Since I am used to living out of a suitcase, packing for the trip took me about 15 mins. My first flight from Blr to Bom was Jet airways. Noticed while web checkin that I could actually checkin for the Swiss airlines as well in the Jet airways website.
Reached the airport and the check in counter. The lady at the counter tried hard to pronounce the final destination Ljubljana! Finally gave up and assured me that the bag would reach the place where ever it is. Reached Bombay and ate a dosa in Bombay airport. Had a doubt if I should pick up my baggage in Zurich to clear customs. Decided to ask at the Swiss airlines counter. The guy there could pronounce Ljubljana correctly and told me I need not pick it up in Zurich. The seat in the Swiss airways from Bom to Zurich, though at the emergency exit, did not have sufficient leg space! First time that I had chosen a wrong seat during web checkin. But slept quite ok.
Was looking keenly out of the window while landing in Zurich to spot the alps. Couldnt see any mountains. By 7 I was out of the flight and decided that I had too much time before the next flight at 2:30. Made an impromptu decision to get out of the airport and visit Zurich. The immigration guy asked me how many days will I be in Zurich and told him maybe 4 hours! Looked surprised till I showed him the next boarding pass.
As usual the Swiss show their efficiency in everything. There were clear signs telling how to reach the city center. Exchanged some EUR to Swiss Francs in the airport and boarded the train to the center. Actually got on the train at the last minute and realised that its the first class compartment. A Chinese guy did the same thing. The ticket checking lady came in a few minutes later and explained to both of us that its first class and also told us how to recognize it from outside - apparently they have some different coloured stripes painted to recognize the classes - guess its also written! Was very nice about it and let us sit in first class for the journey. Got free internet in the main station and looked for the top attraction in tripadvisor. Turned out there was a lake and an old town and a mountain. Decided to visit the mountain first - Uetliberg. Had to take a smaller train but the ticket was expensive - 17 CHF. Was the last stop, and as usual the entire route was picture perfect. Had to climb a bit to reach the top. Views below
Found an Indian as well on top taking pics. Walked around a bit and decided its time to take the train back to the main station. Started walking towards the old town from the main station. The walk was along the river Limmat with buildings on both sides.
Wikitravel indicated that there are 2 churches - Grossmunster and Fraumunster. Visited the former one. Then walked to the lake. Passed some really cool graffiti
Was nearly 10:30 and was very hungry. Started walking back to the station and looked for something to eat on the way. Noticed a lady carrying a starbucks coffee, but hadnt spotted one. Walked a bit away from the station and found one. Had the usual croissant and java chip. Took the train back to the airport. Was again hungry by 1 pm and bought a sandwich. Flight from Zurich to Ljubljana was a 2 + 3 seater called avro rj100. Was the first time on such a strange flight!
The views from the flight were just amazing! Guess it was flying over the Swiss and Julian Alps.
And the mountains that I was expecting to see in Zurich were here as we landed in Ljubljana!
The airport was really small with maybe 2 aerobridges. We had to take the bus to the terminal. But the view was ... well the picture speaks for itself.
Strangely there was no currency exchange office at the airport and a coffee shop guy told that I would need to go to the bank or post office to do that and that would be possible only on Monday. I did have around 150 Eur on me and decided to manage with that. Found the Avant Car office easily and got a 2015 model Opel Corsa which had only gone around 3000 kms. The GPS was a new one as well. The lady told me that it was petrol and the tank was full. There was the usual inspection for scratches as well. She also gave me the documents and the Green Card. Ensured that none of the countries that I wanted to visit were crossed off. Everything looked ok. Turns out that cars in Slovenia have to buy a toll sticker called a vignette. Asked about it and the lady showed me the sticker. The car already had one and was valid for a year. Sat in the car for a few minutes to get used to the left hand drive. Started it and reached the exit. Was behind a few cars and suddenly one of them wanted to get back and asked me to reverse. The reverse gear was at the top left corner and though I felt that I had put the gear to reverse the car was only going forward! And I tried to tell the guy that I am unable to reverse and he was confused. Somehow the guy managed to go through and I didnt have to reverse. I went ahead as well but had half a mind to go back to tell that there is something wrong with the gear! Decided not to. Thought let me take it to the hotel and figure it out.
Took some wrong exits though the GPS was actually right. Went through the countryside instead of the highway, but the views made up for the longer route. Reached the hotel parking and tried the reverse now. Felt that the car was moving backward after I put the gear and was wondering what went wrong earlier. Thought will try it again and this time it didnt work! Guess it was just the slope that took me backward. Was about to give up when I noticed a button below the gear handle and suddenly remembered the car that I drove in SFO. Had to keep the button pressed and then shift to reverse! Worked. Cant blame the guy who got his driving license less than a year back and who has been driving only a Swift!
Decided I need to keep the manual handy. Looked for it and found one. But it was in around 3 languages and none was English. We have the internet for these things anyway.
Checked in to the hotel - Four points by Sheraton. Guy told there is a restaurant which serves dinner from 7. Went to the restaurant and asked for something vegetarian. There was something called a veggy pattie on the menu. Ordered that along with a glass of house wine - red. Guy gave a starter as well and told its a vegetable - finnochio. No idea what that was. The internet told me its fennel. The patty and wine were very good though.
Got back to the room and downloaded an english manual for the car. There was sunlight even at 9 pm. Crashed for the day.
Reached the airport and the check in counter. The lady at the counter tried hard to pronounce the final destination Ljubljana! Finally gave up and assured me that the bag would reach the place where ever it is. Reached Bombay and ate a dosa in Bombay airport. Had a doubt if I should pick up my baggage in Zurich to clear customs. Decided to ask at the Swiss airlines counter. The guy there could pronounce Ljubljana correctly and told me I need not pick it up in Zurich. The seat in the Swiss airways from Bom to Zurich, though at the emergency exit, did not have sufficient leg space! First time that I had chosen a wrong seat during web checkin. But slept quite ok.
Was looking keenly out of the window while landing in Zurich to spot the alps. Couldnt see any mountains. By 7 I was out of the flight and decided that I had too much time before the next flight at 2:30. Made an impromptu decision to get out of the airport and visit Zurich. The immigration guy asked me how many days will I be in Zurich and told him maybe 4 hours! Looked surprised till I showed him the next boarding pass.
As usual the Swiss show their efficiency in everything. There were clear signs telling how to reach the city center. Exchanged some EUR to Swiss Francs in the airport and boarded the train to the center. Actually got on the train at the last minute and realised that its the first class compartment. A Chinese guy did the same thing. The ticket checking lady came in a few minutes later and explained to both of us that its first class and also told us how to recognize it from outside - apparently they have some different coloured stripes painted to recognize the classes - guess its also written! Was very nice about it and let us sit in first class for the journey. Got free internet in the main station and looked for the top attraction in tripadvisor. Turned out there was a lake and an old town and a mountain. Decided to visit the mountain first - Uetliberg. Had to take a smaller train but the ticket was expensive - 17 CHF. Was the last stop, and as usual the entire route was picture perfect. Had to climb a bit to reach the top. Views below
Found an Indian as well on top taking pics. Walked around a bit and decided its time to take the train back to the main station. Started walking towards the old town from the main station. The walk was along the river Limmat with buildings on both sides.
Wikitravel indicated that there are 2 churches - Grossmunster and Fraumunster. Visited the former one. Then walked to the lake. Passed some really cool graffiti
Was nearly 10:30 and was very hungry. Started walking back to the station and looked for something to eat on the way. Noticed a lady carrying a starbucks coffee, but hadnt spotted one. Walked a bit away from the station and found one. Had the usual croissant and java chip. Took the train back to the airport. Was again hungry by 1 pm and bought a sandwich. Flight from Zurich to Ljubljana was a 2 + 3 seater called avro rj100. Was the first time on such a strange flight!
The views from the flight were just amazing! Guess it was flying over the Swiss and Julian Alps.
And the mountains that I was expecting to see in Zurich were here as we landed in Ljubljana!
The airport was really small with maybe 2 aerobridges. We had to take the bus to the terminal. But the view was ... well the picture speaks for itself.
Strangely there was no currency exchange office at the airport and a coffee shop guy told that I would need to go to the bank or post office to do that and that would be possible only on Monday. I did have around 150 Eur on me and decided to manage with that. Found the Avant Car office easily and got a 2015 model Opel Corsa which had only gone around 3000 kms. The GPS was a new one as well. The lady told me that it was petrol and the tank was full. There was the usual inspection for scratches as well. She also gave me the documents and the Green Card. Ensured that none of the countries that I wanted to visit were crossed off. Everything looked ok. Turns out that cars in Slovenia have to buy a toll sticker called a vignette. Asked about it and the lady showed me the sticker. The car already had one and was valid for a year. Sat in the car for a few minutes to get used to the left hand drive. Started it and reached the exit. Was behind a few cars and suddenly one of them wanted to get back and asked me to reverse. The reverse gear was at the top left corner and though I felt that I had put the gear to reverse the car was only going forward! And I tried to tell the guy that I am unable to reverse and he was confused. Somehow the guy managed to go through and I didnt have to reverse. I went ahead as well but had half a mind to go back to tell that there is something wrong with the gear! Decided not to. Thought let me take it to the hotel and figure it out.
Took some wrong exits though the GPS was actually right. Went through the countryside instead of the highway, but the views made up for the longer route. Reached the hotel parking and tried the reverse now. Felt that the car was moving backward after I put the gear and was wondering what went wrong earlier. Thought will try it again and this time it didnt work! Guess it was just the slope that took me backward. Was about to give up when I noticed a button below the gear handle and suddenly remembered the car that I drove in SFO. Had to keep the button pressed and then shift to reverse! Worked. Cant blame the guy who got his driving license less than a year back and who has been driving only a Swift!
Decided I need to keep the manual handy. Looked for it and found one. But it was in around 3 languages and none was English. We have the internet for these things anyway.
Checked in to the hotel - Four points by Sheraton. Guy told there is a restaurant which serves dinner from 7. Went to the restaurant and asked for something vegetarian. There was something called a veggy pattie on the menu. Ordered that along with a glass of house wine - red. Guy gave a starter as well and told its a vegetable - finnochio. No idea what that was. The internet told me its fennel. The patty and wine were very good though.
Got back to the room and downloaded an english manual for the car. There was sunlight even at 9 pm. Crashed for the day.
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