travel

Eurostar to Paris

~ donquioaty ~ Leave a comment

DonQui was glad to be travelling to Spain by train as he had been told it was far more comfortable and relaxing than flying.

Eurostar

After the chaotic, poorly organised check-in at the Eurostar terminal at St Pancras, DonQui began to have second thoughts. Perhaps it would have been better to have flown with Ryanair as they at least know how to herd animals properly.

Thankfully DonQui got to St Pancras early enough to enjoy a fabulous croissant and coffee at Le Pain Quotidien before braving the check-in queue. If he hadn’t had some sustenance before hand then Mr Grumpy would certainly have made an appearance. Check-in for the Eurostar closes 30 mins before departure and it takes at least that long to get through security, British and French border controls with a chaotic queuing system that has lines coming together from several directions.

After Eurostar check in

The whole process left DonQui feeling quite exhausted and wishing that he was lazing on a sunny beach wearing a straw hat.

IMG_4726 (2)

When he finally got on the Eurostar, DonQui slept most of the way to Paris.

DonQui Recommends

Get to the Eurostar terminal in plenty of time plan on it taking a good 30 minutes to get through check-in, security and border controls.

Across London

~ donquioaty ~ Leave a comment

So many people! Where are they all going? It’s exhausting!

IMG_4575

At least DonQui is crossing London by bus — better than the crowded Tube. It might take a bit longer but at least he can look out the window and see the city go by. If he is not sure which bus to take, the handy Citimapper App gives him all the options, shows him the nearest stop and tells him when the next bus is coming.

IMG_4603

Early next morning it is time to set off for Paris. When his is feeling flush, travelling with others or taking lots of baggage DonQui does like taking a black cab. There is lots of space for luggage, and the humans who drive them seem to know everything. They also know every road in London and where all the shortcuts are. DonQui hopes that satnavs and Uber will not seal their doom.

DonQui uses his Hailo App to call up a Black Cab any time or any place and takes credit cards as well.

DonQui Recommends:

Citimapper for getting around Town. He uses it to find the best routes around London but it is available for other cities too.

Hailo for calling a black cab in London

The Adventure Begins

~ donquioaty ~ Leave a comment

IMG_4572

DonQui  is off on his travels. He likes red because as everyone knows red things go faster. He is thinking of going to Spain as he thinks his ancestors came from there. But first he has to go to London. He has never been to London before. In fact he has never been to any big city. He wonders what it will be like.