Chocolates, Snow & Fondue (VI) - Dec 2016

This Zurich blog will not be complete without the mention of Swiss Food - especially the fondue. First, we got our first taste of local food for lunch.  It was like our 7-11 concept and we chose the chicken fillets and a bowl of salad. Quite expensive but it was a nice meal after our long night flight. The food tasted a bit salty but we thought this was the norm of "fast food" concept.  Interestingly, many local "makan" here - a quick bite.  So we felt we also 入乡随俗 followed the local tradition of eating. The tables and overall ambience gave quite a cozy feel too.  



I could not remember when we started to google in trip advisor for nice restaurants to eat.  I believed it was during our Rome trip.  Similarly, we did the same to try to find exciting places frequented by locals. One "to-eat" list by my wife was the cheese fondue which you would dip bread into it. Sounds cheesy at the first thought.  

 
We got to taste our fondue at a very homely and apparently very traditional restaurant near the old town.  I had to book early to secure a seat.  While waiting for our fondue, we ordered a herb soup - and well, it was very saltish! I could not finish it and my wife had tried too.  We gave our comments to the waitress who told us "it was herbs".  Then, came out fondue. We tried out dipping our bread into the fondue and it was saltish. Too much sodium intake for us and we didn't finish.  Initially, we thought it was the "speciality" and style of the restaurant.  My wife googled and shared it seemed to be the taste for all fondue.



There was very good review at a restaurant known as "Federal" at Zurich Hbf so we went to try out. Well, I have the habit of ordering fish and chip to "test out" whether the restaurant was good or not. Without fail, the picture told the story. My wife was snapping photos of the food while I was out to the train station checking for the schedule of our Paris train the next day.  The food was okay and still a bit saltish but the waiter was very entertaining and "warm".  He had a good attitude of joking and making customers laugh, and he had such a passion for his job. Really admirable.

 
One surprise discovery was this "gingerbread"-looking bun which was a gift from the local post office.  So cute that we ordered another one for our journey to Paris at the second leg of our journey.  When we ordered, the service counter asked what do we call the name of this bun in English, and I just said "Gingerbread" man haha.  It was a unique discovery that trilled me looking for it and the background.  

It was officially called Grittibanz - christmas bread man.  Uniquely Swiss. 

Chocolates, Snow & Fondue (V) - Dec 2016

Bern Clock Tower

I like old towns.  My wife likes me to plan excursions to old towns. So, one old town that we visited was Bern. 

I didn't realise Bern is the capital of Switzerland! I only did research on Bern that it had a rich history with nice old town buildings. Going to Bern is also to visit the Einstein Museum to understand more about this great scientist.  An easy train ride from Zurich to Bern and it was very fascinating when we took the tram from Bern HBF to the Museum and the tram meandered past all the old building and stoned pavements.  

My only impression about Einstein was E=mc Square. So much of science lessons had returned back to my science teachers.  We went to venture into the Einstein Museum and understood more about his public and private life.  What caught my attention most were the love letters written by him to his first wife, and then what happened to them when their relationship got bitter.  Human relationship is a complex matter.  We saw that their love letters were very sweet, and we wondered why their relationship turned so bitter.  For me, I know it takes time to build and takes more time to enrich a relationship.  Just like watering a plant, or even from a seed, it takes tender loving care and time to nurture the plant.  Not easy.  In fact, it takes lots of patience.  However, if you treasure the relationship, it is worthwhile.  

On our way to Einstein's house (also a museum), we passed by the Clock Tower.  We took some pictures with the Bern Clock Tower.  There were times when the day was foggy with mist.  I actually wondered why clock towers were so important in old towns. Posing at the pavement was also risky as we didn't know the pavement was also used by bus! We nearly missed a bus coming out from our back when we were happily setting timer and posing.  At this time of blogging, I also discovered one thing - the statue at the fountain was actually a bear in armour! Dunno if my wife had told me before.

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My wife said there were some bears around. So we tried to stand at the bridge looking out for bears.  Where were the bears?  Didn't see any.  The bears were supposed to be kept in houses - and this thought really puzzled me.  The air and the cool greenery were perfect place for hibernate - did I joke about this with my wife?   As there were no sightings of bears, we saw a bear statue and I asked my wife to take a photo with the bear instead.  Haha. 

It seemed that there were many different statues to look at and well, obviously I missed some of them.  My mind was focusing on the Christmas Markets again.  Not chocolates, fondue or snow here. 

Chocolates, Snow & Fondue (IV) - Dec 2016

Canteen, ETH

It is interesting to walk into local university and we have done so in Bangkok, Japan and London-Cambridge, Eton School.  We chanced upon this ETH University as it was very near our hotel.  You can either trek upslope or take a polybahn (something like a tram) up.  We took the polybahn up as it was considered as one attraction too.  1 Euro per pax but we got on free due to our train pass =).

There were a few places that we would like to see when we were on the campus - the lecture rooms, the canteen, the co-op bookstore and the classroom.  My wife has wanted to go overseas to study and coming to overseas university always a reminder of her dream.  She said before her dream was realised by her brother.  

The canteen was crowded and we didn't makan there.  We just had our makan elsewhere and if not, we would like to try the food.  Not sure it would be cheaper but more for the fun of it.  In fact, I had wanted to eat at primary school canteens - miss the good old days when i could eat fish cake at 10 cent and dipping it in red chilli. Yummy! 

The ETH university was quite a big building.  It was very different from our university as it has tall and "museum"-looking type of buildings.  Very different feel.  I also wondered how was it if I have chosen to study in overseas campus.  Just a thought as I wasn't so adventurous after all.  

Bulletin Art

My wife took notice of the bulletin and it was interesting to her.  I believe it showed the lives of the students in the campus - their activities, their aspirations.  Come to think about it, I have not really pinned any on bulletin board during my schooling days.  I only remember my smart buddy Weixiong who suggested to pin a group of same posters together to attract attention.  I thought it was a brilliant idea.  I contributed to the posters too, and the posters were promoting our magazines.  Long long time ago.

We saw some ETH souvenirs with Einstein. Hmm, guess he also taught or visited the campus?  ETH looked like a technological school though we saw in one of the exhibition halls about architectural designs.  

Aerial view of Zurich

We got rewarded with a very good view outsides the campus. Wow, we felt it was worthwhile to make the trip up. The view was fantastic and could see the mountainous view.  Students' lives are far better than working lives?  It is often very funny when the position is swapped.  When we are studying, we hate exams and classes and wanted to be freed from all these stuff.  When we are working, we yearn for the studying kind of lives.  Guess people grow and have to adapt different challenges of growing up.  Yup, we are all still growing up.

Chocolates, Snow & Fondue (III) - Dec 2016

Never did I realise beforehand that the store - Freitag originates from Swiss. Frankly, I dun have any stuff of Freitag and I didn't know it has been a brand for a while. The brand was special to my wife as she bought her brother a bag on first pay-day. There were a few big flagship stores in Zurich, and we went to the one - quite an unique one - "stacked containers". 

The store was located not far from HBF and the train ride was about 10 minutes or less. An easy walk from the station and you get a very good view of Zurich on the top of the containers. So amazing icon here, and how the store organise the bags and clothes is also amazing.  Carefully stacked in paper boxes and 100% on its recycle concept.  Frankly, I also didn't know the bags were made of materials from truck's canvas.  

Now, my wife got excited and tried on almost all bags, wallets while I walked up and down searching for suitable bags for use.  According to my wife, "black" coloured types of Freitag bags are quite rare so I was on "lookout" for them too.  My wife said I was "quite easily influenced" by her and her brother - if they decided to buy something uniquely from a country, I might also want to get mine too.  She got a black wallet for her brother after much consideration and what apps with him.  For me, I found something "cool"   and handy too - a cardholder. Really was influenced to a certain extent by her, I think. 

Well, the trip to Freitag wasn't the end yet. My wife wanted to get the "perfect" bag for her daily  walk and we decided to visit other stores. Yup, and we went to a few major ones like "The Gloss" stall, some were quite "ulu".  In fact, we went back to the "stacked containers" twice in search for the "perfect bag". Hmm, I believe that  I have not seen so many different types of bags (same brand) during my trip and this was one record.  

Looking for something that she likes is important and I have the patience for her.  While she was looking and posing with the potential bag, I did my research into places to visit or makan places.  Fortunately, there were seats to rest our tired legs.  She was quite focused in searching for the bag and I was quite amazed that she wasn't showing signs of tiredness. It's good to see her having something to buy.  And me too. My wife likes to comment that I usually buy stuff for all my loved ones during overseas trip and none for myself. 

By the way, Freitag means "Friday". A word that amuses me during this trip, and I kept "reminding" my wife about it. I like Fridays.  

Chocolates, Snow & Fondue (II) - Dec 2015

Christmas Market @ Zurich

Christmas Market @ Zurich - The thought of going Christmas Markets already excites me as I started to source for good markets to go.  The mood, the songs, the partying and the whole atmosphere really impress me a lot when we went Munich the last round.  I like eating junk food there and drinking mulled wine.  Not a good drinker and my wife usually has to help me finish the wine.  


There were quite a few big ones and some claimed to be traditional ones.  As this round we were earlier than Santa Claus, so we could pick and choose which ones to go. Our schedule however was tight so we could not afford to see ALL markets.  The one at Zurich HBF was okay and normal and the only attraction to us was the spectacular Christmas Tree from Swarovski.  We took some pictures with the tree when the market was still closed. Haha, more space and angle to choose from.  The rest of the stalls were normal, selling food and even chinese food.

I like the one at Opera House best.  It was the first one that we went. Besides a German Toy Wooden House (we bought a toy for our own Christmas Tree), the market was huge. There was also ice activities for kids. 

  
It was interesting to have the Opera House as the background for the market - something old something tradition. We spent some time here taking quick panning shots and amazed at the circular patterns formed and captured in our SD card.  I didn't even notice them until my wife told me. My eye for details not as instinctive now.  

Something caught our attention was an entourage of Santa Claus - both males and females. They were made up of old uncles and aunties riding on motorbikes - still as fit! Dunno why I am usually more sporty when travelling and took a picture of a tall old Santa with his favourite bike. Say Cheese.  Wonder what motivate them?



As we were in Switzerland, the Christmas Markets were also full of chocolates.  Initially, the chocolates looked so "soapy" like the lush soaps that my wife were eyeing back in London.  I am still a bit confused and puzzled over the similarity in colour.  For me, I was looking not for the chocolates at market but some traditional chocolates outlets or shops. I "forced" my wife to take pictures with the chocolates even though we didn't buy any.  She was sporting this time round. 



One thing that we would do in Christmas Markets is to drink mulled wine, and if possible collect the cup. Most shops were selling the wine (hot ones) in paper cups, and we finally found one with the festive cups.  About 6 Swiss Franc for the drink and cup (if you like it, no need to return cup).


This time round, we didn't collect the cup after some drinking and deliberation. We have two from Munich and this one will be three. Too bad we were very practical people who started and agreed that we dun really have much use for the cups back homie. Haha. 

Another thing is to eat hot steamy junk food. Sausage is one of them.  Frankly, they were not the best and marche may have better ones, but the mood needs to be there. Eating junk food - usually we were given a paper plate - rectangular ones - and we would hold them in our hands and share. With people surrounding us while we stood and ate - the christmas mood was hanging in the air.

Christmas markets - we visited several others along our excursions.  Got one stall selling little red shoes and this reminded me of my wife's father who without fail got her a pair of red shoes (same design but different sizes) every year.  The other was a shop that sold cute little tortoises.  It was chanced upon by my wife. Very cute.

Well Well, we so like Christmas Marketing. 

Chocolates, Snow & Fondue (I) - Dec 2015

Cable Car to Flumserberg

Zurich in early Dec wasnt snowing yet but the temperature was cool. We have planned to try skiing on the Swiss Alps and I did some research online trying to see which ski resort would be good for novice skiing. A lot of forum pointed to this Flumberg, and it is one of the nearest skiiing resort from Zurich (90 mins away). Reaching the mountains require cable car or gondola or chairlifts - and it was a struggle to decide which mode to use based on the available means of transport at the resort.  

We took train and cable car up to Flumserberg (About 1400m above). It was low peak season and it was a nice ride up - though I was a bit tensed up in cable car - thank God there was no need for chairlifts.  My wife was happily walking around, and standing here and there in the cable car taking photos, commenting how nice and high the mountains were. The aerial view changed - from small wooden huts which looked so beautifully in harmony with green pasture to snow capped mountains. Brave girl.

Flumserberg

There were some skiing activites at Flumserberg. What caught our attention was a big tentage with "Toblerone" chocolate - didnt get any toblerone to eat though. The info centre staff said "no tracks suitable for beginners" much to the relief of my wife. Honestly speaking, my wife was happy to hear that as it was quite expensive to ski - Rental plus ski pass etc cost more than CHF150++.

We trekked a bit around the area looking for photo spots, and we have our signature shots there too. Wanted to shout "Ricola" like the ads, but didnt do so to disturb the peaceful atmosphere. At least we saw snow and threw some snow balls - swiss snow experience or else our snow hat and gloves a bit under-utilised. Go switzerland should have snowing experience - I always associate Switzerland with snow capped mountains.  Even in hotels, there was a special skiing channel showing skiing activities at the alps. Skiing is part and parcel of Swiss people, I believe.

Ski Lessons

We saw some children learning to ski. As we were not skiing, we sat along the side of the path looking at these children learning to ski. I rem describing about my experiences skiing in Korea and how to walk and stop and change direction in skiing.  My dear mentioned that we dun wan to "malu" in front of the professional and it was ex to do so - Swiss Franc is more dear than Euro and may not worth it for beginners like us.

We saw a strange-looking snow man - we were too lazy to build one though as the depth of snow wasnt really thick enough.  The snow were not as fine as hokkaido snow too. Being in different snowy places, we seemed to be our own experts in different "grades" of snow. Hey, do you want to build a snowman? Well, I choose Hokkaido fine snow now.

海味的味道 － 香港岛 Jun 2015

Ibis Hotel - Harbour View

It was the second time that we decided to stay at the opposite side of Kowloon i.e. Hong Kong Island. This time, we stayed at the Island throughout as my wife mentioned that our trip was all focused on the island itself. Good plan, really. Quite excited too as it was our second trip to eat and see what we didn't manage to squeeze in our last trip. 

We stayed at Ibis Hotel. Got a harbour view room and read that we need to make sure the windows were not tinted. Got a short story about the room - first room was too hot with the aircon full blast, and decided to change room. Fortunately, we did and the second room was really cool with air con. Not a good service from Ibis initially though the room was clean and overall ok. 

Our hotel location was right next to "dried seafood street". We didn't realise it was next to our favourite dried seafood shop. So near and yet so far the last round trying to find the shop.  The view was good but we felt that we loved the YMCA view better. Not sure why. The YMCA view has lots of fond memories. Also could see the lights at 8pm I guess. 

We woke up earlier one day to explore the streets. My wife liked the smell of the dried seafood. Once we smelled the smell, we knew we were near the hotel haha - this was how we recognise our hotel when we "tram" back. Like a snoopy? Haha. The early morning saw shopkeepers preparing the seafood. Workers shifting baskets of stuff in and out. Policemen patrolling the street just like typical TVB shows. 

I read that some shops had purposely put their seafood out on the roads to dry and this affected the traffic flow. Interesting habit but would it affect the seafood that we were buying? 

We really saw some seafoods out in the streets doing suntan. Caught one such photo of a group of abalone. Wonder how it taste like when dried. My wife likes this photo as it is a pattern of abalone. Hmm, I used to play with patterns in my photo taking. But I didn't practise much nowadays. For me, I treasure the experiences in touring, and it doesn't matter if I didn't manage to capture it on my EOS 7D.

As it was Summer Days, it was really hot walking out the street. Couldn't bear the heat and have to go back bathe after a short walk. It was really hotter than Singapore. My wife didn't like to travel during summers, but I usually "forced" her to do so. This time, I lost my brown itinerary book - the Muji Book - and I was still trying to find it even till now. Glimpse of hope or it has been recycled?

Night Harbour View, IBIS Hotel

One night, I happened to be more energetic. While my wife was reading and surfing, I decided to play with my camera and night view. It has been a long time since I did so. Trying to trace the track of ships - some from cheung chau, some from macau - oh, forgot to mention Ibis is near to the HK-Macau Ferry terminal. A tram bus stop away only and it is a plus point for Ibis. 

I probably stayed at the windows trying to capture the view for about an hour? Playing with 7D and remembering the basics. It has been a long time. My passion for photography has not been as strong as before. It was however an enjoyable night photography in a way, hiding in the harbour view room with air con. Streets were quiet but there were still cars moving. Hong Kong Island was relatively quiet at night as compared to Kowloon. 

Quiet Hong Kong Island. Good night, Island. Good night, Ibis.