Third time lucky for this trip?

Day 1: Singapore

Marina Bay & Singapore from the Fullerton Bay Hotel rooftop

This is the third time that we have attempted this trip; it was planned back in 2020 after we had returned from my 60th birthday trip (see blog "Koh Samui, Thailand, Spain & Italy: Feb 2019").

We were going to do a very similar trip for Mandy's 60th however COVID put paid to those plans when Australia's borders were closed by our Government. Instead Mandy had to make the most of various parks, within 5kms of our home, with 2 of our friends and our dog, Boots, at each gathering; great fun but a bit of a wet blanket.

Our next attempt was in late March 2023, however 2 days prior to leaving I was told to go to Royal North Shore Hospital and NOT to get on any planes. A very long story short, 51 days later they let me go home (at 62kgs) after nearly getting the better of me, with the pain still persistent to this day. Thank goodness for travel insurance, essential to us!

The last few weeks has had us on edge as I have been having scan after scan, for my pain, and seeing that no-one said not to go overseas we made the first leg to Singapore for a couple of days layover before we head to Europe.

We always used to travel through Bangkok on the way to Samui or Europe, so a few years ago we thought we'd try Singapore for a change, that and the fact that we have close mates living there now. So we started using Singapore as a stopover, or thoroughfare, for our trips. We discovered that Singapore has a lot to offer, far more than we expected. Including 10 Picasso watercolors in the scotch bar at the St.Regis Hotel at the top of Orchard Road. Then you have the shopping frenzy that is Orchard Road. Gardens by the Bay another highlight including the suspended walkway between the huge man-made trees, a spectacular journey be it during the day or night. Sentosa Island is far more than a kids paradise with Fort Siloso an interesting reminder of the Japanese invasion & occupation of Singapore. Changi Prison is another must-see experience; one that really drives home the atrocities of war, similar to the Land Mine Museum in Cambodia. And lets not forget about the thousands of dining options, it's hard to choose which restaurant to head out to each night, one of which we'll be heading to tonight.

But first, we're going out and about walking. With the aim of the day being the little India area of Singapore, some 5 kms away, we managed to make it less than 100m to find a Singapore River Cruises ticket office. Having never done the cruise around Marina Bay and up Singapore River we decided that now was the time. Tickets purchased, we headed off, across to the Marina Bay Sands side of the bay then up the river, under numerous bridges all the while being informed, by a speaker system, about the history and features on either side of the riverbanks; a really nice 40 minute cruise. It gave us a better understanding of the development of this area and the city. The most incredible fact, however, was that Marina Bay is actually fresh water used to supply drinking water for the city due to a dam at the ocean end entry point.

It was then back to the hotel as Mandy wasn't her usual full-of-beans self, after a bad night sleep, when we decided that sightseeing can wait another 6 weeks until we return for another 5 nights. So it was up to the rooftop pool for a couple of swims and listen to some music via headphones.

Down to the SOS Bar (the local bar) for a drink around 4:30pm with Seb & Ali & a few others then off to dinner.

Days 2 & 3: Singapore & Zurich

A very quiet second day in Singapore around the pool before heading to the SOS Bar to catch up with friends and rekindle friendships made in Samui in December at Sebastians 40th. Great to see Truman, James, Amanda & Ferdi, Seb & Ali for a few drinks before back towards the Fullerton Bay and to a new restaurant next door.

L-R Truman, James, Seb, James, Mandy, Ali, Amanda, Ferdi, Ian

After a great Italian dinner on Sunday at Caffe Fernet we decided to check out Chimis Especial, a South American designed menu which was terrific, multiple dishes, all delicious; we’ll head back on our return in 6 weeks.

This was the start of a very long night with our flight not departing until 0130hrs, so plenty of time to fill. Singapore Airport obliged with filling in time with our check-in desk well away from the rest, the Terminal was changed from 3 to 1 (a train ride ensured) then the furthest away Departure Gate guaranteed it would take very little to send us to sleep, that and a sleeping tablet.

 After a 13 hour, meandering, zigzag route through India air space, around the top of Pakistan & Afghanistan, crossing over Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, across the Caspian Sea, through Georgia, up the centre of the Black Sea, over Bucharest (Romania)& Belgrade (Hungary) & Vienna, we landed in Zurich, a little late but nothing consequential, at a brisk 2 degrees.

By the time we do the obligatory Immigration, Customs & baggage collection, find the train station, buy tickets, find the platform then make our way to ground level, which was a sojourn in itself, we walked out into glorious sunshine and 8 degrees. An easy check-in at the Central Plaza Hotel, which we stayed twice 2 years ago & unpacked our kit.

The Central Plaza Hotel beside the crane with the CO-OP on the left.

Fortuitously there are no scale in our room as holidaying in the schnitzel and apple strudel capital of the world could bring dire results in the expanding waistline stakes.

Showers then off to the Co-op, the local supermarket/bottle shop across the road for the essentials.

View from our window to the station, a sun trap, along the river on the way to the Lake.

Supplies obtained then we decided to do a walk down the river to reacquaint ourselves with the beautiful city of Zurich. Strolling down the river towards Lake Zurich we perused shopfront after shopfront, occasionally stepping inside to remind ourselves that the exchange rate is $0.55CHF to the $1AUS. The stroll was lovely nonetheless, however, Mandy started to whine for wine, so we made our way back to the hotel & the footpath seating & the glorious sun. We were lucky to obtain seating gaining the last available prior to bottles being corked & Pinot Gris being consumed, assuring a mid afternoon kip.

Wine time outside our Hotel, watching the world go by.

Blog writing took place in the afternoon with small additions after dinner in the bar/restaurant, where I reminded myself about Heidi. We had to check but our memories proved correct, the fact that she was a Swiss product. Schnitzels were consumed for dinner and now back in the room ready for bed. Off to Bern tomorrow &I'll let you know how that was tomorrow.

Day 5 & a change of plans: Lucerne

After a restless night sleep, we awoke to yet another glorious day, albeit cold, around lower single figures. This wasn't to last long however. In contrast to Singapore, Zurich is all go at 7am with people on their way to work, where as you could fire a cannon down most streets in Singapore and not hit anyone.

And the morning commute begins in Zurich

We breakfasted on some sandwiches & pastries that we picked up at the Coop yesterday (to save paying the extortionate breakfast costs at the hotel) then looked up the one real thing we wanted to see when we arrived at out planned destination for the day; Bern. Lucky that we did check; it was closed for renovation & reopening in 2 days time. Change of plan; it was off to Lucerne instead; we can do Bern when we return to Zurich in 4 weeks.

We packed the required items for the day and headed to the railway station, tickets on my phone, rapidly purchased on the interweb via my tablet. Found the correct platform, always a fun game to play but the Swiss make it a lot easier than the Italians, who tend to wait until the last minute to inform everyone, only to watch people bowling over each other to get to the train before it leaves.

The single stop journey to Lucerne only takes 50 minutes and we disembarked the train and head out of the station into the beautiful sunshine. Ferry docks are across the plaza so we venture in that direction and see what option exist to include a short hour or so cruise before we head back. Information garnered we head to the first bridge we come to and traverse our way towards some classic examples of Lucerne, & for that matter Swiss, architecture that line the bay. Majestic hotels, casino & apartment building from yesteryear line the shoreline making the most of the views. In front of them a beautiful public pathway complete with bench seating, for perusing the vista, trimmed trees ready to re-foliate once it gets a bit warmer, yacht hire establishments and a general air of relaxation.

Beautiful architecture line the Lucerne bay

The stroll around the bay was really lovely, enhanced by a cup of tea and pastries acquired from one of the kiosks along the way. We made the most of the bench seating to consume our fare and take in the view. We had planned to only visit a couple of Lucerne attractions then just wander around and get the feeling of the city. We strolled through the Old Town until we found one of Lucernes major attraction, The Lion. Nestled in a rocky grotto in a charming park setting in Lucerne, it is visited by around 1.4 million people every year.

Mandy in front of the Lion of Lucerne

The work was created in honour of the Swiss Guards who died in the Storming of the Tuileries in Paris. On the 10th August 1792, some 1,000 Swiss guardsmen were protecting King Louis XVI of France when revolutionaries stormed the King’s residence, leading to the virtual massacre of the Swiss Guard. The Lion Monument, a powerful memorial, paying homage to these selfless men. Officer Karl Pfyffer von Altishofen spent years brooding the tragic loss of his comrades-in-arms, then initiated the creation of a fitting monument to the fallen men, proposing the cliff below the Wesemlin as a suitable location and raising funds for this major project.

The sculpture of a ten-by-six-metre lion, designed by the famous Danish artist Bertel Thorvaldsenand and hewn by Lukas Ahorn, the Lion was inaugurated in 1821 exuding worldwide claim & appeal to this day. First molded in plaster, the Lion was then sculpted into the rock face in a little over a year.

We ambled through the streets passing patisseries, an incredible chocolate shop (slabs purchased by the break in the sheet of chocolate) making our way back to the Chapel Bridge & it's water tower, though not directly. Our intrepid navigator took us via lanes and streets until I had to take over and direct her correctly. Coming out onto the banks of the Reuss River and the locals partaking their lunches at the various cafes lining the banks.

Crossing over another bridge we then headed back via the Chapel Bridge where the base of the water tower had a souvenir shop in it's base, as you do of course. Then back across the Reuss to the ferry terminals where we purchased tickets for the return ride to Kehrsiten-Burgenstock. The day was absolutely glorious with the sun beaming down & Lake Lucerne was a mirror. The speed of the ferry did generate a cold breeze, so gloves & beanies were added to the already near alpine attire. The surround mountains were crowned with snow making the sight quite incredible. Several rowing crews went by during the trip & as we got closer we noticed building way up on the top of the mountain.

The jetty at Kehrsiten-Burgenstock also had a funicular station & train tracks that looked incredibly steep. This is Switzerland oldest electrically operated funicular railway, opened in 1888, it's 930 metres long and covers a height difference of 440 metres & operates all year round. The mountaintop station is integrated into the Bürgenstock Resort. Click on this link & check-out the photos, it's insane. Unfortunately, you'll have to find your own photos of the golf course (Daz & Lindy). https://shop.burgenstockresort.com/en

If you're game, do an inquiry to stay there, makes the Fullerton Bay look terribly pedestrian.

The ferry offloaded those fortunate enough to be staying there and we headed back to Lucerne & the station. Found a really nice, cafe come buffet inside the station, people filling their trays with fantastic looking food & beverage before getting on their trains.

The 3.35pm Zurich train departed on time (it's Switzerland after all) dropping & picking up commuters along the way, until we arrived, on absolute time, in Zurich.

Some wines were had on our side balcony while I started writing this, then we shuffled across the street, which is an interesting game of dodge everything, to the Chopsticks Restaurant for a great Chinese feed. Back to the hotel then bed only to be woken at 4:30am with the question of if I'd like a cuppa, and the ensuring finish of this episode.

About to get the train to Munchen (Munich) for the next 7 days, more to come from there.