West Europe family Trip on a coach (bus)

DAY 0/1:

Started the day very early on 3-May (1:00AM) to reach airport. We had to catch Qatar Airways to start our Europe trip with my family - organized by SOTC/Kuoni. I like to travel alone (+family) and that’s why I am skeptical with SOTC. I was told that group will comprise of about 50 odd people. Anyway, it’s too late to think about it as I already paid Rs 4 lakh and moreover I am standing in airport with three packed baggage. With quick check-in and immigration, its time to say goodbye to India for an exciting, fun-filled trip. The entertainment system at my seat is very good (maybe I am outdated as I am travelling after quiet few years internationally). I watched "Robot" which I would have generally skipped. I was in Qatar Airways so it will go via Doha. Nice Airport! The stoppage time is good enough to get a morning coffee and some time for duty-free shopping. Connecting flight is taking us to Rome (Italy). Now, it is too much for a long day, so I decided to put on light Hindi music and snore. I woke up fresh when the geographical map displayed that we are almost in Rome!

DAY 1:

Airport welcome is nice... SOTC manager is waiting for us with big list in his hand and counting all "heads". Its time to reach to the coach (bus) – almost-new Merc bus. As usual I am a late-comer (actually don’t rush to get first seat) so get the last seat available. Believe me, the difference between the buses we have in India is that even the last seat gives same kind of feeling as the first one. I am little disappointed that we are directly starting with the Italy tour and not going to hotel. Anyway, that’s how the group tour is managed in Rs 1.5 lakh/person (including air-fare). This thought was short lived as the vivid pictures of the city are amazing. And, oh yes... that’s Colosseum - my favorite since childhood and curiosity since I saw Gladiator. It’s huge and I went into history with the structure. Well, the 3D Rewind Show was a flop (from my perspective). The Chariot Race ground (watch "Ben Hur" to get the relevance) and old deteriorated buildings were good enough to make up the evening. After the dinner at Indian Restaurant, it was time to reach Hotel and take a good sleep.

DAY 2:

We started the city tour at 8:30AM. The breakfast was continental and I love the variety of things early in morning (yes, that’s true for any food-loving child). It was a short-walking-guided tour with Trevi Fountain, city center and more old buildings. I was enjoying my no-mobile, no-mail, no-sms and with-family outing. It isn’t going to get over for next two-weeks – wow! On the way to Indian lunch, I can see the Colosseum again – this really kicks me (maybe I was a gladiator in my previous avatar). The news came that Vatican City is now open for visit and tour manager insisted that we better rush through lunch. I liked this news as this information is hard to get without network and SOTC scored in that. Well, this small country is amazing and deserves a visit. The huge marble structures within the church (St Peter's Basilica) are spell-binding. I forgot to tell that actual use of my camera (old D40 with new Tamron 18-200mm lens) started today. It feels great when a normal digital camera is not able to click real-like photos but mine does! Rs 23k on camera is a good deal... Well, not to forget the mighty church which is just awesome. The bus again was on-time and time to move on to Florence. Evening dinner served at Hotel (again Indian cuisine) but the 1L beer I picked from gas-station was far better.

DAY 3:

Today we have to see Pisa (Leaning Tower of Pisa... that's the only thing it’s famous for). It’s not that leaning but very beautiful bell-tower. I collected some photos and souvenirs – that’s it! the world wonder is done! The bus is again ready to take us to Florence. Nothing much for me as the guided tour is showing more church, more bell-towers. Though one thing was noticeable – the 3D carving done on a bronze plate. These plates are placed on a huge door and the sequence reveals some story. You tend to appreciate the art and mind behind this craft. My mind is more on tomorrow where we will be in Venice.

DAY 4:

Journey to Venice is long because I want to get there quickly…J. It is a lesson for me to know that city is all made on islands. It’s a man-made city with building structure resting over man-made pillars (Awesome! How they managed to make all this way back in 10^th century). Ok, ok, let’s enjoy the numerous canals and bridges and take some snaps. After an hour it all looks so boring and repeated. The differentiating factor was “Gondola” ride. I couldn’t resist singing “Do lafzon ki hai…” song filmed on Amitabh and Zeenat (The Great Gambler). Murano Glass Factory is also a good experience to see how glass objects are made.

Second half of the day is the drive to Innsbruck. Thanks to the tour Manager and his seat rotation policy that I get the front seat. According to my understanding we are suppose to cross Alps and reach Austria which means that there would be some twisted roads ahead. Wow, I love them. I wish I was driving the bus. To my disappointment, I can see only straight roads. The valley is filled with bridges and peaks are drilled to make tunnels. So, the bus is going at constant speed of 100kmph. The disappointment is now converted into excitement and appreciation. The only disappointment is that India doesn’t have these roads – even in plains. Check some snaps which I captured from front seat.

The city, Innsbruck, is calm and beautiful and apart from the Golden Roof nothing much I can appreciate. Wait, I can see one of the oldest hotels “Goldener Adler” which was built in 1390 and still in operation. It displays the names of famous personalities who stayed here during various times. Go and see it yourself what names are embedded there. We were told that today is a non-Indian meal + some local entertainment. That’s good because I am tired and I don’t want more Indian food and I am getting the beer free. To add, there is music + tap dancing which energized all of us… some beautiful ladies on stage and even serving the table (guess beer is doing its job). Our Indian group was loud and disturbing the “serious” crowd but that’s how we Indians are! The best part was the yodeling during the songs. I guess Kishore Kumar visited Innsbruck before he started his career but sadly picked only one of the various styles which I heard tonight. That made the day – a very long day.

DAY 5:

One thing I missed telling is that daily we are getting “continental” breakfast. So, today was that same daily day. The first break is Swarovski Crystal World. The underground structure is absolute amaze. Can’t write much on it as it needs to be seen from one’s eye. Pooja (my wife) got hold of pair of crystal jewelery and here goes my first 150. No doubt they are beautiful but none which a man can appreciate (as compared to women). On the way to Switzerland, we now reached Vaduz (capital of Liechtenstein). It looks more of a rest-room break where one doesn’t have anything to look around. Search on Google to know more about this country and why it is famous.

Lucerne is a beautiful city (as are other cities in Switzerland). With a lake, background of mountains and some country shops, it looks like heaven (I though that’s how Kashmir can look). There are so many shops to look for “Swiss” watch and souvenirs – I already know about my second shopping destination of the tour. Well, these shops need a second look and we planned to come again on a day-off (day-after-tomorrow – as we were skipping Jungfrau… sshhh…we had already been there during honeymoon in 2000). The evening is approaching and we are nearing Engel berg. Wow, the Hotel Terrace is impressive – just facing the mammoth Mt Titlis. This is Kuoni’s own Hotel and we got the room with a balcony. So beautiful, charming, stunning, scenic, picturesque, magnificent, … (I need more words to define my feelings – help!). I think we should call-off our tour and spend our remaining time here. Well, it was time for another Indian dinner and truly the best one in the tour. You can’t miss the exclusive Indian cuisine prepared for SOTC groups (actually, there are multiple SOTC groups and all have a tale to tell on dinner table).

DAY 6:

The 10,000ft Mt Titlis looks very high (as if I have seen others to compare!) but the distance to the top got covered in three different cable car rides in just 20 mins. That’s a man-made magic. I can’t even appreciate it as this word will not be enough to describe the great work done behind this. The Terrace at the top requires an open cable car (ski lift) for commuting. So here we are on “Ice Flyer” and wow the breath-taking snow-scape. I want to take snaps here too but its better to hold tightly than experimenting with your only life (I am familiar with multiple life only in computer games). The terrace is not that windy but very cold. And yes there are games to play too. Its going to be my first snow-slide. I am a bit worried (actually its fear) but others are screaming in joy so should be fine. Shooooom… At the basin I realize that it’s an awesome experience. My son, Sarthak has now gone mad, and he is repeating the slide for the fourth time – alone. Guess boys love adventure. I dragged him to another bike-slide which was on steeper curve. After reaching the basin again I realized that only the leap was scary and the mind was switched-off during slide. Well, this definitely needs two more chances. After, 5-6 times (lost the count), I am totally exhausted but Sarthak wants to go for one last snow-slide before we leave for a break. The place is not good for taking snaps as you wont waste time for it :-).

DAY 7:

This is our free day and we already planned to visit Lucerne. It’s very relaxed after a hectic 6-days churn. Guess you need some time to digest as well. Mt Titlis is glaring in the morning sun. I got up at 6:00AM as well – just to snap Mt Titlis in different shades. The train at Engel berg starts at 10:05AM to Lucerne and we are already at station taking snaps with different poses and background. The amazing journey – filled with tunnels and bridges – ended at 10:50AM. I corrected my watch with famous Swiss train timing. Most of the things are repeat-to-see but we have enough time for shopping souvenirs, swiss watch and a bus ride. Evening at hotel Terrace is fun with Indian dinner, free beer(s) and Indian Disco – can’t imagine this stuff here. With two mugs in – I can dance whole night but the DJ has others plans too. Good that I saved Premium Swiss Beer for later half of the tour (which I purchased from a food mart in Lucerne).

DAY 8:

I am used to Mt Titlis in the morning and so I am sad to leave this place. With a pledge to return again, I am again with my group. I am told that don’t expect too much from Rhine Falls (Europe’s largest) if we have seen the Niagara Falls. So, I am just snapping the beauty and not judging them to be very small. Best part being reaching near the falls on a boat and watching it closely. I am more interested in my next stop – Black Forest. Yes, here you get world famous Cuckoo Clock (a mechanical gadget which tells time). Obviously Black Forest pastry was first served here to French Queen several years ago. Did we serve anything to Rani Lakshmi Bai anywhere? To tell you the truth, Black Forest pastry is not black but gets its name due to forest which looks black (dark green) in winters. I had to spend 180 to get a Cuckoo Clock at discounted price (as I write it struck its 12^th hour and a bird proclaimed it by shouting twelve times).

DAY 9:

After so much to see and do in Switzerland, it is getting boring. Even the Rhine River Cruise is not that great but ship offers a wide deck to relax and enjoy the wind pass by your face. Good that we had the Subway sandwich in cruise as it took longer time to reach Cologne. The Cologne Cathedral is awesome – 515 foot tall which can hold 40000 people. More snaps and few more snaps to complete the day.

DAY 10:

I was waiting for this day as we were driving towards Keukenhof Garden. Ok, check the video of song “Dekha Ek Khwab” from “Silsila” and that’s why Indians call this garden as Silsila Garden. It boasts of millions of Tulips which is exported to various different countries. The full-bloom fields are missing and we are told that we should plan an April trip for that. Never-mind, the garden is filled with large number of variety. I shot several hundred snaps here and each variety is better than other. Very relaxing and enchanting. Don’t forget to snap the famous windmill within the garden. Though the one in highway was better and provided a great view.

Netherland is the only country below sea-level and most of the land is acquired from sea. So, they are very good (have to be) in dealing with water. Every time it rains, they have to throw the water out to the sea to save themselves from drowning (Mumbai should call them next time it rains there). They manage all this with systematic canal systems. And yes, windmills are mostly used to drain out water. The concept of below-sea-level is good to hear but scary to see. I snapped a photo to keep the proof for myself.

The day is really long but the Canal Cruise at Amsterdam is another experience. I am craved to take Hum-Tum snap on the bridge with the backdrop of Heineken Beer Company. Surely, Amsterdam is a better canal city as compared to Venice (in my opinion which is over-marketed).

DAY 11:

Today we are at Brussels and we literally searched for “pissing boy” among the crowd. It’s really a little boy. Apart from some Palace and Halls, there is nothing much for me. I was told not to miss the Waffles and how true – most yum thing on the tour (apart from Swiss chocos). Belgium beer didn’t attract me as I still had some Premium Swiss Beers left with me. To keep the tradition, I am purchasing some chocos. We better move to Paris and settle there for longer time. I had been to Paris in 1999 (my one-day salute to city with one coke – that time I didn’t had the experience called beer). But certainly I missed many things last time. All are stunned to see performances in Paradis Latin Show. Search Google to see what’s special there such that one old uncle fell down while walking and one family walked out. None-the-less, appreciate the art. We are now in bus all tired but best deal is about to start – Late Evening in Paris (Illumination Tour). All lit up monuments add to the beauty of the city. Including The Eifel Tower where we just reached. I am still finding my camera while the clock hit 12:00 midnight. And the amazing wonder is glowing in full bloom. It’s a sight to watch and not to capture into digital form. Guess it was done for us as it came to normal yellow color after 5 mins.

DAY 12:

This is going to be the best day – a full day in Paris. The experience with the guide is different as I am connecting to history too. We covered almost all places to be viewed in Paris – including the place where Napoleon is buried. Most significant, being to second level of Eifel Tower. The breathless monument looks fragile from far but really a stage of wonder. I snapped it from every angle and corner – as if I am not going to come here again. Its time for some shopping and so we are in Fragonard Perfume Museum. It seems logical to get multi packs of perfume from here but economics ruled over logic.

We are praying that Louvre should be still open as we lost time in finding a lost member of our group. To all of our surprise, its open till 7:30PM today and that too it’s FREE. We don’t leave anything which is “free” (I heard some buyer wanted free “fat” as it was written on top of butter pack – FAT FREE). All we know here is Madam Monalisa. The trail takes us to “Monalisa” and all I can see is a mad crowd gather around the painting. Believe me; with that view the Paris is done!

DAY 13:

The biggest surprise was EuroTunnel (a man-made wonder – stop reading this now and Google right away). The train easily engulfed our huge coach. The 52 km distance will take 32 minutes and that too 2100m below sea (below English Channel). This truly demonstrates that even “impossible” is possible – just believe in you and take actions. Well, London looks like what we are familiar with – Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square. We are now moving towards Sree Sanatam Mandir at Wembley. Now this is called a pure-desi area – Mumbai Sarees, Chennai Silk, Pan-wala, and people roaming on street just for no reason. This is where Indians feel homely and would have survived the otherwise clean London. The dinner again was Indian but this time with unlimited Beer – though I could sip only one huge glass this time.

DAY 14:

I am feeling nostalgic as from tomorrow all this will be over and I will be back to Bangalore traffic. I had no idea about the date and day. Imagine, what would happen if we are deprived to look at our watch/calendar forever? The time never passed so quickly without a mobile and internet. I cajoled myself that still a day is left and we are already near Madame Tussuad Museum. I can tell you that all Indian celebrity statues are not up-to-mark. You can make it out yourself when you will visit there. Probably, they need to have a good look at Indians. I posed with many beautiful ladies there (my wife allowed only because they were not real). The last is the 4D show which is the perfect way to exit the great place. London Eye was constructed by British Airways and is just located at a perfect place – on the bank of River Thames. While I am inside one of the capsule, the view from the top is spectacular. We (almost) spotted all monuments we visited yesterday.

That’s it!

Yes, we are now sharing our mail-ids and phone numbers to make sure we remember each other while we are back in India. But no-one knows when?

DAY 15:

This is the toughest period of a journey. While coming to Italy, the distance seemed less as we were also flying and providing the required drift to aircraft. Back to Bangalore was a lazy journey. I watched all the movies – which I skipped on my onward journey. We literally ran in Doha to catch our connecting flight to Bangalore. The arrival in Bangalore is always welcome – after all India is our home – homeland!

Wait for my next trip – Australia or Africa?

Check trip snaps at: https://picasaweb.google.com/100784623472299421991/EuropeTour2011