texas, a family from Atlanta, a Finish bloke called “Per” who was living in and offered us accommodation in Florence, and a few Aussies whose accents were refreshingly welcome.
The evening bike tour (with Fat Tire – yay for a free plug) includes a boat cruise along the Seine, with lots of free wine. This, dear blog, is a marvellous way to enjoy Paris. Along parts of our ride we’d seen Parisians decked out along the roadside, or along a certain bridge, with food galore, more than enough wine, and a free and happy spirit. They sit and sing, talk and laugh and the atmosphere is great. It was great for us then to jump on a boat, sample the wine and enjoy the company of people we’d just met. Or had spent the day with and were coming to know, as was the case with Candace and I. We got close, and were able to appreciate the scenery (there are two Statues of Liberty you know) in the company of each other if none other.
Everyone finished their drinks and took their photos and we disembarked to ride (yes, free alcohol and ride yourself back please) to our destination.

The leader of the tour (a certain Nick from America) took a fancy to a few of us and invited us for drinks under the Eiffel Tower after the tour. Of course Mark and Candace and I willingly accepted, and bought ourselves what would count for dinner and some French bottles to share on our way to this monument of art and romance.
There is an almost magical vibe about the parks around the Eiffel Tower. We’d all been there before, but this time, in different company perhaps, we laughed and chatted and enjoyed our time together. Mark and Per went off to play soccer with some others nearby, around 1am. Candace leaned over on my shoulder as we gazed at the glittering tower. “I’m sorry, but I can’t give you more.” I tell her.
“That’s ok, this is perfect” she answers.

After a fly’s flitter we (Mark and Candace and I) rose and bade farewell to our newfound friends to return to our hostel before the 2am curfew. Really, 2am is only lightly enforced and the receptionist on duty was still up so we three resolved to crack and enjoy the last bottle of wine we’d bought for the evening.
Still the receptionist isn’t finished with chatting up other hostelees, so Candace and I make a break for an ATM to get some cash out. Together. Alone. After … well a few bottles of wine.
Nearly, we nearly get ourselves (OK, just me) in bad territory, but we don’t. I’m taken with how easy we can turn on and off (especially off) the romance, and still be so cool and fun together. I bid her goodnight with “Candace Cross, you rock”.