Up the Eiger and Thun

Pictures are of Grindlewald (left) and me bloody freezing at 3800m on top of the Jungfrau!

Tuesday we rose early and had breakfast before checking the weather condition for the day, to see if was suitable to head up the Eiger. Eureka, the forcast was for clear skies and we were not disappointed. Couldn’t have picked a better one and we had superb views of the snow capped mountains all the way to the top.
At the top of the Jungfrau we walked out onto the ice….breathtaking, but bloody cold!!!!Back inside we walked through the ice palace which is carved inside a glacier
On the way down the mountain we had to change to a bus in Grindelwald to complete our journey as the floods a couple of months ago had washed away huge sections of the train line. It didn’t become clear to us until about 5 minutes out of the town , how severe the floods had been……huge areas of land and miles of train track were no more. The Swiss have a massive job ahead of then to restore everything, but they seem to be getting on with the job very swiftly.

On Wednesday we took a train to the old town of Thun (toon) which is at the opposite end of the lake to Interlaken. Once again we were blessed with the best weather and had a very energetic walk around the town which is full of very steep hills, so lots of steps!!! particularly up to the castle which was built in the 12th century., As you can imagine the views fron the tower were quite something. Evey corner was a photographer's dream. We had lunch in a small platz (square) and wandered back along the river to catch a boat back to Interlaken.....what a great experience.....it took 2 hours and we stopped at many lakeside villages along the way, giving us a very close look at many beautiful buildings.

Interlaken

Monday morning we were once again on the move to catch a train to Interlaken. After a scrumptious breakfast, it was across the road to the station, and settling into our first class seats for the 2 hour journey through the most breathtaking scenery.
We alighted at the Interlaken west station, and walked up the main street to our Hotel, The Krebs, a beautiful old building, run by the same family for 4 generations. Our room has a view of the Jungfrau, and we have been lucky to have clear skies since arriving so the scene from our room is spectacular.
In the afternoon we took a horse and carriage ride around the old town…..this was the best way to see a place, and we got up close to the real Interlaken, not the tourist side. As the day was very sunny and 21c, it was the perfect start to our 3 day stay in this very pretty town.
Those “stick” walkers have also taken over here, as every corner we turned there they were, striding their little hearts out.

Zurich

Our overnight flight from Singapore was reasonably comfortable having a spare seat beside us being a great help, and we arrived in Zurich 6.30 am Sunday. Our first taste of Swiss precision was immediately evident when we disembarked, as we were directed to a train which took us straight to baggage collection and through customs. With nothing to declare we took an escalator directly to the train station to which took us into Zurich HB. The Hotel Schweizerhof was a 1 minute walk across the Bahnhofplatz outside the station!!!! How easy was that?
The hotel was superb….very luxurious and with an understated elegance. The room was quite large, and beautifully decorated. Our enormous bed was actually 2 pushed together with soft fluffy down filled duvets…a pity it wasn’t cold…and each side had an individual control to lower and raise the foot and head!!! (I want one of these at home!) The bathroom however was amazing…twin sinks, magnified mirror (didn’t like that first thing in the morning) and a toilet that washed and dried you after a visit. I want one of these too!!
Unbeknown to us, Zurich was having a festival on Sunday, with the streets closed to, vehicles and the city fitness brigade out in force to take part in a very energetic trek around the city using Nordic ski poles, this was the funniest sight you will ever see when being rushed by a thousand very determined lycra clad pole wielding Swiss health freaks determined to get to the finish line first. The locals were also in traditional dress and we were entertained by choirs and Alpine horn players, as well as male dancing flag tossers (not too sure about the latter, they appeared to need a lot more practice.) As there were a lot of people out and about, there were many mouths to feed, so with Swiss precision the longest chicken roasting spit had been set up in one of the squares, and the little birds were spinning to the tones of the alpine horns , as they took on a swiss suntan.

Singapore Day 2

Suntec City shopping centre is a destination in itself with a plethora of shops, a tranquil Koi Pond and Bonsai Garden (see above), along with every type of cuisine and spectacular water features, all within the complex. It takes going to the mall to another level.

Went for an early morning walk and believe we discovered where the rich or famous live in Tanglin Road. As we "powerwalked" up the hill we were approached by 2 armed guards outside one of the mansions and were directed to the other side of the road. Our curiosity getting the better of us, we walked slowly , but obediently as instructed, noting yet another armed guard inside the gate, but couldn't see much else.
After breakfast we caught the tourist bus which does a circle of the city, stopping at all the major shopping centres, hotels and tourist spots. You can get on and off as often as you wish, making it a great way to get a close up look at this ever changing city.

The contrast between the old and new Singapore make it appear to be existing in 2 different centuries. The original China Town can be seen with the modern skyscrapers in the distance.

Singapore

Had a very comfortable flight up with Singapore Airlines...the service is second to none even in economy. Arrived to a very hot and steamy 35c but as we both enjoy that climate we quickly adapted, going through customs via the Duty Free to purchase some very necessary Chanel then on to the Hilton in Orchard Road. A little oversight on the Hilton's behalf....they forget to tell us when booking that the building is being renovated (on the outside) and upon arrival they hoped that we wouldn't mind being serenaded by the Jackhammer Symphony each day from 8am to 8pm. Our tolerance level has really been tested, and we have already booked to stay here on our return journey!!! Can't wait!!!!
We had dinner at Boat Quay right on the river last night. Great food, wonderful atmosphere amidst the old renovated Chinese Shops, but someone also forgot to inform us before we had ordered, that you can smoke in outdoor restaurants here. By the time I had finished eating, smelling like an ashtray, I was ready to choke the young lad who chained smoked the entire time and was unfortunately sitting upwind from me and 2 inches away.....I'm happy to share but this too much.
The city has grown and changed so much since I was last here 20 years ago.....so many shops, so little money!!!!!!!!! I'll definitely be back !!!!

Are we really going or is it just hot air?

With only 4 more sleeps to go, we awoke this morning to the most delightful view of hot air balloons silently drifting over our apartment building....what a sight!!! We will miss things like this and the views over the river while we are away but I'm sure the Swiss Alps, the Grand Canal and the wonder of the ancient buildings of Turkey will more than compensate.

Let the party begin!

We are getting into travel-party mode

Turkish and other Delights

Only 6 sleeps to go - who's excited? However one can't escape the dilemma of how much or how little to pack. The less packed into the suitcases, the more we can buy in the Turkish bazaar!!