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| Sistine Chapel |
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| The Vatican |
Luzern and Interlaken, the picturesque locations is not
missed by any tourist to Switzerland. Even the Golden Pass train runs on this
route. Golden Pass train has large glass windows like other trains in
Switzerland, but these windows can be opened. The train travels at a slow pace so
that one can capture the scenic beauty. Again the swans here in Luzern gave a
beautiful sight. We could not go into Luzern as there was not much time left
for the train to Interlaken. At a station towards Interlaken we needed to change
the train. In Switzerland, the trains, trams and buses are designed in such a
way to help the old and the infirm. The bus driver when he / she sees any wheelchair, the
driver tilts the bus (there is such a facility in the bus) so that the wheelchair or perambulator can navigate easily
to the bus. Even the trains and trams steps come close to the platform. But
some of these older trains and trams are not friendly towards the elderly. One
needs to climb 2 or 3 steps. To continue the thread, in this train the steps were
a bit higher. My mother was finding it difficult to climb. Seeing the
difficulty experienced by my mother and the commotion we were creating, the
driver of that train himself came down to us and told that there was a bus
service to Interlaken which will be easier for your mother. There is also a facility
for the differently-abled and the elderly, if prior information is given at the
station, then a ramp is brought by the station staff which gives easy access to
the train. At Interlaken, the adventurous go for paragliding. Being very
conscious and enthusiastic not to miss the scenery, I was busy clicking, in the
process, missed a bag containing some eatables and fruit juice on the way. Here
we experienced travelling by cruise. And the landscape was breathtaking to the
beholder. All through the journey from Interlaken to Zurich, the view from the
ship of the hills and the green water was picture perfect for the lens. One more
thing which I would like to mention is if one buys a ticket, it is valid for 24
hours and for all modes of transport, whether it is land or sea. One needs to
buy a pass, a half-pass so that the ticket one buys during the period is
half-priced. I got misled twice during my trips all by myself. Even in a
funicular or cable car, the half pass is valid. I happened to buy the full
ticket. The ticket vending machine is fully automated.
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| Interlaken |
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| Luzern |
I travelled towards the Italian border on 10th June 2013. A
long trip indeed, so started early. Had to change three trains to reach the
place where the entire Switzerland is depicted in miniature form, called the
Swiss Miniator. A toy train takes people around inside the miniature. I decided
to walk around slowly. The well connected train network, the ice mountains and
the modern Switzerland are all shown in the form of models. The trains and
ships keep making rounds. My next halt further was San Salvatore, from where
Italy is very near. One has to travel via funicular to get the bird’s eye view
of the valley and the mountains. The green mountains and the valley view were
beyond any description, I should say.
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| On the way to Swiss Miniator |
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| Swiss Miniator |
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San Salvatore
My brother came early that evening and took my parents to Lake Sihlsee by car. The evening view was beautiful. Since the sun sets in these parts very late as late as almost 10 in the night, they had a good experience. And mind you short nights too, the sun rises by 5.00-5.30 in the morning.
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The one icy experience we had was Mount Titlis, frequented by
Indians mainly. Just at the foothills, there is an Indian restaurant selling
Pav Bhajis, Dhoklas and Idlis. It looked like a mini India. As it was a week
day, my sister-in-law had taken us. The cable car experience was unique with
its undulating motions. Cows jingled with Swiss bells beneath as the cable car
made its way. It was already late. We did not know that the entry to the ice
mountain closes by 4.30. By the time, we reached, it was almost 3.45.
Switzerland is 3.30 hours behind India during summer and 4.30 hours behind
during winter. It was zero degrees at the top, and almost zero visibility. One
cannot continuously look at the ice as it was glaring to the eye. I walked in
the slippery ice to a place from where one can take the ice flyer. Ice flyer is
a small cubicle which takes you further in the ice mountain to get a better
view and from where one you play and indulge in fun and frolic. Since it was already
late, I could not get down. As I was coming back, there was an indication to
smile. A camera automatically clicks the photograph of the person in the
cubicle. They print and give then and there for a price. Of course things are
quite costly by Indian standards in Switzerland. There is another place where
Bollywood, Hollywood stars and Cricketers are dressed in hunter and musician costumes
with the background of the ice mountain. We could see Virender Sehwag and
family and a few other celebrities’ photographs there. Here too, they print the
photograph and give you then and there. The last cable car was making its trip,
so we travelled along with the staff. There are two cable cars to this
mountain, one takes to a certain point and thenceforth, another cable car.
I am not aware of the reason. They make a thorough check at
different points with a sniffer dog because anybody left there have to spend
the rest of the night in the mountain.
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| Mount Titlis |
Also got a chance to witness a football match involving my nephew.
It was an engrossing match which resulted in a tie. After the match, children
are asked to clean their shoes themselves and also take bath in the wash room
before leaving for their homes.
I had then travelled to a hill called Rigiblick
which gives the view of the Zurich city. I think this place houses the
staff of the University of ETH. Had to walk a lot in the elevation to get a
better view, even walk in a forest.
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| Rigiblick |
On 15th June, my brother and myself
travelled to a lake called Rappersvil. A view of the vast expanse lake
with large swans quacking in the lawns kept the shutterbugs busy. There are beautiful rose gardens with
flowers of various hues. A marriage ceremony was in progress in the church in the traditional way.
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| Rappersvil |
Our last visit was to the queen of mountains in Central
Switzerland, Rigi Kulm. It is at a height of 1,797 metres. Again access to this
mountain is through cable car. One gets a view of 13 lakes from Rigi Kulm. The
view was magnificent, this place is also famous for paragliding. There is also a tower
in the mountain. One can climb the steps to get a better view.
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| Rigi Kulm |
My brother and I visited a Mexican restaurant, had a taste of Continental and Asian gourmet. On 17th June, we had
our flight back to India via Muscat from Zurich in the night at 10. This time
the transit was for only 3.30 hours in Muscat with less hassle. In our flight
from Muscat to Bengaluru, everyone was given an immigration form. Even helped
an Omani to fill the form, but I did not fill myself thinking that it is not
needed for Indian citizens. But on arrival at Bengaluru, we too were asked to
fill the form! Thus ended our memorable trip to Switzerland.
6 Comments:
Much awaited, but worth the wait !
Great pictures and a very interesting account. The hunter pic is good. :-)
Black Forest pics are superb. That one named BlackForest6.jpg looks like a painting!
Pav Bhaji at Mount Titlis, Meditative Sadhus in Rome, and all, aaha, what a combo, we have our ways to make our mark, man, LoL.
I guess the robotics and precision go together in lifestyle, but yes, every country may have a thing or two to learn from another, and a thing or two one shouldn't.
THANKS FOR SHARING THE EXPERIENCE. RESEMBLED A LIVE COMMENTARY.
M. Ramesh
Superb Rajesh. Loved reading it :-)
Enjoyed the post. Quite a tour through Switzerland and Italy. The Swiss pics are breathtakingly beautiful. Vatican1.jpg seems to be St. Peter's Basilica & St. Peter's square - I found it to be very striking. Perhaps it is the most famous place associated with the Roman Catholic Church.
Interesting point about pros & cons of Swiss punctuality and very organized life. I tend to agree that the downside of it is a mechanical robot-like life. However, India, in general, seems to veer too much towards disorganization and unpredictability! Perhaps there is a golden mean somewhere in between.
Thanks for the lovely post.
Nice read. It is so lively that it took me back to your visit. You have missed out our Sivan Temple visit.
Missed out mentioning on the important aspect of complimenting you for taking care of your parents on this trip even though your parents, especially your mother, needed wheelchairs. Well done, brother Rajesh.
Your description of the challenges as well as the facilities available for people needing wheelchairs for such European trips will, I am quite sure, be useful for others who face a similar situation. In particular, almost missing the flight from Muscat to Zurich due to non-availability of wheelchair support airport staff, is vital information. No matter what the air hostess told you about the flight not leaving since your names were on some printout (and you probably had been issued boarding passes and your luggage was loaded on the plane), I think the plane (chief pilot) would not wait indefinitely for the wheelchair support airport staff to turn up. Perhaps in such situations it is best to become panicky and make a scene to force the airport staff to act quickly.
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