But to start with the beginning, we did a “classic” tour by now, through central Switzerland,

Einsiedeln, where we can still not take pictures inside, but we arrived right before mass, which sounds impressive in the huge baroque room.

Then we started off towards Lucerne, but not on the main road, but along the Vierwaldstätter Lake, wanting to stop in Vitznau, maybe to climb the Rigi mountain. Yet I couldnt find the parking lot, so we decided to go ahead. Reaching Weggis, I saw a cable care leading up, which I then remembered I’d seen it before, so we stopped and took it up the mountain. Good idea, we got to see the world above the fog

which was supervising the lakes

glistering.

Up on the mountain there was a …Swing & Dixie concert,

with a real and cool band.

Lucerne waited for us, sunny

and warm.

Like the heart shape made by these swans.

On the same wavelength, tenderness on the bridge,

and relaxation thereunder,

scenes we watched with similar relaxation from a terrace right on the shore, where we ate.

On the way to the station we first heard music, then saw the boyz on the bridge,

having fun on merry swing rhythm,

under the tower.

Only 3 boys, but playing very well, and their heart out.

happy but focused on their instruments,

in the sunset light.

Nice atmosphere. Which we had to leave behind, because S. had her train back to Basel. I then took off towards home, but decided spontaneously that rather than spending an hour in  Sunday evening traffic jams it would be better invested in crossing the lake with the ferryboat. I just hoped it would still cross at that time. And indeed,

the lake crossing in the sunset was worth the drivearound.

Since S. was based in Basel, we decided to check out Van Gogh, since he had a concert in town. Nice, not all songs, but some of the hits were on, plus some songs I didnt know but liked. I didnt even ask if pictures are allowed, I guessed no. Van Gogh has to be seen live, anyway, pictures dont do justice, imho.

Thereafter we took a stroll to the Rhein river

about which I had forgotten how cool a bridge they have: a boat pulled along a rope from one shore to the other:

Through the old town passing the Dome we arrived at my favorite point in this city, the funnies city hall I’ve ever seen:

Never mind the spectacular gate,

i find it very cool to have the city hall in a building with such a balcony

and such a roof.

Looks like a doll house.

The huge Zurich wheel looks like a toy too, but only from a distance. We spent the evening in Zürich, on the lake shore, and since we saw the wheel, my King Kong syndrome asked for its toll, so we took a ride.

It was…. umh, high (my King Kong syndrome is paired with fear of heights), but definitely worth it. It stopped, as expected, right when we were on top. I didnt take a picture o the panorama though, not (only) because my hands were glued to the bars for hold, but my camera battery was out of juice. So we continued to enjoy the rest of a picturesque pictureless evening.

I ended 2008 with a trip to Zermatt, to see the Matterhorn, a week before going home for Christmas. Left by train at 7am (!) and returned at night at 10pm, 3.5 hours ride, but to me it was worth it, since I wanted to see this landscape with my own eyes.

Upon return in 2009, here are some images, in chronological order, in case it can tempt you for a skiing trip in Switzerland/Austria:

Davos/Klosters (CH)

Flims/Laax (CH)

Hoch-Ybrig (CH)

Flumserberg (CH)

Lenzerheide (CH)

Ischgl (AUT)

St. Anton am Arlberg (AUT)

Titlis (CH)

St. Moritz (CH)

Elm (‘s deep , CH)

but the bafflement comes inside, in both its height,

width

and detail.

Some hidden gem.

Stein am Rhein is also a kind of hidden gem – at least, I didn’t know of it before finding out from my friend N. So on the way back we checked it out, finding it in a pretty colorful shape

buzzing with touristic activity.

Maybe it’s not so hidden after all.

Beautiful sunny day, trickily reminding of spring in the middle of January. The lake was quiet,

ready for the song of a bicycle-troubadour,

while I was getting fascinated by some weird shapes in those hibernating trees.

Ducks were sleeping, as were boats.

Funnily, pigeons were all aligned, have no idea what they were preparing for. An attack, most probably.

Back towards the center, the view unfolding up on the Limmat river,

with the dominant 3 churches.

We climbed the largest, the cathedral with the two towers, for a view of the Zurich lake

and downtown Zurich.

At the railway station, we met a Guggenmusik band, a colorful tradition related to the approaching Fastnacht / Carnival season. (for the sound, here)

Later at night, we took a small tour for some night shots

including some from Lindenhof, an “observation point” I discovered only now, with G.’s visit.