Switzerland

As the train silently wound along the tracks we were immediately able to judge when we had crossed into Swiss territory due to the picturesque scenery and wealth of apple trees dotted around the landscape.

It was a nice contrast when we arrived into the small Swiss city of Zurich after having had a busy week in the French capital. After dumping our luggage, we met up with Anna Marie who took us for a stroll along the edge of the lake and through the old section of the city. The natural beauty and Zurich's immaculate cleanliness were certainly the most dominant characteristics of the city. 

As we sat beside the lake and watched the many birds playing in the water I was also given my first taste of a traditional Swiss/German food, Bratwurst.

That evening we went for a walk further down the river to Zurich's famous baths. Every few hundred metres on the river shore a public bath is stationed where people enjoy a swim in the clear water that flows through the city. 

As it was nearing the end of summer the baths were filled with young people enjoying their last hours of freedom. On our walk back to the apartment we watched as the same people migrated from the water to the groovy row of bars overlooking the river for a celebratory drink and good laugh.
We spent the night enjoying the privacy of our own apartment which had been kindly provided to us by Suzanne, another of Hans' friends.

The following day we were invited by Anna Marie to accompany her for a Swiss breakfast of fruit, cheeses, bread and coffee. After our meal Anna Marie took us for a walk to the woods which inhabit the higher regions of Zurich and provide a fantastic viewpoint of the city and the mountains on the horizon. As I walked along the path I felt like I was entering into a film setting... the surrounding environment seemed truly surreal.

At 12pm we met Daniella and Tanja for brunch at a thriving little cafe in the old district of Zurich, the Maison Blunt Tea Room. As it was a Sunday the cafe had a great atmosphere and was packed with friends and families catching up over a delicious meal.
We each ordered a serve of scrambled eggs with tomato and onion, and shared the Oriental Platter which Tanja insisted we order! It had a mixture of things... Hummus, yoghurt and fruit, olives, dried fruit and more.
We then walked together along the side of the lake to the city's annual cultural festival which was celebrating its last day.
After wandering around the lake for an hour or so we returned to the apartment and went for another walk through the woods, hoping to catch a view of the sun setting behind the city.

Our final day in Zurich we spent navigating our way around the old quarter. Nina purchased her much awaited Swiss Army knife after which we went to check out a highly recommended vegetarian cafe - Tibits - where we enjoyed a buffet of delicious vegetarian delicacies. We went with the intention of looking and doing a bit of food research for Maria however we couldn't resist trying the mass of gourmet food on offer. Switzerland is by far the most expensive country we have visited, and we were shocked to discover that for our two plates of mixed salads, it cost us 48 Francs!

That evening we had another walk through the woods and then a quiet dinner together in the apartment.
The following day we caught the train to St Gallen, a fairytale-like city in the North of Switzerland.

Again we were able to stay with one of Hans' friends, Masi. The three days we spent in St Gallen were very relaxing and we were treated to some delicious home cooked meals and movie nights together. Masi also cooked for us the traditional German tart known as zwetske kuchen- a delicious (but not sickly sweet) plum-filled pastry.

During the day we went for a walk to the lakes which sit at the highest point of the city and are a popular place for swimmers, musicians and sportsmen alike.

One evening we made the short journey through the stunning countryside to the shore of Lake Bodensee (or Lake Constance). As we wound down our windows to get a clearer view of the farms the car filled with the beautiful aroma of apples due to the thousands of trees that lined the road.

As we sipped on our glass of the regions famous Apfelshorle beside the lake we enjoyed a great view of the German towns on the other side. Had the following day been sunny we would have taken the ferry across the lake to German territory as it would have made for a more exciting journey, but unfortunately we woke up to the sound of pouring rain.

Our three days in St Gallen meant our last few days in Switzerland. It was an enjoyable week spent in the company of interesting Swiss friends and in what has to be the cleanest place on the planet.