The conference that I am attending started on 20th July, but, I optioned to reach Paris on the 18th. I arrived safely at CGD airport by Singapore Airlines. It was early in the morning at 7:30 am. Surprisingly, the queue for immigration that morning was incredibly long. It took me more than an hour to pass through the immigration, then pick up my luggage.
My adventure starts...
I haven't decided whether I should take a cab or bus, or train to the hotel. I checked out the bus, and it seems to be easy to find the bus stop. It's called Roissy bus (door 32 in terminal 1), which will take me to Opera (at the intersection of Rue Auber and Rue Scribe). I guess "Rue" means street. I thought that I could find a counter to get a ticket, but, I couldn't find one. So, I walked away, and tried to allocate the ticket counter. I couldn't see any. I saw "taxi" sign, and I thought maybe I should take a cab. But..., I made my mind to go back to the bus stop. I bought a ticket from the ticket machine. I managed to get a receipt from that machine! I shouldn't have walked away, haha... Yes, we need receipt to be able to claim for transport. Below is the picture of door 32. So, as soon as you exit from the door, you need to cross the road. I took the picture from the bus stop. One way to Opera cost 11 Euro.
The good thing about this bus is, there is a free wifi on the bus. Even though I have managed to buy a data sim card before I reach Paris, of course free wifi is always good to save my data plan. I bought the sim card from www.lefrenchmobile.com . It costs me 19 euro for 1 GB data plan (valid for a month), and I paid total of 22.19 euro with shipping. If you plan to travel to Europe, you should get this card. They have few options to choose from. The one I bought can only be used in France. But there are sim card that can be used in France, Belgium, etc. Of course, it will cost slightly more.
The bus ride took less than an hour. Then, I walked to Le Grand Hotel De Normandie. It took me 10 minutes to walk to the hotel. I have looked through google map before I depart how to walk to the hotel. And, I did not have any difficulty to find my way. The hotel is a small one, but the location is awesome. I have done a lot of research regarding where to stay in Paris, and eventually I decided to stay in this hotel. It's located in front of a metro and train station, called Gare Saint Lazare. The place is quite safe, as what people have said. My experienced there was also fine. Just that few times from my room, I could see some people shouting. But, I think as long as we don't go near them, we should be fine.
Of course it was too early for me to check in to the hotel, so I just dropped my luggage, and planned to walk around. At first I wanted to go to La Valee Village outlet. So, I went to the station to get ticket. I was at the ticket machine, and looked confused, then a lady approached me. She helped me how to buy the ticket. She then left, and stood at the corner, near another ticket machine. I did not feel safe to open my bag and pay for the ticket. So, I walked away. I think I made a good choice not to purchase the ticket that time. The next day I read a blog, in which people give advice to be careful and not to listen to anybody who was trying to help in getting a train ticket in any metro station in Paris.
I walked to the information centre, but, unfortunately the officer cannot speak English. So, I left the station. Honestly, I don't feel good being around the metro station. The place is a bit dark. I quickly went upstairs. There is a shopping mall at the Gare Saint Lazare. As I walked up, I found out a train station at the upper level. The place is crowded, and I feel safer there. The upper level is for intercity train, such as Versailles, etc. But, there is a counter where I could get either metro ticket or train ticket. I bought a package of 10 tickets (a carnet). One costs 1.81 euro, however if you buy 10, it costs 14.1 euro. I found this to be better deal than day pass, especially if you only take maximum of 2-3 trips a day. One ticket will let you travel within zone 1-2 in Paris (despite on short or long distance, as long as it's still within zone 1 and 2, one ticket will be sufficient). The outlet is located outside zone 1 and 2, so, it cost more. But, I changed my plan, since I was very tired after a long flight.
So, I just walked around the area to get familiar with the surrounding. The hotel is very near to Galleries Lafayette and Printemps shopping malls. I couldn't find anything that I could eat. There are all either cold sandwiches or pizza. Then i saw an asian store at the basement of galeries lafayette. I bought this noodle for my lunch.
I went back to the hotel by hoping that my room is ready. It was 1:40 pm, unfortunately the room was not ready at that time. Since i was very exhausted, i sat at the lobby to wait. Finally, i got my room when the clock hit almost 3 pm. Yes, the check in time is at 3 pm. The receptionist was nice to offer me coffee. But unfortunately, i don't drink coffee. He told me that he gave me a nice room with a view. Below is the view from my hotel room.
I finally had my lunch around 3 pm. Luckily, I have ABC chili sauce. Otherwise, I don't think I could finish the noodle. It doesn't taste good. Oh well, what to expect a chinese food in Paris. My bad....
I didn't go out anymore after that, but I went to bed early. So, that's all for my arrival day in Paris.
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