Day nine. Bye bye girls
This morning at 9:30, the girls left for the airport. My mum and my wife were flying somewhere in the afternoon but with a taxi and a train ride to Geneva still between them and the airport, they decided it was best to leave early. You never know what happens along the way. With the memory of that taxi coming up the mountain, I said they shouldn't worry, they would have time for a four course lunch before take off :). (For those of you who are reading this entry first, have a look at my fourth entry, day 3)
In hindsight the ride down the mountain was much better, smooth even. Although the driver looked like he came out of a rest home, he didn’t drive like a grandfather. Yet, the ride was nice 'n easy, like ol' blue eyes would sing.
With having no chance of seeing the girls, Eelco decided he wanted to see Geneva. I strongly advised against it, for I have been there before and (especially in winter time) Geneva isn't much to look at. Eelco couldn't care less, he is a bit pigheaded sometimes.
The main attractions of Geneva are the lake (lake Geneva obviously), the lakeshore and a fountain in lake Geneva. Oh, and shopping if it is your thing, especially for watches. Apparently Geneva is watch-selling capital of the world. We walked around the old town, by the lakeshore, and a bit through the shopping streets. Mind you, it is January 2 and all shops are closed. On top of that, it is an extremely grey, rainy and dreadful day, today. When you're on a mountain, nine out of ten times you are above the clouds. This can't be said for Geneva however and the cold wind cut through our cloths and skin, right to our bones. Brrrrr!
To warm up a bit we had lunch in an ice-cream parlor.
In the end, Eelco admitted our day trip to Geneva had proven disappointing. Driving out of Geneva, on our way back to the mountains, we passed through places like Lausanne, Rolle and Montreux, all of which are much lovelier places. Eelco agreed with me on that one and we decided we had to come back some day, preferably in the summer, to explore them.
Tomorrow will be our final day, although 'day' is perhaps a little much said. The plan is to leave at 06:00 in the morning. I hope that getting out of bed that early again will be rewarded with yet another glorious sunrise :)
|
|
Furthermore, we were at risk of catching the bird flue. We had to share our lunch with several birdies flying through the place, landing at our table scavenging for crumbs. Although I am a nature lover and I respect all creatures, there is a time and a place for everything. This was neither the time nor the place for them to be flying and having lunch of their own here. I don't even want to think about where they poo.
Yet, with all of the above considered, I am still going to recommend this place. First of all, because they serve Mövenpick ice-cream, and that is always good. Secondly and most importantly, I recommend it because the architecture of the place is beautiful. It looks Bauhaus period, 'the new style' or something like that. I will have to do some research on that. Anyhow, the place is gorgeous so go there. Maybe you can bring your own lunch and sit outside somewhere, where you have a good view of that marvelous building :)
|
|
|
