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.