We Are In France

Final Day...

2010-03-14T04:18:00.000-07:00

OPA!
This is our last day in France. We are in Paris... just finished seeing Mont Martre. Our last shopping frenzy. We love Mark (our bus driver) and Francy (our ballin tour guide). We love the sandwiches, crepes, flan, macarons, and Cole’s shinanagans. “Your mom” was the most commonly used phrase even more than bonjour! We are sad to leave but glad to go home (to our beds, baths and family). We will NOT miss the 5 am wake-up calls, Mr. J shushing us, or Cole’s facepalms. We have to go now as Miss G is about to ... zzzzzz......

It's almost over :(

2010-03-12T12:31:00.000-08:00

What a day! We had someone in another group stay home (sick) today, and I said, "I wouldn't have wanted to miss this day, it was great". But then.. I wouldn't have missed any of them.

Today we went on a walking (AGAIN) tour of St Malo, the walled city. It is a very independent city, the guide (Coco) kept calling it "My City". It is the city where Jacques Cartier is from, so we got to see where he was buried. Then we split up and had lunch and did some shopping. Crepes Flambee - just so Riley could see them burn.

After lunch, off to Mont St-Michel. Francy, our guide, says it is one of the "wonders of the world", and it sure was beautiful. Very old, on an island, LOTS of stairs, lovely cathedral, knights' hall.... Took lots of pictures.

Then back to the hotel for supper. They sure know how to put on a spread here (and great Brie!)

Now we're all off to bed, as we leave tomorrow morning at 7:00 for Chartres and Paris, which means a 5:30 wake-up call.

'Night, everyone!
Heather

Yesterday's first...

2010-03-12T12:24:00.000-08:00

THIS IS SPARTA!!! Just kidding. Haha. Okay. Today was extremely eventful. We slept for a major part of it: bus ride! From the top (from the eyes of a 14 year old Novakowski child): Wake up to whispers from a teacher (Madame Gordon) and were informed that we had one hour to eat AND pack. Now for two 14 year old humans, this ft. (feat) is nearly impossible! (We just saw a pair of... boxers... in the foyer... sorry just had to give you the heads up.) Anyways. So packed up, after breakfast of course. After putting our bags in the bus, we drove in our fancy Mercedes-Benz charter bus. (I have to go fast now).
• Drove to the Canadian War cemetery.
• Gave our respects to the Canadian soldiers.
• Drove to Juno Beach War memorial.
• Went for lunch at Gold Beach.
• Drove to the American cemetery at Omaha.
• Drove to Pont-a-Hoc German fortifications.
• Took pictures.
• Drove 2.5 hours to St. Malo.
• Slept in the BUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.
Cazam. Supper. Then the beach. And now to you. Goodnight small peoplenesses.

Austin Novakowski
send.

Is there anyone listening to us???

2010-03-10T11:37:00.000-08:00

We started off our morning by sleeping in till 7:00! It was awesome, then we enjoyed some yummy breakfast at the hotel. Then we headed off to the best of France........ the Cheese Factory! It was intresting I guess you could say. We learned how cheese is made in France, it was life changing. After the Cheese Factory we headed to Honfleur. Francy (our awesome tour guide) took us around on a short tour around the town. He showed us an awesome church and we saw some beautiful houses. After the tour we had some lunch and enjoyed it by the harbour. Then we took a long bus trip to Etretat Beach, which was only supposed to take seven minutes maxium, but ended up taking an hour and a half, but it was worth it for sure. We hiked up a huge cliff that overlooked the ocean. It was the highlight of my trip for sure. It was very windy outside. On the top of the cliff it felt like you would blow away. After the beach we headed back to the hotel for some dinner (Lasagne unlike the chicken we`ve had four days in a row!). Cole got an excellent make over, he now looks better then ever. That pretty much ties up our day!

P.S. Mama Mixs, it would be nice to hear from you!

goodbye to all my fans,

yours truely,

ERIN MCKIBBON! :)

(We do read the comments on our blog each morning... but there hasn`t been much these past couple of days... hint, hint, nudge, nudge)

Its funny because we're unaware

2010-03-09T09:42:00.000-08:00

We started off our day with a SIX AM wakeup call in French! We piled on to a bus for the one and a half hour trek to Rouen in Normandy. We had a guided tour with glitchy devices, and then we had some time for shopping. After that we were bussed to Caen, also in Normandy, where we visited the Caen Memorial to D-Day. We went to our hotel (the Crocus) and ate supper with lots of laughter and noise!

Day 2

2010-03-08T14:13:00.000-08:00

hagabonjour! It was an abnormal day like no other! The day was jam packed with adventure excitemant and!!! more waiting... but on the plus side we adventerured even more to the louvre and saw! The Mona Lisa!!! And recycled air in the most packed area with nothing but joy! Later that night we went on a cruise around some of the most wonderful areas in Paris!!! The Eiffel tower was the most beautiful thing we've seen in a while!!! The Tower veiw was wonderful and spiting off of it was fun! The only down side was the crowded elevaters, where lucky me (A.K.A. Cole) got the joy of people making out on my back through the entire ride :(. Tomorrow we will get the joy of waking up early and more wonders of Europe.

Yours truly: Cole Singbeil

(And every one else I guess :D))

In Front of Victro Hugo

2010-03-07T11:15:00.000-08:00

After a tiring flight we made haste to wait at the airport, for 2.5 hours! The next order of business was a frigid walk through some of the old parts of Paris, including Victor Hugo's place, Notre Dame Catherdral and the very posh stores. After the walk we were so cold that we stood over the subway vent to stay warm. Supper was most enjoyable but kind of rushed, and even more rushed was the RER ride back to the hotel to nurse our wounded feet.

Some wired...

2010-03-06T07:11:00.000-08:00

"ARE WE THERE YET?!?" (RILEY)

"DO NOT be so paranoid mom... Other than we are flying Air France" (Mike)

Some tired...

2010-03-06T07:09:00.000-08:00

Waiting for the counter to open in Kelowna...

2010-03-06T07:06:00.000-08:00

Track our flights

2010-03-05T20:52:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone -
You can go onto www.flightaware.com/live/ACA____ Where the underline is put in the flight number we are on at the time. So like our first one tonite I would type in www.flightaware.com/live/ACA8411 and you can track exactly where we are when. :) Just thought it might be fun.

Health Insurance

2010-02-25T09:26:00.000-08:00

Hi all -
I was asked today about health insurance. There was the option of the all-inclusive insurance with EF Tours for about $150 dollars including medical, baggage, cancellation, etc.. You should be able to check online on your EF Tour account to see if you bought this insurance.
I also checked online with BC Health about what is covered with our provincial health care. It looks like it is very limited but available. Please check out: http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/msp/infoben/leavingbc.html#outsidebc to see what is covered. While out of Canada, you are responsible to pay for anything needed and then submit forms for reimbursement when you have returned to Canada.
Another way to go is to have extended health care with your work or purchase Blue Cross coverage.
Please be sure your child has proper health coverage and that you communicate with me about what insurance you have for your child before we leave. Thank-you!
Sarah

March 6th/14th

2010-02-21T09:33:00.000-08:00

Our flight leaves at 6 am from Kelowna. EF suggests that we are at the airport 3 hours before the flight (although I think 2 would do for Kelowna). Approximately 1.5 hours to get there... so if we leave Salmon Arm at 1:30 in the morning we will have just the right amount of time!!!

Plan so far: everyone meet at the school at 1:20. Pack into Nicholson's van. Park at the airport for 9 days @10 dollars a day (everyone pays $13 to Nicholson's before we leave + $3 for gas = $16 each). We arrive back at school around 1 a.m. on the 15th after arriving at the airport at approx 11 pm on the 14th.

Things NOT posted

2010-02-21T09:21:00.000-08:00

Hi all -
I will not be posting our hotel info or the phone tree so please make sure you have this info on your emails. I have sent it out already but would gladly send it again. I did not try the phone tree yet but will on Tues. after school - I will send out the phone tree with cell phone numbers on Monday.

Please get these things to Miss G soon/ B4 leaving

2010-02-21T09:17:00.000-08:00

Here's a list of things I need before we leave:
Notarized letter (form letter available at the notarizing office)
Letter from Doctor for any meds (be sure the meds have sticker from pharmacy if possible)
Money: 90 Euros

Packing

2010-02-21T09:10:00.000-08:00

We are allowed one piece of bagage and one carry-on for our touring time (regardless of airline regulations).

I will be updating this list any time I receieve suggestions or remember something from my own experience. Here's the list so far:
Highly suggest vitamins (immune system will be challenged with lack of sleep and pace of trip)
2 Pairs of GOOD walkikng shoes
Raingear (small to pack in your day pack)
Bandaides and antiseptic cream
**Photocopy of your passport (I have one but it is always good for you to have one as well)
water bottle
**book/something to listen to for drives
Bible, **3 Pens, **small notepad (for imp info)
Plug-in adaptor
Day pack/purse (big enuf to carry water bottle, raingear, map & snack)
Medication like aspirin or IBProfin

Anything with a * I would like you to make sure you have in your carry-on luggage
Carry-on:
Breakfast, lunch and 2 snacks (for the trip in case we are not fed on our way through Canada)
Extra undies, socks and emergency numbers

Money

2010-02-21T09:05:00.000-08:00

Banks will take three to five business days to order your money so please do this ASAP. We will be using approximately 90 Euros for our activities (going up the Eiffel Tour, doing the Seine River boat tour, possible show, tips, etc.) I am suggesting approximately 80 to 100 Euros for lunch, water, snacks, etc. for each day.
You can also bring along your debit card (with a 4 digit PIN). They suggest not bringing traveler's cheques.
Hi all - just an update from EF - "We recommend that your travelers budget AT LEAST $50 per day (for lunches, free time activities, drinks, souvenirs, etc.)

Second Try

2010-01-26T20:59:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,
OK second try. Hopefully you received an email telling you about this blog. This is where I'm hoping one of your kids will write each day to tell you what we did - as well as post at least one picture. You can also comment and let me know if you can get on here. Coolio!!! Hopefully we'll get some "hits" real soon!

Test Run

2010-01-26T20:05:00.001-08:00

Hi all,

Just wanted to try this and make sure everyone can get on, can respond and can see what we post. So I'm going to try and post a pic to see if I know how. :)