sunset over the lake

it helps that the Panasonic LX3 is idiot proof

Lake Zurich

I walked down the shopping street down to the lake (no choice because the shops are already closed at 6pm on Saturdays, and are NOT open on Sundays) to be greeted by a beautiful sight of the lake, and the swans, ducks, and other birds on it.

this is the city end of the lake, and you can spot the alps in the background.

a picture taken from the information counter shows how massive the lake is, as the city is at the bottom of the map.

money on the streets

wei these are for you. not the car. the pictures.

spotted 2 Astons. lost count of the Ferraris and the Porsches...

the City

15 mins from Hotel Allegra to the main train station at Zurich HB. It helps that the train station was literally located next to the hotel. very convenient. Bought a 12.50 CHF return train ticket (think it was a day pass) from the hotel reception. lots of construction outside the main train station. It was a beautiful day!

took time to stroll down the Bahnhofstrasse, "one of the most elegant and expensive shopping streets in the world" (so says the website. but after Omotesando, well...) It begins in the north, at the Hauptbahnhof (the railway station), opening onto Bahnhofplatz, and runs south to the lake.

it's good to see civilisation

also old buildings galore in the city. only difference is people everywhere!

Hotel Allegra

I'd booked Allegra weeks ago. Tried to book a hotel in the city but found out that the cheapest 3 star room was already almost 200CHF. I decided to take the complimentary airport-hotel shuttle to Allegra (just 5 min from the airport) to check out the hotel first. I liked what I saw. 4 stars! at 100 CHF! Finally, what an upgrade! hahaha.

room was spacious. nice. free wifi in room. 200 channels on the TV (I think). large and bright bathroom with separate toilet/shower. After one week roughing it out in 2-3 stars 'hotels', this is almost like the Four Seasons! Sorry nick. you know what I mean. ;)

packing the bike

the second time was much easier, and yes it looked like a pro did it!

I managed to put in 3 panniers and 1 handlebar bag as well into the Cinelli bike bag. Total weight 29kg. one day storage was 12CHF. excess baggage was USD50 per kg. either use what I learnt from Vince to charm the SQ check in girl/aunty, or time to start throwing something heavy. like the SGD450 bike frame/fork...

just kidding. not after what surly has gone through with me... is it weird to give the bike a name? it has to be a girl's name. of course. :) something French, or Swiss. ya ya ya

arriving in Zurich

boy was I happy to see Zurich Flughafen! Was at the Lindau train station about 9am. caught the 11am train, and arriving at the airport at 1.10pm

now to dismantle bike, store at the Left Baggage counter, and to enjoy the city!

lindau-st margrethen-st gallen-zurich

leaving the island of Lindau. Lake Constance on the right. what a wonderful holiday. just not looking forward to train journey with 2 stops. I shudder at the thoughts of handling the 40 kg bike/bags... changing trains/platforms, with/without lift, within the 7-10min transit time...
so far almost every train carriage for bikes is different. most have space for only 3 bikes, some 6. and they require to hang the bike up, which means removing the panniers from the bike... some bike carriage are at the beginning of the train. some at the rear. some in between...

first train was easy. just push in and sit next to bike. happy. relieved.

second train I boarded at St Margrethen was a nightmare. Bike Carriage (see photo above) was a standalone, AND 3 feet above the platform. First I struggled to open the door (slide left? slide right? IT"S NOT OPENING! And train was leaving by the time I got to the train, and the bike carriage). Fortunately a guy helped me because I could not even lift my bike up to the carriage... I had to climb up. Duck under this yellow safety bar (suppose to lift it up before getting in, but there was no time). lift up the bike, and he helped me push the bike up. Danke! He even helped me close the door.

Now, how do I open the door to get out?

Last train (already in Switzerland) was a dream. push the bike in, lift it slightly. secure it, and sit comfortably for the journey. Swiss standards! :)

what is more sinful?

egg white with prawny stuff (he bi hiam)
:)

i did not post the above. chloe did. now what is worst? egg yolk? or hae bi hiam?

carbon overload

nude never looked so good...

beauty? I beg to differ...

more EuroBike

organisers are smart. print your own badge, cut it out yourself, and then just stick it into a badge holder you collect at the show entrance. no queues, no crowd at the opening. they just scan the barcode to make sure that it's one entry only. To re-enter, you need to get your hand stamped. SES are you reading?

I think the Brooks Saddles seats are a brilliant innovation...

... but this takes the cake. I thought I have seen everything before... for the distinguished gentleman tourer.

polishing

this was the best dish in my opinion. the onions and the pasta thing - really really delicious! hidden under all that is pork.

calm before we started eating

truthfully, we finished the food in double quick time. not sure if it's because we were hungry, or it was just too delicious!

all that's left is gout food (spinach) and lots and lots of butter...

Gasthof Engel in Lindau

Heidi recommended this restaurant to us, and fortunately it was just next to our hotel The Medusa. It took us minutes to find the place, but a long long wait to get a table, order, and for the food to arrive (it think it was 40 mins). in a fairly empty restaurant. The elderly 'waitress' could not speak English, and menu was in German. She could only say last order at 9. You have to ask wei what he asked the waitress - very naughty of him!

It was our lucky day that a German guy entertaining his Canadian friends at the next table came over to help us decipher the menu.

The wait was worth it. The food was very very good.