Switzerland

Sunday 19 Sept
 After a breakfast of people buzzing about the theme and colours of all the different rooms and a few of us enjoying a few bubbles to complete the atmosphere, we set off on our long journey to Lucerne  in Switzerland.  It was a grey, misty day but still very warm.  In Italy no one cares where they park to pop in to a shop etc...'hey, I'll only be a minute'.  Right!  half an hour later. Hence, on trying to leave the hotel and turn into a narrow street, Eric could not get the big bus out as a car was parked right on the bend of the corner.  Eventually cars moved and Eric did really well to get us on our way.

Again we drove passed the outskirts of Milan and through a number of small villages set amongst the slope.  The scenery had changed so many times since we left London, now seeing lots of lush greenery and passing through so many tunnels. We passed by the commercial city of Milan again,
the largest city in Italy. A short way on we caught our first glimpse of the Swiss Alps, very clear and beautiful.

                     

We kept climbing further into the Alps enjoying the beautiful scenery before coming to the very popular, luxury Swiss lake resort, Lugano.  There were lots of very wealthy chalets set under the alps surrounding the lake.

                        

We passed through many more tunnels of varying lengths which were built for all vehicle transport.  Parallel to these tunnels were built another set of tunnels used for shelter in case of attack during the war years.  These tunnels were equipped with sufficient supplies, including food which was regularly checked for 'use by date'. Hospitals were set within the tunnels and everything the people would need to, hopefully, survive was catered for. 

Our next stop was at a Swiss restaurant offering a huge selection of fresh food, produce and treats.

              

                                                   
The next part of our journey took us higher into the Alps with plenty of scenery to admire.  After some wait to enter, we traveled through the longest tunnel in the world.  It was 17 k/ms in length but it didn't take long to get through and there were lights and emergency exits all the way.

                           

 After leaving the tunnel Lake Lucerne appeared before us - a most beautiful sight and reminded me so much of Queenstown in New Zealand's South Island.  Even the paddle steamers were similar to the 'Earnslaw' steam boat and the lake surrounded by mountains with swans gracefully gliding on it seemed so familiar.

                                                         

We made one last stop before arriving in Lucerne which had a picturesque view of an Alp in the background.

 We drove straight to the famous 'Lion Monument', through the centre of
Lucerne - a much quieter pace than the cities in Italy.  Simon than gave us a very detailed account of the history behind the monument, this seeming to be a passion of his. The Swiss have been politically neutral for centuries and are renown for the reputation to honour agreements, hence, the young Swiss soldiers are trusted to guard the Pope at the Vatican city.   \
The Swiss do not want their young men to go to war again, hence the high protection and tight security.
In 1792, during the French Revolution, 700 Swiss officers were killed while trying to defend a palace in Paris.  The Lion Monument was constructed in remembrance of the fallen soldiers and was officially opened in 1821.

            

At last we checked into the lovely Grand Europe Hotel and  we were lucky to get a front room over looking Lake Lucerne, right next door to Wendy and Mr South Africa.  I once again had bought a bottle of bubbles at the auto grill so we shared it with our neighbours, out on the verandas.
                   
                                                                              
  For dinner we went to Stadtkeller, a Swiss Folklore restaurant where we had a traditional Swiss meal and entertainment.  The meal was delicious including a cheese fondue and the ice cream dessert was like the Swiss flag.  The entertainment was very similar to what we had in Austria; yodeling, folk music,alphornblowing, flag throwing and traditional customs but it was still a fun night out.  

 

                  

                   

Even though my leg was very sore and Chris was still suffering from a virus, we were not going to miss out on anything so joined some of the other people, from our tour and walked over the beautiful Chapel Bridge. This 204m long covered wooden bridge is the oldest in Europe and was built in 1333 to protect Lucerne from attacks.  Inside the bridge are 17 century paintings depicting Lucerne's history.  In March 1993 much of the bridge was destroyed by fire, believed to have started from a burning cigarette butt.  It has since been restored and is a very popular tourist attraction.

                         

After some fun, yahooing and dancing on the bridge we walked along the lake front, back to our hotel.  We could certainly feel a change of temperature but air was clean and smelt of the fresh mountains.