Lyon, France to Basel, Switzerland

Disembarking AMADiagio & Coach Trip to Basel, Switzerland 

Thursday June 12th 2014 (No pic of the newsletter as I forgot)

Weather - Very warm - hot, 18-30C

I just need to make a correction on last night's entry about my scarf purchase. Auto correct caught me out as it should have read that the design was a Claude Monet, not Claude a Money!

Here is a little peak :)

After a wonderful Captain's Farewell Dinner last night (forgot to take my camera again) & one small nightcap, we were up pretty early to finish packing, have breakfast & leave the ship at 8.30am.

Our favourite waiter, Andre, taking one of  my red suitcases to the coach.

Our coach departed on time and we set out on our last drive through Lyon.

Who knew???

Then onto the motorway and a drive through beautiful green countryside. Here are a few photos, taken through the coach window so excuse any reflection.

After a brief coffee & bathroom stop we headed off again driving on a huge via duct, getting great views of the French Alps & lakes.

Next was a compulsory stop at the Swiss border to pay our tax (24euros/coach). We are now officially in Switzerland! We do return to France, however, in a day or so as we cruise to Frankfurt on our next ship. 

You are getting more detail (if somewhat boring) because I am typing this on the coach as we are driving along. Hopefully it will make some sense when I edit a little & add some photos tonight when we once again have unlimited free WiFi on the AMACello.

Some photos from the coach driving towards Lake Lucerne. Not the grapevines growing on the slopes beside the lake.

We stopped for lunch in a very nice little Swiss town of Vevey on the banks of Lake Geneva. Very pretty spot as you can see from the photos, however, we had a bare 1 hour to find some lunch & check out the lake. The first few cafe's we came to had either a 25min wait or were full. Eventually a group of us found a little place & ordered some lunch. We had just over 10 mins to check out the sights before the coach departed. Despite seeing a little snow on the peaks, it was very warm in Vevey.

Next some photos as we left Vevey and drove towards Lake Gruyere 

Building painted with Charlie Chaplan characters (this was where he lived for the last 20 years of his life)

A short comfort break at Lake Gruyere, beautiful spot:

And some cows:

Who is this cute Swiss maid??

Back on the coach again heading towards the Swiss town of Basel where our next ship is berthed & we expect to arrive around 5.00pm (apparently running late)

As you can see the countryside is just breath taking. I have taken hundreds of photos just today!

Will finish up here and try to upload this when settled into our cabin. Please note I have been slaving away writing this whilst most of the coach have been sleeping soundly (including Mike).

More tomorrow from Basel :)

Betty & Mike (he has no idea of what I have written)!!

Update: It is now 5pm & we have been crawling along the motorway for at least an hour making very little progress. We were just told there is an accident a further 17 klms ahead. So who knows what time we will reach our ship. 

Arrived finally after 6pm & in our cabin by 6.30. A quick unpack & freshen up, then off to the Captains welcome drinks & inner at 7.15. Will try to send this now.