Getting to Italy was not as direct as I had hoped for when I booked the award flights. We had to have a short layover in Paris to catch our flight to Milan Linate. It struck me as the plane was taxi-ing to the gate that it had been 10 years or so since I last set foot on Charles de Gaulle airport. That is all because I go on the Eurostar if I had to go to the French capital! Anyway, it was bigger and oh yes, far better than crummy Heathrow. As far back as I remember, the most “modern” style was the criss-crossing set of escalators covered by a transparent ceiling. However, we didn’t go through those so I don’t know if they are still there.
As smoking (not for me!) is only allowed outside of the terminals, we spent most of our layover there and I played around with my camera for some interesting subjects. I took one of the control tower because it resembled those alien spaceships featured in Men in Black. But they look far too boring for me to show them to you. What I spent most time perfecting — although it is far from perfect — is this picture of a plastic container with blue liquid in it.
Security was not that different from London airports. Only 1 hand luggage, which should fit in the thingy. No liquids more than 100ml are allowed. You can purchase them after you go through the checks. Cheeky way to make you buy another bottle of water, which we did. We had to down the remaining litre or so that we bought from Heathrow at the queue.
Perhaps the most impressive part of CDG for me was the gates area. It was dome-like with metal lattice-frames, which looks similar to Hong Kong airport! As the flight was already boarding when we got there, this was the only shot that we had.
Dare I say it? Yes, I like CDG. Only the 2nd thing I like about Paris. First one being the Eiffel, of course. Sheesh, I’m so predictable!
Next: Arriving in style
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I like the second photo.
Will be waiting for the next episode.
I guess you ended up in one of the newer terminals at CDG. Where we were last November, the terminal was old, small, cramped, and in desperate need of refurbishing! They were doing some construction while we were there but it was such a great inconvenience. Compared to when I was in Heathrow when I visited you, the terminal in CDG had the dullest duty free stores. Quite ironic since it was Paris’ main international airport.
Luckily you landed in Terminal 2. Terminal 1 is where the cris-crossing escalators are. And yeah, it totally sucks.
CDG was my home for 20 trips to and from Europe…it was even Mitzi’s and I’s bedroom when we had a 5am flight after arriving 10:30pm the previous night..di na kami umuwi and was the inspiration to the movie “The Terminal” hehehe
Kyels, sorry for the delay. As you can see, business trips got in the way. Will post the next episode soon.
Anne, Heathrow is still the dullest of all airport hubs to me! Let’s see what’s in store for Terminal 5.
Kala, I actually do like the criss-crossing escalators.
Junnie, I didn’t know that “The Terminal” was filmed in CDG. Thanks for the trivia!