Zurich Part 2

We awoke at 10:00 AM well rested and energized from our wonderful dinner the night before. Bags were packed and ready for check out at 11:00 AM. Our heavy luggage was not something that we wanted to haul around during our quest through the town so we asked the receptionist where we could safely leave them. With quick response from the front desk, “the lobby area is a secure place and we will always have a receptionist here.” We consulted with Bernard to make sure our 2-month travel life would not be taken away from us and he confirmed that the Swiss were relatively kind and self-respectful people. Now comfortable, we strolled out of the ZicZac Hotel directed towards Starbucks once again to pirate some free Wi-Fi and avoid purchasing $10 coffees. We caught up on emails and planned our stay in Vienna prior to strolling the cobble stone streets towards one of many attractions.

With only the small backpack pouch on Garrett’s back, the “Bag Of Important Things”, our tourist appearance did not receive as many outright stares. My huge backpack was not juggling around drumming people in the face and Garrett’s trolley suitcase was not irritating locals with the noise of the hard wheels on the rough cobble stone surface. We continued like pros through the narrow winding streets and found ourselves across from the Lammat River at the Kongresshaus Concert Hall. Upon entering the Concert Hall, our jaws dropped and we looked right at each other in amazement. The luminescent Hall was enlightening with a massive gold chandelier and charming ceiling mosaics. With emptiness surrounding us, it was appropriate for Garrett to lead the nonexistent band with a silent concerto. After appreciation for the hard work and effort that was empowered into this special Concert Hall it was time to move on across the street to the Zurichsee where we would get our first good glimpse of the Lake. Filled with rowboats, sailboats, and paddleboats, we knew we needed to get involved. After several photographs of the lake, we found ourselves at the Burkliplatz, the birthplace for the Lake Zurich boats. With a panoramic view of the lake, we decided to rent a pedalo, or paddleboat, in order to capture a superior view of the lake. The floating red rocket gave us exercise and the ability to observe some of the most beautiful sights of Zurich. 

After some fun on the water, Belvoir Park was next on the to do list. We walked further down the lake’s edge to what we had been told was the largest self-contained park in the city. This park was very inviting and an attraction we were glad to see. Football fields of the greenest grass, gardens, and coy populated ponds with lily pads filled the park. After leaving the park we walked over the bridge and took many more photographs of the Zurichsee Lake and decided it was time to eat a snack. We treated ourselves to a bratwurst that was very good but also very strange as we found white meat inside. Although our hunger was satisfied, we were still skeptical of the different colored meat. Next, we found ourselves at the Zurich Opera house and were able to take in the beautiful architecture but with disappointment it had 
already closed.

After spending a full day taking in all of Zurich’s attractive sites and expensive food, we were on our way back to the ZicZac through the city's narrow alleyways to get our bags. Luckily, our bags were still in the lobby and we had a little more time for one last pit stop before catching our train. We were loaded up with all of our gear and trekked up a sloped road with many stairs to the University of Zurich and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology.  Upon reaching the top, we noticed the most overwhelming and memorable outlook of the entire city. As we made it to the peak, all of the church bells started ringing simultaneously. This could not have been a better ending to our special visit in Zurich.

We arrived to the train station a few hours prior to our 10:00 PM departure and were able to catch up on our blog.  Here we come Vienna.