This was the second trip that we were making, with Arun’s family. We had three days off, and thought we would spend them travelling and sight seeing. This time, our destination was the French side of Switzerland, and France itself. We thought lots between going down the French Riviera versus sharing a bit of Switerland and France. Finally we decided to visit Geneva and the French towns close to Geneva.
Since we had only three days, it was going to be very hectic. We flew into Geneva. Arun and family were already there, coming down from Finland. We rented a van as well. This time, like our earlier trip, we were going to visit some off beat places, instead of very famous tourist destinations. Places like Annecy, Gringen and Annemasse are not very popular. We selected them so that we could have a unique experience. We were staying on the french side of geneva, and checked into our hotel. It was a very small hotel, but it was well designed. It had a skylight which we could open, and see around. However, there were lots of construction and road work going on around us, and the place was a bit busy. Not exactly the rustic and bucolic retreat we thought it would be.
The first day we visited the old town of Annecy. It was very beautiful, and populated by regular visitors and not exactly swarms of tourists. It was a small and peaceful town, and we walked around quite a bit.
Looking at the building facades and the layout of the narrow alleys, it was clear that this place had lot of history. Almost all cities in Europe were at some time ruled by the Romans, and we get to see lot of their art and legacy in museums.
We spent most of the day in Annecy, and then went to visit Annemasse. That was also an old town, but had a lake and mountains around it. Actually most of these were places around Lake Geneva. It was getting evening, so we winded up for the day.
The next day we visited Gringon and enroute there were lots of Lavender fields. Unfortunately, it was not yet in full bloom, so I didn’t get the kind of photos I wanted. There were lots of photos taken.
The fields would look beautiful in full bloom, I am sure. We purchased lot of lavender produce like oil, powder, wood and what not from the shops there. While we were there, I was surprised to see a plane flying overhead at 40K in the troposphere, and guess what – it was good old Emirates – maybe reminding us to get back to Dubai.
In the early afternoon we went to Swiss side of Geneva. On the Swiss side. We visited a vinery and did some wine tasting. We also visited the wine yards, though it was drizzling.
The moment we enter Swiss, it’s like a photographer’s paradise. The world and its color changes from a modern utilitarian frame to a frame of greenery and snow and landscape and mountains. Its like a country that has been created by God to show the other countries what they are missing as far as natural beauty is concerned.
The water and the mountains almost look sleepy and languid. It looks so polished and glazed, even a ripple doesn’t disturb the surface of the water. Of course it’s a lake and not a sea. Though lake is Zee in german.
In the evening we went to Lake Geneva. It was beautiful in the evening dusk, and truly great atmosphere with lots of people walking. We walked along the lake. There were the usual boating options, though we did’t go for it.
The dusky sky and fading light gave great opportunities to try out my DSLR settings. Some pictures came out good, and I liked them. I have always been fascinated by Lake Geneva and the fountain. And the stretch of road that leads to the lake, where various branded shops are prominently present. Smilla wanted to buy a cuckoo clock to take back, and we finally struck gold. We purchased one clock that looked nice, and was bigger than normal with a different design. Instead of just the cuckoo, it also had a house and yard and some cows grazing. We took it to trivandrum and it’s now hanging in our house there.
The next day we went to a place called Chambery. We were planning to spend the night there, and next afternoon go to Lyon. From Lyon, we would fly back.
Chambery was also an old town. It had some breathtaking views of landscape, once we drove up into the mountains. However, the mountains here were not snowclad, these were more green with woods and trees.
As we went up the mountains, towards a peak which had a cross on it, we encountered several hair pin bends. It was a very narrow road too. Arun drove the car skillfully, and after a while we realised that we couldn’t go on anymore since it was a private road. I saw a signature house and wondered at the architecture of the houses. It is definitely suited to the weather, with its sloping roofs. These are typically copied in postcards and even in various cuckoo clocks. All houses look alike.
The next day we drove to Lyon. We went after visiting a lake side resort but the weather was not very good. The clouds looked ominous.
We had to rush back to Lyon, to catch our flight. I honestly don’t recall if we even visited anything in Lyon. Once my family or Arun’s family restores my memory, I will definitely update anything missing.
The return flight I remember very clearly for two reasons. First was that it was a 777 200-ER and it had only Business/Economy configuration. This was the first time I was travelling on that configuration. The second event was that one of the pilots was outside most of the time, talking to his friend in business class. I spent a lot of time watching them, and trying to think what kind of a life pilots must be leading. Anyway, I slept a bit and reached Dubai in time to start the next day at work. Back to the grind, guys. But the short trip recharged my batteries and gave me more energy to attack work with more fervour.