Parisian Adventures: A Girls' Trip Vlog - Part 2

Exploring the Museum of Mineralogy

Our next stop was completely unexpected: the Museum of Mineralogy. Sophia, being a geologist, was thrilled; I, admittedly, was more intrigued by the prospect of a quirky Parisian adventure than rocks. The museum itself was housed in a building that felt strangely like a student residence hall – a bit unassuming, to say the least.

We were the only visitors! We paid cash, rang a doorbell, and were granted entry into our own private museum. It was charmingly bizarre. The space was smaller than anticipated, but filled with an impressive collection. Sophia, of course, was in her element, but even I found myself captivated by the sheer variety of specimens on display.

The highlight? Hands down, the opportunity to touch actual moon rocks and rocks from Mars! This was far more engaging than I'd expected. The museum's intimate scale and hands-on experience made it a surprisingly memorable part of our day. It was a perfect example of how sometimes the most unexpected detours lead to the most rewarding discoveries.

Macarons and Eiffel Tower Views

Near the Eiffel Tower, on a charming street called Rue Cler, we stumbled upon a delightful bike shop with an unexpected twist: it sold macarons! We picked up a few, eager to enjoy them with a view.

Finding a spot with a clear view of the Eiffel Tower wasn't hard. We settled in, and the combination of sweet, delicate macarons and the iconic Parisian backdrop was pure magic. Eating macarons by the Eiffel Tower had been on my bucket list, and it was even better than I’d imagined.

A Relaxing Seine River Boat Tour

After a whirlwind morning of museums and macarons, we decided to treat ourselves to a relaxing Seine River boat tour. We'd received a voucher for 40 euros, and a boat trip seemed like the perfect way to wind down and take in the Parisian scenery from a different perspective.

The queue was long, but the boat was huge. We managed to snag a lovely spot outside, choosing the open air over the indoor seating. It was a little chilly, but the fresh air and the stunning views more than made up for it. The boat glided smoothly along the river, offering breathtaking perspectives of iconic landmarks and charming bridges.

One particularly memorable moment was passing under a romantic bridge. Tradition dictates that couples should kiss and make a wish while passing beneath it. We followed suit, of course—making wishes and giggling like schoolgirls. It added a touch of whimsical charm to the already idyllic experience.

Navigating a Metro Strike and Protest

Our Parisian adventure took an unexpected turn. A planned evening dinner was thwarted by a city-wide metro strike and protest. We found ourselves stranded at a random metro station, far from our hotel, with a dwindling phone battery and urgent bathroom needs. The usual Parisian charm was momentarily overshadowed by the sheer inconvenience.

Uber prices skyrocketed due to the high demand. What should have been a short, inexpensive ride became a significantly more expensive undertaking. Still, we managed to secure a ride, albeit at a premium, eventually reaching our hotel, relieved and slightly frazzled. The unexpected delay meant we had to adjust our dinner plans, opting for a conveniently located Korean restaurant instead of our initial choice.

Late Dinner and Unexpected Korean Cuisine

Our meticulously planned Parisian dinner was, shall we say, derailed. A city-wide metro strike, coupled with a protest, left us stranded at a random metro station, miles from our hotel. My phone battery was dwindling, and let's just say our bladders were approaching critical mass. The usually charming Parisian atmosphere was momentarily eclipsed by the sheer inconvenience.

Uber prices, predictably, had skyrocketed. What should have been a short, inexpensive ride transformed into a significantly pricier undertaking. We eventually secured a ride, albeit at a premium, finally reaching our hotel, relieved but slightly frazzled. The unexpected delay meant a last-minute change of plans; our anticipated fine dining experience was swapped for a conveniently located Korean restaurant.

And you know what? It wasn't half bad. We settled into a cozy booth, ordered some udon, and laughed about our day's unexpected twists. It wasn't the romantic, candlelit dinner we’d envisioned, but it was a perfect example of how even the most chaotic detours can lead to surprising and enjoyable experiences. Sometimes, the best stories are the unplanned ones.

Last Day in Paris: Exploring and Saying Goodbye

Our last day dawned bright and sunny, a fitting end to our Parisian escapade. After a final Parisian breakfast of halloumi and avocado toast near Notre Dame – a surprisingly delicious combination – Sophia and I headed to 59 Rivoli, an unexpectedly cool artistic studio and atelier. It was free to enter, and we happened upon it just as it opened; a stroke of luck, considering its unique and vibrant atmosphere.

Our planned garden relaxation was thwarted by a light but persistent rain. Instead, we opted for bubble tea – a surprisingly delightful detour. Soon after, it was time for goodbyes. Saying farewell to Sophia at the airport felt bittersweet, a tinge of sadness mixed with the joy of shared memories. With a heavy heart, but a camera roll bursting with images, I was alone again.

I had an hour to kill before my train. Finding a charming restaurant near the station, I savored a final Parisian meal – pesto pasta – reflecting on our adventures. Despite some unexpected challenges – namely, a city-wide metro strike that left us stranded and searching for an overpriced Uber – Paris exceeded expectations. The kindness of strangers, the beauty of hidden gems, and the sheer unexpectedness of it all: these were the defining elements of our trip. I already find myself looking forward to a return visit.

Overall Impression and Departure: Reflecting on the Trip

Saying goodbye to Sophia at the airport was bittersweet. A wave of sadness washed over me, tinged with the joy of our shared memories. Paris, despite the unexpected hiccups, had far exceeded my expectations.

The kindness of strangers, the discovery of hidden gems like the Museum of Mineralogy, and the sheer unexpectedness of it all – these were the defining elements of our trip. The city's charm, even amidst a metro strike and frantic Uber searches, shone through.

With a heavy heart, but a camera roll bursting with images, I was alone again. An hour to kill before my train. I found a charming restaurant near the station and savored a final Parisian meal – pesto pasta – reflecting on our adventures. Even the unplanned detours, like the Korean dinner, added to the overall experience.

Back in the Netherlands, at Rotterdam Central Station, the vlog ends. But the memories – and the desire for a return trip – linger. Paris, you've cast a spell.

What were some unexpected highlights of the Parisian girls' trip?

Unexpected highlights included a charming, privately-owned Museum of Mineralogy with moon rocks and Martian rocks, discovering a bike shop selling macarons on Rue Cler near the Eiffel Tower, and a surprisingly enjoyable Korean dinner due to an unplanned metro strike.

How did the vloggers handle the unexpected metro strike in Paris?

The city-wide metro strike and protest left them stranded, leading to an expensive Uber ride and a change of dinner plans to a nearby Korean restaurant. Despite the inconvenience, they embraced the unexpected detour and enjoyed the experience.