[kuantoh] Travelogue - Our Honeymoon in Switzerland 2011

[etnies03]

#95

24-09-11: From Wiki: "...The Lavaux is a region in the canton of Vaud in Switzerland, in the district of Lavaux. Although there is some evidence that vines were grown in the area in Roman times, the actual vine terraces can be traced back to the 11th century, when Benedictine and Cistercian monasteries controlled the area. The Lavaux consist of 830 hectares of terraced wineyards that stretch for about 30 km along the south-facing northern shores of Lake Geneva...". One reason I chose to take a hike through here was for the beautiful vineyards and architecture set against the backdrop of Lake Geneva and the Alps. Also a World UNESCO Heritage Site, this place is full of history and culture.​

hey great series man ur photos reminded me of my trip there last yr December however it was snowing then. I also read alot about the beautiful vineyards hence decided to make a trip there only to find out that the vineyards were all shriveled and dry :bsmilie: hope u dun mind me sharing the photo.. once again great series cheers!

 

[kuantoh]

hey great series man ur photos reminded me of my trip there last yr December however it was snowing then. I also read alot about the beautiful vineyards hence decided to make a trip there only to find out that the vineyards were all shriveled and dry :bsmilie: hope u dun mind me sharing the photo.. once again great series cheers!

U went in winter ya. Really different feel in winter. While it's vibrant greens and blue skies in summer, I believed Lavaux vineyards in winter do present a different sense of beauty. Just like a white Christmas which I have not get to experience, you have shared how Lavaux is like during winter.

 

[kuantoh]

#106

24-09-11: Thai food for lunch. The portions were quite filling. The restaurant is owned by a local but hiring all Malaysians. Had a nice chat with the waiter and he shared with us his experiences of hitting the shores of Switzerland and working for almost 5 years now there, he stated a lot of Asians can be found around there earning a living nowadays.​

 

[kuantoh]

#107

24-09-11: We finally embarked on the awaited Lavaux Panoramic train ride. U can find these trains on wheels operating around the Lavaux vineyards too in daytime, but I booked the special evening train de l'alpage. I booked our trip within this period to catch this last train ride before autumn arrives. "The Lavaux-Panoramic" drives you to the heights of Lavaux through the pastures up to the Restaurant of “Mount Cheseau”. There you will have time to enjoy a delicious Fondue, ham on the bone or a plate of cold meet. Good atmosphere is guaranteed with a local Orchestra playing folk music. It was also during this journey we met this very nice driver and a very pretty Swiss village girl.​

 

[kuantoh]

#108

24-09-11: Enjoying the evening breeze while the train brings us through the maize (corn) fields.​

 

[kuantoh]

#109

24-09-11: We were also delighted to see alpacas there. So cute and funny bunch! Never thought we had the chance to see them in the alps but there they are hopping towards us when they saw us coming.​

 

[kuantoh]

#110

24-09-11: The pretty and cute little girl, Jade. I think we are really rare visitors, in fact uncommon to them as we are the only Asians there. Did a quick check and they were curious that how we knew about this ride and planned for it as most ppl arrived at the station thinking they can catch the ride. I did reservations for this ride 2 months before the date as its really popular there.​

 

[emlee]

Breathtaking! You got very nice rays yourself.

 

[kuantoh]

#111

24-09-11: Smoked ham with potatoes and cucumber for dinner. Dessert ordered was meringue (2nd pic). Meringue is a type of dessert made from whipped egg whites and sugar, having a crisp texture throughout. And yes, they melts in your mouth. I gave a SGD2 dollar note as a souvenir for Jade and never expected the mother to present us with homemade apple pie (3rd pic). The chocolatey color top was actually apple boiled to liquid form and it tasted sweet and sour and extremely appetizing.​

 

[kuantoh]

Breathtaking! You got very nice rays yourself.

Thanks bro. Getting visa to shoot in coming weeks. May jio u all out soon liao.

 

[kuantoh]

#112

25-09-11: We embark on this journey on the magnificent Golden Pass Panoramic trains whereby the windows are so long and wide with minimal joints. A shot of the exterior of the train.​

 

[kuantoh]

#113

25-09-11: The train in the middle is the Golden Pass Classic. Vintage train, and this train transverses the same route as the Panoramic but operates alternate days only. Both are operated by Golden Pass.​

 

[kuantoh]

#114

25-09-11: Reached Lauterbrunnen valley and first thing was head for lunch. Researched a cheap and good place for nice makan and here we were in Horner's Pub. By the way, we also watched F1 there live. Night race but noon time in Swiss alps. ​

 

[kuantoh]

#115

25-09-11: Up the lift to the middle level of the Trummelbachfalle. This waterfall is famous for the thunderous sounds of the falls as it is a waterfall within caves.​

 

[kuantoh]

#116

25-09-11: Black and white shot of a path along Trummelbachfalle. Nature do have really amazing forces to shape rocks this way.​

 

[kuantoh]

#117

25-09-11: A shot of chute #6 of Trummelbachfalle. Seeing and hearing is believing. The sounds of waters gushing ferociously down is really deafening.​

 

[kuantoh]

#118

25-09-11: Another breathtaking "sky hole"...​

 

[kuantoh]

#119

25-09-11: I still vividly remember the amazing rocks formations here. The bores were so deep and many that whenever light shine onto them, the shadows and highlights brought out the depths in the textures so well. I particularly remember this shot coz it resembled 2 heads clashing each other, just like those mystical rogue warriors in the games.​

 

[kuantoh]

#120

25-09-11: They call this the "corkscrew" due to the waters navigating the multiple curves/turns, thus resembling the shape of a corkscrew.​

 

[kuantoh]

#121

25-09-11: I apply much excessive color and contrast treatment to exaggerate on the textures of the rocks and playing around with the falls.​