Adventure 2012

Germany - where iced tea costs more than beer.

Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany, the inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty’s castle…covered in scaffolding… until the end of 2012…

I guess this one is going on the ‘next time’ list :(

Even the weeds in Switzerland are beautiful! The scenery here is just amazing.

Lovely Lauterbrunnen.

Making new friends at Jungfraujoch.

If you lived next to this, would you throw your cigarette butts in the river?

Some people just leave you speechless.

It’s a bit chilly up here on top of Europe!

Chocolate in Switzerland comes in slices… Like cheese… (Taken with instagram)

Our stamp from Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe (Taken with Instagram at Jungfraujoch Top Of Europe)

Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe

The highest railway station in Europe at 3,571 metres above sea level.

A few things to say about this experience.

1. It takes the whole day, there is lot of changing trains and stopping at lookouts. The train ride is about 4 hours return, the amount of time you spend at the top is up to you but I’d say 1 hour minimum.

2. There are tour groups… EVERYWHERE. They have a special ticket where you can go up at 7am (or something like that) and you have to leave by midday. If you can bear getting up early, do this, otherwise you will be fighting the urge to injure every sandal wearing grandma who walks through your photos.

3. You will probably feel light-headed and sleepy. Take food and water with you, there is food at the top but the train ticket costs enough as it is.

4. Going up from Lauterbrunnen, get a seat on the right hand side every time you change trains. That is the mountain side.

5. Buy your ticket on the day you intend to go, only after checking their live weather web cam.

6. It is BEAUTIFUL. Today, the clouds moved silently and swiftly, obscuring what was, moments ago, a stunning panorama of the Swiss Alps. Then, just as quickly, the clouds passed around us to cover the view in the opposite direction. It was pretty magical.

Sunset over the Rhine in Basel, Switzerland.

The funky sounds of the number 2 train of the Paris Metro.

My two favourite places in the Louvre.

1) Cour Marly - a lovely atrium complete with trees and statues of horses

2) Le Donjon, part of Le Louvre Medieval. Foundations of an ancient castle that used to stand there. 

Pie Iesu Domine. Dona eis Requiem

THUMP

Bits and pieces of Paris Part 1.

Despite the two-shower-a-day weather, Paris has been lovely and I’m looking forward to returning in a few weeks to see some more.

1) The dome of the flagship Galleries LaFayette store

2) Lock Locks on Pont des Artes

3) Place de la Concorde 

4) The Scare Coeur on Monmatre