Zurich

We travelled to Zurich today to meet up with one of Pam's former work colleagues, Samartha (a.k.a. Sam), who is now living in Switzerland with her husband Peter.  They met us a the Zurich train station at 1 PM and suggested we head to Uetliberg mountain, a 20 minute train ride away and a favored destination of the locals. At 871 meters above sea level, the mountain offered great views of Zurich, its lake, and the scenic Alps in the distance. We enjoyed lunch at the Uto Kulm restaurant -- which is superbly situated on top of the Uetliberg -- then climbed a nearby viewing platform for some more spectacular views.  (See video)

After taking a few pictures, we caught the train back down the mountain and explored Zurich by foot. We left the station and walked down the famous Bahnhofstrasse -- Zurich's equivalent to 5th Avenue -- and then strolled along the east bank of the Limmat River. We walked past St. Peters Kirche with its famous clock tower on the way to the Fraumunster (or Woman's Minster), where we saw some impressive stain-glassed windows in the presbetary. After Fraumunster, we crossed over the Limmat and headed to Grossmunster (or Great Minster). The twin towers of the 15th-century Grossmunster still dominate Zurich's skyline to this day. The Grossmunster is also famous for being the church of Ulrich Zwingli, who was a leader of the Reformation in Switzerland during the 16th century and a compatriot of Martin Luther's.

Afterward, we stopped for a drink at an outdoor cafe and then walked along the Limmatquai, an attractive riverside boulevard lined with guild houses on the west bank of the Limmat. By this time it was almost 7PM, and Sam and Peter kindly invited us back to their place for a barbeque. They have a very nice apartment in nearby Uster. We had a great time relaxing on their spacious balcony and enjoying their company. Dinner was delicious too! 

They were so kind to us. At one point during the evening, we mentioned we were thinking about buying bikes. Peter said they had an old bike they could lend us; we eagerly accepted. It was getting late, so Sam offered to drive Pam and I back to the station. But before we left, Peter pumped up the tires on the bike and rode it to the station for us (we all didn't fit in the car).

It was a long day.  But it was nice spending time with Sam and Peter.  We plan to invite them over to our place soon and return the hospitality.