Geneva

12th April

Our bus pulled up on time in Geneva which was surprising after the border control. One passenger was taken off and then we had to wait for him to return.

We walked the short distance to the train station and bought a ticket to our accommodation in Versoix.

There our host picked us up and explained how to walk back later. We had a lovely chat with him before heading out to explore.

Unfortunately we waited for the train on the wrong platform. I did not know it was possible for trains to go both directions from the same platform. Since it was another long wait for the next one we went for a walk to the lakeside and to the local supermarket to check out the situation for later. The food was on the whole very expensive... even worse than I remembered.

Finally we were on the train! First we saw the famous Jet F'Eau - it shoots 140m high into the air.

After that I wanted to see the flower clock I'd read about.

We went to the Natural History Museum, but it was aimed more at kids and there wasn't any English.

After that the Russian Orthodox Church caught our eye. It was more interesting outside than in.

Then we went to Musee d'Art et d'historie. We needed 1 euro or 1 franc to use the locker but we had neither. Jay had heaps of smaller coins. The reception lent him a coin in exchange for his drivers license. It was pretty good with a big range of things.

After that we went to the Archaeological Site of St Peter's Cathedral. It was so boring! The audioguide was too detailed for my liking and the site was dull compared to Rome.

Next we climbed up the Towers of St Peter's Cathedral. They were so narrow that if someone comes in the opposite direction you can't get past them. I think there were over 150 stairs. Jay climbed them easily while I puffed behind him. Before you go to the top of the two towers you climb through a wooden roof. The towers both offered lovely views.

Nearby was Maison Tavel - an old house that's been restored. Inside was a floor dedicated to a photographer, one showing what the house would've been like, a floor of historical objects and the top level had an audiovisual show with a model of the historic town. If it wasn't all in French we would have liked that I'm sure!

I was getting pretty tired but I was still keen to see Musee d'enthnographie. This on my opinion was the best museum of the day. It had objects from all over the world with excellent explanation of their importance and use.

Worn out we headed home where Jay cooked peas and potato curry for everyone.

 13th April

Yesterday we had bought the Geneva Pass to start using today. We waited at the correct platform for our train into the city and from there caught a bus near to the Mont-Saleve Cable Car. It was a short walk to the cable car station from the bus. We'd actually crossed the border into France!

The 5 minutes ride to the top was pleasant and offered beautiful views. We decided to walk to the monastery.

Once again Jay easily climbed the hill while I struggled. I thought I'd be fitter by now! It seemed to be getting harder, not easier.

The monastery was closed but the view from the deck was fantastic. We walked a further few minutes to the observation point.

After that it was back down the hill. We met a Canadian family and had a nice chat as we walked back to the gondala station.

Once we were back in the city we hopped on board The Mermaid's Cruise. It was an informative loop of Lake Geneva. Lake Geneva is the largest alpine lake in Europe and stretches for 80km.

Chocolate shop we saw on the way. Extremely expensive like pretty much everything in Switzerland.

After a pleasant trip on the boat we decided to go on the extremely touristy 'Geneva Old Town' mini-train tour. It was fun but not great.

Next we went on the 'Geneva Tour' Cruise. It followed much the same route as before but the audio guide was an app you needed to download. With no Internet we couldn't do that so we just enjoyed the view.

Synagogue we saw along the way 

Tired of tours for the day we went to the Patek Philippe Museum. It is a museum of watches. Some of it was interesting but there are only so many watches you can look at before losing interest - many on display were quite similar.

14th April

Today we continued to use our pass. We decided to do lots of tours today.

First we did the Geneva Parks & Residences Mini Train Tour. It was nice to sit back and relax while looking at the lake and gardens.

Next we went on the Geneva International and Panoramic Bus Tour. We were the only passengers! The first part of the tour focused on the old town and gardens.

Then after a break the tour continued on to the International organisations. During the second half of the tour a trainee bus driver took over. He was learning the route. He was originally from Australia.

After the tour we ate our sandwiches and wandered around while we waited for the Guided Walking tour of the Old Town to start. Although it was advertised to us as being in English most of the tourists spoke French. Our guide did most of the tour in both languages until the end when she realised that the French people understood most of what she said in English anyway.

On the tour we chatted with a friendly Canadian lady who was in Geneva for a month to look after her sister's baby. Apparently the family were taking turns so that the mother could go back to work. They didn't manage to get a place in the daycare until August.

After the 2 hour walking tour we caught the bus to the Red Cross. They had trouble with our pass and wouldn't accept it so we went home as we were tired.

Our hosts Pierre and Francoise were hosting a family party for 25 people. It was a birthday party for Francioise mother. Her birthday is also on the 16th. We made ourselves scarce so we wouldn't get in the way.