Here There and Everywhere

Tauck Museum Day and Sail Away

We have a good friend who once grumbled “Here we are on a sea day, paying $1000 a day to sit and read!” He made us laugh, we are heavy into itineraries, and we also appreciate a day to kick back.

Today, once again, Tauck has a full itinerary for us; an early-morning Tauck guest-only visit to the Marmottan, the Monet museum not too far from our ship, then a walking tour of the Montmartre, lunch in Montmartre, and then an afternoon at the Musee’ D’Orsay. It sounds wonderful, and I wave my family off, I’ve done all three before and I am feeling tired and dehydrated – it’s been so hot, and we’ve been on the move. I want a quiet day.

AdventureMan and Q have their own goal to accomplish today, a visit to the Invalides, Napoleon’s tomb and the French Army Museum. They are gamers, and they love to have “feet on the ground” with military history.

They take the train, get there early and make their rounds before the crowds arrive. They are back on the boat by lunch time.

That look in his eye: “I’m taller than you are!”

The passengers return, people settle in on the upper deck, and we sail away!

The sail-away is so much fun. Most of the passengers are all up on the top deck, and the ship first goes toward Paris, toward the statue of Liberty copy and the Eifel Tower, and hangs out for about fifteen minutes, changing positions, so that every family can get their photo taken with the statue and/or the tower in the background.

Mostly we just chill.

It’s a total accident that my grandson has a balloon coming out of his head.

I think this was also the night of the first youth dinner, in the aft restaurant, while the grown-ups ate together in the more formal restaurant. What I found really wonderful was that all the young people who had been so eager to be off and catching up with their new friends during family-style dinners were popping in just to check in, kind of like they were worried we were having too much fun without them!

Another wonderful thing happened. As we sailed down the twisty curvy Seine towards Giverney, the temperatures began dropping. What a wonderful relief!

August 14, 2024 - Posted by intlxpatr | Adventure, Cultural, Customer Service, Family Issues, France, Paris, Restaurant, Travel, Values, Weather | French Army War Museum, Invalides, Ms. Sapphire, Napoleon's Tomb, Quiet day, Tauck River Cruises