The Lion of Lucerne

Lucerne was one of the founding cantons of Switzerland along with the other forest cantons and some of the original fortified walls are still visable. Our first stop was the Lion Monument. Pictures I have seen do not really to justice to the size and magnificence of this monument to the tragic deaths of the Swiss Guard who were cut down supporting some other countries appaling leader.

The cynical bit of me wonders if (as our guide told us) Switzerland became neutral by refusing to fight because the Austrians/Habsburgs kept beating them up and annexing bits of their land WHY anyone would hire them as mercanaries! Regardless of my thoughts, it was a moving story about the masterful carving and how it was funded.

 
I had no idea how huge the monument was before seeing it.

Next up was the traditional orientation walk to hit the highpoints of any tourist visit. The markets in Switzerland are really not as good as the German ones, mostly mass produced, not individualised at all for the city or town you're visiting, and really really pricey. There was also a market with interesting handicrafts but like everything here the cost was crazy for something you don't really need! 

I have consistantly found the small markets and church markets the best for small trinkets and memory keepers even though they might not have the fabulous lights and displays of the larger locations.

In the footsteps of the Chalet Girls we walked through the Kapellbrucke (Chapel Bridge) and viewed the remaining paintings - sadly much of the original bridge was destroyed in a fire a few years ago.

Dinner was enjoyed with the whole group (it being Sunday and most things closed) at our Hotel Grand Europe, a Belle Epoque gem that is currently pleasant but could easily be sensational. If you stuck your head our the window in the right direction we could see the lake.

   

 I think the chandelier would go beautifully at home! 

Our second day in Lucerne was wet and miserable so we were pleased we didn't elect to join the optional tour - we instead elected for a bit of a sleep in (still had to be done with breakfast by 9am) and a walk around town and watching swans do what they do. 

 

 

 

   The water was amazingly clear. 

After lunch it was still raining so we decided on a ferry ride. About a one hour round trip would be perfect we thought! This is where it hit home to us that the Swiss minimum wage is equal to about Au$115 k per year. The return ferry trip cost us more than it cost me to fly to Brisbane and back a few weeks ago! 

  

Our hotel from the ferry - it's the yellow building in the foreground

In closing, I'd just like to acknowledge that this post was brought to you by Singapore Airlines and the free in-air wifi for KrisFlyer members. How cool is that! 

The one where we go to Zurich

 On the move again we stopped at Zurich en rout to Lucerne. Of course it was the day of the local marathon so our plans were somewhat disrupted but we did have time for a walk through the old town. Views of the lake and alps were stunning as the cloud suddenly lifted and the walk from the main railway station to our meeting point blew my mind. All the shops were closed because Sunday or it probably would have blown the budget too.

Everything in Switzerland is eye wateringly expensive. Apparently the minimum wage is equal to around Au$112k per annum and just about every person here is a millionaire. I haven't noticed that many people wearing Chanel, Jimmy Cho shoes, Tiffany bling, Cartier and Patek Phillip watches etc but they must be here based on the high street! Great fun window shopping.

Adorable Obernai and Stunning Strasbourg

 An early start for the coach trip to Obernai where we arrived just as the town was opening up for the day. One of my favourite markets of the trip - while it was small, it was also not too crowded. We saw many interesting, locally made items we hadn't seen elsewhere. Had a quick visit to a display of antique toys as well as explored both the market and the old town.

Early start meant an early lunch of Tartes Flambe before moving on to the much bigger Strasbourg where we were warned about pickpockets and didn't buy anything because it was too crowded.

Crowds were enormous.  The rose window in the cathederal was glowing and worth the long line up in the rain. We then walked through a display of tapestries and admired the medieval comic books of the stained glass window story telling. 

Also worth seeing was the astronomical clock.

The figures move every 15 minutes

With the unrelenting rain after a musical interlude we had a bite to eat before adjourning to a small (VERY small) bar to dry out. Would it be a wurst case scenario? 

Walking back to our meeting point we admired the lights which really were spectacular.