Sunday, July 29, 2012

lucerne

Here comes a swan, all poised and elegant like a princess. Or maybe a prince. The swans in Lucerne are most probably the biggest attraction besides the snow-capped mountains. One just can't resist admiring them sailing so peacefully upon the lake. One wonders, how can they be so beautiful.
LakeLucerne is the centre of attraction, dotted by boats.
One by one they came, as we approached the edge of the lake. From afar they swam towards us the moment they caught glimpses of us.
 
Actually they were lining up waiting to be fed. Even the mandarin ducks were escorting them. We gave them Oreo, the new ice-cream-flavoured biscuits that we brought from home, the only edible that we had in our bags at that time. 
The path along the lake are lined with trees, it seems unending. Lucyriver only managed to walk till past the church before heading back. It was so relaxing just sitting at one of the benches there enjoying the magnificent view of water and mountains. The weather was cool. One can just sit there forever.  From time to time people were walking by with their dogs on lease.
What more to ask for if Lucyriver have this view everyday.
One of the reasons we were here was to see the snow mountain, Titlis. Our bus took us up the winding road to reach the mountain. Everything was fine with the trees and forests along the way till later as we were getting down, the bus experienced some technical problems. Luckily another bus saved us and put us back to the ground safe and sound.
We had to take three cable cars before reaching the top. The first was a cable car seated maximum six persons.
Then we changed to a bigger squarish cable car which can accommodate at least a hundred standing, if Lucyriver is not wrong, don't quite remember now. Lastly, we were stuffed into a 360-degree revolving cable car, yes, stuffed, no kidding. 
The weather was quite good thus the outdoor to the snow, Lucyriver would say it's ice, was opened. The wind was strong and it was really, really cold. All around was white, really white out. Just about a minute or so, Lucyriver's toes started to go numb. So, dashing back indoors Lucyriver did before the toes frozen into ice and broken into pieces.
More beautiful snow capping mountain scenes as we were descending. Everyone in the car were awed by the view.
If only snow would fall now, everyone would go berserk. Nah, it is going into summer now.
This was taken outside when changing cable car. It was a quick snap as everyone were moving in rush.
Information inside the cable car. 
As we were getting lower and lower, gone were the white snow. Instead it was replaced by the greens and the acorn trees.
A lake spotted as we near the station.
It's the swan again. They are everywhere so you are going to see them from time to time, in Lucerne and HERE.
Buildings around as walked around the lake. We were told the place above along the edge of the lake is where the morning or weekend market is, which we missed as when we  knew about it when we were ready to leave. It's all the swans' fault, we were charmed by them that we went to see them and spent quite a time feeding them.
There is something very charming about buildings near water.  They looked so in one with the sky above and the water below.
The chapel bridge which we walked through and only when nearing the end did Lucyriver remember to look up to the paintings. Sigh, so lazy want to go back to look at other paintings.The paintings are not the originals as some were previously destroyed in a fire. 
The two onions reminded Lucyriver of the mosques back home. It's actually a church. Lucyriver had previously read about it, now can't recall anything.
After crossing a bridge, not the chapel bridge, another one after it, we came to this fruit stall.
All kinds of berries and cherries. 
"This is just to say Lucyriver had eaten all the berries here,which you were probably drooling now. Forgive Lucyriver, they were delicious, so sweet and so cold." -William Carlos Williams-
From the fruit stall, walking up the stairs and saw this drawing on the wall.
Goggled wikipedia about Lucerne and found out that they have this similar picture too. There, do you see, the bridge that we walked to the fruit stall.
The vegetable stall next to the fruit stall. We met three of our travel mates here munching on green apples that they just bought. Together we walked back to our hotel.
 
With the grass covering the walls, what use the paint for? 
Whenever Lucyriver see a bicycle lying somewhere, it will bring back the memories in Laos. 
The Goldman preparing to show his stuff.
Oh my god, here they are again, can't they just leave Lucyriver alone?  
 A pair of mandarin ducks basking in the afternoon sun.
 More and more boats bobbing on the lake.
 Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink?
Lucerne will always be remembered for its lake, mountain, snow, the dying lion and oh alright, alright, Lucyriver will give you credit too, sigh, and the SWANS.

Saturday, July 14, 2012

venice

It was indeed exhilarating as we were approaching the city of water though the shaky and bumpy boat-ride did not give much opportunity for good photo-taking. Out of about a dozen shots, the above is the only one that is not sinking like the Titanic, below. And presentable, of course.
The clear blue sky of the afternoon added a feeling of calmness.The sun stayed until late afternoon and left us with chill that crept into bones whenever the wind blew.


Sometime ages ago, Venice was one of the places that Lucyriver had wanted to go. Perhaps, it was due to one of the music videos of Coco Lee which was shot in Venice. The sunset scene was so captivating. All this while, Venice was still in the heart but the pulse was not strong. Perhaps again, Venice was competing with other places. Or perhaps again and again, Lucyriver had not expected to put both feet on Venice so soon. 
Due to limited time, we were only wandering around St Mark's Square or Piazza San Marco. There were many, really many people around and still we were told that it couldn't be considered as many people as we had not seen what is the real 'many people' until everyone has to brush shoulders with each other.
 The magnificent St Mark's basilica.

Lucyriver had not read on anything before going to Venice therefore upon seeing all those structures it was more to aesthetic appreciation rather than knowledge of the history.  
Oh, how wish Lucyriver had bought one of those Venetian masks home. 
Gondolas on one of the canals. Love those guys in the 'zebra' shirts.
One can just stand hours at the window looking at these beautiful and colourful jewelleries and ornaments.
The Campanile of St Mark. Darn, waited for ages still couldn't get the three flags flying in unison.
From San Marco looking towards San Giorgio Maggiore.
The Bridge of Sighs, where sometime ago prisoners took a last look of Venice through one of those windows before they were locked-up.
More gondolas plying the canal. 
One of the souvenir stalls along the waterfront. 
The Doge's Palace 
If Lucyriver were to come again, Lucyriver would be more appreciative and venture deeper into the water street. Lucyriver had not done justice to Venice by just touching a corner of its hem as more jewels are hidden everywhere. Ciao, Venezia. I will see you again.