Landed

Sorry about the delays in posting, had issues getting internet access.

The flight into Paris from Dubai was non eventful other than the last 20 minutes, when the attempt at landing was aborted due to the turbulence and severe wind shear conditions. Flying during daylight hours over Iraq, Turkey and then finally over the Dolomites plus Innsbruck showed how extreme the geography and geology of the globe is in a six hour demonstration.

After how lavish and clean Dubai airport is, Paris CDG is a shock. Old and run down… Finally get my bike from the oversized luggage counter; delayed by the large Japanese contingent over to ride Paris Brest Paris arriving just before me. My bike survived intact from what I could see so was much relieved!

As my hotel only had a receptionist after 5pm and it was only 3pm, I firstly found a Tabac selling a local SIM card and then a café in the airport. There I had a coffee (very average) and a chocolate muffin (okay) to while away some time. The free hotel bus service was fine once it arrived and I took the right lift – 2 areas on level 5 accessed from either end of the Gare building and I naturally had to take the wrong one first (you want to take the Nord lift) and was soon at my hotel.

The ETAP hotel at Paris Nord 2 is situated between the end of one runway and a freeway; perhaps because my top floor room faced away from the freeway or due to the double glazing the noise was minimal. Even with window fully open letting the warm summer breeze waft in the noise was barely noticeable. The hotel itself rates highly due to the convenience and price; 51 Euro for a small but modern room. The hallway had a strong chemical smell which was disconcerting but thankfully wasn’t in the room.

Room

After a long hot shower I went for a walk in the surrounding streets enjoying the sun and to stretch the legs, then via the only restaurant servicing the half dozen hotels. But as I couldn’t understand any of the menu and being fed constantly on the plane (including extra rolls and snacks from the older couple from Port Macquarie in the seats next to me) I ended up with a chocolate bar from the vending machine in the hotel lobby for dinner.

Even though I was exhausted from the long flight and the different time zones I was able to stay up till 10:20pm (6:20am back in Australia). All too soon the alarm goes off at 5:20am and a new day begins. Next stop Bourg D’Oisans.