Florence to Lucerne

Arrivederci to Italy. We traveled north past the Italian lakes and into the Alps through the famous St. Gotthard Tunnel, Europe’s longest tunnel. We reached Lucerne mid-afternoon. We had plan to go up the summit of Mt. Pilatus to see the Alps, the sunset and the lakes below, but the weather was not permitting. Since we left Florence, it has been raining. (I remember Beth giving me a picture on top of Mt. Pilatus and a red souvenir T-shirt of it. I still have that T-shirt although I think my mom uses it now. I've grown in size.)

Lucerne is a lake village surrounded by the Alps. It is known for its wooden Chapel Bridge, medieval walls and towers. It is also known as a shopper’s paradise for watches, charms and other jewelry, albeit a very expensive one.

We visited a shop away from the tourist crowd. And since they do not pay the exorbitant rental fees, we were guaranteed a better price that those shops situated at the central tourist area. Heidi’s Shop specializes on Swiss watches, Cuckoo clocks, Music boxes and Swiss Army Knife. Got a Swiss Army knife -- a white one (it is only available locally compare to the red one).

It was free time again for us to wander through the narrow cobble streets. The rain did not dampen our spirits to do more window shopping. Colin, Lianne, Angela and I wanted to see the Lion Monument. We all had hooded jackets and so of we go. This Dying Lion Monument (Lowendenkmal) was carved out of a natural rock in honor of the Swiss Guards mercenaries who died during the French revolution. They were slaughtered on the steps of the Tuileries Palace while defending Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, and the French royal family. On our way back, I could not resist those chocolates truffles that were at every other shop along the way to the Chapel Bridge (Kapelbrucke). This wooden chapel provided a shortcut across the river and was built in the 14th century and, although it's an interesting feature to look at from the outside, the paintings on the inside portray Swiss and local history was the real feature. There are 112 pictures in the apex of the roof which were put in during the 17th century. However it is not the original anymore as this bridge was burned in 1992 and was only finally restored last year.

We had dinner at our hotel and since it was raining outside, we were compelled to just seat at the bar and have beer. Beside's Lucerne was not much of a party town and the taxi fare is not that cheap either. What an excuse!