A few weeks back API took us on our last excursion- a day trip to Normandy.

We started as usual with with warm croissants and pain au chocolate (generously provided by API) at place de République, where we catch our bus, and set off for Monet’s house and gardens in the town of Giverny. I originally wasn't interested in going here but I must say that it was absolutely incredible!!! The gardens were among the best that I’ve ever seen: there were blossoming trees and flowers of every color and shape! There were literally thousands upon thousands of blooming flowers - and they looked amazing (not tacky like some gardens that have so many different types of flowers everywhere). After, we toured Monet's house which was cool - especially the kitchen which was bright blue and had wonderful tile designs, etc. After the tour of the house we walked over to the Japanese gardens, where "Monet's" water lilies are, which were amazing! No wonder Monet painted so much nature- living there it would be hard not to. After a few hours, and souvenir shopping we hopped back on the bus and...

After another hour and a half we found ourselves in the picturesque Norman port of Honfleur. The port wasn’t destroyed in World War II, so it retained its old-world charm and is a popular weekend destination with the Parisian crowd. A bunch of us had lunch on the harbor which was great fun. After, we wandered around, did some souvenir shopping, and went to the town's main church, St. Catherine's I believe, which is really like two churches smushed together as there are two alters in the front.

On the way back, we saw the Pont de Normandie from the bus which was the world’s largest suspension bridge when it was built, and it connects Honfleur with the massive port city of Le Havre.

All and all it was a great day - although a lot of driving on the bus was necessary!