As it is not a member of the EU, its currency is the Swiss Franc although everywhere we have been, including a restaurant, camp ground and camping supply store, have taken our Euros meaning we didn't even need to withdraw any local currency.
After spending Saturday night in a campsite right on Lake Geneva, on Sunday we parked our car by the lake 4km from the city, hopped on our bikes and rode along the (flat!) bike track around the lake, past parkland and marinas, towards the city.
On the way we passed the Geneva Fountain, which shoots water at a speed of 200km/hr 135m into the air. At any one time there is 7000L of water in the air. It originally operated to release pressure from the hydroelectric dam but now it is purely decorative.
We made it to the city centre and, much to our surprise, it was completely dead and deserted. All the shops (soooooooooooo many watch shops), including many restaurants, were closed. Not even souvenir shops or a corner store were open. Apparently nothing happens in Geneva on a Sunday. It did however make for great cycling conditions and we could easily ride around on the main roads and tram tracks and over bridges with no worries, only having to stop for cars on a few occasions. After a good cycling tour of this strange city we made our way back round the lake to our campsite and enjoyed an afternoon of ping pong and relaxing in chairs by the water as the sun set.
The next morning, Monday, we set out on a mission to majorly stock up on food. We had tried the day before but even the supermarkets were closed on the Sunday. None of the shops we came across could accommodate our van to park and, before we knew it, we were crossing the border back into France. Here we were spoilt for choice and we chose a large Carrefour to stock up on supplies. Upon entering Switzerland again border control asked where we'd come from. "We were in Geneva this morning but just drove to France to shop..." I casually stated.
We skirted around the northern side of the lake and settled down late in the afternoon at a delightful Aire in St Leonards, a quaint town situated in the Rhone Valley between Sierre and Sion. Nestled between houses this spot had everything we could hope for: shady trees, electricity, toilets, a beautiful picnic area for us to enjoy happy hour and a first class view of the vine covered steep mountains.
St Leonards is also home to Europe's largest underground lake, Lac Souterrain, and on Tuesday morning we walked the 100m to the entrance and took a half hour boat ride into the dark depths of the cave. The guide amazingly gave the tour in French, German and English and would have happily have added Italian if required. The lake was only discovered relatively recently when a not uncommon earthquake (they have 4 or 5 a week in Switzerland under 2.5 on the richter scale) opened up the entrance. The main message of the tour was to "think about the water" and the impact that climate change is having on the glaciers and the environment in Switzerland. Switzerland itself has reduced it's impact on the Earth and is run by 60% water power and 40% nuclear power and operates trams and electric trolley buses in it's largest cities.
The rest of the day saw us continue up the Rhone Valley as we headed to Luzern. We had opted for the scenic route, as opposed to the motorways and tunnels that plough through the mountains, and wound our way through some spectacular scenery. This was a motorbikers heaven and streams of them would zip past us as we zigzagged up and down the sides of mountains, often right on the edge with little or no barrier. Matt's driving was superb! Alpine villages were dotted along the route and the air rang with the ding donging of the cow bells as they munched away on the grass.
Soon enough, after several stops to take in the view along the way, we found ourself following the shore of Lake Luzern as we made our way to the city. Matt was keen to visit as Nanna often talks about how much she enjoyed her time in Luzern when she was there many years ago. We settled into a campsite on the lake and stayed for two nights.
On Wednesday Matt and I split up for the very first time on our trip. I stayed back at the campsite to read and take it easy as I wasn't feeling 100% and Matt, after much insisting by me that I would be fine on my own, went to the Switzerland Transport Museum next to the campsite. He came back with a huge grin on his face and immediately began retelling what he had seen, with accompanying photos and videos of course. Matt's going to write about his visit but hasn't yet so he'll add it here later.
That afternoon Matt and I hopped on our bikes and rode, once again, around a flat lake to the city. There we visited the Dying Lion of Luzern, walked across the flower covered Chapel Bridge, wandered down the cobbled streets of the old city and watched life pass us by in a cafe by the river. We've noticed that the mountains and lakes are rather hazy, especially in Switzerland, so sadly the mountains surrounding Lake Luzern were mostly invisible.
Thursday morning we set off and travelled south towards Italy. Crossing even the smallest part of Switzerland involves crossing mountains however this time we opted for the easy way out, using motorways and an epic 19km tunnel to spit us out on the other side. Before we knew it we were at border control. Cars everywhere in their lanes were being stopped and questioned but, as no one approached us in our special motorhome lane, we continued driving, hoping no sirens would follow us.
So now we are in Italy: the land of crazy drivers and food Rachel can't eat.
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