Renxkyoko Iglesias here, hello !
This is Part 4 and I’m now in Switzerland. The trip from Germany ( Heilderberg) by way of Autobahn to Switzerland took us nearly 5 hours. The scenery was spectacular, as I expected…… the Swiss Alps, the villages that dot the landscape, and herd of goats peacefully eating grass on a hill ( or were they sheep? )…… , that was so idyllic and scenic !
Oh, and it also reminded me of the movie, The Sound of Music. ( I know, the story happened in Austria, he he he ) But hey, I’m sure some of you know of the song, right.? * sings * High on the hill was a lonely goatherd, yodel, yodel, yodel * Yep, the yodel thing was certainly Swiss. Funny thing was, the tour director put in a a Swiss yodel cd , and let us hear a typical Swiss yodel song. I reckoned that was to get us in the mood. Problem was, for nearly 5 hours, those were the only songs that were played. I was ready to jump off the bus after an hour of continous yodeling,, but couldn’t complain coz the old folks were merrily singing too. And horror ! I found myself unconciously tapping my feet and silently yodeling, as well. ~.~
.Our destination was Lucerne, but the hotel we were booked in was actually in Fluelen, a small quiant town of just over 2000 people. The hotel was Hotel Hirschen. About the hotel….. it was the second worst hotel we’ve stayed in , so far. Our room was tiny, and really, really in need of refurbishment. The towels were frayed at the edges. The 2 wooden chairs were shabby and badly scratched. But then I heard Switzerland’s recycling rate is 96 %, so I guess, nothing is thrown away until it is totally unuseusable.. We don’t know why Cosmos keeps on using this hotel, though. Two reasons : very cheap, or the million dollar view from the hotel. The hotel is right across from Lake Lucerne and part of Swiss Alps mountains.
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That was the view from our hotel room, which was on the second floor, the one in the middle with open curtains.
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The one below is what I saw from my hotel window early morning. .
There was an optional tour on our first night in Switzerland. It was dinner with Swiss folklore entertainment ( yodeling and maybe some dancing ). We didn’t get it. It was expensive , like 68 Euro each. ( $87 ) It was the only optional tour that we didn’t get, if I recall. It was okay that we didn’t go. . Mom always had to pay for 3 people, herself, me and my cousin. So those of us who stayed behind at the hotel had dinner where we could find it. There was a Burger King nearby. Finally, an American style sandwich ! But then we saw the price of one Whopper, small fries and regular Coke. 12,70 E ( $ 16.25 ! ! ) That’s less than $ 5 in the US ! ! (And the Coke is even unlimited) . We refused to buy not because we couldn’t afford it. It was out of principle. We then decided to buy something to eat at nearby convenience store, and had coffee and drinks at the outdoor restaurant of the hotel, and enjoyed the view. Well, I guess the Swiss can afford to buy a $ 16 Whopper. They have one of the highest per capita income in the world, after all.
Next day was another optional tour that we got. . ……. At Mt. Titlis- Rotair, the world’s first revolving cable car that goes up to 10,000 feet. 75 E each ( $ 96 ). Mom also got for me and my cousin a Titlus Ice Flyer for additional 12 E, an individual chair lift that takes each person just a few feet above the glacier. Pardon me that I’m giving some dollar figures. This is just a ” tip ” for future travellers’ out – of – budget ” unexpected” expenses.
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My ears just popped and I didn’t like it.
And sorry for the blurry photos. They were taken through the cable car’s dirty glass windows.
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.By the way, I don’t know if you’ve even noticed it, but the grass look like carpet …. they aren’t tall, are they ? They look like my neighbors’ lawns, ha ha ha. I tend to notice little details like that, and wonder. It’s mysterious, like, do they cut the grass or is that a special kind of grass that don’t grow tall ?
Well, guess what, they actually mow the grass ! ! ! I saw it ! ! ! They used this ride – on lawnmowers, and I saw 3 of them mowing the grass on the hills. Mystery solved. 
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These are the views at the top of the snowcapped mountains. It was eerily beautiful/
. The photo directly below was the topmost. We rode on individual chair lifts and it was really beautiful up there, waaaaay above the clouds, but at the same time, it was scary. I have fear of heights, actually. I was seated so stiffly, a bit terrified, fearing that a cable would break and I’d plunge down to my early demise. Nevertheless, I couldn’t help but be in awe of the sheer raw beauty of the mountain.
That one above is the scenery leaving Mt. Titlis and going to Lucerne.
After the Titlis tour, we proceeded to Lucerne for some shopping and sightseeing. I just wished it was Geneva though, or maybe Zurich ( Bern is the capital of Switzerland. ) Lucerne is okay, I guess.
.Bought several packs of home-made like chocolates here. Authentic Swiss chocolates. The Swiss consume the most chocolates in the world. Nestle, the biggest food company in the world, is Swiss. It started as a chocolate factory. Hmmm, I wonder what that little boy was doing, alone, at the corner. Do you see him?
.I’ve heard of Bucherer Rolex….. it’s a high- end store that sells 15,000 E watches and thousand dollar purses. Our tour director was being sly when he handed each of us a coupon, something like a gift certificate from Bucherer. So we went in to see what free stuff we could get… it was a stainless Bucherer Rolex spoon. Cool. It was a come- on , really, to entice us to check out the store , and hopefully buy something. Good sales tactic. My cousin and Mom bought a 39 Euro Swiss Knife, and had names carved in the knife.,,,, for Dad, and for my cousin’s BF. Aaargh, I don’t think it’s a good idea to give guys potential weapons, he he, even if they are the Swiss kind.
We got free dinner at the hotel. That would be the second out of 9 free dinners in the tour. The next day was another Optional tour for us, Lake Lucerne cruise at 28 Euro each. Those who didn’t join went sightseeing in the the city .
.Now, I don’t know if I heard it right, but the tour guide said ” there’s no fish in this lake because it’s so clean,”. It didn’t seem logical, but he could be right, in a way. If there’s no organic stuff to eat there, then no fish will thrive. It’ will just be one big aquarium. Eh, I don’t know. We did see some swans swimming there.
And we organic humans were there, too.
.After the cruise, we went sightseeing in the city, bought some souvenirs, had lunch ( pastries ), and just hang around the Bucherer area awaiting our departure for Italy.
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..That’s a sculpture of The Dying Lion, made in honor of hundreds of Swiss Guards that defended Versailles Palace from the French Revolutionaries. Switzerland has a policy of nuetrality, but, they did allow their soldiers to serve in other countries, usually as Guards, and not as fighting foot soldiers. To this day, Swiss Guards are the ones guarding The Vatican. I assume we all know The Vatican, the seat of Roman Catholicism, is also a country, yes ? They serve as the only standing army of the country, all just a little over 100 of them.
.I don’t remember where this was taken, (^__^). I was resting and my cousin took my pic. I posed though. lol
.Taken on the cable car…… posted it just to remind myself, Look, Ma, no rashes ! My skin broke out in Italy. (#_#) Guess it was the sudden change in weather. * looks closely at my pic * …. I can see some blackheads, and 1 pimple, but no rashes yet. Still looking good at this point. Subsequent pics from Italy will show ugly rashes on my skin. Aaaaargh. ! ! ! d*_*b Be warned.
This is it for Switzerland…….. Beautiful country, scenic and postcard pretty…… It really lived up to my expectations.
Next is Italy. * looking again at my pic* Speaking of which, our Italian tour guide jokingly said I had a Roman nose. She said she had a Roman nose, too. What exactly is a Roman nose ? I don’t know if I’ll take that as a compliment or what . * annoyed* (=_= )”
Good day and PEACE ! ! Don’t forgt to read my next post ! ! ITALY !!!!
Am a Molecular Microbiology student, love to read books, and I play the violin. 
dreamsending
renxkyoko
renxkyoko's space 
Posted by simpleek on August 15, 2012 at 11:26 am
I definitely stayed at the same hotel you stayed at when I was in Switzerland. When I saw your photos, I thought, “I recognize that!” The hotel wasn’t anything spectacular, but the view does make up for it at least. I don’t think the cable car ride to see the glaciers was included as part of the optional tours for my package, but I remember going for the boat ride on Lake Lucerne and just touring the city afterwards. Ah memories! Makes me want to go back to Europe now. 😉
Posted by renxkyoko on August 15, 2012 at 10:26 pm
We think the rates have gone up and to maintain the ” budget ” cost of the tour, Cosmos took out some free tours and made them optional.
The towels were tattered, Simpleek. I I was shocked to see them.Oh, well. Oh, wait !!! The TV set ! Bahahahaha !
Posted by topiclessbar on August 15, 2012 at 3:15 pm
Those pics of the mountains are gorgeous. Pretty amazing, Ren. They were the second thing in this post that blew me away: the first being the idea of spending 16 bucks on a whopper.
The Roman nose…not sure what they meant, but when I was in, like, grade school, kids used to say, “You have a Roman nose, yeah it’s roamin’ all over your face!” Really, really corny. I’m hoping to God that’s not the joke she was making, cause that shit’s lame!
PS – I like your nose. It is nice, and it is not roaming all over your face. Just FYI.
Posted by renxkyoko on August 15, 2012 at 10:30 pm
My Roman nose ! Ahahaha ! I’m embracing it now ! !
Topicless, I assure you, the real thing is soooooooooooo much better than the photos ! I just couldn’t capture the beauty from my lousy camera. besides, the vehicle was usually moving. I couldn’t focus properly.
Posted by Mooselicker on August 15, 2012 at 9:55 pm
Everything was so green there. It looks almost fake. Like a movie set.
I’ve heard of Roman hair. Never a Roman nose. You should market that term. It can be both a compliment and an insult.
Posted by renxkyoko on August 15, 2012 at 10:36 pm
So green,,,, they are, aren’t they? ?
Ha ha ha ! I have a Roman nose ! * happy dance * Well, we’ll find out soon, Moose. I have tons of pics of statues of Romans. I hope we can see clearly what exactly these Roman noses are. Oh…… and something else, he he he.
How’s it goin’, pal ?
Posted by nepaliaustralian on August 15, 2012 at 11:01 pm
Ohoo we stayed in the same place as you did and we went to the same places as well. Such a beautiful country and people 🙂
Posted by renxkyoko on August 17, 2012 at 6:48 pm
Really ? Wow ! Small world, huh. I’m sure it’s a tour agency’s favorite place. The view from the hotel is really beautiful ! Someone said the hotel has actually improved compared to before. Huh ?
Posted by 25pesocupnoodles on August 16, 2012 at 12:19 am
that pretty picture taken on the cable car, portraits happiness inside & out. hello there. very pretty.
Posted by renxkyoko on August 17, 2012 at 6:50 pm
Hey, thanks ! ! Wait…. are you referring to me or the view ? LOL
Posted by 25pesocupnoodles on August 17, 2012 at 10:51 pm
the last picture of curse, & i think that is you.
Posted by renxkyoko on August 18, 2012 at 2:10 am
* dances happily *
Posted by 25pesocupnoodles on August 18, 2012 at 3:07 am
😛
Posted by 25pesocupnoodles on August 18, 2012 at 9:28 am
error check, hihi “curse” = “course”
Posted by renxkyoko on August 19, 2012 at 1:58 am
LOL I thought you wouold never notice.
Posted by 25pesocupnoodles on August 19, 2012 at 3:30 am
too excited to reply, that is why. hmmm. good morning.
Posted by renxkyoko on August 19, 2012 at 3:53 am
Good evening here. Just had a cup of delicious vermicelli noodle soup , made in the Phil., and Phil. style chorizo for dinner. It’s so hot right now nobody wants to cook
Posted by Rob. on August 16, 2012 at 7:32 am
Wow, Switzerland really does look beautiful. Some of those mountain photographs are pretty stunning, as well as the ones of you, of course. Aren’t I witty today?
‘We refused to buy not because we couldn’t afford it. It was out of principle.’ Hah.
Posted by renxkyoko on August 17, 2012 at 6:55 pm
Rob, I think we were just a bunch of cheapskates. ha ha ha
talk to you later, Rob. Even if you don’t see me, check me out. You know I don’t make myself Available, right ? Sheeesh, we haven’t talked for a long time. I’m sure you’re busy too. Been to any Olympics games ? How’s London ? I loved London, Rob .
Posted by Seb on August 16, 2012 at 10:16 am
Swallowing hard when you feel the pressure building stops your ears from popping. Also, I love the Sound of Music and quote it at every opportunity. It’s one of my favorite things.
Posted by renxkyoko on August 17, 2012 at 6:57 pm
Right ! I love The Sound of Music, too. All the songs there are outstanding. It’s a pity we don’t get to watch this kind of movies anymore.
Posted by Koopa on August 16, 2012 at 11:40 am
Ahoy! I feel like I’m in the same place with the pics! I have to read the first 2 parts, I haven’t been able to read blogs lately (work work work). I’ll be back when I get more time! Enjoy the rest of your trip (IF it’s not done yet)!
Posted by renxkyoko on August 17, 2012 at 6:58 pm
Hi, Koopa ! haven’t seen you here for a while. I hope you get to read the rest of my travel adventure.
Cheers !
Posted by potsquared on August 16, 2012 at 12:32 pm
i really envy your skin… ammm i mean your travels!!
Posted by renxkyoko on August 17, 2012 at 6:59 pm
Looking at my pic, I envy it too, Bahahaha !
Posted by potsquared on August 20, 2012 at 4:24 am
you have nice skin.. you should be a cosmetic model…
Posted by renxkyoko on August 20, 2012 at 5:58 am
Right…. but first, I need a cosmetic surgeon to fix my face. he he
Posted by potsquared on August 20, 2012 at 6:16 am
hmm.. i see no use of a cosmetic surgeon to fix your face..
Posted by renxkyoko on August 22, 2012 at 9:57 am
let’s pretend we’re having a serious conversation here, ha ha ha, but to be honest, there are 1 or 2 things I want fixed, he he he.
Posted by potsquared on August 22, 2012 at 2:16 pm
hmmm… for me, your face is way more beautiful than mine… not that i’m comparing my face to yours.. oh my.. what am a saying… *facepalm*
Posted by potsquared on August 22, 2012 at 2:16 pm
hmmm… for me, your face is way more beautiful than mine… not that i’m comparing my face to yours.. oh my.. what am i saying… *facepalm*
Posted by 25pesocupnoodles on August 18, 2012 at 9:24 am
hahahah, pot i have that same skin too. wahahahaha.
Posted by potsquared on August 20, 2012 at 4:26 am
pwed ka ng maging model ng master for eskinol.. sikreto ng mga gwapo!!
Posted by renxkyoko on August 20, 2012 at 6:01 am
Sikreto ng mga guapo? Eskinol? Ano yan ?
Posted by potsquared on August 20, 2012 at 6:15 am
ahahaha sorry.. i momentarily forgot that you are still learning the language.. eskinol is a facial astringent brand in the philippines… sikreto ng mga gwapo means “handsome men’s secret” it’s the tag line they used when they released an astringent for men called “Master by Eskinol”
Posted by renxkyoko on August 22, 2012 at 10:00 am
Oh, wait, when we went to the Philippines 2 years ago, my Mom bought a few bottles of that ( I think ) …. green color? My mother and I had a few sessions with a dermatologist over there.
Posted by potsquared on August 22, 2012 at 2:18 pm
…the “eskinol” brand is for women.. i forgot the color but it’s popular in the philippines…
Posted by potsquared on August 20, 2012 at 4:27 am
wow! you can be a model too cup!!
Posted by renxkyoko on August 20, 2012 at 6:00 am
lemme see cup ! ! Ha ha ….
Posted by 25pesocupnoodles on August 21, 2012 at 1:25 pm
talaga lang ha. nag rerequest ah. hello 🙂
Posted by TWWK on August 16, 2012 at 12:36 pm
I spent several years living in Germany as a child, and though I never visited Switzerland, your pictures reminded me of the beauty of the area. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Posted by renxkyoko on August 17, 2012 at 7:00 pm
Ah, you’re welcome, TWWK ! By the way, I’m a bit confused about your blogsite, Are there 2 authors there ?
Posted by TWWK on August 18, 2012 at 2:01 am
Actually, we have five! You’ve conversed a little bit with one, R86 – he’s been trying to keep your comments from ending up in the spam folder. -_-‘
Posted by renxkyoko on August 18, 2012 at 2:11 am
Posted by TWWK on August 18, 2012 at 2:27 am
We work extra hard, though, to make sure your comments don’t go down the drain with the trash. So you’re actually an extra-special person on my blog. 😉
Posted by renxkyoko on August 20, 2012 at 6:02 am
Gee, thanks, TWWK ! ! Wow, special person !
Posted by andy1076 on August 16, 2012 at 1:38 pm
Wow what a trip! Peaceful and away from all the hustle and bustle, felt like i was there with you. Thank you for sharing the amazing photos and stories 🙂
Posted by renxkyoko on August 17, 2012 at 7:01 pm
Thanks, Andy ! ! Well, you post such amazing photos too !
Cheers !
Posted by efratadenny on August 16, 2012 at 3:16 pm
Amazing pictures and nice story. You have a complete trip from green grass until white snow.
Posted by renxkyoko on August 17, 2012 at 7:03 pm
Thank you, efratadenny ! Are you, by any chance, Indonesian ?
Compared to your photos, mine are all crappy, ha ha ha.
Posted by efratadenny on August 18, 2012 at 4:00 pm
Yes, I am Indonesian. How do you know? 🙂
I enjoyed both your photos and stories. You make me eager to visit Europe 🙂
Posted by renxkyoko on August 19, 2012 at 3:55 am
Your name ? It’s Indonesian. ^___^
Posted by efratadenny on August 19, 2012 at 3:05 pm
OIC 🙂 You scare me at the first time. I thought you were fortune teller haha 🙂
Posted by 25pesocupnoodles on August 17, 2012 at 2:53 am
check this out. http://25pesocupnoodles.wordpress.com/2012/08/14/words-in-poem-kataga-sa-bawat-tula/
Posted by renxkyoko on August 18, 2012 at 2:13 am
Been there, read the translation ! ! Thanks ! !
Posted by sa saliw ng awit on August 18, 2012 at 2:56 pm
hello, Renx… aliw ang pic mo sa itaas ng cable car – di alam kung bored o exasperated o you have to be convinced (of what?), haha. ^^ pero, at least, bawi naman sa last pic, as in, hihi… 😉
about the looks, the Italian look, dear. i have often thought that you look somehow similar to the half-Italian, half-Pinay artista, Assunta de Rossi? but you’re a sight better, i guess, haha. btw, she’s taller. but you’re a sight better and am not patronizing, ha. ^^
hey, salamat sa masipag na pagdalaw… teka, won’t you write about your feelings that summer’s about to end na? i’d like to pick your brain on that. it’d be fun to hear your thoughts on that, wala lang… regards to you and your loved ones. 😉
Posted by renxkyoko on August 19, 2012 at 4:15 am
Nag pop yung ears ko talaga , Ate. There were several levels. We had to transfer 3x going up. For every transfer, my ears would pop anew. Masakit na. Pangit ko, ano? He he
Eh. I googled her. Hmmm, ewan ko lang.
Super-dami ng emails ko. Mostly subscriptions. Medio na overwhelmed na yata ako. Basta I’ll just pop in . Pero, grabe ang Tagalog nyo. Parang di Tagalog, huh.
Posted by sa saliw ng awit on August 19, 2012 at 7:24 am
ah, gawa pala ‘yon ng altitude, hoho nga… 🙂 kaya pala di maipinta ang expression mo, hihi. ^^
hala, di mo feel ma-compare kay Assunta? whehehe. in fairness, mahusay siyang umarte dati noong active pa sya sa showbizness…
o, sige, dalaw-dalaw ka lang. magpapasukan na kayo uli, e, ano… 😉 haha, nag-bleed ba ang ilong mo sa Tagalog? pasensya naman. pero ‘yan nga o, nakaka-Tagalog ka na, say? ^_^ hihi. cheers! 😉
Posted by willofheart on August 20, 2012 at 5:29 am
Great pictures, great view, superb basta ingat sa tour, and thanks for sharing this….
Posted by renxkyoko on August 20, 2012 at 6:04 am
Huh ? You speak Tagalog , too, willofheart?
Posted by willofheart on August 20, 2012 at 6:07 am
yes Ren, I am also a Filipino, How are you?
Posted by renxkyoko on August 21, 2012 at 9:40 am
I’m good… I remember now. You’re from the Phil. too, but do you live there?
Posted by willofheart on August 21, 2012 at 11:24 am
Yes, Ren I live here…
Posted by bagotilyo on August 20, 2012 at 7:23 am
Kinis artista .. hehhe
I kinda envy the trip .. lolz
Dont get me wrong inggitero lang talaga ako. hahaha
Posted by renxkyoko on August 21, 2012 at 9:46 am
Looking at my travel pics, I’d be envious too, lol, especially now that I’m home. Being there felt like it wasn’t real.
Posted by Zo on August 20, 2012 at 11:32 pm
These pictures are just gorgeous. It looks like you’re on some Disney movie set!
I’ve never been to Switzerland. I’ve always heard that it’s really really expensive.
Posted by renxkyoko on August 21, 2012 at 9:49 am
Ir is ! ! Expensive, I mean. I swear I’m never ever going to complain about US prices anymore ! ! And ours are not only cheap, the portions are also very generous.
Posted by countingducks on August 21, 2012 at 4:26 pm
I’m loving this trip. You tell it so vividly. It reminds me of travelling through Europe. Great experiences. More pleeeese
Posted by renxkyoko on August 22, 2012 at 10:02 am
Thank you, counting ducks ! Well, I think I write a lot of side comments. lol
Posted by PM on August 24, 2012 at 12:51 am
your trip is so cool 😀 when you said switzerland the first thing i thought about was chocolate! oh man, i’m so glad you are having fun. enjoy more! btw, i saw your comments going through my spam folder. i just fished them out. ack, can’t believe i almost missed them. thanks for visiting me ren 🙂
Posted by renxkyoko on October 27, 2012 at 9:30 pm
PM, my first thought was the Alps, and those green gently sloping hills, Swiss cottages, and of course Swiss watches ! ! Swiss chocolates didn’t come to my mind, hahaha ! Yeah !
Posted by Smaktakula on August 31, 2012 at 6:59 am
Beautiful photos! I have only had the opportunity to visit Switzerland once, and didn’t get to see it as well as you did. I’m so glad you guys made the most of your trip by taking pictures and maximizing your opportunities. Life has a way of speeding up and making it difficult to do these things.
Posted by renxkyoko on October 27, 2012 at 9:02 pm
Thank you ! Actually, we were there just 2 days. But I guess the tour guide was able to maximize our otherwise limited time.
Posted by returntothe80s on October 17, 2012 at 5:58 pm
Thanks for sharing your trip with us! What beautiful pictures!! I’ve never been anywhere in Europe yet, but you make me feel like I was there!
Posted by renxkyoko on October 27, 2012 at 9:00 pm
Thank you ! I really hope I did that ! That’s really my intention . I’m glad .
Posted by sakthi5028 on October 24, 2012 at 8:57 am
Overall beautiful!!! You can put all together as a one and name it as European Trip Tips 🙂
Posted by renxkyoko on October 27, 2012 at 8:58 pm
Oh, yes ! Actually I plan to make that as one post… European Tips …. that’s for later, though.
Thanks for the tip ! ^__^
Posted by sakthi5028 on October 28, 2012 at 2:00 pm
ok sure..Thanks 🙂
Posted by Jason E. Marshall on December 21, 2012 at 3:57 pm
Beautiful pictures! I have always loved Switzerland, it has beautiful scenery, and wonderful people!
Posted by pseudomonaz on January 29, 2013 at 7:35 pm
Switzerland reminds me of my hometown, only difference is Switzerland is much more developed and cleaner than my place. You look beautiful in the last picture. I envy your skin. 😉
Posted by renxkyoko on January 29, 2013 at 7:59 pm
Oh, wow, thanks. I’m going to write an epilogue when I’m done , such stuff like which one impressed me most, the food, etc. But I can tell you, Switzerland has the best natural scenery. And suuuuuuper clean !