Of Water and Cheese — Château de Chillon
February 27, 2020

Of Water and Cheese — Château de Chillon

“I have traversed all Rousseau’s ground…and am struck to a degree with the force & accuracy of his descriptions — & the beauty of their reality: Meillerie –Clarens — & Vevey — & the Château de Chillon are place of which I shall say little …

Switzerland, Travels
Of Water and Cheese — Gruyeres and Its Cheese
February 23, 2020

Of Water and Cheese — Gruyeres and Its Cheese

Gruyeres (pronounced gree-EYRE) is a town about an hour northeast of Lausanne.  It is famous for its cheese, made at La Maison Du Gruyeres.   Milk, the Essence of Great Cheese Every cheese starts with the cows that make the milk.  The milk farmers of …

Switzerland, The Foodie, Travels
Of Water and Cheese — Jungfraujoch
February 21, 2020

Of Water and Cheese — Jungfraujoch

In German, “Jungfrau” means “virgin,” and “joch” means “pass.”  The Jungfraujoch is a must-see in Switzerland.  Named the “top of Europe,” it is at an altitude of 3,466 metres.[1]  In order to maximize my time at the mountain, I woke at 5:15 and boarded the …

Switzerland, Travels
Of Water and Cheese — The Burnt Green of Bern
February 19, 2020

Of Water and Cheese — The Burnt Green of Bern

The street scenes of Bern left an everlasting impression on my mind.  At first sight of Bern, I was surprised by its colors.  The main color is a burnt green, consistently present in most of the sandstone buildings in the Altstadt.  This burnt green is …

Switzerland, Travels
Of Water and Cheese — Zentrum Paul Klee
February 17, 2020

Of Water and Cheese — Zentrum Paul Klee

By 3pm, the winter day at Bern was waning.  I debated where to go as I wandered randomly in town.  Bus 12 just passed by me, going to Zentrum Paul Klee and so I hopped on.  Having crossed through the town and onward to its …

Switzerland, Travels
Of Water and Cheese — A Climb Up the Műnster St. Vinzenz
February 15, 2020

Of Water and Cheese — A Climb Up the Műnster St. Vinzenz

I went almost out of town, and finally turned to Postgasse to see the Rathaus and the church.  I then turned to Műnstergasse.  Finally, clearly in view was the Műnster St Vinzenz, the crown jewel of Bern. As with usual, I paid a spiritual tribute …

Switzerland, Travels
Of Water and Cheese — Confiserie Tschirren
February 13, 2020

Of Water and Cheese — Confiserie Tschirren

On Kramgasse I passed by the Confiserie Tschirren before reaching the Albert Einstein Haus.  The window display left such an indelible impression that I decided to go back for a visit.  Just anything that I could afford from the bakery. Well, a cursory glance at …

Switzerland, The Foodie, Travels
Of Water and Cheese — Albert Einstein in Bern
February 11, 2020

Of Water and Cheese — Albert Einstein in Bern

Just as I wondered about the Albert Einstein Haus, its sign came into view.  Up the stairs I walked into the apartment area, where Albert Einstein once lived.  Then came a very unfriendly voice, “it’s not free!”  I then paid 6 CHF, though not without …

Switzerland, Travels
Of Water and Cheese — Curia Confoederationis Helveticae
February 7, 2020

Of Water and Cheese — Curia Confoederationis Helveticae

The day was overcast.  This characteristic burnt green, the signature color of the archaic buildings in the Altstadt (Old Town) of Bern, somehow matched this unfortunate gloom of the weather well.  I meant this as a praise. After exiting the SBB station with no idea …

Switzerland, Travels
Of Water and Cheese — Sun-Soaked at Ouchy and Roman Lousonna
February 5, 2020

Of Water and Cheese — Sun-Soaked at Ouchy and Roman Lousonna

What’s better than writing on my journal at Ouchy under a warm afternoon sun, looking ahead at the French Alps? At the Place de Riponne I found the way to Ouchy by metro.  10 minutes later, it took me to the lakeside of Lake Geneva.  …

Switzerland, Travels