The Drugs Don't Work (Zurich)

The journey continues with a transit day. The day where things oft went awry on the last trip, dear reader. Not so on this day. The hotel departure and drive to the airport were seamless.The aggravation that is security and immigration went smoothly despite the fact they now photograph you twice on departure. I didn't recall that happening previously but much has changed since I last travelled to HK in 2019.

The airport is massive and we required the train to reach our departure terminal and the nearby Emirates Lounge. If Qantas is serious about elevating itself back to number 1 airline, here's an area they could look at. Emirates offer a wide range of food and choice of alcohol and, importantly, it's not crowded. That applied also in Dubai.

On both legs of the Emirates journey, however, the check in process was very slow. In HK, boarding commenced about 20 minutes late, no reason given and there were plenty of staff milling around waiting for the signal. Then the actual boarding process is slow as every individual ticket and passport is checked again.

We changed planes at Dubai. How big is Dubai airport? We walked almost 2kms from the the time we disembarked until we reached C gate lounge where we spent our 4 hour layover. Frustratingly it was directly opposite where our plane from HK had landed. Still, I did need to stretch my legs.

The boarding process was even slower here which resulted in the flight missing our take-off slot, so we sat on the tarmac for over an hour before departure. That and the head wind we pushed into guaranteed a late arrival in Zurich.

It was 20° and sunny when we arrived in Zurich, with no humidity to report - a nice change from HK. We liked the feel of the city as soon as we arrived. A sunny, Sunday afternoon, the cafés and restaurants were doing a busy trade as our taxi crept slowly down the narrow, cobblestoned, table-lined streets of the Altstadt, old city. Picturesque, calm, relaxed.

One of the many squares in Altstadt.

The Marktgasse Hotel 17 is in the old city on the tourist walk. It is a tangle of staircases and elevators carrying guests and bags to one of the three floors. The people at reception were lovely and helpful and patiently answered our questioned before we went to our top floor room to unpack and shower (and watch a bit of the Vuelta). 

The hours of travel were confused by two time changes between here and HK. A slow calculation in my travel-fogged mind landed us at over 17 hours in planes plus airport transfers and layover. All up close to 24 hours with only a couple of hours sleep. And I still managed to get the new e-sim operating for Europe. How good are they? So easy to use and able to connect back home via WhatsApp, FB and Messenger as well as email. I'm actually using it now to hotspot my computer because the internet connection here insists you login again every few minutes.

The largest 'train clock' in the world. Central Station.

Refreshed, we went to explore our local environs, specifically to find the meeting place for tomorrow's guided walking tour. It is about a 10 minute stroll from the hotel through old town  Zurich, criss-crossed by trams, some of them silent, something that can provide a scare when dawdling from one side of the street to the other.

There are trams everywhere.

We discussed the need for Swiss Francs at the hotel and were informed it was probably unnecessary, but I like to have a little of the local currency just in case. Central Station was across the street, surely there would be an ATM? Instead we found the Tourist Information Centre, uncrowded and super helpful. We spent around 20 minutes chatting with Stephanie who loaded us up with maps and ideas and possibilities we could never fit into four days. So, you know it, I know it, we'll just have to come back. Some of the experiences that are not open to the general public, not quite invite only, but the Bureau personnel obviously get to decide with whom they share some things. Hopefully, we fit in one very exciting (for us) opportunity. You'll have to wait and see, dear reader.

There are random statues, sculptures and reliefs everywhere.

The ATM was located soon enough, inside a bank of course - well it is Switzerland. Their money is similar to ours, a brightly coloured polymer compound. The footpaths were wide, the stores all open for business as we dodged trams on way back to the Aldstadt. We were called beyond our hotel by the sound of Church bells. Clearly weddings are a spectator sport in this area as it had drawn a small crowd of people who stood a respectful distance from the well-dressed guests who were gathering in small groups, drinking something bubbly while the carillon celebrated  the happy union.

The salt and pepper shakers of the Grossmünster Church.

Back towards our hotel it was time for a beer and some people watching.  The cobblestoned Marktgasse is lined with restaurants and bars and as we wandered, we saw some very delicious looking pizzas, several steak houses, a variety of Asian eateries and a fondue house. Hmm, the national dish of Switzerland or kitsch from 1970s Australia? Should we? Not today.

They love a good clock tower.

We found a bar where we could sit outside, not be suffocated by cigarette smoke and enjoyed a local craft beer as the crowds thinned and people returned home to prepare for the working week ahead. Smoking is clearly part of the culture here but it is unusual for us to see cigarettes openly on display for purchase. We have forgotten how invasive cigarette smoke is, even in outdoor venues. How good are Australia's restrictions on smoking in public?

Our room is the top floor windows.

Our afternoon beverage done and with no desire for food after eating in the airline lounge and being force fed on the planes, we retired to our hotel room. It was understood that when we stopped, we would crash so it had been best to keep going. I know I'm not getting any younger, but bed at 7:30pm? Ridiculous. And the reason for today's title, from 1997, by The Verve, https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=ToQ0n3itoII. "All this talk of getting old" ...

Until tomorrow.

Postscript: almost 10 hours sleep. As James Brown sang, "I feel good".

I'm Back (Sydney - Dubai - Budapest)

Well hello dear reader, yes I'm back. Not quite Slim Shady style. Much more subdued and far less violent. Although today's title is attributed to the enduring Eminem, circa the year 2000. Ah, what a year. Not a pandemic in sight. I apologise for the lack of photos to break up the text, I shall do better in future posts.

Sydney

Currently I'm still in Sydney, trying to pack and being distracted by commencing this post. It is, uncharacteristically, a gorgeous winter's day. The sort of weather we used to experience before consecutive El Nina events and the ever increasing impact of climate change. Of course, for the conservative voters amongst you, climate change is just an exaggeration and work to reduce its impact is an impediment to growing a bank balance that you'll never live to spend. Sigh.

I digress. This trip is the twice postponed European river cruise. Cheers Covid. Third time lucky. It would appear, with a little over 24 hours to go, that this time we "might just make it after all." My apology, I came over all Mary Tyler Moore Show theme, perhaps a less threatening choice than Eminem. Anyway, originally this was to celebrate a special birthday for Jayne. Missed that boat, eh? See what I did there? I know, but I'm a tad rusty after being stuck at home for so long.

This time last year we were in a government imposed lockdown. This year the lockdown has been self-imposed as we try to stay covid free. We are still masking up when we go out, unlike the majority of people. We have also received our second booster, so there is little else we can do to ensure this trip happens. Masks are compulsory on the flight. I can deal with that for a few hours, but for 22 hours? It will be a challenge.

Our bags are packed and we are counting down the time for our car to the airport. Surprisingly I just received an email from APT. Hmmm. It won't be good news will it? So, the nice European summer, read drought, (did I mention climate change?) means river levels are very low and at one point we need to transit to a different ship - one assumes on the other side of the dry bit of river. There goes the benefit of not having to pack and unpack. Further, we might not be able to make our final destination, Amsterdam, on the water. In a 'kiss and make up' moment, should the latter occur, we get a 50% discount on an APT Mekong River cruise in 2023. Ok then. I think I can cope with that. I wonder where all the rain is that should be falling on Europe. Checking the weather radar... oh, yeah, right. I can see where it is.

Sydney International

Through the magic of time dislocation we have now progressed to the Qantas First Class Lounge. It is, of course, fabulous. As travel tradition demands, we commenced the evening with champagne, followed by salt and pepper calamari. To this we added a nice 2018 cabernet sauvignon along with cumin lamb with noodles for me while Jayne had slow cooked beef brisket.  Another glass of red was followed by a deconstructed pavlova and Jayne had a tart of some description. The meal and wine went some way to alleviating the stress that going through security always seems to generate. The priority lane is all well and good but the advantage dissipates by the time we all reach the dreaded x-ray machine.

Of course the body scanner rejected me. Now don't be harsh my dear reader, no shaming please. It rejected my boots. The R.M.Williams boots I regularly wear on flights. They have been to many destinations around the world and have passed through all manner of technological machinery. Not today. The attendant pointed to the image and the coloured area at my right ankle. "It's your boots. You'll need to take them off". I responded that these boots had passed through many machines but no, back out, boots off, through again. This time the machine rejected my left bootless ankle and my cleverly hidden handkerchief. Dangerous items, hankies. At least this time he was amused, no boots, same problem, "The machine heard you talking about it," he quipped. After a quick pat down, I was safely on the other side.

Emirates fly from Gate 61 which is almost in the next suburb. We strolled down through the closed shops and renovations, it's still not a pretty picture but looking better than it was. Straight on to the plane, gear stowed, blanket and pillow sorted, champagne in hand - it was all becoming real. When the second champagne was served, it was obvious we had a departure problem. A sick passenger was about to be disembarked which meant their luggage required disgorging from the bowels of the A380. And then all carry on had to be checked. Anyway, we left an hour late and arrived in Dubai and hour behind schedule. We have a four hour layover so it isn't really a problem for us. What's a few hours in the Lounge? We were fortunate, but there were many other people who were rushing to make their connections.

Dubai

The flight was a bit bumpy but uneventful. We had issues with Jayne's headphones which will require a trip to JB HiFi when we return to Australia. The food and wine were very good. Jayne even slept, for the first time, ever, and quietly admitted that Business Class really was the way to travel. Winner. It's taken me years to wring that endorsement from her.

We went through security again. Shoes off, watch off, bracelet off. Computer? Nope, it was allowed to stay in the bag. Off to the Business lounge where we were denied entry. Over to one of the friendly attendants, who looks at my boarding pass and says, "Wouldn't you rather be in the First Class Lounge"? and pointed in the opposite direction, away from the milling crowd. Well, now that you mention it, yes, yes I would.

Looking down on those less fortunate

Magically, pastries appeared

And here we sit, following second breakfast, charging phones and computers while gearing up for the 5 hour flight to Budapest. Australia is such a long way from other parts of the world and a full day in a plane, even Business Class, is not my idea of fun. That said, there is little choice until matter transporters become the preferred mode of travel.

Budapest

Another uneventful flight and one that was quite sparsely populated. We did the usual things, admired the roses, drank champagne, ate food and slipped in and out of consciousness while watching movies. Or  more precisely, staring at the screen. Even as I sit typing this in our hotel room, I am experiencing 'flight movement'. The bed should be extra fun tonight.

Fresh flowers on the plane - never seen that before

It's always a treat to arrive at an overseas destination and walk into the arrival hall to see a dark-jacketed man holding a board with your name on it. Especially when you are totally new to the country, don't speak the language and know absolutely nothing about where you are.

They love their religious statues. A little bit too much.

This post is long enough without any further musings about Budapest. There is much to say but I feel this will be drawn out over the next 5 days or so. I'm tired. You're tired. And I still haven't loaded a few photos to break up the text. I'm on it.

Until tomorrow.