Where else do you find such an awesome museum?

I think I was born to hate museums. They just never interest me, be it historical museum, art museum or any other museums for that matter. The fact that you walk through passages and halls filled with ancient and reconstructed objects simply doesn't appeal to me and I don't feel such an activity is time well spent.

It is different when it comes to the Swiss Transport Museum. Surprisingly not only my kids had a good time, I also enjoyed it to the max. It's probably not a museum in its usual sense of the term ... but rather a combination of a museum, interactive exhibition, 3-D cinema, planetarium and huge playground for kids. Albeit a little expensive entry fee that is over CHF 20 for adult (with access to all but cinema; which you need to pay an additional CHF 15), it was free for children below 6, and given the size of the place and the number of things you can see, touch, play, watch, read, it's good value for money I have to say. Take note that you need at least 5 to 6 hours to experience everything - and if you include movies at the 3-D cinema, you have to be there 9 in the morning and leave at least by 4.

So, for those who have not got the chance to visit the Swiss Transportation Museum, you must add it to your plan. Simply awesome!


The museum in located just on the side of Lake Lucerne, my guess about 4 kilometers from the main train station. There are buses that could take you from the station. And if the weather is good you may want to spare some at the lake.

When you feel like leaving the place (story to follow)

English Photography Lesson in Zurich

You are into photography and unable to find classes in English? Fret not, check out the ViewFinder Centre for Photography in Zurich. The centre is run by an award winning photographer, Bryon Paul McCartney and his wife, both American. Those who want a taste of superb "fine art photography", check out his flickr page.

There is a lot more information on the ViewFinder web site. These days he's started to hold short classes in the evening to cater for those who want shorter version of what take place in weekends. Whoever want to get serious with nude / fine art photography, he also runs an annual workshop in Tuscany, Italy (details are also available on the web site).

Bryon also organises once a month social evening get together at a pub in Zurich for those who want to meet other amateur, enthusiast, pro photographers from around the vicinity.

Zurich Street Parade

Once a year in August Zurich city hosts one of the most famous street parade in Europe (if not the world), the Zurich Street Parade.

More photos on Flickr page.

Glacier Express - If you are on short visit

If you are on short visit and do not mind spending a bit more money to see the best of Switzerland, try the Glacier Express.

Fribourg - the student city (story to follow)

Do I need a car?

The answer is no, not really. Unless you have a family of 5 or live in some extremely remote area, it's a necessity to have a car in Switzerland. It's been close to one year since we first arrived here, and we've been depending on public transport all this while. The reliability and efficiency of the system is superb. I don't know any other countries that come close to Switzerland, perhaps the Scandinavian. The only drawback I can think of is that majority of the trains are the old design with floor high above the ground and for parents with stroller, it's a quite a task to lift it in. As for wheelchair bound people, it's interesting ... major train stations usually have a special wheelchair lifter.