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TRIP REPORT: Birthday Adventures to Geneva – A Morning Walk Around a Quiet City

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A Morning Walk in a Quiet City
Birthday Adventures to Geneva

Geneva Trip Report Cover Image

A morning exploration

With my body awake, fueled and in layers, I grabbed the hotel shuttle back to Geneva Airport. Although if I had done a little research, Bus Number 10 would have taken me into the city from just outside the hotel.

On the plus side, it was a chance to exercise the Gevea Transport Card – which grants free transportation for those staying in a Geneva hotel. Just remember to request it before you check in with your hotel, so you can travel for free on the day you arrive at the hotel.

With a little more knowledge about the city, I caught the first thing resembling a train back into the city – a mere six minutes, but what the hell – I might as well milk this thing.

a seats on a train

And for me, it saves CHF8. And every CHF counts when the RishiCoin is so lowly valued.

a staircase leading up to a building

a large empty building with multiple vending machines
60 seconds away either way for your golden arches fix.

I headed out towards the lakefront as an idea first – maybe the Jet d’Eau would be working.

a body of water with buildings in the background a red flag on a pole with a boat in the water

Sadly, all I got was a cold air blast crossing the lake. However, it was nice to see Lake Geneva during the day.

Sadly, I didn’t have time to jump a boat to travel around Lake Geneva (mainly as I enjoyed the breakfast too long and took my time getting my backside out of the hotel).

a ferris wheel with a statue in front of it
It’s a little different during the day…

a group of people walking on a street a road with white lines and a street sign
A lot quieter than the night before. 

At least there were blue skies – contrasting the grey and dark of the night before.

Instead, I ploughed onwards, ending up on one of the main shopping streets and taking in the sights (remembering that Swizterland has somewhat limited Sunday trading laws).

a group of people walking on a sidewalka street with a train track and a building with a wire above it

a group of people on a street with flags a bus on the street

people walking down a street

And playing Pokemon Go. No, I haven’t given up playing Go for any length of time. I’ve gone on record more than once saying there are very few things that have kept me sane and going over the past few years – and Pokemon Go is one of those things that kept me going.

Funny how collecting electronic bits of data whilst utilising GPS data can lead to a smile occasionally.

I pondered heading to a few places, but I also noted that the clock was running down pretty damn fast – sadly, the latest flight would need me to be back at the airport by midday for a 2 pm departure.

a person walking on a street

Yes, I could leave it a lot closer to the wire, but I do like a little flexibility if something goes wrong.

a building next to a body of water

a large metal machine on a bridge a man walking on a street with bicycles and buildings

a multicolored building with windows people walking on a sidewalk

a person standing at a counter outside a store

a large building with a crosswalk and traffic lights

Of course, it didn’t mean that  I could take a leisurely diversion and find routes that kept me warm. This is what I did, as dealing with the cold was starting to get to me a little.

Even if temperatures at home were going to be a lot colder. I just didn’t know yet.

a large map on the wall of a building
You are here. 

a map of the world on a wall
Europe by Rail. Coming together, but still very disjointed. 

In the end, I headed under Geneva station, for one final browse of Migros.

With gifts in hand, I headed upstairs to the first available train out of the city. There was an orange aeroplane waiting for me somewhere.

a large sign with a clock on it

 Next: Back to Geneva Airport

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Comments

  1. Andrew says

    Hi Kevin

    I always enjoy your ramblings. I’m from Coventry originally but I’ve been in Singapore for 34 years.

    One of the biggest contrasts in this post is the condition of the train seats in Birmingham v Geneva.
    Look at those tired old seats on the Birmingham train and the seats on the train in Geneva.
    It looks worlds apart.

    Let’s not even get on to the cleanliness of the Streets in Geneva vs Birmingham!

    Sadly the UK seems in terminal declined to me not helped by Brexit.

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