 |
| View of oldest bridge from our hotel room balcony |
(Seventh Female Post) Sunday morning found us docked in Basel, Switzerland, and saying our good-byes... also spreading abundant euros among the crew. We were the only passengers to walk to our hotel instead of taking a bus or cab; it was only half a mile, a pleasant stroll along the river esplanade. The Viking experience was good, but we're glad to be off on our own. We rode a tram through town, round-trip, to get acquainted while our hotel room was being readied.
A few comments on Basel:
1. Sticker shock!!!--a cup of coffee, US $5; a very simple meal for two in an overly brightly lit, bare-bones microbrewery, $58.
2. On the other hand, transport is free for tourists. Via an electric tram system, you jump on and off with no confusing card-swiping, as in Amsterdam. You just carry your pass and show it, with ID, on demand (we saw no demand). All the hotels here give you a pass gratis; it took us via tram then bus to the airport for free when we left.
3. The Swiss really do own St. Bernards.
4. Basel is a big, prosperous, lively city where everyone smokes (outdoors): WTF?? Our eyes burn.
5. Modern architecture is wild here; we saw one business block that resembled 8 aluminum suitcases set on end.
 |
| Function? Couldn't determine. |
6. McDonald's has McCafes, quite elegant and comfy, in which only hot drinks and pastries are served. One has a great view of the spectacular red Rathaus (town hall) across the street.
7. On almost every block of the old town one sees a fountain: now mainly decorative but still well maintained, speaking presumably of a tradition of free public potable water. Some feature hilarious statuary.
Inside the Rathaus
Lovely, quiet square near the University
Now, on to Prague!
No comments:
Post a Comment