Tuesday Aug 15, 2006
Interlaken-Bern-Zurich-Munich
We woke up little late at around 8 AM. Our plan was to stroll in city for a while by bike and then checkout and start for Bern. We had already reserved the bikes for us for that day. PP asked me whether I would be able to manage the bike on street and how confident I am with bike. I assured him that I should be able to manage it. Last time I rode the bicycle in Bangalore at Infosys campus that was around 2.5 yrs back but still I was sure that I could manage it. But somehow PP was not confident on me. He asked me again 2-3 times and finally told me that he was not convinced that I could manage the same. He informed me that it would be a gear bike and would be difficult to manage. The manager was not providing helmets with the bike, so it would not be safe to go on road with that bike. So, he finally dropped the idea of bike ride in the city. On this I teased him that he himself must be worried about the bike and now putting everything on me. He just smiled.
We got ready, packed everything and then left for our breakfast. The breakfast was as usual served in dinning hall. The manager had reserved the tables for every room. We settled in our table and then had our breakfast of cornflakes, milk with honey and bread. There was a TV in the dinning hall from where we could see the weather condition of the nearby sightseeing points. We came to know that weather in Jungfraujoch was good that day and that the visibility was also clear. We were little upset but then we convinced ourselves that even that weather was unique in itself.
After breakfast we came out in city to take a final round. We decided to take a bus and then go till its last stop and have a view of city and then again come by the same bus. We boarded the first bus that came to our stop. We watched the city hardly for 5 mins and then it appeared that the bus was leaving the city for outskirts. So, we get off the bus and retraced the path walking. The city was small and could be covered in max 2-3 hours walking. We again strolled here and there doing window shopping. We came across many showrooms of watches and diamonds. Switzerland is famous for its watch and jewelry. I liked one diamond pendant and PP didn’t take time to calculate and informed me that that would cost him his month’s gross salary. We also came across a small market where all type of wooden home decor was on display. In a shop a man was carving an old man’s face out of wood.
We strolled in market for a while and then left for hotel. We completed all the formalities of checking-out there and then left for Hauptbahnhof at around 10:10 AM. As we were heading towards our bus stop we saw 2-3 paragliders revolving above the city. It must be a fun to float in air like a bird. All the paragliders were landing in an open ground near our hotel. As we were waiting for our bus for Hauptbahnhof we watched them fly and landing-off in the ground. Many Indian faces could also be seen in market that day. The weather that day was clear and was open after 2-3 days. So, everyone was enjoying this beautiful and peaceful place in that pleasant weather.
Our bus for Hauptbahnhof came soon after that. It took us hardly 5 mins to reach station. Since our train for Bern was scheduled at 10:56 AM and we had some time, we strolled in the area around station. There was a small fountain just before the station, we took some photographs there. I took some snaps of PP with horse cart that went across us. After spending some time there we then went inside the station.
Our train for Bern was at the last platform. The railway station was small and even the height of train platform was not much. The platform was just few inches higher from the track. But we noticed that no one was crossing the platforms from tracks. Everyone was taking underground passage way to cross platforms. Since PP was carrying heavy suitcase he decided to cross the platform though track. Before I could warn him, he was already in the middle of the track. As PP was crossing the track, I couldn’t help noticing strange expression on the face of one passenger who was sitting on a bench near by. Then I started thinking about how should I go; weather to follow PP’s trail or to go by underground passage way. But then even I decided to go though track. As soon as I started towards track, I heard a whistle and later saw a man who was pointing me to go off the track. I immediately ran away from the track and moved towards underground passageway. The man who was pointing me was now heading towards PP. When I came out of the underground passage I saw PP having talk with that man. The man left him when I joined PP. I asked PP what that man was saying. That man was from railways and was just warning him about the danger of crossing track. To move our conversation to lighter side, I then commented that it’s good to be in India. In India inspite of the platform height most of the crowd crosses platform through tracks and no one even cares about this, not even railway authority.
It was again a double storey train and we settled in upper part to have a good view of outside. The train left Interlaken exactly on time and we again started our journey forward. It was hardly an hour journey to Bern and when we reached Bern, Switzerland’s capital, it was 11:50 AM.
Bern
Again after reaching Bern we started looking for Tourist Information Center. At Information Center we enquired about the places that we could visit in Bern and the train timing for Zurich. We decided to take 4:02PM train from Bern to Zurich. So, we had only 3 hrs to cover Bern. We kept the last 1 hr reserved for our lunch and for any shopping. Considering only 3 hrs in hand we enquired whether they provide any bus tour for sight seeing. At this we were told that Bern is a small city and all the sight seeing tours are by walking. She then gave us city map and showed us the route that we could follow. She assured us that the city could be covered in 3 hrs by walking (if you would be watching it from outside). We thanked her for her help and then left the information center. Since the timing was critical, we set the alarm to warn us after 2.5 hrs and then started to have our city tour walking.
We located the Information Center on city map and then started following the map. Being Aug 15, holiday, we could see that the roads were crowded with people. They were either doing shopping or was just roaming out for fun. Two tracks for tram were there in the middle of the road and we could see the network of wires for tram and buses above the road. We first came across a market. Some mouth-watering smell was coming from there. But we controlled ourselves as we had to walk for at least 3 hrs. So, we decided to have something on our way back and then left the market.
Just behind the market was Parliament house. But it was covered as the building was under renovation. We again moved forward following our map. After every 15 steps we could see different fountains in the middle of the road. At first we took photographs of each and every fountain but later we realized that the city was full of such fountains, so we started taking snaps of only special ones. Everything in the city was antique. Bern is one of the most magnificent testimonies of medieval town building in Europe. The cityscape had hardly changed, which is why Bern was awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO in 1983.
Next on the way was clock tower. It was city’s first west gate. The Clock tower was built in 16th century. The tower had a very special and unique antique clock on it. The specialty of this tower, were the mechanized puppets, these gave a beautiful musical display at regular particular set time. We were a bit unfortunate because the show stopped just five minutes before we could reach there. We didn’t have time with us, so we admired the clock for a while and then again continued our journey.
Next was Einstein’s house. Albert Einstein was relocated there from 1903 to 1905. In 1905 he published his special theory of relativity in Bern while he was living there. His house was in second floor. They had still maintained the original style and furniture.
After Einstein’s house we again strolled through this old city area and encountered a community hall, church and numerous fountains. The city was old yet beautiful, demonstrating mediaeval streets made of stones, unchanged townscape, enormous stone bridges and flower bedecked houses. We were felling as if we had moved to mediaeval era.
Next point in our list was Rose Garden. It was the farthest and the highest point in our list. There were two ways to reach Rose Garden. First was the long but less steep way and the second was short but very steep path. We chose the second route. The route was so steep that I was panting within seconds. PP was somehow able to maintain his speed and was encouraging me to walk fast. After around 10-15 mins of climbing I somehow managed to reach the Garden.
The garden was not very beautiful but it was worth climbing the hill as we could see the city from top. There was a restaurant at the beginning of the garden. Inside the garden we saw few people lying there for Sun bath and relaxation. The roses were planted only at the corner of the garden. We then took one round of the garden and reached the rear of the garden. At rear there was the actual rose garden. Many varieties of roses were planted there. 2-3 old ladies were already in the garden and were looking at the flowers very seriously. Because of time shortage we quickly took the round and then went to the next side of the garden having small fountain. We took 2-3 snaps there and then left the garden.
We retraced the same steep path to go down. At the base of the hill there was Bear Pits. According to legend, the first animal to be killed by the city’s founder was a bear, giving the city its name. So, they built this Bear Pits and now there lived brown bears in the renovated enclosure. We watched 2 brown bears inside the enclosure for some time and then left.
We again followed our city map and strolled through the city enjoying its uniqueness. We came across another church and river Aare. Next was Swiss National Bank. We took our 2-3 photos in front of Swiss bank. PP told me to inform this to Papa that we had been to world’s famous Swiss Bank. Next to Swiss bank was Parliament House that we encountered when we started our city tour. It was fully covered with cloth as the building was under renovation. Just in front of the Parliament House there was beautiful fountain. Around 26 water jets were jumping periodically from the floor. We enjoyed the fountain for some time and then left for market. The time that we reserved for our Bern city tour was almost over, and we were almost at the end of our city tour.
We searched for some vegetarian food item in the market for our lunch and then finally ordered Vegetable noodles on my request. After lunch we then moved towards Hauptbahnhof. It was hardly 30-45 mins left for the train but we wanted to buy chocolates to carry with us for home and friends. We quickly located one chocolate shop at station and then looked for chocolates that we could carry with us. Selection of chocolates was again a tough task (as there were so many to choose from and we didn’t have much idea about chocolates) but we efficiently managed the same and ordered 2 small packets of chocolates; one for home and another one for PP’s friend at office.
It was only 15 mins left now for the train, so I started towards platform while PP was paying the cashier. I knew that PP would soon catch me with his speed. We both reached the platform even before the train. We waited around 5 mins at the platform for the train and when it came we again settled in upper floor. At 4:02 PM we started for our final destination, Zurich, which happened to be our first destination also for the trip. So, our trip was finally coming to an end. It was only an hour journey and we reached Zurich just before 5 PM.
Zurich
At Zurich we had around an hour to spend before our next train for Munich. So, we started roaming inside the station itself. This time Zurich appeared much civilized to me. Everyone was properly dressed and was looking well mannered. I commented PP that Zurich was now back to civilized world. At this PP commented that Zurich was now looking lifeless to him and it was full of life and color before. We finally got a topic to spend our time with. So, we argued at this for a while.
PP had some Swiss Francs left with him. He was thinking whether to convert that back to euro or to spend that. Finally he decided to spend them all. So, we again went to chocolate shop and bought Swiss chocolates. We ate two as soon as we came out of the shop and left the remaining for our journey. We then roamed around the station, rested for a while in a waiting room. And then after some time we moved towards our platform.
The train had not arrived when we reached platform. We both were feeling thirsty, so PP left me with luggage and went to buy some cold drink or water. I waited around 15 mins there for PP and finally when he came, he was with same Indians with whom we met twice in our journey. They were also going back with the same train. We had a chat there for a while. We were sharing our Swiss experiences with each other when the train arrived and then we finally headed towards our coach. Because of long weekend most of the coaches were already reserved. We located our coach and settled there. The fellow Indians were in next compartment.
The train started on time and we were now heading towards our home. This time we both were calm and rested in our seat. We both didn’t want this holiday to come to an end but nothing was in our hands. So, we sat on our seats quietly compromising with our fate. We just looked outside and enjoyed the view at dusk for a while. Soon it was dark and then we were confined to our compartment. This time the journey seemed much longer. We finally reached Munich, Germany at around 10:44 PM.
We located the Information Center on city map and then started following the map. Being Aug 15, holiday, we could see that the roads were crowded with people. They were either doing shopping or was just roaming out for fun. Two tracks for tram were there in the middle of the road and we could see the network of wires for tram and buses above the road. We first came across a market. Some mouth-watering smell was coming from there. But we controlled ourselves as we had to walk for at least 3 hrs. So, we decided to have something on our way back and then left the market.
Just behind the market was Parliament house. But it was covered as the building was under renovation. We again moved forward following our map. After every 15 steps we could see different fountains in the middle of the road. At first we took photographs of each and every fountain but later we realized that the city was full of such fountains, so we started taking snaps of only special ones. Everything in the city was antique. Bern is one of the most magnificent testimonies of medieval town building in Europe. The cityscape had hardly changed, which is why Bern was awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO in 1983.
Next on the way was clock tower. It was city’s first west gate. The Clock tower was built in 16th century. The tower had a very special and unique antique clock on it. The specialty of this tower, were the mechanized puppets, these gave a beautiful musical display at regular particular set time. We were a bit unfortunate because the show stopped just five minutes before we could reach there. We didn’t have time with us, so we admired the clock for a while and then again continued our journey.
Next was Einstein’s house. Albert Einstein was relocated there from 1903 to 1905. In 1905 he published his special theory of relativity in Bern while he was living there. His house was in second floor. They had still maintained the original style and furniture.
After Einstein’s house we again strolled through this old city area and encountered a community hall, church and numerous fountains. The city was old yet beautiful, demonstrating mediaeval streets made of stones, unchanged townscape, enormous stone bridges and flower bedecked houses. We were felling as if we had moved to mediaeval era.
Next point in our list was Rose Garden. It was the farthest and the highest point in our list. There were two ways to reach Rose Garden. First was the long but less steep way and the second was short but very steep path. We chose the second route. The route was so steep that I was panting within seconds. PP was somehow able to maintain his speed and was encouraging me to walk fast. After around 10-15 mins of climbing I somehow managed to reach the Garden.
The garden was not very beautiful but it was worth climbing the hill as we could see the city from top. There was a restaurant at the beginning of the garden. Inside the garden we saw few people lying there for Sun bath and relaxation. The roses were planted only at the corner of the garden. We then took one round of the garden and reached the rear of the garden. At rear there was the actual rose garden. Many varieties of roses were planted there. 2-3 old ladies were already in the garden and were looking at the flowers very seriously. Because of time shortage we quickly took the round and then went to the next side of the garden having small fountain. We took 2-3 snaps there and then left the garden.
We retraced the same steep path to go down. At the base of the hill there was Bear Pits. According to legend, the first animal to be killed by the city’s founder was a bear, giving the city its name. So, they built this Bear Pits and now there lived brown bears in the renovated enclosure. We watched 2 brown bears inside the enclosure for some time and then left.
We again followed our city map and strolled through the city enjoying its uniqueness. We came across another church and river Aare. Next was Swiss National Bank. We took our 2-3 photos in front of Swiss bank. PP told me to inform this to Papa that we had been to world’s famous Swiss Bank. Next to Swiss bank was Parliament House that we encountered when we started our city tour. It was fully covered with cloth as the building was under renovation. Just in front of the Parliament House there was beautiful fountain. Around 26 water jets were jumping periodically from the floor. We enjoyed the fountain for some time and then left for market. The time that we reserved for our Bern city tour was almost over, and we were almost at the end of our city tour.
We searched for some vegetarian food item in the market for our lunch and then finally ordered Vegetable noodles on my request. After lunch we then moved towards Hauptbahnhof. It was hardly 30-45 mins left for the train but we wanted to buy chocolates to carry with us for home and friends. We quickly located one chocolate shop at station and then looked for chocolates that we could carry with us. Selection of chocolates was again a tough task (as there were so many to choose from and we didn’t have much idea about chocolates) but we efficiently managed the same and ordered 2 small packets of chocolates; one for home and another one for PP’s friend at office.
It was only 15 mins left now for the train, so I started towards platform while PP was paying the cashier. I knew that PP would soon catch me with his speed. We both reached the platform even before the train. We waited around 5 mins at the platform for the train and when it came we again settled in upper floor. At 4:02 PM we started for our final destination, Zurich, which happened to be our first destination also for the trip. So, our trip was finally coming to an end. It was only an hour journey and we reached Zurich just before 5 PM.
Zurich
At Zurich we had around an hour to spend before our next train for Munich. So, we started roaming inside the station itself. This time Zurich appeared much civilized to me. Everyone was properly dressed and was looking well mannered. I commented PP that Zurich was now back to civilized world. At this PP commented that Zurich was now looking lifeless to him and it was full of life and color before. We finally got a topic to spend our time with. So, we argued at this for a while.
PP had some Swiss Francs left with him. He was thinking whether to convert that back to euro or to spend that. Finally he decided to spend them all. So, we again went to chocolate shop and bought Swiss chocolates. We ate two as soon as we came out of the shop and left the remaining for our journey. We then roamed around the station, rested for a while in a waiting room. And then after some time we moved towards our platform.
The train had not arrived when we reached platform. We both were feeling thirsty, so PP left me with luggage and went to buy some cold drink or water. I waited around 15 mins there for PP and finally when he came, he was with same Indians with whom we met twice in our journey. They were also going back with the same train. We had a chat there for a while. We were sharing our Swiss experiences with each other when the train arrived and then we finally headed towards our coach. Because of long weekend most of the coaches were already reserved. We located our coach and settled there. The fellow Indians were in next compartment.
The train started on time and we were now heading towards our home. This time we both were calm and rested in our seat. We both didn’t want this holiday to come to an end but nothing was in our hands. So, we sat on our seats quietly compromising with our fate. We just looked outside and enjoyed the view at dusk for a while. Soon it was dark and then we were confined to our compartment. This time the journey seemed much longer. We finally reached Munich, Germany at around 10:44 PM.
When we reached back home it was hard to believe that we were in Switzerland just few hours back and that we were now back in Germany. As every good thing is destine to come to an end, our trip to Switzerland also ended. We had left our dream land but the image and beauty of it and the sweet memories attached to them would always remain in our heart for the rest of our lives.
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