Judy had pitty on me and did the writting for today. Only the picturres are mine–notice how short the writing is, hmmm?
We awoke to a sunny, crystal clear day. Could see the entirety of Mt. Pilatus. I felt it ironic that a palmetto is planted in front of our hotel, so Charles took a picture of the tropical plant with frigid Mt. Pilatus in the distance.
Departed Lucerne for Basel. I will miss the gorgeous snow-covered mountains around Lucerne. We headed north through rolling hillsides to Basel, Switzerland’s third largest city behind Zurich and Geneva. The terrain flattens as we travel toward the Rhine and our ship, AmaCerto.
Before departing Lucerne, we visited the impressive Lion Monument. The carving of the dying lion commemorates the over 800 Swiss Guards who were massacred in 1792 during the French Revolution. These soldiers had been hired by France to protect the royal family. An armed mob stormed the Tuileries at the Palace in Paris. The inscription above the carving – “Bravery and Loyalty of the Swiss.”
Upon arriving in Basel, we began a walking tour of Old Town. Two of Basel’s notable sites include the oldest university in Switzerland and the impressive 12th century Gothic cathedral around which we strolled. Basel also boasts three notable celebrities: Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron, the architects who designed the “Egg Nest” arena at the Tokyo Olympics, and tennis star Roger Federer.
The city’s Marketplatz is set up in the shadow of the imposing 16th century town hall. We enjoyed our final “lunch on you own” at a restaurant overlooking this building. Thank goodness all other meals on the ship have been paid for!
After stopping briefly at the point on the Rhine where France, Germany, and Switzerland converge (called “Three Countries Corner”), we reached our awaiting ship, just in time for Tea time in the lounge. A welcome reception and dinner followed tonight. Food abounds! We set sail in the a.m. at 6:00. Yes, we’ll still be in bed.
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