I can't remember why, but we flew separately and met at the Paris airport. I had flown Lufthansa, usually a boringly efficient airline with grumpy flight attendants, but this time they were also inefficient and I missed my connecting flight in Frankfurt. Somchai flew direct from Bangkok to Paris on Thai Airways, with their "first class" configuration of four seats across and some vaguely diagonal reclining position, good food and no movies. But also flying in first was the former Prime Minister, and one of the top Thai Airways executives who flew with the PM to make sure everything was ok sat next to Somchai, so he was able to complain to them the whole time. Not sure it did any good, but it couldn't hurt. The Paris airport is one of the stranger airports around (I'm talking about Charles de Gaulle, not Orly). I think it was supposed to be very Jetsons space age when it opened, lots of tubes carrying peoplemovers darting about and coloured lights buzzing about, but it just looks funny now, definitely in need of an updating.

We stayed at the Hotel de Crillon, pictured above. (by the way, the picture in the first post was of Notre Dame, which I figured was obvious, but for the sake of completeness thought I'd add the non-sequitir here.) As you can see, it's very grand, and wonderfully located on a grand plaza between the Champs Elysees and the Louvre. The hotel used to be a palace but was converted long ago. It's dripping with ostentatious wealth, which is a good thing. The reception areas, and in particular the famed restaurant, are stunning. We arrived early and our room wasn't quite ready, but the very friendly staff escorted us to the dining room for a continental breakfast. There, after flying overnight in our jeans and t shirts, we proceeded to whisper to each other in a cavernous, sparkling room that couldn't be more intimidating. Again, the staff didn't bat an eye despite our clashing so violently with the setting. We hadn't yet acquired the habit of traveling without a budget, so we unfortunately plumped for the cheapest room, about $500 a night I think, which was too bad. It was plush and high ceilinged, but on the small side and a crappy view. But despite that it's a great hotel. I've stayed at most of the other grand dames (Bristol, George V, Ritz, Meurice) but the Crillon remains my favorite. In fact we're planning on returning this year, and will definitely upgrade the room.