This time round, cheap airfare brought us to Munich. When we had decided in having Europe as our year end trip and started to look out for fare deals by Singapore Airlines, we found one to Munich.
Mid November to December is usually the blackout period (school holiday and festive month) for any promotions, so S$1,100 / passenger was a very, very good fare.
We would usually visit maximum 2 countries in a trip and as I would want very much to visit our friend & her daughter in Paris, soon after purchasing our SG-Munich-SG tickets, we bought Munich-Paris-Munich ones as well. And I was looking forward to it!
This was our “welcome gift” from our friend about 10 mins before our plane took off from Singapore.
Landed at Munich airport at 6.30am on 2 Dec. As we were making our own flight connections, we gave ample time for immigration checks and baggage collection. It was a very smooth process so we had a lot of time for a light breakfast before checking in for the next flight. In the background, it was a small scale Christmas market set up between the 2 terminals.
As we arrived at CDG airport at 11.30am, we were able to take the express RER B train from the airport to Châtelet – Les Halles. It was a very pleasant ride as we were on an almost empty train (total 4 passengers including us in our carriage) so had no problem at all with our luggage which consisted of 2 big + 1 small.
Took only about 30 mins from CDG to our hotel at Châtelet – Les Halles.
Stayed at Novotel Les Halles for its good location (which we came to really appreciate in the later part of our stay) and their service was superb as well.
We had a smooth early check-in which gave us some time to roam about before heading to our afternoon tea which we reserved for 3pm.
So good to be back to the City of Love after 13 years
Finally I got to visit my favourite tea brand which I fell in love with since 6 years ago.
Mariage Frères Marais 30 rue du Bourg-Tibourg 75004 Paris
I had the Afternoon Tea Parisien and he had the Le Burger Parisien
I chose the Christmas Tea – Noel In Love (blue tea). Earl Grey Provence for him.
Choosing a dessert from the Patisserie Chariot
Tea shopping
Our loot!
After our afternoon tea, we had a walk around Le Marais which included some more shopping and a coffee break.
Boot Café
There was a very small Christmas market next to the hotel, at Forum Des Halles. Had our first mulled wine for the trip.
Had an early night since we only caught about 6 hours sleep in total for the past 40 hours.
Till now this is still my favourite afternoon tea venue. Love the tranquility while enjoying those sweets, paired with the sparkling. This time round was much better than the last 2 visits as there were no crows trying to befriend us and no rain. It just felt so relaxed to be enjoying the Swan River view and basking in the late afternoon sun at about 10°C.
Gordon Street Garage West Perth
The Tenth State Crawley
Bread in Common Fremantle
Beetroots behind where we were sitting
Hush Specialty Coffee Fremantle
This was so good that we bought 2 to bring home, or maybe because it was our last day in Perth (in fact 3rd last stop before our flight)
Asked mom if she wanted a banquet for her 80th birthday or a family holiday, without any hesitation she chose the latter.
Off we went in Aug (her birthday month). Niece could not join as it was still school term.
We had a free upgrade to a bigger car without us asking for it. So blessed! Good thing it was a bigger car as we had some problems stuffing all baggages in even with a larger boot size.
For the both of us, we prefer to take red eye flights as we would have a full day upon arrival. But with an 80 year-old, we chose a morning flight and reached Perth at about 1pm.
We did not do much during the 5D4N. Just walking around a bit, visited some cafés and a bit shopping… mainly some elderly-friendly activities.
Our home for the next 5 days
It was past 2pm by the time we collected our car, so went for late lunch first before checking in.
After settling in at the house, we made a trip to the nearby supermarket to get our next 5 days’ supplies.
Had dinner at one of our favourite restaurants (because of its beers), Little Creatures Brewing and ended the night earlier.
Had a minor accident that night when Sis was boiling drinking water for all of us. She scalded her foot when pouring the boiling water as the kettle was not closed properly.
For those few moments, we wished we did not stay in a big house as we had to run up and down to get first aids items (initially we did not know her scalds were quite serious).
3 day old wound 😨 The other 2 were smaller ones
Day 2
Had breakfast at a café and thereafter a stroll in Kings Park.
We made a doctor appointment for Sis to treat her wounds after breakfast. I found a clinic that was near the next destination. I wanted to visit a curated grocer.
Sis was tough, she walked as normal for the next 5 days. Glad that our activities were very lax, suited the senior citizen and the injured lady well.
Arrived at the restaurant for lunch
Walked around before lunch. Nice view of Swanbourne beach
Walked around before lunch
Mom was excited over the wild rosemary along the way
The Shorehouse
A pre-lunch bubbly
We were not hungry so ordered small dishes and sides to share instead.
