Switzerland 2015 Day 14 – Lucerne and Zurich

As the light of dawn shine through slightly translucent curtains, I awoke to find the purple hue of sunrise from the balcony of the window. 515am and a little chilly, I took some photos of the bridge, now quiet from the bustle of day. A different perspective.

Pinkish clouds at dawn.
Pinkish clouds at dawn.
Lucerne bridge highlighted by the morning rays.
Lucerne bridge highlighted by the morning rays.

Returned to nap for a little before waking up in preparations for the day ahead. I was prepared for what was to come, when the hotel staff came and knocked urgently on our door, saying it was an emergency. When I opened the door, I was greeted by the staff that advised the parking instructions the day before, telling me that the place that I parked the car was going to have some set up for some events and I had to move it immediately. She also apologized for the slip up. What a start for the day. When I arrived at the car park, there was a long trailer already parked in front of my car. Had to speak to the job supervisor to get them to do the shifting within that tight space, which was done rather quickly. I parked at the parking garage eventually and walked the 4 mins back to the room.

We had some of the dried fruit cake that we purchased from the gas station as breakfast, knowing that there would not be time for us to have brekkie.

Our main activity today was to visit Mount Rigi. There was a package route that encompassed the ferry, cogwheel train and a cable car round trip and so we chose that. There wasn’t much information around and the brochures were non English so we tried our luck at the port. Went over to the counter and purchased the round trip tickets. The ferry would carry us to Vitznau and we would then changed to the cogwheel train all the way up to Rigis top. Then the return was taking the same train, we would alight at Kaltbad station and transfer to the cable car which would bring us to Weggis and take the ferry back to Lucerne.

The ferry at 10am-ish had so many passengers loaded up but luckily we managed to get seats at the inside of ferry. There were hot drinks available and the staff was asking customers other than ourselves, frankly not impressed by this discriminating attitude.

Cruise tickets.
Cruise tickets.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Lucerne port.

The ride took about 1 hour and we alighted at the port of Vitznau and hurried to the cogwheel train already waiting. As there were many people, we only got onto the cabins where seats weren’t enclosed thus exposing to possible cold draft. The climb was steep but the train wasn’t really fast so we didn’t get irritating ear pressure issues.

The ride up was about another hour, the higher we climbed the more the marvelous was the view of the surroundings. There were insects (could be bees) flying around though.

It was bright and sunny at the top and the 360 views around coupled with the refreshing mountain air (except for places with smokers, and there were just many of them) was just great. The cold air sometimes gave us the chills but it was ok most of the time.

Walked around and up to the satellite station where we could see the mountains on the one side and the flat lands with the lakes on the other. After that we had our fill of the scenery, we went back to the train station for the ride to Kaltbad to have lunch at the hotel restaurant there. There was one restaurant at the top station (with a great view) but there were too many people so we decided to eat at Kaltbad instead.

View of the lakes and plains dotted with houses.
View of the lakes and plains dotted with houses.
Other smaller peaks could be seen too.
Other smaller peaks could be seen too.
Railway tracks.
Railway tracks.
Rosti.
Rosti.
Pasta.
Pasta.
Inside the restaurant.
Inside the restaurant.

To take the cable car, we had to take a ridiculously small lift down 3 floors to the single cable car which would bring tons of people to the bottom of the mountain. This ride was very uncomfortable as it was filled to the brim, just like our MRT train during rush hour. There were many kids that went up the mountain, probably as an excursion and there were making a hell of a ruckus.

One and only lift to the cable car.
One and only lift to the cable car.
One and only cable car.
One and only cable car.

Steep ride down took about 15 minutes. Then it was another 15minutes walk to the Weggis port to take the ferry back to Lucerne. Went back to the hotel to claim the luggage and brought it to the church before I went to claim the car from the Migros which cost a crazy expensive amount of 30CHF. Loaded the luggage and off we went to Zurich.

Steep cable car lines.
Steep cable car lines.
Weggis town.
Weggis town.
Weggis port.
Weggis port.

Getting out of the city, I had to negotiate the traffic and at one instance, I thought I was caught by a speed camera (because of the flash) (which I was, at 91km/hr, 6km more than the 80km/hr limit + 5km tolerance. Paid the fine through bank transfer) before entering the tunnel.

Entering Zurich city was a nightmare again. Traffic jam and roads not allowed for travel. I had to park the car at the side of the road in front Hotel Limmatblick to unload all the luggage, quickly check in and move the luggage up before going to top up petrol and return the car. I was pretty familiar this time and returned the car in no time. I think Sixt was about to close and when I told the staff about the paint scrap at the door and the speed camera but what I got in return was that if there was anything, they would email me. Took the train back to the city.

Hotel Limmablick.
Hotel Limmablick.
Tiny bathroom.
Tiny bathroom.

Brought baby K to walk the city one last time before meeting up with wife for some last minute shopping for chocolates at Teuscher. 5mins before closing time at 8pm, we got into the shop and had to leave by the side doors because the main door shut automatically at 8pm.

Tram in Zurich city.
Tram in Zurich city.
Inside Teuscher.
Inside Teuscher.

Walked to the street behind our hotel where there were rows of restaurants and we chose to eat at one called N-68. Ordered some Rosti and Clubsandwiches. Returned to the hotel to pack for the flight home the next day.

Dining street behind our hotel.
Dining street behind our hotel.
Soup
Soup
Club sandwich.
Club sandwich.
Chicken and chips.
Chicken and chips.

Switzerland 2015 Day 13 – Einstein and Lucerne

It was an easy day in Bern and we woke up late just so that we could get more rest.

Preparations were usual and morning breakfast was included on the ground floor. The variety was almost similar to the previous day hotel, made me wonder if it was a common thing not to have too much during breakfast.

Buffet table.
Buffet table.

Our itinerary today was to visit Einstein house and also Einstein museum, to fulfill a little educational bit for the trip. Einstein house was situated 2mins walk from the Zytglogge stop and costed 10CHF for each adult. There was actually just one floor which was his residence while in Bern, the other floor was a history of his life – work and love life. Quite informative.

Einstein Haus
Einstein Haus
Tickets to Einstein haus.
Tickets to Einstein haus.
Room in which Einstein stayed.
Room in which Einstein stayed.

Our next stop was Einstein museum which was at Helvetiaplaz, just across the bridge. Before we visited the museum, tried feeding baby K at the Bistro Steinhalles but he was interested. Bought the tickets for the museum for 18 CHF per adult. Bags weren’t allowed and had to be stored in the boxes with locks provided.

View of Bern from the bridge en route to museum.
View of Bern from the bridge en route to museum.
Einstein museum.
Einstein museum.
Steinhaus Cafe.
Steinhaus Cafe.
Coffee with milk.
Coffee with milk.

Here was just one floor dedicated to the man for discovered Theory of Relativity. We saw the same story from the Einstein house being retold here as well. On top of that, there were many other related stuff, such as about Jews, about WWII, about Theory of Relativity. It was much bigger here and would be better if time permitted but that was what we didn’t have. Left after an hour.

Mirror entrance.
Mirror entrance.
Large area dedicated to Einstein.
Large area dedicated to Einstein.

Picked up our luggage from the luggage room and milk from the fridge before bidding good bye to the accommodation and drive towards Lucern, our next stop. Instead taking the much shorter route, we tried taking the route that our Contiki tour bus took 10years ago as we wanted to take the photo with the same view we did last time. The only difference was that we were driving in the opposite direction and of course, the other obvious one was presence of baby K. The only problem was we weren’t sure where we took that picture.

The longer route took us to Interlaken, a picturesque town between two lakes. There we had not seen the scenery that we wanted and so I took a detour towards Lauterbrunnen. Halfway through and still we haven’t seen it so we took a Uturn and got back on the highway. As we were about to leave the 2 beautiful lakes, I took another detour to nice little town of Brienz to get some photos of the beautiful lake.

Interlaken lake en route towards Lucerne.
Interlaken lake en route towards Lucerne.
Lake surrounded by mountains.
Lake surrounded by mountains.
Snow capped mountains in the background.
Snow capped mountains in the background.

Left disappointed that we didn’t get back the scenery, we hit the road again, climbing up the mountain through the wavy roads. After passing through and going downhill, the view of Lungern came into sight and that was when I knew we found it. Got off the car and reconfirmed it and had our camera trigger-happy moment. Some other tourists offered their help to get our family picture and it was taken pretty close to the one that we had 10years ago. Maybe we would return in another decade to this viewpoint on A8.

Lungern lake viewpoint.
Lungern lake viewpoint.

Another hour and we arrived in Lucern. Had to negotiate the madness of crowds and cars to locate the Pickwick hotel. It was only when we arrived that we know there wasn’t any private carpark. I had 2 options, park in the public garage and pay the charges or park in the public open carpark and get the 5CHF ticket that would allow me to leave it till the next 11am. I wasn’t confident of getting one but I managed luckily as I was about to head to the garages.

The hotel had a pub on the first floor and the reception was in fact in the pub itself. Had to make a few trips as the staff was pretty busy manning the pub which was getting busy. I was also getting worried as I had parked at the space behind the church which was never meant for parking. Once I got the accommodation settled and the wife and by then, cranky baby up to the room, I left to get to the parking.

Upon returning from the lucky finding of available parking at the public lot 2mins walk from the hotel, I found baby K to be in foul mood. Without waiting too much longer, I brought him out for a walk along the Lucern lake, where our room was facing and he immediately became better.

Long bedroom with beds in series.
Long bedroom with beds in series.
Tiny bathroom.
Tiny bathroom.
Balcony view.
Balcony view.
Hotel Mr. Pickwick.
Hotel Mr. Pickwick.
Parking tickets meter.
Parking tickets meter.

The clear weather and the setting sun provided the most beautiful of setting for the area. Walked around to snap a few photos, and enjoying the company of my baby.

Old bridge of Lucerne
Old bridge of Lucerne
Nice lake with nice mountain ranges.
Nice lake with nice mountain ranges.
Bird's eye view.
Bird’s eye view.

After exploring the streets behind the hotel, where many Chinese tourists were seen, I knew it was to be the street of shops specializing in Swiss luxury watches. The rest of the other shops other than the restaurants were closed, exactly at 7pm.

Went back to the room, enjoyed a little bit of the balcony view of the Lucern lake and bridge before heading out with the wife to walk as she hadn’t gone out with us. Baby K fell asleep in the Ergobaby and we finally enjoyed the stroll without the stress of dealing with baby K crankiness.

After the stroll around including to the Zytglogge of Lucern, we went to the hotel pub for dinner, saving us some costs. Baby K was attracting some attention from both the staff and the customers for being the youngest and most adorable person in the pub. The staff also didn’t miss the opportunity of carrying our baby, giving me some time to munch on my fries. Dinner was finished eventually and back to the hotel room, baby activities started. Already getting used to this.

Lucerne clock tower.
Lucerne clock tower.
Inside the pub.
Inside the pub.
Fish burger.
Fish burger.
Breaded fish.
Breaded fish.
Night view of Lucerne lake.
Night view of Lucerne lake.

Tomorrow would be the final day of activity in Switzerland before we head back to hot Singapore. Enjoying it while it last.

Escape Plan to Europe, May 2005

A brief summary on the itinerary

Escape Plan to Europe, May 2005:

Total duration 27D26N
London is 7hr behind Singapore while the rest of Europe is 6hrs behind Singapore.
Flight time is 7hrs 25mins on Emirates Airlines from Singapore to Dubai for transfer. Flight time is 7hrs 35mins on Emirate Airlines from Dubai to London Gatwick International Airport.
Flight time is 2hrs 25mins on EasyJet Airlines from London Gatwick to Rome Flumicino.
Return flight is 6hrs 30mins on Emirates Airlines from Paris to Dubai for transfer. Flight time is 7hrs 10mins on Emirates Airlines from Dubai to Singapore.

Early morning flight on 23rd May at 325am and arrival in Dubai in the same morning at 655am. Transfer to another flight in the same morning at 8am and arrive in London at 1235pm on the same day.
Afternoon flight on the 13th Jun at 505pm and arrival in Rome at 830pm.
Return flight from Paris on the 17th Jun at 950pm and arrival in Dubai at 620am the next morning, transfer to another flight in the same morning at 945am and arrive in Singapore 855pm.

Day 1 Arrival into London, exploring London
Day 2 Salisbury and Stonehenge tour
Day 3 Tower Bridge 
Day 4 Brussels 
Day 5 Amsterdam
Day 6 Sankt Goar and Heidelberg
Day 7 Lucern and Lauterbrunnen
Day 8 Jungfrau visit
Day 9 Liechtenstein and Munich 
Day 10 Dachau Concentration Camp and Innsbruck
Day 11 Verona
Day 12 Venice
Day 13 Florence
Day 14 Pisa and Monaco
Day 15 Nice and Cannes
Day 16 Barcelona
Day 17 Barcelona
Day 18 Carcassonne and Bordeaux
Day 19 Paris
Day 20 Paris
Day 21 Paris
Day 22 London
Day 23 Rome
Day 24 Rome and Vatican City
Day 25 Milan
Day 26/27 Home Sweet Home

This escape plan was planned our graduation trip which started off the whole wanderlust. We decided on an almost month long trip with a first visit to Europe. As we were really tight on budget, being recently graduated, we thought it would be great to do a bus tour around Europe with Contiki tour (Day 4 till Day 21), which offered more places to see without breaking the bank! And they say the rest was history.

Budget nature: Not cheap

It was not cheap to go to Europe during times when Euros were almost twice our currency. We managed to get good flight prices through Emirates and we tried to save up on accommodation living in hostels and eating bread for quite some days in order not to spend too much.

Complexity: Easy

Major European cities were very well connected by public transport which we used to get around while exploring. The major part of getting from city to city was taken care by the coach. Domestic flights and interstate trains were easy to arrange as well.