Day 38 - Nantes - Machines de l'Ile
Wednesday 8th, 2018.
Today I got up at 7:00am. I did not sleep well, mostly because I was worried about sending Sunshine to Bordeaux to see a friend. I did laundry, prepared lunches and got ready to go to the bus station at 10:30am. We left with extra time because the tram doesn't take you directly due to repair work all over the city. So you take one tram, get off in the middle of the tram line, walk a few minutes to take a shuttle that takes you to another stop where you can take another tram. It was crazy but we made it with plenty of time. I'm glad we did because when we were in line to get Sunshine on the bus, the driver said that she needed a parental consent letter. I thought it had to be notarized like in the US but she said we could just write a letter and show it to her!
At first, I was happy and thought that Sunshine was going to have to stay but all was solved and she got on the bus. C'est parti, the French would say. It's done!
After that, Gregory needed a coffee so we decided to go back to Lieu Unique where we had our coffee yesterday. This time we sat inside because it started to rain! Hallelujah! finally some cool air! We had our coffee while Gregory checked for tickets to Paris. We got upset that we couldn't buy the tickets online, which were less than half the rates at the station. It's funny that I can describe this whole morning in one paragraph.
After that, Gregory ventured a different way out of the train station and we found a beautiful park called Jardin des Plantes. We decided to have lunch there and enjoy the pond with different kinds of ducks. Daniel had a blast turning a wheel that would cause metal flowers to grow out of the water. It was very nice and relaxing which it was exactly what I needed so I didn't think about Sunshine alone on the bus!
We walked in the park for an hour and then we finally went to Les Machines de L'ile, which was highly recommended by a friend. The line was long and we kind of hesitated. Gregory for the price and Daniel because he wanted to go home and rest. I reminded them that it had incredible reviews and that we were going to do it. While we stood in line, we read that the elephant ride was sold out for the day! We were very disappointed because it was the only thing Daniel wanted to do. However, the screen showed 1 ticket left for the 6:45 elephant ride. We told Daniel that if it were still available when we got to the ticket window, we would get it for him. First, he said no because he wanted to do it with somebody. Half an hour later, it was still available. It was meant to be!
I have to admit that the Gallery of the Machines wasn't that great. Yes, there were half a dozen animated wood and metal creatures but it was mobbed and only a few people got to ride on the machines. Everyone else just stood there and listened to lengthy explanations (in French). The ticket said that it included a movie, which was an old documentary explaining how the machines were made, and a little bit of hype surrounding their Heron Tree project, slated to open in 2022. The seating for this TV screen was on a few wooden blocks with not enough space for everyone.
After we finished watching the documentary, we went to the gift shop to get Daniel a postcard of a mechanical dragon, which by the way we couldn't see because it's in China. Gregory made an interesting observation, most of the gift shops we have seen in France sell tons of books. There were more books than souvenirs here and you actually see adults and children looking at them!
We had one hour to kill to wait for the elephant ride so we went to the cafe across from the Machines and had a glass of wine, of course. Daniel noted that, for a change, his drink was cheaper than wine (ounce for ounce).
Finally, we walked over to the airline steps for the elephant ride. Daniel went all excited to the top. The ride lasted 30 minutes and Daniel thoroughly enjoyed it -- mission completed! We were all tired and ready to use our tram tickets to go home but Danielito wanted pizza for dinner so we walked to Carrefour and got some extra groceries for dinner. We are becoming Europeans and having dinner between 8:00 and 9:00pm! We asked Daniel if he had enjoyed his special day, kind of his late bday celebration and guess what he said: that he missed not spending time at home. He was upset that he didn't get to watch a movie or play on his tablet! Help!
I think we all had a great day and Sunshine made it safe and sounds to Bordeaux. Her friend was waiting for her at the bus station and I'm sure they will spend all night talking!
TIP: Check out www.oui.sncf for train and bus tickets. You can download the SNCF app, as well.
TIP: Skip the Galleries at the Machines de l'Ile. Go instead for the Elephant ride or the 3-level carrousel instead (not the small one by the entrance which is for toddlers).
Jardin des Plantes
Les Machines de l'ile
Today I got up at 7:00am. I did not sleep well, mostly because I was worried about sending Sunshine to Bordeaux to see a friend. I did laundry, prepared lunches and got ready to go to the bus station at 10:30am. We left with extra time because the tram doesn't take you directly due to repair work all over the city. So you take one tram, get off in the middle of the tram line, walk a few minutes to take a shuttle that takes you to another stop where you can take another tram. It was crazy but we made it with plenty of time. I'm glad we did because when we were in line to get Sunshine on the bus, the driver said that she needed a parental consent letter. I thought it had to be notarized like in the US but she said we could just write a letter and show it to her!
At first, I was happy and thought that Sunshine was going to have to stay but all was solved and she got on the bus. C'est parti, the French would say. It's done!
After that, Gregory needed a coffee so we decided to go back to Lieu Unique where we had our coffee yesterday. This time we sat inside because it started to rain! Hallelujah! finally some cool air! We had our coffee while Gregory checked for tickets to Paris. We got upset that we couldn't buy the tickets online, which were less than half the rates at the station. It's funny that I can describe this whole morning in one paragraph.
After that, Gregory ventured a different way out of the train station and we found a beautiful park called Jardin des Plantes. We decided to have lunch there and enjoy the pond with different kinds of ducks. Daniel had a blast turning a wheel that would cause metal flowers to grow out of the water. It was very nice and relaxing which it was exactly what I needed so I didn't think about Sunshine alone on the bus!
We walked in the park for an hour and then we finally went to Les Machines de L'ile, which was highly recommended by a friend. The line was long and we kind of hesitated. Gregory for the price and Daniel because he wanted to go home and rest. I reminded them that it had incredible reviews and that we were going to do it. While we stood in line, we read that the elephant ride was sold out for the day! We were very disappointed because it was the only thing Daniel wanted to do. However, the screen showed 1 ticket left for the 6:45 elephant ride. We told Daniel that if it were still available when we got to the ticket window, we would get it for him. First, he said no because he wanted to do it with somebody. Half an hour later, it was still available. It was meant to be!
I have to admit that the Gallery of the Machines wasn't that great. Yes, there were half a dozen animated wood and metal creatures but it was mobbed and only a few people got to ride on the machines. Everyone else just stood there and listened to lengthy explanations (in French). The ticket said that it included a movie, which was an old documentary explaining how the machines were made, and a little bit of hype surrounding their Heron Tree project, slated to open in 2022. The seating for this TV screen was on a few wooden blocks with not enough space for everyone.
After we finished watching the documentary, we went to the gift shop to get Daniel a postcard of a mechanical dragon, which by the way we couldn't see because it's in China. Gregory made an interesting observation, most of the gift shops we have seen in France sell tons of books. There were more books than souvenirs here and you actually see adults and children looking at them!
We had one hour to kill to wait for the elephant ride so we went to the cafe across from the Machines and had a glass of wine, of course. Daniel noted that, for a change, his drink was cheaper than wine (ounce for ounce).
Finally, we walked over to the airline steps for the elephant ride. Daniel went all excited to the top. The ride lasted 30 minutes and Daniel thoroughly enjoyed it -- mission completed! We were all tired and ready to use our tram tickets to go home but Danielito wanted pizza for dinner so we walked to Carrefour and got some extra groceries for dinner. We are becoming Europeans and having dinner between 8:00 and 9:00pm! We asked Daniel if he had enjoyed his special day, kind of his late bday celebration and guess what he said: that he missed not spending time at home. He was upset that he didn't get to watch a movie or play on his tablet! Help!
I think we all had a great day and Sunshine made it safe and sounds to Bordeaux. Her friend was waiting for her at the bus station and I'm sure they will spend all night talking!
TIP: Check out www.oui.sncf for train and bus tickets. You can download the SNCF app, as well.
TIP: Skip the Galleries at the Machines de l'Ile. Go instead for the Elephant ride or the 3-level carrousel instead (not the small one by the entrance which is for toddlers).
 |
| This was the former LU factory, now Lieu Unique, a public space. Note the clouds in the sky -- the heat wave is over! |
Jardin des Plantes
 |
| These benches are called siesta benches because it leans back. |
 |
| Bench bridge |
Les Machines de l'ile
 |
| Waiting for the elephant ride. |
 |
| The elephant! |
 |
| There goes Daniel on the very top! |
Comments
Post a Comment