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Published: April 7th 2007
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Our room
Our hotel room after we unpacked
Toilet Surprise Our first day in Zurich, and whilst we were very tired and cranky, we went in search of a quick meal and possible free access to the internet somewhere. We thought McDonalds provided free internet, so we decided to be very unadventurous for our first Europe meal and get something familiar and easy. Unfortunately the search for free internet came up empty but at least we now had some energy thanks to the 'Cheeseburger Royale" a.k.a quarter pounder with cheese - very exotic Maccas.
We spent the day exploring Zurich. When we had first arrived on the Train Zurich at first appeared to be very industrial and even somewhat unattractive- but of course all areas on trainlines all over the world tend to be this way, and we soon discovered just how beautiful the town is. With an eclectic mix of old churches, bridges, and cobblestone street "old town", blended with the young hip modern concrete glass architecture, it was facinating.
Our first impression of Swiss people was also simply pleasently surprising (like all of our trips so far). Whilst standing looking rather confused at the tram station near our hotel a man stopped and asked if we
Zurich Central
The Central Train/Tram Station needed help (in English of course) and told us we could buy at cheap $7SF 24hr tram ticket that mean we could catch buses, trains, and boats unlimited. He even told us where to go to buy it. He was very kind. Everyone here has been abliging & kind.
We walked and trammed the whole town (see some of our photos attached) but Kellie's favourite stop was the amazing famous chocolate shop on Bahnhoff Strasse - the day before Easter the chocolate creations in this store were simply to die for, and the shop was absolutely packed! CRaig didnt buy Kellie an Easter egg though (Wink wink).
Bahnhoff strasse is the main street of the town, and it appears Zurich and Bahnhoff strasse in particular is the shopping Mecca of Switzerland. With every designer and famous brand known to human kind, and so many department stores and shops that we had never heard of, it was very tempting. What kellie found facinating (from a Retail Marketing perspective) was the care and pride and work that went into EVERY SINGLE SHOP WINDOW in the retail area. From large department stores, to the tiny little boutique jewellery and chocolate stores,
Kellie Church
Kellie in front of the church in the 'Old Town' their windows were simply works of art, truely lovely. (If only Brisbane retailers would take this sort of effort in their merchandising!)
So after a long day of window shopping (not spending) and site seeing, we were pooped. Once back at our room we decided to have a bit of a rest - before our 7pm reservation at the in hotel restaurant....whoops - we slept till 8pm. Again, they were very understanding and still fit us at a table. We had probably one of the best restaurant meals EVER! Craig had a beef dish that was t delicous (don't even ask what the name of it was in German) and Kellie had a Lasagne primavera served with boiled cabbage - and it was the best ever! Served with the meals were sliced breadsticks (like a french breadstick but in a very German style darker bread) which you eat with olive or grape oil rather than butter. And for desert - the best vanilla icecream, chocolate topping and cream sundae ever!
OH OH OH, and I have to tell you about the toilet downstairs in the hotel foyer - After doing my business I stood up to do my
River View
River View pants up and something really bizaare happened...... the toilet seat took it upon itself to do a full 360 degree rotation and clean itself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Im serious! This projected section poped out and then the seat turned around slowly getting cleaned buy this projected thing! I will get Craig to video it and put in on our blog - its HELARIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!
Well after a full nights sleep, we are feeling pretty good even though its only 4.30am - and we are ready for big day ahead. Just this morning after getting up, we went through some tour brochures, and have decided to do a snow and glacier tour today. We will be taking a tour out to Lake Lucern where we will do a city tour of Lucern, then a breath taking journey up to the high alpine glaciers. we will be taking a REVOLVING cable car over deep glacier crevasses and ice boulders up to the top of the Alps where there is a restaurant, sun terrace and "Ice Grotto" whatever that is.
So off for an amazing day of experiences.
Talk to you all shortly.
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Jac
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Gold Dude
Craig looks good in Gold. Gold Member look out