I sadly left the river cruise ship for my bus ride to Zurich. Luckily I could check into my hotel room when I arrived. The walk to my hotel was not too far from the central station, but uphill all the way. I didn't know my ticket from the airport was good on the tram. As usual with a 3 star hotel, no air conditioning, and it was hot in Zurich.
I wandered out for some lunch. I had been to Zurich in the early 70s, but didn't remember anything.
I was totally shocked with the prices. Lunch would run 20 or more Swiss Francs - over $25. Later I saw a sign for a hot dog for $8.00. Thank you Mr. Bush for the weak dollar.
I started in the old section of town, now converted to retail and restaurants. I then went to the river, which has this amazing green/blue tint.
I noticed lots of people in the river, most floating with yellow duckies. Every five minutes more people jumped in and joined the procession. The river was very shallow so everyone could walk. It was the Limmat River Swim 2011, which was in its 8th year.
Next I walked through a Saturday flea market to the lake. It was filled with sailboats and had that beautiful hue.
I completed my walk passing the opera house, but couldn't get a good picture due to construction outside.
Lunch was a quiche and beer for $22, and for dinner I had a pizza and 0,5l of wine for about $50. Yes, you read it correct. I could have opted for a $9 hot dog or a $18 Double Whopper meal at Burger King. I knew Zurich was expensive, but this was outrageous.
The following day my friend Thomas joined me for a city tour. We purchased a travel card for the day, good on trams, trains and some boats. We started with an hour and a half cruise in the lake.
We then went to the Kunsthaus Museum, where they had a nice collection of impressionist paintings. We then tried two other museums, but they were closed.
Our final destination was Uetliberg, where we had an amazing view of Zurich and the surrounding countryside. I wasn't thrilled about climbing the tower, but it was worth the climb. That evening I skipped dinner, since I had a large meal at lunch.
The following morning I packed and headed for the airport and Helsinki.
I wandered out for some lunch. I had been to Zurich in the early 70s, but didn't remember anything.
I was totally shocked with the prices. Lunch would run 20 or more Swiss Francs - over $25. Later I saw a sign for a hot dog for $8.00. Thank you Mr. Bush for the weak dollar.
I started in the old section of town, now converted to retail and restaurants. I then went to the river, which has this amazing green/blue tint.
I noticed lots of people in the river, most floating with yellow duckies. Every five minutes more people jumped in and joined the procession. The river was very shallow so everyone could walk. It was the Limmat River Swim 2011, which was in its 8th year.
Next I walked through a Saturday flea market to the lake. It was filled with sailboats and had that beautiful hue.
I completed my walk passing the opera house, but couldn't get a good picture due to construction outside.
Lunch was a quiche and beer for $22, and for dinner I had a pizza and 0,5l of wine for about $50. Yes, you read it correct. I could have opted for a $9 hot dog or a $18 Double Whopper meal at Burger King. I knew Zurich was expensive, but this was outrageous.
The following day my friend Thomas joined me for a city tour. We purchased a travel card for the day, good on trams, trains and some boats. We started with an hour and a half cruise in the lake.
We then went to the Kunsthaus Museum, where they had a nice collection of impressionist paintings. We then tried two other museums, but they were closed.
Our final destination was Uetliberg, where we had an amazing view of Zurich and the surrounding countryside. I wasn't thrilled about climbing the tower, but it was worth the climb. That evening I skipped dinner, since I had a large meal at lunch.
The following morning I packed and headed for the airport and Helsinki.
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