Day 1 Zurich

Nick sent us off at the Changi airport.

We landed in Zurich at 8.15pm. It was a long but pleasant flight as expected from SIA - excellent service onboard flight SQ342. I LOVE flying SIA! I personally think Singapore Airline is a great way to fly! Flying SIA helped took the sting out of the long flight from Singapore to Zurich. The Zurich airport was sprawling but well integrated with the local transport lines. At the basement of the main terminal were the train stations that connected the airport to the city centre of Zurich and other cities.

The Swiss Rail Pass cost us SFr320 per pax for 8 days of unlimited and free travel all over Switzerland over land, and water (trains, trams, buses, ferries and cruises).

The train ride from the airport to the the city HB train station took about 15 minutes. We then walked to the hotel. Rain ponchos saved the haversacks from getting wet and the samsonite oyster served its purpose well. It was weather-shielded with rubber gasket all around.

Hotel Rex Quality was a small quaint place with a tiny lift. Room was basic but comfortable with a view of the city below as it was located on the higher slopes of a hill. The mountain range that encircles Zurich could be seen through the wet misty morning of light rain.

Breakfast was good with great coffee and fresh buns of all kinds. A platter of cheeses and cold cuts were complemented with yoghurt and fresh fruits and cereals, the kind that I have grown to like with the many hotel breakfasts taken over the past couple of years.

Not all Swiss spoke English and communication was difficult at times. However, information counters and Tourist counters around the transportation centres were of great help.