After 2 years not travelling due to pandemic, I have decided… March 2022, I’ll fly to Europe no matter what; just gonna deal with complicated fast-changing travel restrictions, PCR test requirement, travel & health documents needed, worries if I might get positive prior departure etc.
It was last minute preparation…last minute open registration to my followers…I opened the trip in Jan 2022 if I can remember well. Just two months away prior trip! sounds crazy! How am I going to get the group full in just 2 months?? #scratchingmyhead #tawakkul
I managed to get a few, but in the end only 1 person was free to go on the trip. Unfortunately, some cancelled last minute – doubt about PCR positive result prior trip and unfortunately another one was tested positive covid 2 days before her departure. Pretty bummed… major loss.
So just me and Azizah, my travel buddy went on the trip to Switzerland and France starting on March 23rd, 2022 until 30th March. Alhamdulillah our rezqi..
Apparently, she flew on her own on 22nd Mar (proud of you Azizah!) sebab Madie masa tu dah ada di Paris. I planned to spend a week solo in Paris for personal matters. We greeted each other, not in Malaysia ya, but in Zurich Airport. I felt that was pretty cool. Hahah first time meeting my travel buddies outside KLIA.
Honestly, she was worried of flying alone, initially she was supposed to fly with Sarah, another travel buddy that was unfortunate with positive covid 2 days prior departure. I comforted her with my flying experience…Really, tak susah pun nak arrange yourself naik flight and go through airport process. It only takes one horror 1st experience, to break the fear. Hahaha Myself? I think I had twice, teruk kan? Slow learner macam tu lah…Alhamdulillah, now can lead and guide other people too.
While waiting for her arrival the next day on 23rd Mar, I already travelled by train from Paris to Zurich. It took about 4 hours long relaxing journey across eastern France, observing a town after another, it was pretty nice tho.
Arrived in Zurich Central Station, took some time to get used to so many train platform signs. So I just squatting at one big pillar, alternately looking up the Train schedule screen with my apps. There’s alot of train yang schedule dekat-dekat, so I got spoilt with choices until susah nak buat decision. Gosh I hate too many options! hahah took a deep breath, close one eye, and just pick one. Board the train, within 10 mins, I arrived at Zurich Airport. That was easy.
Checked-in a very nice Capsule Hotel at Zurich Airport.. got Sauna okay! It’s a bit pricey for a capsule type, cost me RM240 per nigh booked through booking.com. Well, what do I expect, it’s Swiss! The most expensive country in Europe. dduh! The bed was comfy – thick enough, the comforter too – i loveee white cotton comforters! So yeah nothing to complain. All is perfect.
after organize my luggage under the bed and other stuffs inside the capsule nicely, I headed to the restroom. It is a sharing type – outside this dorm. Of course women and men separately. Because the room got so many distraction to look into, I didn’t notice I haven’t shower yet after 30 minutes observing every perks in the restroom. Haha
One thing I regret was, I was hungry at that moment, so I skipped the idea of lazying in the sauna and went straight into the shower. Even so, the shower was rain type! Ahh my favorite! Can massage my head and upper shoulder too..
After shower, I grabbed my fav Pret A Manger Sandwich (Sedap gila Cheddar Chutney sandwich!), that G bought for me at Paris Train Station. Harga 1 pack sandwich 4.90 euro. Jangan convert! yesss travel to europe ni jangan convert and compare dengan nilai di Malaysia. Burpp! Alhamdulillah kenyang, and spent the rest of the evening text messaging & social media update #followersperlutahu
Slept well that night like a bear, woke up and had warm shower early morning because Azizah will arrive soon! around 8 am. Met her at arrival and congratulate her for flying solo! hahah #sorryIwasabitlate
The Hotel in Zurich
The hotel was less than 1km walking distance from the Central Train station, however the cobblestone pavement makes it difficult to pull our luggages. Poor my little wheels, might be worn out soon than expected.
Thank god we’re allowed to check-in earlier at 11 am because the room wasn’t occupied the night before. Good thing does happen sometimes! Normally, European check-in time would be around 3 pm the earliest. Otherwise, we can just leave our luggage at the lobby and go for sightseeing.
After relaxing for an hour and a half, we took shower and started our sightseeing, headed to northern border of Switzerland where there’s a quaint german small town. It was an hour plus journey and so worth it.
Nak masuk ke town ni, kita akan jalan atas jambatan besar, lintas sungai yang teramat cantik birunya! We both jaw dropping sepanjang berjalan sambil tangan tak sudah nak record everything around us.
We passed by very colorful and cute building to get to the central of the town. “Cantiknya!” seakan-akan berjalan dalam art gallery.
Selepas observing the building and walk in circle at the centre.. We heard a classic bell sound from the tower. It rings every hour.
