Modern Day Heidi

I am back in at my Australian home away from home in Dardenay, Switzerland with my Mutter and Tante Wendy (translation = Mother and Aunty Wendy) after our four day exploration trip of the north of Switzerland.

Leaving the grizly bears and Berne behind, we moved on to Basel. Just like the city beforehand (and really, every part of Switzerland that I have seen) Basal was a beautifully picturesque city with it's old buildings and neo gothic architecture, ornate lamp posts on the cobbled, winding streets, the colourful window flowerboxes and cursive signs.

Hill top castles are all the rage in Switzerland

The Swiss countryside is like a Hallmark card, it's that perfect. I don't think I will ever get used to the idea of casually seeing castles when I look out the train window.







After learning the entire city of Basel 'shuts down' on Sundays (yes, I am talking major malls with their doors closed) we had to improvise with our activities for the day seeing as shopping was no longer an option. Instead, we had a lovely time wandering along the Rhine River which runs right through Switzerland, with a current so strong the boats don't even need to have an engine on to float down it!

Enjoying a gelati on the Rhine River Bridge :)

The Rhine River stretches for miles and (especially on a Sunday) is a real social place for families, friends and those who want a little bit of time to themselves to come and relax. You could see children wadding in the water, men trolling on their boats, girls laying on the sidewalk soaking up sun in their bikini and women sitting on a nearby bench enjoying the view.

We decided to dip our feet in the icy cold waters just so we could feel like real local ;)

 

This is a church. I can't remember what it's name was because I feel like I have seen enough churches to fill a bible these past few days, but what I can remember is the events of this church.
 For some reason, one of us (I will not take responsibility, even though it was probably me) thought it would be a good idea to climb the to the very top of the steeple. So about 15 minutes of   a winding, slowly narrowing staircase and what felt like a gazillion steps later we (minus Wendy, who I am very sorry couldn't fit on the top step with me and mum up there) had a panaromic view of the city of Basel.






Our seond day in Basel was spent trinational shopping. That's right- shopping in three different countries in one day.
First on the hit list, was Germany where not only did I pick up a few snazzy bargains, I also learnt that German shop keepers really don't know how to smile.

our brains just about exploaded with excitement

I have gone to the liberty of trying McDonalds in every country that I go to, just to give you guys a review. So far, Amsterdam in Holland in by far the worst whilst Germany is coming in first place (due to the heavy salting) followed closely by Switzlerand  (not sure if it was hunger or pure Swiss TLC which made them so delicious)  and then England.



Crossing the border of Switzerland into France was easier said than done (we got lost, twice) and despite not actually buying anything, we did have a nice stroll done the street and were told that they do not serve alcohol at 2 in the afternoon at a French resturant, oh mon dieu!

The following day we went to Zurich, where despite starting off on the wrong foot (rocking up to our hotel at 8pm to be told they are fully booked out because someone cough mum booked the room for the previous night accidently instead) we actually ended up having a lovely time.

In trying to keep this post as short as possible, I'll just say that all the fountains, churches and 200 year old buildings of Zurich were full of the absolute beauty  made me fall in love about ten times over.