Wombats

One interesting animal I found during my trip at Perth would be the Wombat. Truth is I didn't even knew such an animal existed prior to seeing it. It was relatively a new experience to view an animal which I hadn't even seen in pictures.

As you can see its pretty square and stocky with short legs. Her fur felt soft and silky. She was naughtily trying to wriggle out of the trainer's hands pretty vigorously. I couldn't get her to sit on my lap so had to be contented with that light handshake we exchanged.

Do you know that every October 22nd is Womabat's day? It apparently was set in place about 3 years ago to commemorate the often overlooked Wombat.

Pinnacle Desert

One of the places in remembrance during my stay at Perth would be the trip down to Nambung National Park which is actually the home to the Pinnacles Desert.

Travelled in a cramped van for a good 3 hour ride with another two tourist couples. The tour guide told me the group was meant to be this small so that they can interact more closely and convey better to our queries.

Well I have to agree with him cos the lack of crowd gave me confidence to really bombard him with questions. Got loads of information from him about the sights along the way and also directions for my upcoming day trips. I wouldn't have bothered lifting a finger if I had been in a large bus at the last seat.(well I usually take the last seat; kind of my favourite spot)

Finally reached the Pinnacles Desert and I have to say there is a difference between looking at them in the pictures and standing among them. Well to me they kind of looked spooky like some alien landed overnight and planted these.

They are actually limestone formations scattered over these vast yellow, rippled sand dunes. The guide told us a lengthy scientific reasoning of how they formed. I am no expert in science so I couldn't follow him and yes; I'm not going to bore you!

Managed to walk up a man-made wooden platform which gave me an elevated view for this picture. Wanted to capture all the limestones in one shot but my lens could only occupy this much.

Lazy Koalas

Let us deviate slightly from Europe and get down to the southern part of the earth and reach Australia. Perth to be specific. Well this place was very unique in terms of its weather.

The scorching sun blazed through out my stay in Perth. It's near impossible to leave your hotel without your shades on unless you want to squints your eyes for the rest of the day.

But whenever I stepped out of my hotel, this unbearable heat was always neutralized by the windiness of the place. My t-shirts were almost always figure hugging as they were pressed against me thanks to the whopping wind.

One of the icons all would come out with when Australia is mentioned will be their sloppy Koalas. Oh, did I mention lazy too? Just look at this fella. Leaning back against the bark of the tree munching away on his eucalyptus leaves.

He remained this way for as long as I was there(which was pretty long) and god knows how much longer after I left. Better still I just feel he portrays himself as really tired! Now don't fault me for calling him lazy though I have to agree he did look cute.

Trusting Swan

It started to drizzle as the day went by in Lucerne. Luckily I followed my scout motto to ALWAYS BE READY and brought along my umbrella.

Couldn't resist taking the steps down to the shallow area of Lake Lucerne. There wasn't any sort of lifeguards in view so no one was going to stop me. The breeze got me shuddering as I got closer to the waters.

You pretty much get surrounded by the swans and ducks seemingly interested in what you have to offer when you get close to them. They were quick to realise I didn't have any food on me and returned back to their regular duties.

Took me several attempts and pep talks to convince this swan to stay with me. Just kidding. Guess I just look trusting enough for this fellow to willingly pose with me.

The Water Tower

The waters behind me is the charming Lake Lurcerne. It's filled with graceful swans, pretty little ducks. The lake is also swarmed by beautiful birds flocking past you every now and then.

Most of those buildings behind are actually shops selling their famous products like the Swiss watches and chocolates.

Now to get over to that shopping paradise, I'll be taking the Chapel Bridge which was built in the 14th century as part of the city's fortifications and named after St. Peter's Chapel which is just a few steps from here. The cone like structure is the Water Tower.

The Water Tower was used as a dungeon and a treasury vault till the 19th century. From what I know it is used as a form of club house now and not open to the public.

For me, I am more than content to have the privilege to watch this attraction from here.

Cuckoo Clocks

Took a train down to Interlaken; Switzerland to do a bit of shopping. Went on to get some clothing, magnets and wall decorations to add to my collections.

Entered a souvenir shop along the way and was mesmerized by these beautiful cuckoo clocks. The chirping music they were producing really resembled a live bird. They were a unique lot, nothing like I have seen before.

These hand crafted cuckoo clocks were made in Germany's Black Forest. They were traditionally designed to be operable without batteries. Those weights below makes this happen.

Wouldn't you just love to have one of these hanging on your wall?

Lion Monument

Visited the Lucerne's Lion Monument which was one of the best sculptures I have seen along my journey in Switzerland. As you can see the entire carve work was done in one go against the sandstone cliff.

It was dedicated in 1821 to commemorate the Swiss Guards who died during the French Revolution. A Danish artist by the name of Bertel Thorvaldsen was hired to do up this beauty.

A side story a tour guide told me was that the artist was not paid the amount promised for the work. In return, the artist surrounded the lion monument with an outline of a pig's figure displaying his anger.

Though I couldn't make out this outline, some tourists seemed to sight it. Can you see it?

Balcony View

Switzerland is a place where you get greeted by snow capped mountains and calm lakes everywhere. Soothing and refreshing views making one's mind relax and forget all worries.

I was lucky to get this view almost immediately every morning when I walked to my balcony. Braved the chilly weather to get this shot.

Non polluted freshening air to pamper my lungs. What else could one wish for.

Castle's Legend

One of the places I would always remember was a trip down to a castle in Montreux; Switzerland. Where I'm from, the only castles one gets to see were the ones from fairytale stories and the television. It's of course a totally different feel when you physically step into a real castle where kings lived and ruled.

Got a magnificent view of the mountains and lake surrounding the castle from one of the tall towers. Really reminded me of stories where the prince saves the lady at the tallest tower of the castle by slaying dragons along the way.

This masterpiece was found on the entrance wall of the castle. Legend has it that only a man who can hang on the tongue of this artistic testament using his smallest finger for a period of a minute is given the honour to wed the woman of his choice.

Well I got pretty close in accomplishing it as you can see the picture.....

Missed the bus.....

Stuck in the middle of a mountain with no transport to get to my home (for the week). Guess what.. I missed the mountain bus. It was about 7pm, cold, freezing , snowing with no souls around. Though the distance to my resort located at Val d'illiez was just about a kilometre, it was impossible for me to walk up as the path was way too steep. Found time to snap this shot!

Then I saw a small bar at a distance. Went in and requested on calling for a cab. NO CAB DRIVERS for the moment. One kind drunk soul offered to drop me at my resort. I didn't know what I was getting myself into until I got into his truck. His truck didn't even seemed to fit the narrow lanes up ahead. Praise the drunken man, he got me up there alive! That was one hell of a ride.

Switzerland with love

Having grown up in a climate like Singapore and not having gone anywhere further than Asia, my first destination was Switzerland a year after marriage. I stayed up at the mountains of Champoussin. It was a breath taking experience as all I saw were snow capped mountains. The scenery was so pleasant and peaceful that the cold didn't matter. Nothing compared to the busking city life with pollution back home. Towards the last few days of my vacation, the snow was bad, hard to stand out in the cold let alone take photos. But hey, I couldn't miss those shots for a lifetime.