Well...back on the road again and it has been a busy few days. When I last posted, we had been at Keukenhof, from there we headed to Koln, Germany, where we stayed overnight. Unfortunately it was too late to explore the town, but Mark did get to have a run around the Lake near the hotel.
Next morning we had an early start for a Cruise along the Rhine from Boppard to Loreley rock. Unfortunately we had a bit of rain, but it was a nice way to see the towns along the Rhine. Then we were in for a long drive from Germany to Switzerland.
On the way to Switzerland, we stopped near the border for lunch...I really hope what we had was not typical German food, but it was not the best meal...just under 18 euro bought us each a piece of odd chicken, a small bowl of vegies and a bread roll....just an introduction to prices we'd experience when we hit Switzerland!
The scenery once we got to the Alpine region was just magic. We stayed in the little village of Fluelen, just outside Lucerne. Accomodation was a little "rustic" but ok...trains going past every 2 mins and town clock chiming every 15 made sleep a bit ordinary, and then at 6am the church bells would ring for ages...if you weren't awake already!
Wednesday was a full on day starting with a trip to Lucerne and some watch shopping for those keen to own a Swiss watch (Mark bought a beanie and gloves!). We saw the Lion Monument, then had a very chilly cruise on Lake Lucerne. Then it was time for the mountains...we headed up to Mt Titlis for a cable car ride all the way to the summit, then a ride on the Ice Flyer chair lift. Getting to the top involved 3 different "cars", with the last one being a 360 degree rotating cabin to experience the mountain views. It is hard to explain this experience, even the photos do not do it justice!
When we reached the summit, it was a lovely -15 degrees and a great introduction to the snow for Mark! We had to walk a few hundred metres to get onto the Ice Flyer...but it was worth the bitterly cold walk, just amazing. On the ride back, we were joined by some keen skiiers, who explained to us how fantastic the snow is, as it had just snowed the night before. One with a sense of humour asked where our skis were...umm, sorry, but I'd be down at the baby beginner slopes, not at the top of Mt Titlis! On the way back down we visited a snow cave, so were actually inside the glacier...very cool, literally!
Our day was completed with some free time in Lucerne, including a walk across the Chapel Bridge....then a trip to the Golden Arches ( how original, eh?). 19 Swiss Francs bought us 2 snack wraps, a coke, a brownie McFlurry (awesome) and a large fries. No, we did not buy much in Switzerland!
Another memorable shopping experience was when we returned to Fluelen.We opted to just get some basic items from the servo for dinner and snacks. It as to be said that Mark has not been much of a shopper in non-English speaking countries and has left me with making transactions. The Swiss servo attendant did not speak a word of English & I don't speak a word of German...she prattled on at a fast pace as she checked our items and I just looked at her blankly & apologised when she asked me something...oops, we were meant to weigh the bananas! Thank goodness the debit card machine was self explanatory...! Mark found it all very amusing.
As I type, we are on the drive from Lucerne to Paris. I sussed out that typing the blog would be a good way to pass the time as the kilometres (780 in total) fly by! The south of France is very beautiful, a lot more agricultural than the regions of Belgium, Holland & Germany we have passed. Fields of Canola are in full bloom, lots of cattle ( charolais is my guess, most are white/lighter coloured...not a cattle expert). We had an awesome meal just over the border, best meal in days, which has increased my excitement about Paris! The fast train just whizzed on by...and by our standards it is indeed fast. By the time I upload this installment, it means we've reached Paris and will be heading out tonight to a caberet show. Then off to enjoy the city tomorrow. :-)
Next morning we had an early start for a Cruise along the Rhine from Boppard to Loreley rock. Unfortunately we had a bit of rain, but it was a nice way to see the towns along the Rhine. Then we were in for a long drive from Germany to Switzerland.
On the way to Switzerland, we stopped near the border for lunch...I really hope what we had was not typical German food, but it was not the best meal...just under 18 euro bought us each a piece of odd chicken, a small bowl of vegies and a bread roll....just an introduction to prices we'd experience when we hit Switzerland!
The scenery once we got to the Alpine region was just magic. We stayed in the little village of Fluelen, just outside Lucerne. Accomodation was a little "rustic" but ok...trains going past every 2 mins and town clock chiming every 15 made sleep a bit ordinary, and then at 6am the church bells would ring for ages...if you weren't awake already!
Wednesday was a full on day starting with a trip to Lucerne and some watch shopping for those keen to own a Swiss watch (Mark bought a beanie and gloves!). We saw the Lion Monument, then had a very chilly cruise on Lake Lucerne. Then it was time for the mountains...we headed up to Mt Titlis for a cable car ride all the way to the summit, then a ride on the Ice Flyer chair lift. Getting to the top involved 3 different "cars", with the last one being a 360 degree rotating cabin to experience the mountain views. It is hard to explain this experience, even the photos do not do it justice!
When we reached the summit, it was a lovely -15 degrees and a great introduction to the snow for Mark! We had to walk a few hundred metres to get onto the Ice Flyer...but it was worth the bitterly cold walk, just amazing. On the ride back, we were joined by some keen skiiers, who explained to us how fantastic the snow is, as it had just snowed the night before. One with a sense of humour asked where our skis were...umm, sorry, but I'd be down at the baby beginner slopes, not at the top of Mt Titlis! On the way back down we visited a snow cave, so were actually inside the glacier...very cool, literally!
Our day was completed with some free time in Lucerne, including a walk across the Chapel Bridge....then a trip to the Golden Arches ( how original, eh?). 19 Swiss Francs bought us 2 snack wraps, a coke, a brownie McFlurry (awesome) and a large fries. No, we did not buy much in Switzerland!
Another memorable shopping experience was when we returned to Fluelen.We opted to just get some basic items from the servo for dinner and snacks. It as to be said that Mark has not been much of a shopper in non-English speaking countries and has left me with making transactions. The Swiss servo attendant did not speak a word of English & I don't speak a word of German...she prattled on at a fast pace as she checked our items and I just looked at her blankly & apologised when she asked me something...oops, we were meant to weigh the bananas! Thank goodness the debit card machine was self explanatory...! Mark found it all very amusing.
As I type, we are on the drive from Lucerne to Paris. I sussed out that typing the blog would be a good way to pass the time as the kilometres (780 in total) fly by! The south of France is very beautiful, a lot more agricultural than the regions of Belgium, Holland & Germany we have passed. Fields of Canola are in full bloom, lots of cattle ( charolais is my guess, most are white/lighter coloured...not a cattle expert). We had an awesome meal just over the border, best meal in days, which has increased my excitement about Paris! The fast train just whizzed on by...and by our standards it is indeed fast. By the time I upload this installment, it means we've reached Paris and will be heading out tonight to a caberet show. Then off to enjoy the city tomorrow. :-)
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