[CR Switzerland] Day 13-1

September 29, 2006
Engleberg - Lucerne - Engleberg Open Carriage Optional

Morning Call: 6.30 * Breakfast Call: 7.00
Departure for Lucerne: 8.00

Our last official day of the tour dawned bright, with a touch of morning haze. Elmar introduced us to our new driver (whose first name, alas, I have forgot), whom we later discovered was actually Ueli's boss!

The haze followed us into Lucerne, although the sun broke through at intervals to light up parts of the city and lake shore. We drove through past the commercial district, and I smiled to myself at the sight of the Kappelbrucke straddling the lake, its railing a whole riot of colorful blooms. Elmar pointed out the white hotel on top of the hill which is, according to urban legend, referred to as "The Holy Hotel". Apparently, when hotel guests go out onto the terrace and see the loveliness of Lucerne spread out below them, they whisper in awe, "Oh, God!" Then when they are presented with the bill for their stay, they cry, "Oh, Jeeesus!"

Through the chorus of laughter on the bus, Elmar grinned and said, "That's a good one, folks. Write it down!"

We drove past elegant villas and modern condominiums, the prices of which would definitely require a person to have more than a little spare cash for even the smallest of units. Ah, to be so fortunate! Then we were let out for a brief photo stop at the Lion Monument - the parents opted out of going down from the bus, having seen said monument time out of mind. I, on the other hand, never fail to take photos, given that when I'm there, it's with a different (and usually much-improved) camera and the weather conditions are never the same. So out I bounced, and since the pace was far more relaxed than my previous stop-shoot-go visits, I actually had a chance to take a picture of the little chapel that guards the entrance to the Lion Monument mini-park, and the information plaques on the outer wall.

The monument itself never fails to touch my heart with its beauty. Well, I'm like that. Once I've fallen for a place, I retain fond memories about it, no matter how long it's been since the last visit. Snapped my photos, then back on the bus for the drop-off at Schwannplatz, aka the little plaza in front of Bucherer. The parents were so eager to start walking, it was all I could do to listen carefully to Elmar outlining the various pick-up times! :) Easy enough to understand their eagerness - we had decided to skip the optional tours, having done the lake cruise before; and we weren't in the mood to see the Swiss folklore show again, even if we'd never tried cheese fondue before.

This then meant we had hours on our hand before being required to present ourselves at Schwannplatz for our 2.00 PM return to Engleberg. We spent a relaxed time strolling Kappelbrucke, admiring the views from either side of the bridge. Once out at the other end, we tried - and succeeded - in finding the hotel where we had been billeted in 2000; after a short washroom stop, we strolled down past various shops, the Banhof, and over the Kappelbrucke once more.

This time, we popped into Bucherer. The nice salesperson at the door was a Filipina - just like the sweet lady up on Mt. Pilatus (who actually remembered seeing us back in 2000 when she was just a newbie to Switzerland). No surprise, really - quite a few of the senior sales staff in Bucherer are Filipino, and happy we were to see them doing well in their adopted country. Knowing we had time and then some, made browsing through the store that much more enjoyable - it was the first time we didn't feel like we had to go a mile a minute through the three floors of the store! The parents decided to get themselves Victorinox Swiss knives by this time, and I had them engraved with their names so they could be easily identified.

Ma bought herself a pair of earrings, small ones, since we've never been able to walk out of Bucherer without at least *one* piece of jewelry. :) This means that we will need to find the customs booth at the airport, which means a tax rebate on the credit card once it's been submitted. Dad got himself a Bucherer backpack, and I...claimed the free souvenir spoons. :D

By this time, we were feeling a need for lunch. Our Filipina salesperson told us to turn left at the corner, once we'd exited the shop, and just walk down the street, we'd be sure to find something. Then, if we followed the street to the end, and then turned left at the corner, that would be where we could find more shops to look at. With many thanks, and promises of another visit, we left Bucherer and followed her directions, which led us to a Movenpick cafe, the perfect place to have lunch.

Lunch was good! Veal done Zurich style, with roesti and buttered vegetables on the side. The place was quiet, and we caught sight of the group threading their way along the street towards the Stadtkeller for their lunchtime optional. It was then that I got the welcome message from my husband that the maid had arrived safely from the provinces, and they were getting around to setting the house to rights against our return.

Once we were done with lunch, we followed the street to the end, and turned left, as per directions. Our source was correct - the street was loaded with all kinds of shops and department stores! The chocolatier had a nice spot at the very corner, with all kinds of confections. There was a Marionnaud with all the name label cosmetics (and the name label prices to match); and I know we walked into at least two other department stores. Most of the stores were selling off their summer stock and getting ready with their fall/winter clothes. We walked all the way to a plaza where the building facades were beautifully painted with scenes of mountain life.

By the time we retraced our steps, it was to bump into various members of the group as we strolled down towards Schwannplatz. Even with time out at the souvenir shop (last minute gifts for my goddaughter), we were still ahead of the 2.00 PM pick-up time. Naturally, everyone compared purchases, given that various loot bags were in evidence, said purchases were duly admired, and it was a content enough group that boarded the bus for Engleberg.

Elmar announced that the hotel was willing to put up dinner for anyone who decided to have their meal in the dining room, instead of going through the main street. He asked for a show of hands, and I put up both of mine, as the parents were drowsing. We were dropped off at the hotel with just enough time to drop our bags, freshen up, and grab a light jacket if we were going to take the open-air carriage ride optional. I had seen the carriages as we came in, and reverted to age six at the sight of the horses. Just before we set out, we were introduced to the little family that owns the carriage outfit: Elizabeth, the mom, who was our carriage driver; her daughter, who would drive the other carriage, and her son Lucien, who was all of maybe five years old and was along for the ride. No doubt when he grows up, he will be taking over the reins - quite literally - of the business!