Engaging the Senses in Switzerland

     It has been a lifelong dream of mine to see the Swiss Alps. For whatever reason, this has been in my consciousness ever since I could remember - not withstanding the fact that the Alps encompass eight countries. Needless to say, we just had to be there! Making the decision on where to go proved to be harder than I thought, though.

     At first, I really wanted to go to Matterhorn but time and distance prevented us from doing so, so we contented ourselves with making Luzern as home-base, to visit Mount Pilatus. Actually, we stayed at Kriens which is a suburb of Luzern and is literally at the foot of Mount Pilatus.

     Upon reaching Switzerland, we were so elated that that unfortunate Paris incident was buried into oblivion. We just loved Switzerland - there was just something about that air and yes, those Luxemburgerli at Sprungli (their version of the classic French macaron) weren't too shabby either!

     After checking in  at the hotel, which has an "in your face" vista of Mount Pilatus, we decided to take the train to Alpnachstad, where we were to board the world's steepest cogwheel train to reach the top.

     The views were breathtaking. I just so loved it up there! But it was oh, so cold!

 

     After we had our fill of the amazing wonder of God we were fortunate enough to behold, we decided to take the gondola to descend to Kriens. Little did we know that it was a two-ride descent, so much so that we alighted where we were not supposed to so these gentlemen yelling in German some incomprehensible words were apparently telling us to go back to the cable car to finish the trip. We laughed at our mistake the whole third of the way down. We said that it was a good thing we didn't understand them, for they might already be calling us names for not being able to follow simple instructions. Come to think of it, how would we have descended if we stayed there? There was not enough snow to ski down. Ride down those cows grazing in the meadow? Ah, but I loved the charming sounds those cow bells made.

     Later in the day, we went to Luzern to find some raclette or fondue for dinner but there were none. They said that they only do them during winter months. I was kinda disappointed since what could be more Swiss, aside from the chocolates, than melted Swiss cheese? We settled with some Chinese cuisine then headed to the grocery to feast on some honest to goodness Gruyere!

     We started the lazy next day just opening the window wide, staring at Mount Pilatus, at the same time pinching myself to make sure I was not dreaming.

The view from our hotel room

      Finally, we got the courage to check out, while leaving my heart by that window, since more adventures were awaiting us. We went back to Luzern, locked our luggage in the lockers by the station for nine euros, then explored the city on foot. We crossed the old and new parts of the city via Kappelbruk, then had a sumptuous lunch of German bratwurst, with hash browns, caramelized onions with red wine reduction sauce, albeit stiff on price. But man, the taste more than made up for it. Surely, we got our money's worth! There, we met some half Filipino, half Swiss gents who were nice enough to accompany us to Coop to buy some reasonably priced Swiss chocolates to bring back home. We also saw the Dying Lion monument and passed by the Hermes Store near the Hauptbahnhof. Then it was time to say goodbye and take an hour's trip to Zurich.

     We did not have the time to explore in Zurich since aside from the fact that we got in late, it was also raining, so we just ended up finding some quiche and Coke for dinner then called it a day. Next stop - where all roads lead to - ROMA!