Monday, May 16, 2005

Just do it...

Just tired at the trip to Switzerland and India, I’m lil away from the broadband roads, so there would only lil posting on my blog. I will elaborate on the place I visited on my blog after I come back to France, which I will be doing this month end.

Thanks for stopping by.

My brother's engagement

This is the picture taken at my brother's engagement function. The event went on well with close to 70+ people turning out for blessing the occasion.

Colorful Venkat @ Lauterbrunnen train station


Me, myself @ Schilthorn ahead of dense snowy clouds

A heavenly place to visit on earth

Schilthorn @ 2900+ M above sea level

What would come to your mind when u think of "The Schilthorn", the longest aerial cableway in the Alps and the 007’s movie On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
There is a beautiful revolving restaurant which offer 360 view of the snow clad Alps, with a perfect 100% vegetarian Bombay meals. WOW what can u ask for more in life.

Interlaken - Sunny bright side

If you are looking for Switzerland’s picture-perfect country towns then head to this place, don’t be ashamed of being an Indian tourist in INTERLAKEN – that’s what the place exists for. My God I had feeling that I have landed in Cleaner-India, only to see all Indian faces around, that’s one thing you can’t fail to notice. The natives look like they are foreigners there.

The town is situated on a small neck of land between the Thunersee(thun) and Brienzersee(Brienz) by two sides and high Alps surrounding other two sides. This town is famed for its superb views towards the Jungfrau massif & Schilthron, which lies perfectly framed between two hills to the south of town.


Wednesday, May 11, 2005

St.Moritz - Heidi Village

It’s unceremoniously lies in the amidst the quiet villages of the Engadine – which has a spa dates as far back as the Bronze Age with high valley walls. Sparkling sunshine is there for 322 days of it a year on average, that’s what they claim. The range of sports and activities on offer both in winter and summer is vast. When I enquired it was a blow to know that the Swiss themselves turn their backs on St Moritz. But for sure a drive by the Glacier express to this little town is worth taking all the pain, if u have to undergo any.

Glacier Express


Some facts about Glacier express can be found here on this journey across the Alps.

# Close to 6&1/2 hours of high-altitude railway line
# Seven valleys
# 91 tunnels
# over 291 bridges on the way
# @ Oberalp pass the train climbs 2033 meters above sea-level and then descends through the Furka tunnel
# Starting from 1775 then going to 595 and then to 2033 from there to 1436 and finally to 671

Zurich boat trip

Not so long ago, ZÜRICH was famed for being the cleanest. A walk in the crowded, multi-ethnic streets which is worth covering - from the railway station to the lake front. The hills that surround the city give an enthralling view. For sure this is the most beautiful of Swiss cities, there are plenty of things which will keep you busy & amused. The medieval Old Town is worth a visit. Fraumünster, a medieval church decorated in this century with beautiful stained glass by Marc Chagall and twin towers of the Grossmünster are the most important sights to visit after the stroll in the streets and the boat trip on the river Limmat. Astride a river and the entire city is populated, yes that’s what I would like to call it. The clear lake with a nice view of Snowy hills. For sure this is once of the costliest cities to live by any standard - even by Swiss standards. We were lucky to get a nice pass which gave us unlimited transport.

Lausanne-Ouchy

In a country of spectacular natural beauty it is the most beautiful of cities, Switzerland’s San Francisco, a city of incredibly steep hills that has developed above the lakes. View of blue water, glittering sunlight & view of white capped Savoy Alps peep through the tourist busy city called Lausanne.
Much of the city is still wooded, there are plenty of parks, and the tree-lined lakefront, beds of vibrantly colourful flowers.
As if Lausanne weren’t relaxed enough already, it has Ouchy as a lakeside terrace on which u can enjoy the mountain views and fresh breezes. Officially a separate commune from Lausanne, Ouchy for years survived as a fishing port, but these days it’s become one of the more chic of the Swiss lakeside resorts with waterfront cafés abounding. Lausanne’s much-touted flagship Musée Olympique is close to this place. A visit to the museum is like going back in time to see the history of the museum. A trip to Evian(France) is the best from here with nice views.

Evian


Vevey by night

The best way to get the flavor of Vevey is simply to wander, have a nice view of France from there during the night. A walk in its narrow Old Town alleys, enclosing the huge Grande-Place is a must to do there. On a Tuesday or Saturday if u r, you’ll find the marketplace packed with stalls – food, crafts, wine or all three. There is a huge pillared building dominating the square is the Grenette, or town granary, dating from 1808 and now housing the tourist office.

What else comes to your mind. Nestlé’s world HQ is there. A very nice building, looks very beautiful when its illuminated.

Had been there

At last my travel to Switzerland has come true. 4 & 1/2 days of trip with a feast to eyes.
Finally my dream has come true 4 days of cheer fun in Switzerland
Day 1 – late evening – travel from Grenoble to Vevey after reaching Geneva
Day2 – Trip to Evian & Lasanne with Natasha
Day3 – Trip to Zurich and to St.Moritz with Natasha & Indu
Day4 – Travel by Glacier express from St.Moritz to Brig and then to Interlaken, Night stay at Interlaken with Srekanth and famlily
Day5 – Travel to Schilthorn via Bern, Lauterbrunnen with Srekanth and famlily
Day 8 - Travel to India for 2 weeks.

See you all soon. Will be away from Blog for a while.

Tuesday, May 10, 2005

Gift

What you are is God's gift to you.
What you make of yourself is your gift to God.

Wednesday, May 04, 2005

Monaco by night

Monaco facing Mediterranean sea the had a lot to offer me. It's a sovereign and independent state, the Principality of Monaco has borders on its landward side with several communes of the French Department. The population of the Principality consists of 32,020 inhabitants. It lies in a narrow coastal strip.


Monaco is divided into five areas:

Monaco-Ville, the old fortified town, with the Prince's Palace, the ramparts, the gardens, the Cathedral and the Oceanographic Museum.

The Condamine, the harbor area.

Monte Carlo, created in 1866, named by Prince Charles III during his reign, hosts an internationally famous Casino, its great hotels and leisure facilities, some created recently: Larvotto beach, the Monte Carlo Sporting Club, the Boulingrins Gardens.


Fontvieille is the newest area of the Principality of Monaco and was literally created from land reclaimed from the sea. This man-made waterfront area features a harbor, stadium and sports complex, heliport, and a pollution-free industrial zone, as well as some shopping areas and the new Columbus Monaco hotel.


Moneghetti, the Ravoires and the Exotic Gardens (on the western border with Cap d`Ail).

Monaco Palais du Prince

Monaco-Ville, the old fortified town, with the Prince's Palace, the ramparts, the gardens, the Cathedral and the Oceanographic Museum we visited all this here. Shortly after our visit to Monaco the news was out that the Price Rainer died, this is the fort where they live. The change of guard is worth the visit. The F1 race there at Monaco needs a mention, that’s the first thing that comes to my mind when I think of Monaco. I went to the official F1 shop at the entrane of the tunnel and bought some F1 merchandise. The beach there is really nice.

Monaco by day - The Condamine

The Condamine is the harbor area that is viewed here along with a partial view of Monte Carlo. This photo was taken from Monaco-Ville, top of the mountain. I stayed there in the evening along with Tina & Ioana there on top, for taking this view beautiful picture in the night. The best story starts here, all my Indian friends were tired so they all left early in the evening and then I stayed joined Tina & Ioana for the evening. We had a superb dinner and then leisurely walked to the train station just to know the last but one train we were supposed to leave is cancelled, so walked back to the harbor with some back up plans. Alex called in Ioana and offered to drop us back just in case if we don't have the last train also, thanks Alex for this. But luckily I got into the last train and came back to Nice and they went ahead to Cannes.

Sunday, May 01, 2005

Another eventful month come to an end

This April has been an eventful month for me, My brother's marriage(younger one) got fixed, he had the honors of inaugurating Gudur gas station, my planning for the trip to Switzerland is done, I'm going to go by the Glacier express, a big dream come true. Another feather to the cap this month I got my promotion letter with my work permit getting extended till the December, Just 3 more dream places to go - Scotland, Greece & Norway .....Miles to go before I sleep, last but not least my birthday celebration. WOW I love this world, thanks to all of you for all the support and encouragement.

So next month a trip Swiss followed by a trip to India for my brothers marriage and back to France.