Luzern, Switzerland September 2008
Trip Start
Sep 07, 2008
1
Trip End
Sep 16, 2008
Luzern, Switzerland
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Sandy dropped me at Lansing Airport at 7:00 am on Sunday, September 7. Flew to Detroit and had to wait in the World Club until the flight @ 4:05 pm. Flying Business Class again as I have a lot of miles to burn and the pending merger (takeover!!) of Northwest and Delta has given Northwest frequent fliers many concerns over the new elite program and the advise of the experts is to burn miles as they probably will be devalued with the merger.
Sat next to a guy who was in the wind turbine business and had a pleasant flight with a good meal and service. Although the seats recline to 178 degrees, I was unable to sleep with the flight leaving a 4:00 pm and arriving one hour early, due to 150 MPH tailwinds, at 5:00 am (11:00 am Lansing time). Arrived in Amsterdam, for my 7:05 am flight to Zurich. I went to the new KLM club that just opened and had time to check emails, use the toilet and then head to the gate. KLM flight to Zurich was good, originally seated in economy, but the purser came up before we took off and said "you are in Business Class, you can move up". Good breakfast, about four hours after the first one, and arrived 20 minuites late in Zurich, due to fog.
Monday, 9-08
Validated my rail pass in the airport train station and then left for Luzern, via the Zurich main station. Arrived in Luzern around 11:00 am and walked 10 minutes to the hotel. The receptionist said the room normally is ready at 2:00 pm, but mine will be ready at noon. Stopped on the river for a beer and then headed to the room, which was ready.
Napped for the afternoon and then went out for dinner on the river. Ate at the restaurant of the hotel Sandy and I stayed a few years ago. Had my favorite, schnitzel and a beer and then to Mr. Pickwicks Pub, also on the river for a pint of Guiness and then to the hotel and bed.
Tuesday, 9-09
Breakfast and then over to the TI (tourist information) in the train station. I signed up for a two hour city walking tour. Seventeen of us wandered through the old town and got the insight that the walking tours can give. A beatiful morning and a very enjoyable tour. Stopped for a beer, back to the room to check boat schedules and then on to the docks to take a two hour boat tour of Lake Luzern. A very relaxing two hours on the boat as it traversed the lake at about 5 stops and then returning to the dock at Luzern Back to the room, relaxed and then out for dinner. Found a Rick Steve's recommendation on the river and had a great meal, although expensive, of reindeer consume and port tenderloin wrapped in bacon, with vegatables, potatoes and a great homemade sauce. Back to the room, some reading and planning the Mt. Rigi ascension for Wednesday.
Wednesday, 9-10
Breakfast and then to the train station to go to Mt. Rigi, one of the 3 mountains that surround Lake Luzern. Train to Arth-Goldau, then a cog rail up to the top of Mt. Rigi (6,000 feet). A cloudy morning, but by the time I got to the top, the sun was breaking through. Walked from the station to the summit and had great views of Lake Luzern and the surrounding area, including Germany and France. Had to hike by grazing cows and a few donkeys and ran into mountain goats on the way down. Hiked down to the stop below the top and waited for the return train down. Three stops later got off and took a cable car down to the lake and waited for a 1909 steamer paddlewheel boat back to Luzern docks. Rain sprinkles started as we headed down on the cable car and was windy as we reached the dock. By the time we got about half way back to Luzern the sun came out and now the 3rd day in arow of sunshine and temps in the upper 70's, chamber of commerce weather. Had a beer at Mr. Pickwicks and then back to the room to catch up on the blog and relax before dinner.
Had dinner on the river, a nice pizza and then went to Mr. Pickwick to watch the soccer match of England and Croatia. When I got there I also realized that Switzerland was playing Luxembourg and the place was packed. I got a pint and sat outside on the river and then back to the room.
Charlie and Chris arrive tomorrow and we head to Grindelwald in the Berner Oberland and up into the Alps.
