Mont Saint Michel

Today GB and I got on a bus to travel a round trip of 9 hours to reach the border of Normandy and Brittany. The day started with us being told off by a stern french lady at the tour guide office for being late and the gentleman running the tour. GB seems slightly amused to be roused on in French. I just feel roused on.

Between the river and the sea that borders the two regions (Normandy and Brittany) was a pyramid of rock, upon this rock "they" built an amazing Abbey/Monastery and later a small village. On the top spire, which stands over 80 metres off the ground is the Archangel Michael. It was one of the places that pilgrims risked their lives to reach, to guarantee their place in paradise. To my surprise, the lady narrating the tour advised that one of the dangers in getting to this place on foot was quick sand. I really didn't expect it to be there. I thought that stuff only existed in exotic jungle locations.

It wasn't surprising that our tour group was made up of Japanese, Americans and Australians. And it wasn't surprising that everyone lived up to their stereotype. The Americans were annoying and complained about everything, the Japanese were quiet, polite and took endless video and photos. The other Australians on the trip turned out to be slightly annoying also. But spending 14 hours with strangers can often lead to one being very much in need of some alone time.

We had lunch at a hotel restaurant about 1km away from the base of the "Mont". It was quite surreal dining with such an awe inspiring and impressive backdrop. Normandy is famous for cheese and for cider, a very happy combination. This was served for lunch, both GB and I seemed to be the only enthusiastic consumers of the refreshment provided.

The tour lasted about 2 hours where we wandered through the different levels of the Abbey and were told of the history behind it all. I am really glad that we ended up doing a guided tour for this one. I think the learning in-depth history while we were there made it even more special, to know that it was used as a Bastille (gaol) for over a century around the time of the French Revolution. Also that different levels of the Abbey were for different classes of people. The clergy and noble class being able to occupy the higher levels and the pilgrims and working class civilians relegated to the dark chambers below.

GB and I got to touch stone walls that were erected before even the bloody Poms were sent to our shore. Something that I am sure all Australians find overwhelming when traveling is the immense history of places in Europe. The little village is namely made up of tourist shops and restaurants. There are 100 permanent inhabitants of the village. It is very quaint and they would make a pretty darn good living on the folk who come to visit this centuries old magnificent wonder and then spend $ for all the little trinkets to remember their trip by. It was also the first time I had to pay to use the toilet. 40 euro cents!! GB discovered Croque Monsieur and has now vowed to eat one every day we remain in Paris.

I even got to touch the North Atlantic Ocean.

Today was just amazing.

For now we are sitting in our hotel room, updating our photos, drinking wine from plastic tumblers and eating the left over strawberries from our picnic yesterday. It feels so very indulgent. Paris has won our hearts. I think both of us would consider moving here for a year or two.