Switzerland    through the eyes of a tourist.

Our first stop is Lugano. By the Lake Lugano. A first glimpse of an Alpine lake. Pristine. Crystal clear. And endless. Stretching out to the foothills of the Alps, rippling gently. There is a nip in the air and a freshness that is so alien, the system balks at it initially!

It is dusk and the swans have the lake all to themselves. With an air of total serenity, the swans bob up and down in black and white pairs too lazy to even paddle!
Lotus-eaters?

Moving towards our destination, winding up the Alpine roads, the mind is stunned , the eyes cannot take in enough and the heart is singing a song that is all its own. The tour guide talks about the longest road bridge and the tunnels that have survived two world wars. The facts get filed away....meaningless before what is being soaked in. It is summer following a white winter. The Alpine rivers are in spate and waterfalls abound. It is tempting to run from window to window to get a better view    rather like a restless five-year old.

We are there. Lucerne. And another breathtaking environment. Lake Lucerne and this small town have been home to celebrities galore. All those that love nature in her virgin glory have chosen to live around the lake that would pass for a sea. Chalets and cottages. Picturesque. There is history here and spirituality in the air. But all that can wait.

A cruise on the lake is what is on the cards. The large cruiser cuts through the icy cold water. The sky is overcast and threatening to pour. But nothing can stop us from braving the draught and drinking in the scenic surroundings from the upper deck. The speed limit is 20 mph. It's soothing and just right for day dreaming.

Tearing ourselves away from the lovely Lake Lucerne, we wind our way up. The famous Jungfrau    the highest point looms ahead. Mount Titlis is still snowcapped, in spite of the sun and summer.

The little village of Sisikon is set on the shores of its own little Alpine lake. We stay in is a Swiss chalet, converted to a bed and breakfast inn. The rooms exude an old world charm that more than compensates for the lack of luxuries. The windows open out to a view of the lake along which runs a railroad. Speeding trains dash by while a stream gurgles on, regardless of everything.

The next high point    quite literally, is a ride up to Mount Stanserhorn. A tiny cog-wheel train takes us up to the mid-way point. A cable car winds us up to the peak. The revolving restaurant is popular. But not quite as popular as the simple act of running hither and thither looking through binoculars and telescopes at the awesome majesty of the surrounding peaks. The highest ones are still snow capped. The rest have turned green for the summer. Streams and waterfalls provide a silver relief to the lush green meadows and slopes.

The air again is heady.

We head to the post office right there to try and convey a little of the feeling that is surging through our hearts and souls.

AMRITHAVARSHINI

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