Switzerland

Haha, Switzerland. In all honesty it is probably my favourite place that I have visited. There's waterfalls, there's mountains, there's beer, and, most importantly, there's Stephan (the 7 foot smurf)!

Stephan. He is tall. Like really tall. His last name is Schlumpf, which, in German, means Smurf. I believe Alanis Morissette wrote a song about that.

I met Stephan while he was on exchange at the ANU. He lived on my floor in my first year, I lent him a sheet for toga night...and...best friends ever after. He visited me in Malta and whilst there he told me how he played in a band and they had a gig at a lindy hop dance lesson thingy (just like we do salsa in Canberra). I thought that was as good excuse as any to go visit and so visit I did.

Luckily, no one was aware I spent six months working as a postman. (For the uncouth, 'die' means 'the').

I will warn any would-be travelers of two things. Firstly, Switzerland is expensive - I chewed through many Swiss franc sampling their itty bitty nation. Secondly, its awesome - I spent a few days trying in vain to find work but unfortunately my German is pretty poor and my Swiss German is even worse.

 

...and there are wolves - did I warn you about the wolves?

In stayed at Stephan place in Winterthur, a city not far out of Zurich. It had wonderful parks that I ran through, I nice change from Malta, an animal park that I spent some time at, as well a lot cultural galleries and museums that I skipped. Insead I did some day trips to the country side to see waterfalls and REAL mountains.

Great Dividing Range eat your heart out. This is where IB should be run. This is lake Sämtisersee in the Appenzell Alps. From here I ran across the ridge to the peak in the distance and than down to the lake. Super. 

Whilst wandering through Winterthur photographing artworks such as upturned cars, playing football (soccer), and sampling beers I also stumbled across a riot. Hilariously, it was all well planned and organised with riot police, riot tanks, and riot fences all set. Yup, you cannot fault Swiss efficiency!

My first nature visit was to the Rhinefall, the largest plain waterfall in Europe. There was also a castle which I ignored because it didn't look like a massive fortress.They falls were nice, but there were craploads of tourists and after a summer in Malta I had lost my patience with tourists. 

 Rhinefall with Laufen Castle just behind me. I took a ferry to the large rocks in the background but there were so many stupid people with stupid cameras all complaining about how there were too many people to take good photos. It was stupid (I got good photos though). Oh, and the view was spectacular, just like the rest of this country.

My second trip was to the Appenzell Alps. These were the best! I tested out my newly healed back by chucking on my running backpack and running following the ridge of the Alps before dropping down in gorgeous valley. People thought I was a bit crazy running around but I did not care. Usually I find that photos do not do the scenery justice and even the photos shown here are awesome they are no exception. That should give an idea of how lovely the area is.

I took a cable car up to the peak in the centre of the photo - then I started running.

Next, Stephan took me to see my first ice hockey game. We went to Ripperswil, a city on Lake Zurich which is where he grew up. We wandered around a bit before enjoying carnage on ice. Unfortunately the Ripperswil Lakers lost quite heavily but it did not seem to diminish their enthusiasm.

I've been told blood bounces off the ice...

My final trip, before heading off to my next destination (Berlin) was Zurich. I spent a day wandering around here including visiting the museum to learn about Swiss history (which is as fascinating as Singapore's), climb to the top of  a cathedral, and gasp in awe at the biggest clock face in Europe.

Zurich from the top of the cathedral. I think the clock face is the biggest in Europe. If its not that one it is the one just out of frame to the left. They were both pretty big, but in all honesty I am not to impressed by big things. After all, the big merino is in Goulburn

I can't wait to get back, and Stephan has invited back for some hiking in the summer. I just hope my back heals up in time so that I can return and see some more cows!

 I also have a score to settle...