Europe :: Switzerland & Germany :: Day 2 (06/09/2010)

Feeling fresh and excited after a good night's sleep in the comfortable hotel room of ours, we woke up early in the morning rejuvenated. We then took a walk after breakfast to a beautiful lake just opposite of our hotel where the lake's backdrop was a huge mountain. It was definitely picturesque. The weather in Lucerne, Switzerland was chilly and much colder compared to the other countries we went later on, and the surrounding environment was definitely much more breathtaking and beautiful in Switzerland.

The hotel we stayed in for a night - Hotel Europe.

This is the lake.

Because of their good weather, you can see stunning flowers everywhere!

There was a beautiful garden with various types of colourful flowers.

After Lucerne, Switzerland, we headed to the famous Rhinefalls, the largest plain waterfalls in Europe. Initially, I thought the waterfall would be tall, with strong waters gushing out from a cliff, but Rhinefalls is actually a really broad-looking waterfall! It is somewhat like a mini Niagara Falls. 

It was very sunny, and i couldn't really get the shot i want because as you can see, the right side of the waterfall seems overexposed simply because there were mists coming from the strong waters.

The Worth Castle.

After Switzerland, we continued our journey to Germany, where we were heading to the countryside of Black Forest into a town called Titisee which is renowned for its cuckoo clocks. 

The countryside of Switzerland. It was such an amazing view comprising of green pastures and farmhouses.

We finally arrived at Titisee, this is the restaurant we had our lunch at. 

and our lunch was?

Pork knuckles and German sausages. The pork knuckles tasted fairly alright, it was a little bit hard, but the sausages were delicious but i love the French fries! 

The dessert was of course a piece of Black Forest cake with some rum added. There was a sampling of iced wine as well! and it became my favourite wine afterwards. 

This is the shop where they sell their famous cuckoo clocks and old-timer clocks. 

There were numerous types of cuckoo clocks, each with its own unique design.

This is Lake Titisee.

Part of the town of Titisee. 

Bought these chocolates when we stopped at a petrol station. 

I forgot to mention about the public toilets in Europe along the highways or in petrol stations. You actually need to pay to use the toilet (just need to slot the coins into a machine) and the resit can be used to buy drinks/foods in the shop! Somehow it's like a rebate/coupon. :D

We only stayed a short while in Titisee, as we needed to travel to Heidelberg, another part of Germany. Heidelberg is somewhat like a dreamy fairy tale city and it's a popular tourist destination due to its romantic and picturesque cityscape's character including the Heidelberg Castle and the Baroque style Old Town. 

Look at all the fabulous cottage-like houses!

These 2 little adorable mice is located just next to the monkey's statue and it is said to be the  creator's signature.

The bridge monkey just next to the Old Bridge. 

It is said if you touch the monkey's head it will bring you wisdom and intelligence.

This is a sign just next to the monkey saying, "Why are you looking at me? There are plenty more of monkeys in Heidelberg." 

This is the Heidelberg Castle.

This is the fort at the end of the Old Bridge.

River Neckar.

The streets at the Old Town.

Hotel Ritter.

The chocolates in Heidelberg. As I said, Heidelberg is known to be a romantic place as last time students used to buy chocolates for each other to profess their love. 

The Chinese restaurant we had our dinner at. 

Interesting sign, but i don't know what it means! :D

Next day: Germany & Holland Day 3