Switzerland Luzern

A few more of Luzern. Here is the wood walking bridge across the lake.

The weather was very sporadic so we chose not to do a ferry cruise. We may make a day trip later in the trip though. The buildings are so interesting. I definitely want to see more.

In Münich, Germany now. Wanted to do a day trip to Ludwig II castles (one inspired the Disney castle) but the train are under maintenance and would take 12 hours to get to. Also wanted to Hitler's Eagle Nest but that is closed for season. Oh well more Time to explore!

Switzerland - Mount Titlis

We ascended to 3,000m. Despite the overcast cooler weather the views were beautiful!

Well on one side of the mountain.

We had to transfer cable cars on the way up. The first was a standard enclosed style.

The other one was the first ever rotating cable car. It thought the whole thing soul move. Bit was I surprised when just the floor moved. It makes one complete revolution.

Once at the top you can walk a glacier cave. Pretty much a tunnel of ice. Cold.

It was awesome and cold. I am very proud of myself for not falling as the ground was all ice.

There is also the highest elevation suspension bridge in Europe. About 100m long they say the view is spectacular. You tell me -

A few more view photos. It was a really nice side trip. Our Eurorail passes got us free train there and 50% off the cable car tickets!

Switzerland Luzern

We arrived a bit late. By the time we were settled in the Hostel the sun had set. But I can honestly say I have never been somewhere so beautiful. The lake has swans and ducks. The shore line has old buildings and mountains everywhere (but not in the city proper).

Our Hostel is the opposite of the last place. Our own room but shared bathroom. A small balcony with lake view. Quiet but city centre is about 20 minute walk along the lake.

We are traveling with first class Eurorail tickets. Today we had our own box for 4 hours of travel it was so luxurious! I had a moment of true bliss looking out the window at green rolling hills turning into snow topped mountains. I thought now THIS is the life.

However Luzern is way expensive but fairytale perfect views. Switzerland still uses their own currency (not the Euro) which is weird. This makes the fourth currency we have used (US dollar, Euro, Pound, Swiss Franc). For my sanity I try not to think what things are in dollars. I just enjoy my holidays and how lovely the surroundings are.

Tomorrow we take the cable car/gondola up to the Mt Titlis Glacier. It will be cold but I hear the views are stunning. Weather forecasts light snow. If this happens I can say my first snow of the season was in Switzerland, call me crazy but I kind of like how that sounds.

Luxembourg - my thoughts

First this has been a great example of where you stay influencing how the trip is perceived. This Hostel is fine but it is down and up a steep hill. So to get ANYWHERE you must walk up a hill and sometimes back down a hill. This gets tedious and tiring. There isn't even food nearby but the hostel food. Which isn't bad but it is one of those takes a break between 2pm and 5pm.

With that said Luxembourg was ok. I am happy to have visited here, the Bock casemates really made this a worth it trip. Again a view from the Casemates.

Adding to my irritable attitude towards Luxembourg was a lack of sleep. The hostel with 6 people in my room was hot and everytime you had to leave (is bathroom needs) you opened the door to a VERY bright hallway which shines right into the whole room. A roommate had an early alarm set and left the room forgetting to turn it off. We eventually turned it off to have a second alarm go off again. Breakfast was good (and free). We had to do laundry. The lady told us it opened at 7am since we were woken up we decided to get it together. Got there and it didn't open until 8am we got back at like 8:05 and a hostel employee was using the ONLY washing machine. Their dryer sucked the laundry was still damp after an hour. We would walk into town see son sights than cone back check laundry and go out again. Ya that hill became my friend fast. At least we got to see the town We did find the Camino path see the shell marker?

Found the palace. It is closed to the public at this time. I think the Duke is in residence.

Of course at this stage it is almost compulsory that we visit the cathedral.

And all its stained glass glory!

Lots of statues around too. This is a small town compared to most of our stops. However it is jammed pack with stuff to see.

In the span of this whole trip Luxembourg has been my least favorite. That doesn't mean much though seeing as the bar is set quite high with countries like Ireland and Belgium in the mix. I'm sure the weather change isn't helping it either. Tomorrow to Lucerne, Switzerland and the Alps. Our hostel is right on the lake.

Luxembourg - Bock casemates

In Luxembourg city there is a huge wall. This wall holds many tunnels and mines and is a casemate. A casemate is a vaulted chamber fortress from which guns can be fired. It changed hands a lot and each owner added on their own tunnels.

Here is a model of the Casemate.

Once inside you really get a sense of how much went into building these tunnels. They are HUGE. The fort was 17km long and could hold 1200 soldiers and 500 canons. This I a photo of me standing about midway down a hall.

Great view. If you look close I am standing at the bars in the wall on the left.

Here is the bridge Bastian stood on to get the above photo. Tho one is taken from where I am standing in the previous photo.

And here I am crossing the bridge. All very exciting!

I loved looking out of the wall/mountain side. Something kind of special about standing in a cave and just surveying the land. Not a lot of people around either so it made it more personal. Just think all the tunneling started in the 1100's USA was trees and roughly undisturbed.

Amsterdam - Red light district.

Yes I went to the red light district. It was quite a different place than I thought. To give you a brief idea this bronze marker was on the ground.

The prostitute museum which allowed photos discussed the human trafficking industry and how it needs to stop. They promise women to make them famous dancers and then take their passport and make them work. This museum also did a good job of putting you in the place of a prostitute. I think anyone walking through the district should have to go through this museum first. It really gives you a better understanding and respect for the working women. Who literally are almost naked standing in a window like a store display.

The museums also had unique bathrooms/urinals.

Overall Amsterdam was fun. The red light district was rather eye opening bit I del completely safe walking around. Of course Bastian was always there too. Our hotel was right on the edge of the red light region a very happening place. The weather turning chilly is expected though disappointing. We bought tulip bulbs to plant she I get home! And now we are in Luxembourg.

Amsterdam - Van Gogh

Van Gogh is one of my favorite artists. Ever since I watched someone paint starry starry night on a wall at Venice beach. Inside the museum there was no photography allowed. However I made Bastian take this one photo of Van Gogh's Pallette and paints!

This is the sign outside the museums store (Rijks and Van Gogh) it reads IAMSTERDAM!

I can't describe just how excited I was to be standing in front of so many amazing paintings. They also had paintings from his friends and inspiration. It was a well put together display. About 122 art pieces including the almond blossoms and sunflower pieces. His nephew organized the collection and opened the museum in 1972. They also included letters he wrote with translations into English. He seemed to be very passionate about everything. He painted daily even more so when he knew he was going crazy. He said painting helped him mentally. His last painting was of tree roots. It is unfinished but you could tell the difference in his work from even just a year earlier.

The weather has started to turn Col. It isn't too bad when the rain stays away.

Amsterdam - Charm of Holland

We took a bus tour to the countryside. The sun came out for a perfect sunrise (it was 8:30am)

Our first stop was a wooden shoemaker shop.

He had so many shoes. The hanging ones he said are for decoration.

These machines are 80 years old. The first one carves the shoe via a mold. The second one hallows out a spot to put your foot.

The almost finished shoe now needs to sit and dry for about. He uses poplar wood which at this stage is still soft and wet. After it dries he will lawyer and paint it.

They were quite comfortable I almost bought a pair! But not very practical in Ohio.

Next a short boat trip to a cheese making shop!

Lots of cows around.

And cheese!

They taught us all about how they make their cheese. It was a fun demonstration.

We ate Dutch pancakes.

then took a walking tour around Edam.

This use to be a big cheese market square

Still a beautiful town.

Lastly, the windmills in Zananse Schans. They are so beautiful. This area use to have tons of windmills but due to modernization they started to fall into disrepair. They are trying to save the few remaining by raising money repair them. Some are now even working again!

It was a great day trip! I got to see all the touristy things in Holland. Though no tulips left of course.