A Lazy Traveler in Europe: Switzerland

One new country every year.

That was my promise to myself. At the start of 2015, i was worried that i wouldn't be able to pursue that. Well, it turned out to be quite the opposite. And my last trip was way beyond my expectations!

So, i went to Europe! Woohoo!

I didn't plan on it and you'll see in my next few posts how much i meant that!
I'll be writing a series of posts about the places i've been to in Europe. Maybe on a different post, i'll also put my recent trip to Taiwan and Japan.

Btw, this is the first non-Asian visa on my passport!


If the title isn't indication enough, let me say this again: i'm a terribly lazy traveler which means i spend most of my time just idly walking to places and lounging around cafes near the hotel instead of checking out every single tourist spot there is. Never mind missing most of the famous places. I'm happy with just getting to one or two places and spending the rest of my time there drinking coffee or people watching.

I'm also a lazy blogger so for the succeeding posts, i'll just let the pictures speak for themselves!

Some quick background: i was sent to Germany for a month of training at my new job. So, i took the  opportunity to go to some places over the weekends and also extend my stay there.

First stop was Lucerne, Switzerland! Coming from Frankfurt, the ICE train (high speed, cross-country train) was comfortable and had really stunning views of the landscape filled with hills, meadows, silhouettes of the alps and fields so wide it spans the whole horizon!

We arrived late in the afternoon at main train station in Lucerne with the intention of staying there overnight and just spending the whole Sunday checking the city. It was quite cold but as it's already winter. I heard that during summer, the Reuss River might have flies making it uncomfortable and unsightly but thankfully, this time of the year you only see swans and the soft fog the covers the early morning. And, what a sight it was.

From the side of the train station (or the nearby park) you'll get a beautiful view of the slightly foggy city with picturesque buildings next to the river with swans and colorful ducks slowly passing by. Quite a mesmerizing sight!

A lot of the buildings and areas are based on the old historical designs and indeed some areas are actually that old but well preserved. However, it is a modern city with all it's convenience and practicalities.

The Lucerne Train Station facade!

Right after checking in at Ibis Budget Hotel, we took a walk around the area. Btw, Ibis hotel is definitely a budget hotel (see my tripadvisor review here) but was perfect since all 3 of us who traveled there, only intended to sleep over and take a shower there. We didn't even have any luggage to worry about. So, first thing in the morning, we checked out and begun our day trip around this wonderful and cozy city.

As mentioned before, we can let the pictures do the talking:

Lucerne during the day! With the Kapellbrücke (or Chapel Bridge) crossing the River. 

Up on a hill is an very long stone wall with a tower. Right on it's side is a really nice overlooking view of city below. 

Walking to the other side of the wall and we were greeted by this breath-taking view of Lucerne and the nearby Alps!

Honestly, i was blown away by the view from a top this hill. It was my first time to see mountain ranges that span such a large area and their sheer size was already something to behold.

We also visited a church, a park and of course, a souvenir shop!

To catch up with our afternoon train, we had lunch at a cafe at the train station. After that it was our 5-7 hour train ride back to Germany. It took longer as the train initially had trouble and was delayed. Still it was a comfy ride plus the train had a small bar and clean toilets, so the hours just went by quickly. Obviously, i was taking pictures most of my time on the train.

This guy just happen to be on the right spot while i was taking picture from a moving high speed train!

Please watch out for my next post: Cologne and Munich, Germany!