Sometimes you can carefully plan a trip for months, but it just doesn’t live up to your expectations. Maybe one of your hotel rooms ends up being a dive, maybe you get miserably lost in a foreign city and can’t find anyone willing to help, or maybe a tour you were really looking forward to ends up being a huge disappointment. Well, I’m happy to report that this was not the case with our trip of a lifetime in August to Paris, London, and Scotland. I can honestly say that we did not encounter a single glitch – our flights, hotel rooms, train rides, and tours were amazing. Yes, we got lost a few times, and trying to remember high school French in Paris was challenging, but we found everyone we encountered along the way so friendly and helpful that none of that mattered. We went in with open minds and soaked up everything around us. We crammed more into 16 days than I ever thought possible, and I have so many memories to share with you.
But where should I start? I guess the best place is usually the beginning. Our flight to Paris was scheduled to leave Toronto’s Pearson International Airport at 11:35 pm on August 1, 2014. We didn’t actually depart until much later, but we were so excited, yet relaxed at the same time, that it didn’t bother us at all. Our adventure had begun.
This really was an exciting adventure for us because the last time we were on a plane together was the day after our wedding 25 years ago, and Mike had not been on a plane at all since that day. As a result, Mike was as excited as a small child on Christmas morning and insisted on having the window seat. So, I must give credit to all these photos of our flight to my hubby.
photos from the loonybin 
Oh yes those all important in flight photos … I love them and usually take too many even on a domestic flught….
It never gets old does it? I am still in awe of flight.
Recently flew down to the Cape and saw snow on the mountain tops…. took 68 photos of a white blanket on top of a dark mountain with no real definition of height as we were at 35000 feet… came out crap but I still took ’em
I would have too – I totally understand :).
Wow! Mikey has talent! I can’t believe he got all these clear beautiful shots from a tiny window in flight. 🙂 I love the last one best.
Honestly, I was worried that by giving him the window seat I was going to miss out on all the good shots, but he really has a natural talent as a photographer, and I needn’t have worried. Over the last few years he has taken quite an interest in taking photos, so much so that we are upgrading his camera for Christmas :). Thanks Dor!
I can’t wait to hear all about it! I’m glad to hear it went well and I love the photos you posted here.
I’m the same way – my husband is the photographer and I’m late to the game. But I’ve learned to enjoy it and improved quite a bit. I just upgraded my camera, from the Canon Rebel to a Canon 6D (the Rebel was an upgrade from a point-and-shoot). It’s going slowly, but I’m getting there!
Here’s some tips for sharing a hobby and not going nuts:
http://livingtheseasons.com/2013/07/17/sharing-a-passion-for-photography/
Nancy
Good advice! I just let him go at his own pace because I have always been far more into technology than he is, but I have been quite surprised at how much of an interest he is taking lately. It’s nice because we have never had any hobbies in common, and now that the kids are adults, we are able to just hop in the car with our cameras and drive, and we both really enjoy it. On our trip, I took just under 6,000 photos, which didn’t surprise anyone, but Mike took almost 3,000 which was a huge leap for him. He has a really good eye for it. I don’t think he’ll ever get into the editing process though, but that’s ok :).
I just picked up a Canon SX50HS on a really good sale for him to try out as a potential Christmas gift. He needs something better than his point and shoot, but I don’t think he would get the use out of a DSLR yet. Wow! You got a Canon 6D? You must be a professional :).
Beautiful pics! Give Mike a pat on the back! It would be nice to know what we’re looking at when the pics are over land – are these in Canada, France, England, Scotland?
Thanks :). That was as we were flying into Paris.
So glad the trip went so well and that you liked the Paris hotel. Tell Mike great job!
Thank you for recommending the Paris hotel. When we threw open the windows and looked outside, it was like we were immediately immersed in the Paris experience. It was a great location! And now that you know Mike, you won’t be surprised to hear that when I told him you said “great job”, his reply was “I know”. LOL!!!!
Whoa, I have never seen such awesome plane photos, they’re so clear! Give Mike a high five for me. 🙂
Can’t wait to hear about the rest of your trip!
Mikey says thank you!! Pretty impressive aren’t they? He’s so funny too because he always has to compare his photos to mine now and always says his are better :).
The airport is one of my favourite parts of the adventure.. the excitement of the what’s to come…well except for when its time to head home of course…
I totally agree :).