Plitvice Lakes National Park- A romantic union with the nature!

On route to our next Croatian destination, Zadar, we visited the Plitivice Lakes, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. The lakes are the only natural monument in Croatia to be put on the UNESCO World Heritage list, back in 1979, among the first ones in the entire world!!

We left Zagreb at 7.30am and reached Plitvice at 9.45am. The tickets can be bought at the Autobusni and cost around 184kunas. After reaching Plitvice, we first bought the tickets for the remaining journey to Zadar (ticket counter was right at the bus stop). From there we proceeded to the entrance no.2 where we bought the entrance ticket for the lakes (110 kunas per person) and kept our luggage in the locker ( free of cost). Since we had 5-6 hours, we opted for the route H, which is the most beautiful route which you cover on road train (10-15mins), 5 kms trek on foot, then further bit on small ship (15 mins) and the last 3 kms again on foot, before boarding the road train to reach the entrance again. Depending on the time that one has, one can choose the route. The route that we covered on foot was the most amazing part of the lakes. The image of the turquoise lakes each fed by a sequence of terraced travertine waterfalls is extremely breathtaking. The flora and fauna of the region is also very interesting. The park is very well organized with clearly signposted network of footpaths running alongside the lakes and wooden walkways spanning some of the rapids. There are restaurants and bistro at the entrances and in the middle of the nationalpark, but if you are a vegetarian its better you carry some stuff to add variety, as what we got was just cheese roll and cheese sandwich. We really enjoyed the ice creams though!

The second series of small lakes ( the ones after we were dropped off by the boat) were similar to the first set except the water area of each one was a bit larger and took a bit longer to walk around.As in the first series there were boardwalks that took us over the waterfall areas with the rushing water underneath our feet.. It is difficult to stop clicking pictures but the narrow wooden walkways makes it difficult to take pictures sometimes, but nonethess, we kept it slow as we had time enough and managed to capture some beautiful shots.

The lakes are indeed an unmatched masterpiece of nature unique enough to stick in a visitor's memory for a lifetime. And yes, they look as beautiful and surreal in real as in Pictures:)

Beautiful Croatia- Zagreb, Plitvice Lakes and Zadar

When I had moved to Germany, I had heard about Croatia..all I knew was that it was previously a part of Yugoslavia..Back home in India, Croatia is not really heard of..so i goggled a bit about the country and saw some images and I so wanted to visit it beautiful country..Recently my husband had a conference in the Croatian capital city, Zagreb in July and I got a chance to accompany him and I really had a great time.

Zagreb (30th June- 4th July) We landed in Zagreb at 1.30 pm on 30th June 2013 and it was a historic occasion for the Croatians, as on 1st July 2013 Croatia was going to become a part of the European Union.. After buying the currency (got a good rate of 7.03 on euros, way better than what was given to us by the Reisenbank in Frankfurt, merely 6.03) and Zagreb Card - Five Stars from a shop at the airport we headed out toward the bus stop..The city was all set to celebrate its entry in the EU and as a result the traffic was diverted, making way for the dignitaries from other countries..From the airport a special bus took the passengers to a near by area (as the area around the airport was cordoned off) and from where we boarded the bus for Autobusni Kolodvor (main bus station)..The bus charged 30 kunas and we reached the main bus station in about 35 minutes..Right outside the station, we got our tram to the hotel, but had to disembark because of the traffic diversions..After few minutes of looking around and asking the traffic officials, we managed to reach the taxi station outside Glavni Kolodvor (main train station) and reach our hotel, Villa Antunovac at 3.45 pm..Despite all the confusion and delays what I found was that the people in Zagreb are helpful and the transport system, as I realized in next few days is extremely convenient and smooth. Our studio apartment was extremely nice, well equipped with air conditioner (much needed in the warm July afternoons) clean and close to the main center on the tram line (Mandalicina). We spent the evening roaming around the area and getting to know the neighbourhood. Supermarkets, bakery and pizzeria were also in the vicinity..

Next morning after my husband left for his conference, I was on my own trying to figure out the tram connections (the pulsating blue trams are routed in all directions in Zagreb and once you know the right connections, is a great way to explore the zagreb city) and places to visit and soon i decided to walk till the main square instead of taking the tram, to get a better feel of the place..and I was glad I walked my way till Trg Bana J.Jelacica (main square)..It was roughly 2.5kms from my hotel and on the way I could not miss observing the vibrancy and energy of this city, which was effortlessly reflected in the confident and fashionable demeanor of its people..With fashionable stores on both sides of the lanes, trams zipping through and people rushing around at first gave an impression that the city was extremely fast paced with no time to relax..However this changed as I reached the Trg Bana..it seemed the most happening place in the city with plethora of eateries and Zagrebians and tourists alike sipping their coffee at a leisurely talk..Zagreb also charmed me with its beautiful parks, museums, sculptures..I personally am not a museum person but Zagreb has a lot to offer for everyone´s taste..I started my trip in Zagreb's central square, Trg Jelacica, and walked uphill to the upper town (Gornji Grad) Kaptol, stopping at Dolac, the fruit and vegetable market. Walking a little further, I reached Zagreb's Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary whose twin spires are visible from afar. Begun in the 13th century, it was reconstructed in the 20th after an earthquake damaged it. Spending some quiet time at the cathedral, I then headed east to Gradac and  Tkalciceva, Zagreb's most colourful street, filled with little cafes and coffee aroma. (Nearby is the Stone Gate containing a shrine of the Virgin Mary that is believed to possess magical powers. It is believed that all the wishes are granted there.

Most museums are in the Lower Town but this neighbourhood has a quirky one, the Museum of Broken Relationships, an innovative concept that displays mementos of failed relationships and the stories that surround them. Its a small museum but really interesting one.

Art lovers won't want to miss the Musueum of Naive Art nearby. Croatia has  a long tradition of Naive Art and all the greats are represented here.

What one can not ignore on the upper town is the St.Marks Church, at St Mark Square, which sports a multi-coloured tile roof constructed in 1880. The rest of the church dates from the 13th century.On the roof, tiles are laid so that they represent the coat of arms of Zagreb (white castle on red background) and Triune Kingdom of Croatia, Slavonia and Dalmatia. Historic St Mark Square is also the site of the Croatian Sabor or Parliament and the Ban's Palace, now the presidential palace. Finally I spent some time at Strossmartre, a beautiful lane home to painters and musicians. and took the furnicular to the lower town. Also from the lower town, at noon everyday one can see a cannon being fired from the Lotrščak Tower, situated in the upper town. The cannon gives the sign for exact noon for the bell-ringers of the city's churches.

The next day I went to Maksimir Park and Zoo..I took tram No.11 in the direction of Dubec and got off at Bukovacka, the park is right across the street. The Maksimir Park is the largest green space in the city of Zagreb. It is named after Bishop Maksimilijan Vrhovac, the man who was first responsible for establishing the park in 1794. At the time the park was set up it was on the outskirts of the city, today it is part of suburban Zagreb. Maksimir is a sprawling park and very popular with joggers, runners and even cyclists as the park provides a safe and picturesque track. I spent some time relaxing in the park away from the hustle bustle of the city.

Within the park is also another attraction for young families, The Zoo..There are a number of large (lions, bears, panda, jaguar) and small animals, including endangered species. Of particular interest are the feeding sessions; the sea lion feeding time usually draws quite a crowd. Entry fee for the park is 30 Kuna and can be purchased at the zoo entrance. With a Zagreb Card you get a 50% discount. There are some restaurants and ice cream stalls in the premises, making it a great place to relax with the family on a summer day. 

In Zagreb it is possible to be in the centre of the city and enjoy nature at the same time. Whichever way you go, Zagreb will delight you with its beautiful parks. I particularly loved the King Tomislav Square, with its beautiful fountains and gardens. I also visited the Jarun lake and enjoyed my stroll watching the people kayaking and enjoying sports. The lake is in the southwest part of the city between the Sava river and Vrapcak stream and can be reached easily by a tram. The lake is reserved for swimming, kayaking and other forms of leisure and recreational activities.

Plitvice Lakes, 5th July: After spending some fantastic days in Zagreb, we were all set to visit the extremely gorgeous and breathtaking Plitvice Lakes. There are frequent bus services from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes and we left early in the morning at around 7.30am. We reached Plitvice  at around 10am and soon after buying our tickets and having a light breakfast ( for vegetarians, its better to carry your snacks, as the choice one gets is extremely limited), we safely kept our luggage in the locker ( free service) and started our journey through Entrance 1 through route H ( there are various routes one can take base on the time one has). We had also bought the tickets for Zadar from the counter at the bus stop.  After walking for approximately 15-20 minutes we reached the first stop, where a panoramic road train took us to the interiors of the national park and from there we walked approximately 8 kms through the park..the 16 cascading lakes and the travertine waterfalls with their breathtaking views make this route extremely beautiful and the most memorable journey..After covering half the journey, there was an electric boat that took us from one side of the largest lake to the other. This boat runs all year round, more frequently during summer.There really is nothing better than to walk (or hike) through the Park, taking in the beautiful surroundings and admiring the lakes, waterfalls, nature and wildlife. The Park prints out maps for a number of different walks, of varying lengths, that can be undertaken starting from either entrance (1 or 2).The lakes are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list and are truly an unmatched masterpiece of nature. After a hectic yet mesmerizing trip to Plitvice Lakes, we were all set to visit our next destination..and this time a popular beach location in Croatia - Zadar. 

Zadar, 6th July: 

Upon reaching the Autobusni Kolodvor (main bus station), we were surprised to see a flock of people approaching the tourists to book accommodation with them ( didn't know that the city made it so easy for impromptu travellers as well;)) and the taxi drivers persuading to drop us off at our hotel at the cheapest rate..we were not sure of the bus number so decided to take a taxi and were very satisfied with our haggling skills when we got a taxi driver down from 80 kunas to 65 kunas..(drivers there are reluctant to use their taxi meter)..however this satisfaction was short lived as upon reaching our hotel, we were told that we pay a little too much:(..but the driver was helpful and suggested us some places to visit. We were staying at the Linda & Mario Apartments in the Diklo region, which was easily accessible from the old town by taking bus number 5. The day we reached we were tired and decided to explore the area near by before going off to sleep..There was a supermarket and bakery in the vicinity and we were delighted to see a beach just few meters away...The water looked intimidating to me at night, but yet I loved the cool breeze sweeping across my face..

Zagreb City Break!

When I had moved to Germany, I had heard about Croatia..all I knew was that it was previously a part of Yugoslavia..Back home in India, Croatia is not really heard of..so i goggled a bit about the country and saw some images and I so wanted to visit it beautiful country..Recently my husband had a conference in the Croatian capital city, Zagreb in July and I got a chance to accompany him and I really had a great time.

We landed in Zagreb at 1.30 pm on 30th June 2013 and it was a historic occasion for the Croatians, as on 1st July 2013 Croatia was going to become a part of the European Union.. After buying the currency (got a good rate of 7.03 on euros, way better than what was given to us by the Reisenbank in Frankfurt, merely 6.03) and Zagreb Card - Five Stars from a shop at the airport we headed out toward the bus stop..The city was all set to celebrate its entry in the EU and as a result the traffic was diverted, making way for the dignitaries from other countries..From the airport a special bus took the passengers to a near by area (as the area around the airport was cordoned off) and from where we boarded the bus for Autobusni Kolodvor (main bus station)..The bus charged 30 kunas and we reached the main bus station in about 35 minutes..Right outside the station, we got our tram to the hotel, but had to disembark because of the traffic diversions..After few minutes of looking around and asking the traffic officials, we managed to reach the taxi station outside Glavni Kolodvor (main train station) and reach our hotel, Villa Antunovac at 3.45 pm..Despite all the confusion and delays what I found was that the people in Zagreb are helpful and the transport system, as I realised in next few days is extremely convenient and smooth. Our studio apartment was extremely nice, well equipped with air conditioner (much needed in the warm July afternoons) clean and close to the main centre on the tram line (Mandalicina). We spent the evening roaming around the area and getting to know the neigbourhood. Supermarkets, bakery and pizzeria were also in the vicinity..

Villa Antunovac

Next morning after my husband left for his conference, I was on my own trying to figure out the tram connections and places to visit and soon i decided to walk till the main square instead of taking the tram, to get a better feel of the place..and I was glad I walked my way till Trg Bana J.Jelacica (main square).Ilica I could not miss observing the vibrance and energy of this city, which was effortlessly reflected in the confident and fashionable demeanor of its people..With fashionable stores on both sides of the lanes, trams zipping through and people rushing around at first gave an impression that the city was extremely fast paced with no time to relax..However this changed as I reached the Trg Bana..it seemed the most happening place in the city with plethora of eateries and Zagrebians and tourists alike sipping their coffee at a leisurly talk .According to legend, a city ruler was thirsty and ordered a girl named Manda to take water from Lake Manduševac (nowadays a fountain in Ban Jelačić Square)

Fountain in Ban Jelacic Square

, using the sentence: "Zagrabi, Mando!" which means, Scoop it up, Manda! and thats how the city got its name.

Trg Bana Josipa Jelačića

.It was roughly 2.5kms from my hotel and walking through the

Zagreb also charmed me with its beautiful parks, museums, sculptures..I personally am not a museum person but Zagreb has a lot to offer for everyone´s taste..I started my trip in Zagreb's central square, Trg Jelacica, and walked uphill to the upper town (Gornji Grad) Kaptol, stopping at Dolac, the fruit and vegetable market. Walking a little further, I reached Zagreb's Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary whose twin spires are visible from afar. Begun in the 13th century, it was reconstructed in the 20th after an earthquake damaged it. Spending some quiet time at the cathedral, I then headed east to Gradec. Zagreb's Upper town is a network of streets that stretches between two hills - Kaptol and Gradec. I strolled for sometime at Tkalciceva, Zagreb's most colourful street, filled with little cafes and coffee aroma.

Tkalciceva

Nearby is the Stone Gate containing a shrine of the Virgin Mary that is believed to possess magical powers. It is believed that all the wishes are granted there.

Dolac

Cathedral of the Assumption

Most museums are in the Lower Town but this neighborhood has a quirky one, the Museum of Broken

Museum of Broken Relationships

Relationships, an innovative concept that displays mementos of failed relationships and the stories that surround them. Its a small museum but really interesting one.

Art lovers won't want to miss the Musueum of Naive Art nearby. Croatia has  a long tradition of Naive Art and all the greats are represented here.

What one can not ignore on the upper town is the St.Marks Church, at St Mark Square, which sports a multi-coloured tile roof constructed in 1880. The rest of the church dates from the 13th century.On the roof, tiles are laid so that they represent the coat of arms of Zagreb (white castle on red background) and Triune Kingdom of Croatia, Slavonia and Dalmatia. Historic St Mark Square is also the site of the Croatian Sabor or Parliament and the Ban's Palace, now the presidential palace. Finally I spent some time at Strossmartre, a beautiful lane home to painters and musicians. and took the furnicular to the lower town. Lotrščak Tower, situated in the upper town. The cannon gives the sign for exact noon for the bell-ringers of the city's churches.

Strossmartre

Also from the lower town, at noon everyday one can see a cannon being fired from the 

The next day I went to Maksimir Park and Zoo..I took tram No.11 in the direction of Dubec and got off at Bukovacka, the park is right across the street. The Maksimir Park is the largest green space in the city of Zagreb. It is named after Bishop Maksimilijan Vrhovac, the man who was first responsible for establishing the park in 1794. At the time the park was set up it was on the outskirts of the city, today it is part of suburban Zagreb. Maksimir is a sprawling park and very popular with joggers, runners and even cyclists as the park provides a safe and picturesque track. I spent some time relaxing in the park away from the hustle bustle of the city.

Within the park is also another attraction for young families, The Zoo..There are a number of large (lions, bears, panda, jaguar) and small animals, including endangered species. Of particular interest are the feeding sessions; the sea lion feeding time usually draws quite a crowd. Entry fee for the park is 30 Kuna and can be purchased at the zoo entrance. With a Zagreb Card you get a 50% discount. There are some restaurants and ice cream stalls in the premises, making it a great place to relax with the family on a summer day.

In Zagreb it is possible to be in the centre of the city and enjoy nature at the same time. Whichever way you go, Zagreb will delight you with its beautiful parks. I particularly loved the King Tomislav Square, with its beautiful fountains and gardens. I also visited the Jarun lake and enjoyed my stroll watching the people kayaking and enjoying sports. The lake is in the southwest part of the city between the Sava river and Vrapcak stream and can be reached easily by a tram. The lake is reserved for swimming, kayaking and other forms of leisure and recreational activities.

King Tomislav Square

I found the people of the city to be very warm hearted, who are more than willing to show their guests both their city and their great hearts, which is also a symbol of Zagreb. I also witnessed this, when i tried to buy a postal stamp for my postcard and unable to do so, a lady offered to post me the postcard:) I was a bit reluctant but she very warmly insisted, Thank you Mrs. Pavicic.

Different people would have different impressions of Zagreb. I would remember the city for its open air cafes, cheerful red parasols at Dolac, numerous parks and museums, all in the heart of the city. 

Live life to the fullest...Life lessons that I have learnt so far!

It was a hectic month for me and I did not really venture out of my city, so had no motivation to come to my blog..but today I felt the urge to write something for myself...I will soon be leaving for Croatia and then back home to India for a month..so holidays ahead,.ye ye..so I'l pen down my travel experiences obviously after returning in August.. but today, as I was sitting and pondering over things..my life in general and reading stuff while planning my itinerary, I decided to make my own list of life lessons that I have learnt in these two and half decades of my life..it would not only be retrospection, but also make sure that I live each coming day to the fullest!

1. Life is full of struggles, surprises and choices you don't want to make, but it is still beautiful..Don't think too much, just live life..i know its easier said than done, but trust me, try to fake it a first few times and you would soon be a pro at living life:)

2. We all want the same things in life, irrespective of the geography and culture we live in..love, appreciation, acknowledgement, lots of fun and a secured future..its only the superficial things that separate us from others

3. Happiness is 'really' a state of mind..you don't need money to be happy..believing that once you achieve this one goal, and you would be happy is just fooling your own self..Be content in what you have today but don't be complacent...strive for better in life but don't forget to enjoy the moment now and be happy in this very moment.

4. Money is important but not all that you need to live happily...just stop buying things you don't need and you would be surprised by the amount you would have saved at the end of the month..you would not only feel richer but also be able to take the worries about future off your head!
Spend money on travelling and gaining new experiences instead.. and trust me, its worth more than spending on Armanis, diamond jewelry and other branded stuff just to please others..

5. Continuing from the previous point, It is impossible to please all the people at all the times..“I don’t know the secret to success, but the secret to failure is trying to please everyone” – Bill Cosby. 
Just be yourself, and live your life as you want..its easier to convince people to believe in you by letting them see the life you have built for yourself than pleading..

6.  There would always be people who would try to pull you down..no matter what you do..learn to recognize them early in life and then ignore (if you cant avoid them)...stick to family and friends who you believe would stick to you in your time of need.

7. Forget your past, make peace with it and don't worry about future..just enjoy the gift of 'Present..things are never as bad as we imagine them to be..save your energies and worries for the problems when they actually befall on you..dont stress just anticipating them.

8. Never envy others just by looking at their facebook pictures..you really dont know their life story so dont compare..appreciate what you have and don't defer your happiness to what you would own one day.

9. Have at least one hobby in life..or one thing you are passionate about..be it cooking, gardening or just anything..things that you enjoy doing have a therapeutic effect on your mind and soul.

10. Spend some 'me time' everyday..dream with open eyes..and work sincerely towards achieving those dreams..there is nothing more gratifying than seeing a dream come true..

11..Its a smart thing to learn from the mistakes made by others but don't shy away from making mistakes yourself, else how would you try new things..just remember to learn from each mistake and move on.

12. We make plans but life always has other plans to us..just stay calm and be make the most of the opportunities that you get..What life gives you when you have asked for something else, might be a blessing in disguise for you..just be patient..and as Steve Jobs had said ''“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.”

13. Eat healthy, exercise and stay fit..Look good..not to please others but yourself..I feel confident when I know I am looking good and presentable.

14. Time is the biggest healer and can heal almost any wound. Give time some time.

15. Be open to life and believe in Miracles..Miracles happen to those who believe that they happen.

16. Have a faith in life...faith in God or any supernatural forces..when things are beyond your control, having a faith makes life lot easier and helps retain your sanity.

17. Change is the only thing constant in life..Good or bad, things we change..don't let the success go to your head and don't let the failure break your heart.

18. Have a good laugh everyday, you are never too big to do silly things in life..No one takes you so seriously in life as you yourself..so give yourself a break..sometimes just letting go, is all that you need.

19. Be good and respectful to fellow human beings and other creatures..I truly believe that what goes around comes around..your goodness will never go wasted..

20. Fall in love and express your love to your family and friends..life is too short to miss such moments..grab them, seize them and fill your life with countless such moments..

Swiss Break (Part 3) - Lucerne

Day 3: Lucerne

Well this was our last day in Switzerland and soon we would be back home in Germany and my parents' European holiday was nearing its end too..we wanted to make the most of this last day and we hoped that the weather gods would bless us with some sunshine:)
All our hopes turned out true and this day in Lucerne turned out to the one of the most memorable days..
We left Interlaken at around 10am and boarded the Interlaken- Lucerne express which took us to Lucerne in just two hours..I had heard a lot about the scenic beauty of Lucerne, but I did not know that this two hour ride would be the most unforgettable journey that I would take...I don't really have words enough to describe this, so will share some pictures here taken from the train's window. The train took us along the shores of crystal blue lakes, it was tough to believe that they were for real and not just a painting..., we saw some beautiful waterfalls and the views were extremely spectacular..Our train was stopped mid way due to some snag, and we had to wait inside the train for sometime, but we could not complain as the view around was so pretty that we could never have enough of it..

On the way to Lucerne from Interlaken

On the way to Lucerne

We reached Lucern few minutes later than our scheduled time, and the weather was perfect..The sun was shining and a cool breeze was swiping across our faces..Just as we stepped our of the main station we could see the beautiful Lake Lucerne and snow capped mountains all around.
We have reserved our rooms at the IBIS budget hotel, which was a 10 minutes walk from the main station. so we started walking using the GPS on our phone.. The bus station was right outside the train station but since we did not know which bus to take, we started walking..In few minutes we reached the hotel. The staff at the hotel was helpful and gave us information on the various tourist attractions and river cruises there. They also told us about the public transportation. Since we were there just for a day, our only plan was to take a river cruise on Lake Lucerne is extremely popular for its breathtaking views and roam around the old city..Lake Lucerne, also known as Vierwaldstättersee, lit. "Lake of the Four Forested Cantons") was the reason that we had planned to visit this city, like many other tourists, and it was just amazing.

After settling down and having our lunch, we went back to the main station to inquire about the cruise. The boats depart from the quay directly opposite the main station. There are lots of cruises and boats to choose from. The private boat carriers do charge money (not covered with swiss pass), and offer pedal and motor boats which one can rent for few hours and it is not very expensive.(20 CHF for 30 minutes for pedal boat for five people).and it could be real fun in sunny weather..

At the Lucerne Quay

It was about 1.30pm and we wanted to take the longest cruise and go to the other end of the lake until Flüelen. We went to the ticket counter however the lady at the counter told us that  there was no cruise back from Fluelen, so we should skip that and take a  shorter cruise, of around four hours ( with our swiss pass we could take this cruise at zero cost)..What she missed telling us, and we later realised after talking to the crew of our ship was that, we could have gone to Fluelen and taken a train from there back to Lucerne..So, one could always get out on any stop on the way, roam around, take the ship further or back or train
 ( please refer to the time table to plan the trip).. The route we took was:
Lucerne - Weggis - Vitznau - Beckenried - Brunnen - Flüelen

The boat was extremely comfortable with a bar and restaurant on- board..The view of Mt.Rigi and the towns on the shores was extremely mesmerizing..After spending some time on the deck, clicking pictures we came inside as it started to getting cold...we ordered tomato mozzarella and vegetable soup (which turned our to be just Asparagus soup..)..the food was okay..not to great, and not too expensive too...its nice to enjoy the water, mountains while sipping something warm:)..It could be good to carry a book or small board game to enjoy, as just staring out at the blue lake might get boring for some people..Our final stop was Brunnen where we had to wait for 40mins before boarding the ship back to Lucerne..We roamed around this small quaint town, checked out the coop supermarket, and a small stationery shop where we bought a postcard and soon it was time to return..
The journey was extremely beautiful and pleasurable...

My husband and parents on the boat

Mt.Rigi as seen from the Lake Lucerne

In the evening, my parents decide to relax in the hotel and I decided to enjoy the lake side at night with my husband..and what a sight it was..the water was calm..reflecting the lights lit on the hotels..it all looked so exquisite.

Läderach Chocolatier

Beautiful hand made chocolates

Next morning we had no plans, and just wanted to roam around the city a bit..We went to the old city, and bought some swiss chocolates from Läderach Chocolatier and they were amazing..They have chocolates in all shapes, sizes, flavours with alcohol and just extremely pretty.. My favourite out of the bunch was lemon and orange milk chocolate..(small pieces of dried lemon and orange coated with chocolate)..It could be a good souvenir to carry back home:)..We visited a church nearby and then ordered pizza at Pizza Pasta Panini, a small italian take away counter at the station, and there I saw a really cool thing..all the customers are given a small cordless device that flashes once the order is ready, so the customers need not wait at the counter..pretty cool stuff!
After eating to our heart's content we went back to our hotel to pick up our luggage that we had kept in the luggage room and later boarded a train to Basel from where we had a connecting train to Kaiserslautern. 

Lucerne by Night

It rained throughout the journey and we just thanked God and our stars that the weather was good while we were there:)

Some take aways:

Switzerland is an extremely expensive place, considering the amount of tourists that flock the cities here...and so travelling internally could be expensive too....if you are planning to stay here for at least 3 nights and want to travel a couple of cities, try considering a Swiss Pass. It gives you flexibility in terms of time (you can board any train), and also you can get the closest connection from the city you are travelling and then use swiss pass internally.. We booked our tickets from Paris to Geneva and used Swiss pass from Geneva to Interlaken...and then from Lucerne we reached Basel using Swiss pass and from there took a train to Kaiserslautern..We also got some discount on the Jungfraubahn and the river cruise in Lake Lucerne was already covered by swiss pass..You can read more about the benefits of swiss pass here- www.swiss-pass.ch

Swiss transport system is very well connected and extremely punctual so always refer to the timetable and plan your trip before starting your day.

One can ask for guest card at the hotels ( the one in Interlaken gave us) and then travel on buses for free using that ( in case you don't have a swiss pass)..the guest card also gives discounts on some museums. The hotels in Lucerne don't have these guest cards though.

Eating out can be extremely expensive too, so its always better to stock up some cookies and drinks from the supermarket near by (coop ) is one of the supermarkets that can be found easily), instead of over-paying at small kiosks.

Always carry an umbrella and a jacket..the weather is extremely unpredictable..

German is widely spoken and written there..Though the language people commonly speak is Swiss' (it sounds like German but we were told that its as different as German and English).

People are extremely friendly and helpful so do not hesitate to question. Even if you dont speak their language, they will try to help as much as they can.

Swissbreak (Part 2)- Jungfraujoch- Top Of Europe

Day 2: Trip to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest altitude railway station

The day second day of the swiss trip started with lots of excitement and anticipation..Before planning this trip, we had heard a lot about Jungfraujoch, seen pictures of friends and relatives who'v been there and it seemed to be a MUST in our swiss itinerary..the only concern I had was, would my parents like it and say that 'it was worth our time and money (it is an expensive trip!)..nonetheless, I was very excited and looking forward to this..since we knew it was a long journey ahead, we decided to leave as early as we could, and after having a nice breakfast to keep us full for few hours, and packing some sandwiches for the trip, we left at 9 am for Interlaken Ost. 

There are two routes to reach the summit. One can either take the train southwest from Interlaken Ost along the valley to Lauterbrunnen, from where you pick up the mountain line which climbs through Wengen to Kleine Scheidegg; or take the train heading southeast from Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald, where you change for the climb, arriving at Kleine Scheidegg from the other direction. All trains terminate at Kleine Scheidegg, where one must change for the final lap to Jungfraujoch – the popular practice is to go up one way and down the other. We had also planned it this way and purchased our tickets for Jungfrau online. However upon reaching Lauterbrunnen we got to know that the trains from there have been terminated and so we had to go back to Zweilütschinen (station between Interlaken Ost and Lauterbrunnen) and take a train to Griendelwald. Trains run every 30 minutes and since we missed the previous train we decided to walk around the station.

At Zweilütschinen Station

Red cogwheel train to Jungfraujoch 

On the way to Jungfraujoch

We reached Griendelwald in about half and hour and from there we took another train to Klein Scheidegg, and thereafter we boarded a red cogwheel train to reach the top. We dashed out from one train to another, but the swiss railways staff was extremely friendly and helpful.The frequency of the trains and coordination of various connections is so amazing that changing over trains did not seem like a mountainous task. The journey was extremely scenic with swiss chalets on the way and beautiful snow peaked mountains all around..The final lap took around an hour and in between the train stopped at two intermediate stations- the Eigerwand (Wall of Eiger) and Eismeer, 3160m (Sea of ice) for five minutes each, so we could go out and enjoy the views. The last part of the journey is inside a huge tunnel carved out of mountains. This whole journey to the top of Europe is an extremely amazing feat of engineering of the last century and took around 16 years to be completed..
Finally after around 2.5 hours as we reached our destination, Top of Europe at 3454 m, it felt great, despite some tiredness...the place was packed with tourists from all over the world..as soon as we entered, it looked  liked a resort, with people eating, shopping for souvenirs, some catching on sleep and others clicking pics..it was pretty warm inside and we were told to follow the blue signs to the attractions there, which included the amazing ice palace, alpine sensation, sphinx (view point), snow fun..the moment we stepped out at the view point, we realised what is it to like at the top of europe..-13 degrees, extremely windy, it was difficult to keep our eyes open and stand...a piece of advice: dress warmly and wear sunglasses..and most importantly, keep your ears and cheeks covered..

Overall it was a great new experience, a bit tiring, but worth it!! My mom just loved the place..

Alpine Sensation

Ice Palace

View from Sphinx

Ice Fun

Swiss Break (Part 1) - Interlaken

This April I have travelled a lot..had a great time exploring new places and revisiting some of my old favourites:)..but what stood out as a great experience was a three-day sojourn in Switzerland. I was in Interlaken for two days, and spent another day in Lucerne,with my husband and parents. My parents were visiting us in Germany and Europe for them was synonymous for Paris and Switzerland, as these two destinations feature a lot in our Bollywood movies (Indian cinema)..So, while my parents were planning their European holiday, they wanted to visit Paris and Swiss and fulfill the dream of going to the exotic locations that they had until then seen only in the movies..As i was growing up in India, even I was convinced that Switzerland was the ultimate European holiday destination, but it was funny when my husband's colleagues asked him-why do you want to take your parents to Swiss and why not London or Rome? Swiss is just mountains..And I was like...are we really wasting a lot of money, considering Swiss is extremely expensive? Should we go to Rome or Venice instead? But then I reminded myself of all the Yash Chopra movies that I had seen as a child, and how beautiful the scenes and his heroines had looked because the movie was shot in Switzerland. Swiss has always been a popular destination for Indians (obviously who can afford to shell out a few thousand dollars)..And after being there, I have no regrets...the place is every penny worth it:) I agree that the snow peaked mountains can be seen in many other European cities and at much lower budget, but there is something about the untouched beauty of the alps and the Swiss chalets, that makes it so special and different..
Now here is what my trip was like..Since, its going to be a long write up, I will divide this piece in parts

 Day 1: Interlaken
We reached Geneva from Paris on TGV, and from there we had to change two trains. The connection was from Geneva to Bern, then from Bern to Spiez, and from Spiez to Interlaken West Station. My husband and I were a bit skeptical initially, since my parents are not used to so much travelling and definitely not used to changing multiple trains with suitcases..whew! But that's what living in Europe teaches you..And thanks to the amazing travel system, and the thoughtfully designed Swiss railways stations, that changing trains seemed so easy..There are escalators and sloped terrain that made it so easy to drag the luggage..In Geneva, we had to cross the customs too (just like at airports) before boarding the next train..The trains were extremely comfortable and the cities are so well connected, that there are connections almost every 30 minutes..And all the tiredness dissipated as soon as we got a glimpse of the natural beauty of Swiss from the window..The train journeys in Swiss were so pleasant and a treat to senses..so beautiful and calming!! I just couldn't take my eyes off and my camera couldn't stop clicking...
After a journey of around 2 hours we reached Interlaken West train station and it was raining hard..My spirits were dampened a bit by the rain, but luckily the weather soon started getting better. We looked around the place for travel maps and enquired about the bus route..The people were friendly and a bus driver guided us...In Interlaken and Lucern the language most commonly used is German..we also got to know that people here speak 'swiss' too..its like a dialect that is only spoken and not written..and it is not similar to German or French..but as different as these languages are from English..Being a touristic place, people do speak little English as well..We had missed one bus and had to wait for 30 minutes for another one..so in the meantime, we walked around the area..we located a small Indian restaurant, The Little India, right outside the station, there is a beautiful lake behind the station, where I wanted to click some pictures which unfortunately due to the bad weather I could not..then right opposite the station is the market area that stretches till the other end of the road, where Interlaken Ost station is located. We had our four day Swiss Pass so all the internal train, bus and boat journey were included ( will be writing more about the swiss pass towards the end). Finally the bus came, and it was quick ride to our hotel, which was right next to the bus stop..The bus driver did not ask for our ticket (they trust the passengers to be riding with valid tickets). If one is caught travelling without a ticket, the fine charged is a

Sitting Area, Dining and Kitchen at Tell Apartment

one of the double bedroom

View from one of the bedrooms

Shopping Street in Interlaken

round 100 CHF. We had booked an apartment in Hotel Tell..Located in a beautiful neighborhood  Tell Hotel is a cosy place, with an Irish Pub..We waited for sometime in the Pub, before the hotel manager came. She was a warm and very friendly lady, who helped us with all the formalities, taking our luggage up on the third floor and eventually telling us about the places in the vicinity (bakery, coop supermarket, train stations and market)...The apartment was huge, with two double bedrooms, one single bedroom, one bathroom, kitchen, drawing room, two balconies with a view of the snow peaked mountains..extremely thoughtfully designed and tastefully done with all the necessary equipment. It was like living in a Swiss Chalet:)..After having lunch at the apartment, (we had got some ready to eat food, since we knew being veggies we do not have lot of options and what we have would be extremely expensive and probably not worth the money too) we left to explore the market area..we walked around the place and it seemed like a beautiful small village, where one could see the white mountains everywhere and lush green trees..Swiss watches and chocolates was all we could see at every corner and in every shop:) The day was well spent..We went back to our hotel, warmed up our ready to eat pastas, tortillas and some Indian veggies and went back to sleep to relax our bodies for the next destination- Jungfrauhoch!

Walking towards the market street in Interlaken

Interlaken

Swiss chocolate boutique

Cowbells..an old Swiss tradition

Swiss souvenirs

On the way to Interlaken

On the way to Interlaken from Bern