The Call of Paris: Shalini’s Friends’ Trip with Thrillophilia
Shalini was wrapping up work on a Thursday evening when her phone buzzed. It was her friend Sowmya's name flashing across the screen.
She immediately picked it up, and after a short conversation, Sowmya mentioned, “Let’s go to Paris this April and fulfil the pact. You, me, Roopesh, and Govindappa!”
Soon after, Roopesh and Govindappa joined the conversation. They were all talking about the ifs and buts, but the conversation was filled with excitement and the nostalgia of a pact made during their college times. Shalini looked at Roopesh, who simply smiled and nodded in agreement, and soon after, Govindappa got on board as well!
And just like that, a forgotten dream found new wings to fly high again! Tickets were booked, leaves were applied for, and within days, their WhatsApp group buzzed with packing lists and outfit plans.
Answering the call of Paris
In April 2025, the four of them landed in Paris, which greeted them with the fresh spring air. The taxi ride to their hotel gave them the first glimpses of the city. They saw narrow cobblestone alleys, golden-hued buildings, blooming balconies, and Parisian cafes where people enjoyed their coffee outside tiny bistros.
The group checked into their hotel and freshened up quickly. Then they headed straight to the Eiffel Tower. As they climbed in the elevator to the top level, the city looked like a miniature world. Paris glowed with all its beauty, and the Seine River glistened like a silver ribbon through its centre.
Standing there, Shalini soaked in the view, while her hair played a game of catch with the wind…she had not felt this alive in years. It was like being reminded of a person she had long forgotten to be, like seeing the world with old eyes that were once filled with travel dreams.
Later, they took the Seine River Cruise where the boat sailed gently through the centre of Paris. They passed landmarks like Notre-Dame, the Louvre, and ornate bridges covered in lovers’ padlocks. The night air was cool, so the group wrapped themselves in shawls and sipped hot drinks while the city passed them by in shimmering reflections.
Govindappa whispered, “This city… it makes you believe in magic again.”
“Not magic, life itself”, said Shalini.
And the rest, they let the gravity of the words settle down, before churning up a whole new conversation that evening, which was followed by endless laughter and giggles.
The Kingdom of Dreams
The next morning, the group went to explore Disneyland. From the moment they boarded the shuttle at 14 Rue Jean Rey, their inner children took over their personalities and all they could think of was the cartoon shows they grew up watching.
At the gates of Disneyland Paris, they squealed, posed with Mickey, and soaked in the colourful energy. Roopesh insisted on racing to Space Mountain first, while Sowmya called on for Pirates of the Caribbean.
Shalini was fascinated by Fantasyland, especially the dreamy carousel and Sleeping Beauty's Castle. She and Soumya spent nearly an hour in a Disney boutique choosing matching Minnie Mouse headbands. Govindappa documented everything on his phone and narrated it like a wildlife documentary.
They wandered into different worlds - Adventureland, Discoveryland, and Main Street USA, each one of which had its own charm. They cheered at the parade, waved at Disney princesses, and sang along with cartoon characters. Shalini found herself singing along to childhood tunes and laughing out loud, surprised to see that she still remembered the songs!
In the evening, fireworks lit up the sky in beautiful colours, marking a perfect end to a magical day.
A Shift in Scenery
On the fourth day, they caught an early train from Paris to Switzerland. As the train moved past green valleys, alpine villages, and snowy hills, the friends napped, chatted, and quietly took in the changing views of the Alps.
The town of Lucerne welcomed them with its iconic wooden Chapel Bridge, Lake Lucerne, and peaceful landscapes. They first stopped at the Lion Monument and were deeply touched by its quiet sorrow, and during the evening, they took the mandatory stroll along the Lucerne Chapel bridge.
The next day, a revolving cable car took them up to Mount Titlis. The wind got powerful, the snow sparkled, and the thrill of the Cliff Walk sent adrenaline rushing through their veins. Even Govindappa, who hesitated at the bridge, eventually crossed it while the others cheered him on.
Chocolate and Waterfalls
From Lucerne, they went to Zurich, where the vibe transformed again. The highlight was their trip to the Rhine Falls, where they stood in surprise as their raincoats flapped like wings, as gallons of icy water crashed below.
"Nature's version of a rock concert," Roopesh joked, his voice barely audible. No wonder, he was right!
Later, the Lindt Home of Chocolate welcomed them with warm lights and the sweet scent of cocoa. They sampled and argued over which truffle was best, and then Shalini bought a bag full of dark truffles, claiming that it was "for the kids"... but Roopesh saw her hiding a few bars in her purse and he later took his share from that to keep it a secret!
The Summit of Emotions
Jungfraujoch, or the Top of Europe, was their final and most spectacular stop. The cogwheel train to this place moved past several alpine meadows where they could spot small houses with smokes coming out of their chimneys, while cows and goats grazed around in the fields.
At the summit, everything was white and marvellous. Inside the Ice Palace, they posed with frozen sculptures and admired the translucent icy walls. But it was outside, where they were stunned by the vastness of the mountains on the panoramic terrace of the Alps.
The four friends stood there, speechless, as endless peaks stretched across the horizon.
Perhaps this is why they needed this break, and perhaps this is why travelling is the sweetest activity to bond and reclaim life!
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Thrillophilia Paris Reviews