I booked a layover in Zurich. Some people may avoid this, but besides the savings in the cost of flight, its a good way to explore a city that I may never get to other wise. The most promising find on this trip to Turkey was a 13 hour layover on the way home, at night. Arrival time was scheduled at 7:30pm so I figured, a 10 minute train ride to center town, at the least, we could squeeze in a dinner and some atmosphere that Zurich has to offer. I was surprised at how dark it was our entire time in the city, from 8:30pm to 7am. I think the sun started to rise @ 8:30 - 9am, on the train ride back to the airport for our 10am flight out. Prof Sun was travelling with us on our return flight. This worked out well as he had been to Zurich before which made for a very efficient tour.
Here's to our blurry night shots of our walk into the city, around and back. Can you tell the morning shots from the nighttime photos?
It took us an hour getting off plane and into city central via the
rail. We walked from the train station, down a shopping corridor and
then headed left & right to walk along side a river. We crossed a
cobble stone bridge towards the elevated Grossmünster church. Up the stairs and we
entered the quiet cobblestone streets lined with pubs, restaurants and
precious shops. All were closed, window shopping only.
We stayed at Hotel Otter, entrance via a pub. Lots of young people sipping wine and sharing stories. Chaz was mesmerized.
We wandered down some streets and chose tarte flambée
restaurant (Cafe Henrici) Bubbling atmosphere, shared
tables. Incredibly nice, casual and helpful servers. Swiss are happy
people! We took the only seats at a large round table. I think the girls
may have preferred if we were a group of handsome and witty male travelers...that's what I would hope for, sharing a table and all.
We
were across the street from a candy store. The only store that was open
and that my child had spotted and ran to after dinner. This must have
been what kept him motivated, to remain awake throughout dinner.
We managed to wake up at 6:30 and get out the door by 7. Since it was still dark and foggy we skipped the walk to the "beach" where one can view the Alps in the distance. We hopped on our train just as it was leaving. Went to the second floor and stumbled through 2-3 more cars aiming to get to 2nd class seats, round trip tickets we had purchased the night before. When we hit the dining car, we decided to stop and sit for the remaining 5 minutes of the ride.
p.s. all the photos were taken in the morning.
p.p.s. Swiss people and the city ambiance are very relaxed and joyful.
(I squeezed in a regular blog post (my favourite sofa) yesterday. It was serendipitous and happened very quickly. BUT now feel I need some closure to our travel segment. And I like things to be in order, so am injecting this finale travel post here, before continuing with regular posts about my home renovation, decorating, inspiration, style and stuff!)
We had an early flight out of Istanbul on 7/13. Early in such a way you wonder if you should bother to go to bed. The departure time was 5:50am and we had to wake up at 3:00am to get ready to leave and out the door. Myself, I do not need much time at all. Certainly I do not need coffee. I do not want to be awake. And I do not fuss about my hair at 3 am. "Brush the teeth and throw on a clean shirt", so went my motto on this trip (and underwear of course, but t-shirt was more applicable as my sons shirts were constantly spoiled with chocolate and other goodies). My son thought he would try to stay awake but I requested that he do this laying down beside me in bed (wink wink, he fell asleep fairly quickly). He was delighted and shocked that I also suggested that he change into his clothes that he will wear for the flight home rather then PJs. How cool is that! He came up with 2 ideas to wake himself up; 1) a jaunt down 8 floors, 2) tossing some water on his face. ♥
I got out of bed at 3:15. Decided what I felt like wearing for the next 24+ hours (of the few things I couldn't decide on the night before). Packed the rejects, dressed baby in her sleep. Then papa came along and woke her up (argh). Packed some food for her. Woke up Chaz. Brushed our teeth. And out the door at 3:45.
As planned, our trip home was all about Amsterdam. We had a 9 hour layover. My son's excitement for returning home was revealed during the last few days. He finally had FUN swimming in a pool. There was a little skip in his walk and he was singing the Fisherman song ...
"There were three jolly fishermen
There were three jolly fishermen
Fisher fisher men men men
Fisher fisher men men men
...
They should have gone to AmsterDAM
They should have gone to AmsterDAM
Amster Amster DAM DAM DAM"
Ah, so sweet to hear an 8 year old singing and getting the chance to use the word Dam.
Getting into the city was fairly easy. What wasn't easy or expected, was the HUGE drop in temperatures. As we exited Centraal Station we were instantly cold and wet. I was secretly relieved I rejected the fabulously comfortable but short Old Navy shorts and chose the long embroidered Zara skirt to wear. Lucy was snuggled on my front and I had a hat for her, another proud moment of mine. Phew. But my son, he was in shorts and a t-shirt and tired. The cold hit him hard. We found refuge on a boat, covered and heated. It had been recommended to take a boat tour of the canals, but knowing myself I would have walked around first then run out of time for a tour. The weather was working in favour for us.
(side note: After my hungry, cold and sleep deprived but very cheerful children ate a couple of biscuits, the Captain came along and shamed us for dropping some crumbs on the floor. A big difference between Turkey and their love/tolerance for children and our first incident w/ the Dutch. I wonder if they are not as child friendly.)
We warmed up on the tour. Enjoyed the canals and house boats and bridges and buildings.
A just-captured-in-time photo, a cyclist holding an umbrella. We were amused, which inspired me to look for another photo op, but with better timing...
But it's tough taking pictures with a biggish camera while wearing/holding a baby AND carrying a bag that weighs the same as the baby over the other shoulder. In the rain. Since I couldn't fully shoot I chose to let that go and be completely present with family and surroundings.
After the canal tour we walked down a road towards Dam Square. Picked up an umbrella (my souvenir) and searched for a sweatshirt for Chaz. Finally got a coffee (I skipped this at 3:15am, 9 hours later, noonish), croissant and sandwich in a cafe - we were aiming for a pancake house, but its good to be flexible. We went in and out of stores, found Dam Square and headed back down a different street, checking out a few alleys. The weather was ideal for museum touring, but I was tired and forgot in which direction they were ... blah blah blah.
The canals and infamous bike parking lot will be our culture this time. Museums can wait. Carrying 40 pounds was wearing on me. Back to the Centraal station and the airport.
Yep, we found a sweatshirt!
We were back at airport way before our estimated time, I think we caught a 12:30 train. Luckily Schiphol has MANY MANY things to explore as well.
This little gym was my rescuer. Chaz raced the clock through an obstacle course over and over again. He met a few buddies to compete with. Lucy was contained and able to explore the area. And momma got to sit and veg out for several hours. Thank you McDonalds play area.
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If you have a layover in Amsterdam, take the opportunity to visit.
We used this informative (and blunt / amusing) site: (need to find it; its bookmarked on a pc in another country)
We had a few hours in Paris, 3 hours less then planned for due to a delay on JFK tarmac. We managed to get out of airport, catch the RER B and head to Saint Michel-Notre Dame station. A very central station for a quick visit. Peak at the Notre Dame, find my bearings, a bank machine and a cafe for nourishment. Crisscross over the Seine and take a stroll towards the Eiffel tower. Notice the vendors have an affinity for pictures of cats, paperback books and Tin Tin comics. Spot the Eiffel tower on a ped. bridge, perhaps named Locks of Love. Discover the Eiffel tower is an hour walk, so we snap an ultra zoomed in picture of it and head back to the RER.
postscript:
Before we embarked on this layover adventure I had googled "what to do in Paris on a 10 hour layover". The answers confirmed (mostly) that seeing Paris in 10 hrs was worth it and doable.
I also wondered about whether I should bring a stroller or not. I'm a person of ease and didn't want to lug around anything extra. But if baby L would be more comfortable laying down and sleeping ... a dilemma.
Here is how it worked for us - 1 adult, 8year old and 15mth old:
We arrived @ CDG around 11am, 3 hrs later then our ETA.
Terminal 2E
The airport was not busy.
Our checked bags were going straight on to our destination.
There are no lockers in the airport for carry on bags.
We spoke with an Air France attendant and she was helpful and did not discourage us from leaving. She gave us directions to the train and advised us to be back no later then 5pm, 2 hours before our departure. She also let us know it would be much busier in the evening, so we needed to account for that.
We walked through customs. No line ups. No questions. (Unlike crossing usa/can borders, they ask you how long you will be traveling, where are you going etc) We got our stamps and a nod.
Took the shuttle to the departures area / train platform. And then we followed RER signs.
Bought tickets at the green kiosks. Easy to follow instructions.
Got on RER B to St Michel - Notre Dame station.
We arrived in Paris around 1pm - approximately 2 hours to get off plane, walk walk walk, go thru customs. walk walk walk. get on train and a 45minute ride into Paris.
I opted to leave the stroller at home and carry baby L. in the Ergo and let her walk when she felt like it.
I wanted to have two free hands, to hold two precious little hands.
We kept our time in Paris simple. Had we arrived @ CDG on time (3hrs earlier), we may have perused the rest of the trains to get to the Eiffel tower or ... anywhere.
A light stroller would have worked as the sidewalks we were on were wide and flat. But one might have to carry it up escalators in the metro.
We used an ATM to get $$. This is the quickest way and supposedly the cheapest rates. But my bank is charging me 5 dollar international fee / transaction. yikes!
I do not like to be late, so we aimed to be back at the RER for 3:30, w/ 30 minutes grace time.
The train back to CDG was much longer (physically, like 10 cars long rather then the 2 car train in) and had many passengers, just as the attendant noted.
Arrived at CDG T2.
And although we used the metro tickets easily on the way in to Paris ... hold on to your tickets as you need them to get in AND out of the train platform ... we had a bit of a SNAFU on the way back.
When I used the kiosk to buy the return tickets something happened and a bunch of tickets came out of the machine.
We took the first 2 tickets and I gave the rest to my son to play with. I shoved the receipt in a pocket.
We got through the turnstyle onto the platform as per usual. (like, in all my experience, as the 1st time, a few hours earlier)
When we arrived at the CDG platform and departed the train and got to the turnstyle/exit, and sent the ticket through the slot, it was rejected.
And then mine was rejected.
Holding up the line, we moved away and I went into alert mode.
C. gave me the bundle of other tickets and we tried a few of these. All were rejected.
A man approached us offering us a way through the gate in exchange for 5 euros.
I don't easily give up and I KNOW I bought the tickets so I noted his offer and went looking for a real employee to assist us through.
I couldn't find any employees but I did find my receipt and realized I had bought the wrong tickets. 10 of them for 8 Euros. Since no one was around to let us through and since I don't like to attract attention to ourselves such as going under the gate - I would have gotten stuck with Lucy on my body, we approached the "entrepreneur", made sure his deal was real and paid him to let us through.
Financially, this didn't cost me anymore had I bought the correct tickets to begin with. Seriously though, I was thankful he was there as there was no one else around and we would have had to jump the gates and that would not have been smooth.
We made our way to Terminal 2F, through security. No questions asked. No smile. Just a nod. And then to our gate with another hour to wait.
If you are thinking of using your layover time outside of the airport, I highly recommend that you do!
