LUZERN, SWITZERLAND

The beauty of Switzerland continued in Luzern! More lakes, more mountains, and more warm & fuzzy feelings from this magnificent country. I’m just talking landscape, people. Not here to debate their political policies or banking systems. Luzern was much more of a city than I expected but at least it was a really pretty one. My couch surfing hosts were kind enough to bring me on a kayaking trip down the Ruess River that took much longer than planned. We ended up paddling well into the night and it was a little spooky at times.

Luzern Lion

  I explored the surrounding medieval town whose most impressive sight had to be the 14th century Kapellbruke, a covered wooden bridge that just took my breath away. I am such a sucker for flowers so you can understand why I couldn’t get enough of this bridge. Well done, Luzern. Another impressive site was the Lowendenkmal, a dying lion hewn out of a cliff-face to commemorate seven hundred Swiss soldiers killed in the late 18th century. Mark Twain once referred to it as ‘the saddest and most moving piece of rock in the world’ and I couldn’t agree more. 

My favorite bridge

Covered bridge

Loving Switzerland still

             


overlooking Luzern from the fortress walls

              I was joined by my friend, Romano for dinner one night, which was a really nice treat! Romano and I met in our scuba diving certification class in Cairns, Australia. He lived only an hour away in Basel so he drove down to hang out, which was SO nice of him. We traded some great travel stories and I was so grateful for our reunion! I’ve met so many people in my travels and it’s weird to say goodbye because I’m never sure if I’ll see them again. I’m glad I got to hang with Romano in his motherland.

                 I also got to meet up with another local connection- Mark and Turi. My nephew’s teacher’s son lived in Luzern. I know- getting pretty far removed on the connections but it proved to be a great one! They showed me a wonderful time at a roof-top bar that overlooked the lake- they were very cool. It was great to hang with some ex-pats and get their perspective on working abroad. I feel lucky that I keep meeting cool people!


The Ricola guys!!

I'm on a boat!

Ferry ride

Ferry ride

                I woke up early to take a nice ferry ride around the lake to Vitznau before heading to a much-anticipated stop on my journey- Munich, Germany. I heard they have some kind of beer festival this time of year…Yup, I’m going to drink.

WAY too many great photos from Switzerland- check em out!
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FOODS I TRIED- Don Simon (cheap sangria from the grocery store- surprisinglyawesome!), chocolate, racquelette, bratwurst, beer, pork cordon blu