21st October Lucerne

This morning we visited the Lion Monument which is a sculpture in Lucerne designed by Bertel Thorvaldsen and hewn in 1820-21 by Lukas Ahorn. It commemorates the Swiss Guards who were massacred in 1792 during the French Revolution when revolutionaries stormed the Tuileries Palace in Paris. Mark Twain praised the sculpture of the mortally wounded lion as "the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world". He was not wrong...it really is the most emotionally moving sculpture I have ever seen. One of the ladies in our group was even moved to tears, which I could completely understand. When this trip is over people will ask me what I liked best...well everything has been so wonderful, but this Lion monument was very special! 

Next we went on an hour long cruise on Lake Lucerne and took in the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. After the cruise some of the group headed to a folklore show and lunch in a typical restaurant. We watched a lively folklore show which included yodelling, flagthrowing and Alpine hornblowing while tasting the famous Swiss cheese fondue. After lunch we had free time so we wandered through the shops of Lucerne in search of watches and Swiss army knives. I was keen to buy a Longines watch but could not find one that I loved...so I'll keep looking. The girl I am rooming with wanted a Cartier watch so a group of us headed there to help her choose. Later that day she did go back and buy a beautiful silver and gold watch with a rectangle face..so yes, I was in Cartier purchasing a watch ;) I just don't get to bring it home!  Needless to say the cost of that watch would pay for my Greek cruise next year!!! We also went to a chocolatier called Bachmann where we bought a small sample of the truffle chocolates...sorry but they won't be making it home...Bailey's mint truffle = Yuuuuuummmm!!!! We then got a few more souvenirs and later in the afternoon a couple of us went to Mass at the Jesuit church...all said in German of course! For dinner we went to Mr Pickwick's and English style pub. I had fish and chips which cost 22.50 Euro...food and drink here is VERY expensive. When we got back to the hotel a couple of ladies had gone to a Thai restaurant for dinner and the main dished there (Pad Thai) cost 47 Euro...they shared it, much to the disgust of the waiter! Tonight I am also trying to catch up on my blog posts. I have found it hard without free wifi, it can be very expensive to purchase it and some nights after dinner we just head to bed. I have been trying to catch up on the bus when I can. 

20th October Lucerne

This morning we drove across the Black Forest in south-west Germany to the Swiss border. We stopped and marvelled at the Rhine Falls at Schaffhausen, which is the biggest waterfall in Europe. When we first arrived they were covered in a light mist which just added to the mystery and beauty of the falls.  We were lucky that as we were there the mist began to lift and the lady in the shop said that just before we got there you could not see the falls for the mist. We all took so many photos from so many different angles, because everywhere you looked there was something else to see.

Next stop was Lucerne and the magnificent Mount Pilatus. Mount Pilatus was named after a local legend which alleges that Pontius Pilate was buried there. The mountain is heavily fortified, with gun emplacements within the mountain just below the tourist viewing gallery. I was excited to finally be able to go up into the Swiss Alps but nothing prepares you for the majesty of this place. We went up the mountain in the cog-wheel train, which was quite steep in parts but the views were amazing! At the top of the mountain we had free time to explore and admire the sweeping views and breathe in the clear, crisp mountain air. Our return trip was by cable car...which was not nearly as scary as what I thought t would be...guess it depends on the company!!! On the way down we could hear the bells of the cows grazing on the slopes....aaaaahhhh!

We then headed back to our hotel to do a bit of washing, then dinner and after dinner we took a stroll around the town of Lucerne and walked across the 14th century wooden Chapel Bridge spanning the River Reuss.

19th October Germany

Today we travelled through Arnhem into Germany. I was not expecting to particularly like Germany, but I was so wrong, it was beautiful! We began our day with a Rhine cruise from Boppard and past the medeival ruins of St Goar. I'm in Germany...and it's October...so I had a beer ;)

Next stop was the magnificent sandstone castle at Heidelberg. I fell in love...well I did eventually, I was not in love with the 341 steps it took to get up there though!!!! It was so worth the climb, the view over the Rhine river was spectacular but the castle itself...ruins and all took my breath away. I can only imagine how spectacular it was when it was first built. The only thing missing as I entered the courtyard of the castle was Prince Charming on a white horse!

We then spent the night in Mannheim.

Thursday 18th October, Amsterdam

This morning we left Belgium for Amsterdam. On the way we were able to see dykes (the hill kind that holds back water) and some windmills. When we arrived i Amsterdam (there was a bit of traffic) Patrick pointed out some of the sights along the way, but the best way to see Amsterdam was by boat, so we all left the bus and boarded a glass roofed boat and sailed the canals of Amsterdam. I was quite surprised by the number of canals, I didn't expect Amsterdam to have so many. The other thing that stood out about Amsterdam was the number of people riding bikes...they were EVERYWHERE, and even more so were the number of bikes parked along the road. They even have lanes for bikes...which can be mistaken for pedestrian pathways...and the bike riders get a little bit annoyed by pedestrians using their cycleways.

After our boat ride we stopped at a cafe and had a Heineken beer...well they make it here so I felt I needed to sample the local produce and support the European economy...and a goat cheese and rocket salad with dark wholemeal bread...delicious. After lunch we went to a 'coffee shop' to see what they had on offer...but we didn't try any 'coffee' ;)

Next we went to a diamond factory to see diamonds being made. Did you know that brilliant cut diamonds have 57 facets? This particular factory have patented a different cut that has 121 facets and its called 'Gassan'. I didn't buy any diamonds...mainly because the ones I liked were about 17 000 Euro! Yes I've been to see the diamonds, but in hindsight I would have preferred to ditch the diamonds and go to the Van Gogh museum. There is just not enough time to see and do everything...just means I'm going to have to come back.

Tonight we did a 45 minute walking tour of Amsterdam with a local guide, Herman. Herman took us for a walk through the infamous 'red light' district. It was early so there were not many girls 'on sale' as we walked past...I saw more than I needed to anyway!

Tonight most of the tour group went out for dinner in Amsterdam. I had melon and ham for an entree, salmon for my main and pancakes with orange syrup and ice-cream for dessert. It was all delicious!!! But the fun part is really getting to know the other people on tour, they have all been so nice and so far we all sem to be having a great time...but it is only day 2...let's see what I blog like about day 19!!!

Tomorrow we head for Germany!

17th October Belgium

Wednesday 17th October Belgium

Today I left for my Trafalgar tour. It was a VERY early rise...4:30am wake up call!!! We were picked up at the hotel, then stopped at two other hotels to pick up travellers and then lastly picked up a few more at the Trafalgar office. The tour is completely full, which means no empty seats! We met our 'Welsh' tour director Patrick and our 'Italian' bus driver Gian Carlos, and I was paired up with another single traveller, Sandra from Seattle. It is also raining this morning.

We headed to Dover to catch the 8:25am ferry across to Calais. Sometimes they do a passport check, sometimes they don't...today they did! Sometimes they will do a randon bag security check, sometimes they don't...today they did! This meant that we missed the 8:25am ferry and had to wait for the next one! We were actually pretty lucky that the ferry was going at all because it was pretty rough out on the water today. Once on the ferry Sandra and I went up to the cafe to get a bite to eat and a coffee, there I met Linda from Canada. Linda and Sandra had met the day before at the hotel they were staying at, and now the three of us have teamed up. The ferry ride took about 90 minutes, then it was back on the bus and off to Belgium.

The first town was the city of Bruges. It was like stepping into a fairytale. The buildings were so beautiful. First we headed to have a quick look at the canals, then it was off to the blood church to see.....but unfortnately it was closed on Wednesday afternoon. There are sooooo many chocolate shops....I have to go back and get some! When in Belgium, try a Belgium waffle right...so of course I did. It was covered in chocolate sauce and cream...it was so good...and hey...I'm on holidays! Next we went to see the Notre Dame church where there is a sculpture of the Madonna and child by MIchael Angelo. It is the only sculpture of his outside of Italy...it was beautiful! After a quick walk around to look at the church it was time to get back on the bus and head for Brussels, the capital of Belgium and where we are staying overnight.

Tonight we did a quick walking tour of the main square in Brussels and saw... where you rub the wrist and make a wish. Then we walked down to where the fountain of the boy who pee's is located. There were a couple of Asian tourists mimicking the statue with their cigarettes while having a photo, when Linda made a comment about the 'size' they killed themselves laughing, and one of them then got out his big camera instead!!! It was VERY funny! Did I mention every second shop here is a chocolate shop? We then joined our fellow Trafalgar travellers at a 'Welcome Dinner' at a Brussels restaurant...and anothe waffle!

The people on the tour are predominantly Australian and mainly from either Melbourne or Brisbane. There were four of us 'single' traveller girls who had booked 'twin share' so I have been paired up with Neva, an accountant from Brisbane. So far everyone is very friendly.

There was not enough time to really explore the beautiful cities of Bruges and Brussels (mainly because of our ferry delay and traffic) which was ashame because there was so much to see. I didn't even get time to go back to the chocolate shops!!! I MUST go back to Belgium!

16th October London

Tonight was another day to rest and get ready for my Trafalgar tour. I still needed to get a warm jacket/coat and I was hoping to find myself a pair of boots. But first I wanted to go to the Trafalgar office to find out what time my tour began. I first went t the Post Office though to send home some of my clothes, paperwork and brochures I have picked up and a couple of souveneirs I have bought. It cost 76 pounds, but has freed up about 4kgs in by bag...which I have already replaced, and then some!I then found my way to Waterloo station and found the Trafalgar office with no trouble. I discovered there that I was to have a 4:30am wake up call...aaaaaargh!!!

The sun was shining and the sky was blue and the Trafalgar office was right across the road from the London Eye, so taking full advantage of the great weather I decided to seize the moment and head up to the London Eye now rather than risk a week of possible rain when I return in November. I had no intention of sight seeing today, it was meant to be shopping again but the Trafalgar boys from the office also recommended it was a great day to go up and with the weather in London so unpredictable it needed to be done! The ticket line was not too long and moved quickly, there were lots of people but I was able to get on in no time. The London Eye is like a big ferris wheel and you walk into a bubble like capsule. You are able to walk around in the bubble and take in the views. I was able to get my bearings from here and work out where I was. I saw the 'Gherkin', the new 'Shard', I could see Buckingham Palace in the distance as well as Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. When my ride was finished I went for a walk up past Big Ben, the Cabinet War Rooms, and before I knew it I was in Trafalgar Square! I gragged some lunch at McDonalds...mainly for the free wifi...and then had a quick look at the shops around Picadilly Circus. Then it was back to Shepherds Bush to find a coat and some boots! Not sure of my size here I have tried on lots of shoes and clothes, and like home, size is not consistent so the safest thing is to try everything on. I had no luck at all with shoes so will need to rethink that but I did get a puffy coat filled with down feathers. Donna from my Spain trip had suggested I get one of these as they are warm but are very light...thanks Donna :) So I am now as organised for cool to cold weather as I possibly can be...lets hope its enough!