{Genemics' Nation}

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Europe - Part 1 : Germany, Switzerland

Right so, I'm back from the amazing Europe! Hence, I'll be talking much about the trip in this post and of course, if in any case you feel uninterested or whateverso, always feel free to close this window and move away to the next. Anyways, I'm thinking of keeping this post short with less words and more peektures... but who knows what, cause' im feeling alil bit cranky now thus I might be writing much more than I think I'm supposed to and if so, please bear with me for I'd just spit out what comes through my mind. But no worries, I'm gonna divide whatever I'd have to say into a few portions.
So there goes, almost 2 weeks of fun and this one good thing has come to an end with simply a *snap*. Really, many times you'll never realise how fast the world goes by when you're enjoying and your senses will only come back to you at the end of everything and once again, back to reality.

May 10th was considered the 1st day and it was a 12-hour flight to Frankfurt, Germany. Initially, (unsurprising to many as well) 12 hours of direct flight is quite murderous especially you're locked in economy class. However, I was amazed that 12 hours seemed nothing. Technology no doubt makes the world a smaller place. It felt as though Europe is just a neighbouring country, or rather, continent. I won't be surprised if 50 years down the road, one can make it to Europe in just less than 6 hours.

So yes, first up was Frankfurt, which we only spent a day over there, visiting the Black Forest (which isn't a forest with black trees or whatsoever, but rather, its a small town surrounded by a forest perched on the hills overseeing Lake Titisee. Over there, it's famous for its cuckoo clocks and Pork Knuckles.

Oh yes, we had Pork Knuckles for lunch that day. Just look at that! Looks like a whole chicken right?? It's really quite tough and no one at our table finished it. But the fries were good! And those green stuff at the side tasted like GIAM CHAI. Well, I really have no idea what it is. A German food perhaps?

Next up, it's the Rhine Falls or in other words, Rheinfall located en-route Switzerland round the German border. It is said to be the largest waterfall in Europe. However, it'd be a big contrast if you were to put it on the list next to the Niagara Falls in North America. But well, at least it's part of nature, which our country lacks of, sadly.

Not far away, we made our way to the heart of Zurich. I'd say the city's quite nice, albeit alil quiet, but some of the buildings look rather contemporary in the mix.

And not too far away from the city of Zurich comes the city of Lucerne, one of the less popular city by name but houses one of the most talked-about mountains in the world, Mt Titlis, which stands at 10,000 feet above sea level and is approximately 45 minutes away off the city area.

I won't have to tell you how awfully sweet those strawberries to the right were. Just look for yourselves and you can tell how fresh they are! No? YES! They're the BEST, I repeat, THE BEST strawberries I've ever crushed in my trap thus far. They tasted OMGISHLY AWESOME! Smooth and crunchy and juicy and whaaalalalafully GREAT alright!

It's a cheese galore! I know you can also see as many cheese in leading supermarkets like MarketPlace or such, but these are Swiss Cheese! And I've laid my fingers on quite a number of them. Unfortunately, none went into my mouth.

My mommy and the smiley cookie that she's clutching! I find this picture really cute! I love my cute momma!

Please look again and tell me how big a contrast these strawberries are as compared to those imports we have here. They're just WOW! No doubt gave me the URGH-ness.

Alright. You must be wondering what the heck I'm wearing and what the more heck would I post such a fugly pic of myself right here. Yes! I'm wearing tights! Long Johns to be exact! Well, obviously those need to be tight in order to keep oneself warm. But I think I look good in it. HAHA!

That's Bertel Thorvaldsen's famous carving of a dying lion namely the Lion Monument, which is found in a small park just off Lowenplatz. The lion sits in the middle of the rock wall which stands quite tall. The carving commemorates the hundreds of Swiss Guards who were massacred in 1792 during the French Revolution, when the mob stormed the Tuileries Palace in Paris.

So this is Lucerne. And that's the famous Chapel's Bridge left behind from the 14th century. I personally like Lucerne very much because I think it's a really charming city kudos to the beautiful mountains and lakes it has. If there's a chance, be there at Lucerne. It's a breathtaking city.

My greatest friend and love of all!

Look at the pair of swans! They were absolutely LOVELY! If I'm not wrong, I thought I caught a glimpse of them smooching before I could even snap a shot of that romantic action. Sweet birds!

Also not forgetting, Switzerland is the one and only place to secure yourself the best timepieces in the world and not to mention, the bestest place to get those masterpieces is from Lucerne. The building above is one of the more-known-about places in Lucerne for the Rolex watches.

And after exploring the city centre of Lucerne and with ample time left before our next meeting time with the tour group, we landed ourselves in one of the cafes, that's Movenpick. Sounds familiar, no? Yeah, its a franchise of Movenpick Marche and I'd say the Cappucinno tasted good and it comes with this cutey little love letter that you can see my mum's holding below.

Hello Mom, whatchudointhere'!

The greatest man, husband and father one could ever ask for!

Just opposite at the other side of the road lies Lake Lucerne, a lake located in central Switzerland and is considered the fourth largest one in the country.

Could you not agree with me that the scenery is just so beautiful? It was (I think) a Saturday that day and there were quite a number of people picnicking along the shore of the lake.