Today was a happy shopping day with Helen..... We went through shops to shops, saw a lot of beautiful stuff. I love to go shopping on my own, because I can go to any shops I like, I can spend anytime I like in a shop, I don't need to worry about whether my friends are waiting or if they like the shops etc. Helen is the only friend I like to go shopping with. I think it mainly because both of us really REALLY like shopping so we understand and don't mind waiting and giving opinions to each other.

After a thorough thought on the Apartments, and taking Mr B's advice that I do not have to stay in just one place for the entire two weeks, I finally decided to take the offer that was suggested originally by Paris Perfect a few days ago, which was to live in Cotes de Porvence from 13-19 September 2010, and Mersault from 22 - 27 Septemeber 2010. The problem remains is I need to find a place to live in for the nights on 19th, 20th, and 21st September.

So another search through the internet with a hotel to stay. Somehow and from somewhere I was brought to websites such as "booking.com" and "tripadvisor.co.uk" where I can read reviews from people all around the world what they think about different hotels in different countries.

Hidden Hotel is the hotel that I liked THE MOST, however.....however it's also expensive too, well, to my standard. It's 245 euros per night, but if I book three consecutive nights, there's a special discount at 221 euros per night. Well, I was thinking of around under 200euros per night. So... need to think about it.

So as I was not quite sure about Paris Perfect arrangement, I then sent them an email asking about room availability in October. Options in October are more:

1) Grenache, which is available on 4-18 October 2010, 14 nights, 225 euros per night.
2) Cotes de Porvence, available on 5-19 October 2010, 14 nights, 125 euros per night.
3) Pastis, available on 5-19 October 2010, 14 nights, 145 euros per night

I have been thinking about my Paris trip recently. From the news, during the past two months (December and January) there were heavy snows around the US and Europe. My original plan was to go to Paris in January 2011. That was because by the time my contract of my current job would end and I was thinking to take 1 or 2 months off work, so that I can relax and enjoy my life a bit and get lazy blah blah blah..... But then there would be heavy snows which could be quite dangerous, and I might get stuck in my apartment due to the bad weather, and would wasted my precious $$$!!! Short day time is also a disadvantage for going to Paris in Winter time.

So, how about my second option: September this year?

This is the ideal time because the weather would be just right, not tooooo cold or too hot; I can enjoy the long day time; it's not peak season so I can enjoy the low flight ticket fees and hotel fees...

A top prioity regarding my Paris trip is where to stay. Paris Perfect is still my number one option. I sent an e-mail today asking about the availability of my favourite apartment - Cotes de Provence, for two consecutive weeks. I don't actually have a set date so it's very flexible. Their reply was that it would only be available on 13 - 19 September 2010, that's 6 nights. The only other studio or 1-bedroom apartment still available around that date which could be added for a split stay for Cotes de Provence is called Meursault, which is available from 22 - 27 September, 5 nights.

Click here to see Cotes de Provence.
Arrival date: 13 September 2010
Departure date: 19 September 2010 (that's 6 nights)
Room rate: 125 euros per night, 6 nights would be 750 euros

Click here to see Meursault.
Arrival date: 22 September 2010
Departure date: 27 September 2010 (that's 5 nights)
Room rate:225 euros per night, 5 nights would be 1125 euros

I am not too sure whether I like this arrangement because now I also have to find a hotel for the 3 nights 19, 20, and 21 September.