Armed With Style: France

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Most people would hate to admit it. But c’mon you cannot deny that at least once in your life, you dreamt of becoming a princess of a royal kingdom.

It’s not your fault though. As kids, we were all exposed to Walt Disney’s world– where all dreams can come true, all girls can become princesses. If your parents aren’t Walt Disney’s fans then maybe Anne Hathaway of Princess Diaries made you dream to become a princess. There’s no shame on it! (aminin na! hihi)

If there’s one place where all these childhood dreams can come true, it’s in this place. And, if there’s one place where the idea of splendor, luxury, grandeur and glamour was first revealed, it’s in this place.

But of course, it's Marie Antoinette's Palace in Versailles, France!

It was a long train ride going to Marie Antoinette's Palace from the Paris center.

History tells us that the palace has been called as the"symbol of absolute monarchy in Ancient Regime". So dapat talaga kasama sa itinerary ha, hindi pwede mamiss!

But really is there something more to this place than its overly exposed grandeur?

Let the pictures do the talking...

Kamusta naman yun? Hiyang hiya naman tayong lahat sa palasyo niya.

Bongga-sity!

Trivia: They spent approx. $2 billion dollars to build the palace!

Ganun? hindi na nakita yung view?

Pa-excuse sandali. Hindi mga puno ang pinunta ko! haha

Kidding! These are my loves. (L-R Jessie, Lennor, Iya, Mai, Marby, Erika, Yours truly, Karin)

Sorry ha hindi ko naprepare goddess outfit ko, sa susunod na lang! Emote na lang muna

Hindi kasi sila mahilig sa gold so pagpasensyahan niyo na. :|

Pagawa ko kaya to sa kwarto ko? Baka maloka na yung pintor, hindi pa rin tapos

The world-famous, Hall of Mirrors.

I felt like I was in the movies. @-)

Trivia: The chandeliers are holding 1,000 candles!

The Queen's room, where she had to give birth in public.

Yikes! I think nakakahiya yun. I think lang naman.

On to the sidenote or highlight (depende na lang kung anong pakay mo sa pagpunta mo dun)

"Every princess needs a prince" - sabi nila not me. haha

Spotted!

Dapat pala nag-iwan ako ng sapatos para diba Cinderella ang peg? Watcha think?

Ambisyosa!

Hindi naman ako nagprepare ng outfit. Talagang nag-match lang yung necklace sa environment. haha

blazer: Plain and Prints, top: Greenhills, necklace: The Bling Project, skirt: Forever21, flats:SM Parisian

Going back to my question, "But really is there something more to this place than its overly exposed grandeur?"

Many would have said "Ay kung ganyan ang bahay ko, hindi na ako lalabas, nandito na ang lahat". (sure ka? final answer? "guard, bawal na lumabas ang prinsesa!")

But seriously, do you think you can find everything that you need in here?

What happens if the parties have ended. What happens if the guards and housekeepers have all gone home.

Would this place, with all its grandeur and splendor, still make you happy even if you're all alone?

Just something to think about.

"I have seen all, I have heard all, I have forgotten all".
Marie Antoinette

XX,

Jess

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Place d'Armes
78000 Versailles, France01 30 83 78 89

Train: Versailles - Rive Gauche

Monday, September 12, 2011

How do I even start?

Well, the 12th of August was our scheduled flight from Manila-Abu Dhabi then Abu-Dhabi-Paris.

Etihad Airways was our airline company of choice. It wasn't really our choice but yea it was the travel agent's. I'm just glad she chose Etihad. Yea I know, "Etihad" sounds a little scary but believe it or not, I had a great flying experience!

We were just part of the Coral Economy Class but the service was superb! The food was good as well. Once you're seated, the flight attendants will give you the menu for the day and during the course of the flight you would choose the main course that you want from the list. Normally, there are three sets of food to choose from. I remembered ordering the Chicken Adobo with a potato side dish. It didn't taste like the authentic Filipino Adobo dish but it was good enough. It tastes sweeter than the normal Adobo served at home.

The other food options are just too exotic for my taste I guess. Let's just say I wasn't ready for a curry and spicy food overload

But the best feature of the plane, I have to say, was the E-BOX!

Omygash. I can't even put into words how amazing it is. :)) Basically it's a like a small TV but you can do loads of activities! You can watch a movie, listen to music, play games, look into the destination map (how many more hours to go), etc...

Oh by the way, my main purpose of traveling all the way to Europe is to participate in the World Youth Day 2011! Will tell you more about the event once I'm at the Spain part of my blogging experience. (France and Italy are just side trips)

End of blabbering here. Time for photos!

In the plane with my friend Erika. She's my buddy during the entire trip! She's one heck of savior. haha

Already in Paris!

We took the train from the airport to the hotel. It was such a hassle. My suggestion: If your hotel is not too far from the airport, take a cab instead. It would really be expensive but it will be worth it especially if you're carrying loads of luggages and what not.

Heiress-like packers out there -- taking the tram will kill you. Take a cab instead. Just prepare your money. Your cab fare would approx be 20-30 euros max.

However, if you're the adventurous type, go ahead take the tram! Just make sure which stops to go down. Their tram/metro/subway lines are way too complicated so make sure you study them before leaving your country.