Paris - Day 8

08-30: Today it was relaxing and working on photos for me. This evening is our Seine River Dinner Cruise. It was interesting that my FB post brought up the same exact cruise on the same exact day 4 years ago with June! Stuart planned to walk over to Rue Cler to get a gift for our hosts in Mombrier but he never got to it. We are looking forward to the month there. We will relax, visit wineries, put some plans in place for our Grand South America cruise, and I will hope to catch up on the album for this trip. We went to the dinner cruise early to see the Eiffel Tower area and walk around a little bit. We were shocked when we discovered it's all walled In now you have to go through security to even walk around or beneath it. Where there used to be grass, picnickers, and even lovers sharing a kiss it's now blacktop! It was sad for us to see. I guess they have to do that in our day of bomb threats, etc. It was so disappointing to see, some of the charm is certainly gone. I'm glad I saw it when it was grassy underneath and felt so much more welcoming and approachable. The dinner cruise was nice, but not like I remember it. Regardless, we enjoyed the food and sites. On the way back we already decided we wanted to take a pedicab back if possible. As we disembarked, we were quickly approached by all sorts of taxis and pedicab drivers. When it came to the pedicab the man offered a ride to “anywhere” for €5. We wondered why it was so cheap but said where we wanted to go and we would pay €10. He agreed and then we are in the pedicab starting and he says his supervisor needed to follow him. Another red flag, but we are already moving toward home. When we arrived, which was a 5-minute ride, the supervisor pulled up right beside him. It almost blocked my way off the vehicle but I did push my way through. Stuart said “go” and I headed to the door. They then told him they only take cards, and he had to hand over a card. NO. Stuart told them we agreed on €10 and here it is. He put down the €10 and walked away. We avoided that scam BUT we should have been wise enough not to consider such a cheap ride! Anyway, another lessoned learned. Both in London and here in Paris we have not seen pickpockets operating and we have felt safe at all times. Of course, we are not out on the streets late at night and extra watchful in more touristy areas.

I read later that in Paris pedicabs are regulated but that said, many also operate independently. I guess if you want to be certain of your ride you should contact a regulated company and set up a pick up place and time.