Budapest

Wow I've been falling behind! I'll try to catch up in the next few days.

In this post - Budapest! I visited more than a month ago. The river Danube runs right through the middle of the city, dividing it into two main parts - Buda and Pest, easy to remember, no? This is the parliament building across the Danube.

From Budapest

On the Buda side you can spend many hours (probably days) exploring the Castle Hill area. Here's a part called the Fisherman's Bastion:

From Budapest

The hill also houses the Hungarian National Gallery (which I went in and would definitely recommend):

From Budapest

The area includes many streets you can walk around to look at pretty buildings, eat at somewhat expensive restaurants, and also enjoy great views of other parts of the city:

From Budapest

From Budapest

From Budapest

Outside the Castle Hill there's plenty to do in the city too. For example, this small square on the Pest side:

From Budapest

Some metro stations are very deep (the escalators seem to go on forever):

From Budapest

Like any city, you'll see graffiti in places (like this pedestrian tunnel):

From Budapest

Finally, here's a link to the entire album:

Budapest

Next stop - Prague.

Bern

My Bern trip was pleasant. It was a clear day and there was a farmer's market going on.


I bought a savory crepe for lunch - it was delicious.


I'd seen a spork before but never seen a knork!?


A game of chess provided entertainment during my lunch.




Then I walked around town. I don't know what these are but they looked important.




Here's a security company vehicle. I'm guessing they don't do high speed chases.


They have these bunker style underground shops lining the main shopping street in Bern.


Here's one that's open.


More walking around old town.




Check out these chimneys.


And of course, a clock. You have to have a clock. The lower one is pretty fancy - it seems to show the zodiac sun sign.

Fastnacht für Alle

Fastnacht is a carnival festival celebrated in many places in Switzerland. The one in Basel is the biggest (and best). These photos are from the one in Zurich.

 
A lot of people wear scary masks. This is supposed to scare away the winter time.

Find many more pictures in the album here:

Fastnacht für Alle

Here's a video of the day (compressed into just about 6 mins :). Wait for the parade - you might like the music!

Lugano

Lugano is a small city in the Italian speaking part of Switzerland in the Canton of Ticino. Piazza Manzoni is the main square in the old town area.

 
 
The weather is always warmer than Zürich, but it was pretty windy so we were still wrapped up pretty well.

 
I had lunch at Piazza Manzoni.

 
Then walked around the area. Stopped at a cafe for cappuccino.

 
 
Then walked back to Piazza Manzoni to find a band playing there.

 
 
 

Overall a very pleasant afternoon. Lugano is supposed to be a summer place - but it was wonderful even in February. Besides everything seemed to be on sale and was a lot cheaper than in Zürich.

I did see these in many places, but I have no idea what they are - anyone know?

 
There was also an antiques market (or garage sale?) going on in the neighborhood the next day.

 
 

Luzern - Hairy Buffalo

Here is the city wall of Luzern:

 
Here are a couple hairy buffalo (or some other kind of cattle?) grazing about in a fenced area in front of it:

 
 

Ok, after some research I've concluded that these aren't buffalos but Highland Cows. I'd think they don't mind the snow much.

Btw, here's another kind of Hairy Buffalo.

Luzern - Old town

Luzern is less than 1hr away from Zürich by train. I went on a particularly uninteresting day. These photos are from the old town area.

 
 
It was Sunday and it was snowing, so not much was going there. (All shops are closed on Sundays in Switzerland - except ones at a train station). The buildings were prettier than in Zürich - with ornate paintings on the external walls.




 
There is famous wooden covered bridge in Luzerne and also a lion monument. Somehow I missed taking a photo for either one, but I'll probably go back there (on a sunnier day hopefully).

Zürich at Night

On the way back from HB after returning from Ütliberg, I took advantage of the clear blue skies and got some good shots of the city at night.


 


(Üetliberg towers above.)