Finally in Zurich!!

Well we finally made it to Zurich. That was one really really long plane ride. After leaving Sydney at 7pm on Monday night we had a 1 hour stopover in Bangkok. Just long enough to stretch the legs out after the first 9 hour stint. Back on the plane for the next 7 hours to Dubai. Pilot did a great job of landing in Dubai, couldn't even feel the plane touch the ground. Unfortunately most of the first section 2 legs were in complete darkness so we didn't really get to see anything from the window. It is however really hazy in Dubai so visibility isn't great anyway. (you were right Phil)

On the ride over you'll never guess but of course we end up sitting right next to someone who is originally from Coffs Harbour. Chelsea is doing a four month trek around Europe and we will attempt to keep in touch. (check that out Chelsea we've only know you a few hours and you make it straight onto the blog)

Pretty uneventful trip apart from the bit where Michelle didn't realise she had actually sat on the after dinner mints and they ended up melting (not a good look if you know what I mean). It was pretty funny and the air hostess was pretty amused. When we got up a bit later for a stretch, she actually came and found us and gave us some extra chocolate.

From Dubai it was only a short 7 1/2 hour trip to Zurich. This bit was all in the day light and when we got the chance to look out the window it was a pretty good site. Straight up the coastline over Turkey and then over towards Austria and Switzerland. Lots of snow still on the mountains and very very green courtesy of all the rain they have had. (bit like Coffs, the rain that is!!!)

If Emirates airlines need some spokespeople I'm happy to do the job. It was a great flight, plenty of food, lots of movies to watch. You can watch what ever you want, when you want on your own screen in front of you. I think we got through about 6 movies each and a couple of TV shows and some games. Mel you'll be disappointed to hear we watched both films of Twilight and Michelle was hooked, I don't think she will read the book now, thanks for the offer anyway.

Very exciting coming into Switzerland as we haven't been to Europe for 12 years. Customs was a breeze, bags arrived, bike box looked like it didn't even get a bashing. Out of the airport into the waiting terminal and then finally onto the train into Zurich. Typical Swiss efficiency trains about every 10 mins and easy to board with a heap of luggage (2 big suitcases, 1 bike bag, cabin bag and a backpack.) and only 15 mins into Zurich.

We had a bit of time to kill before we met up with Julia so we just lugged our gear around until we found a suitable spot to stay put. Really busy in Zurich Hauptbahnhof (main train station) lots of people to watch, interesting how we can tell that the type of people in Zurich has changed over the last 12 years. This is mainly due to immigration, and not really what we expected. I suppose we still had the atypical stereotype in our heads from our last trip.

I had a walk around the station and found the platform that Julia's train would be coming in from. (She works in Basel, about 1 hour away). When I saw Julia walking towards us it was a relief to know we were in the right spot and that we wouldn't be sleeping in the train station that night. This may sound a bit strange but it doesn't seem like it has been 12 years since we last saw Julia once we met up. I think she was pretty excited to see us as well. (for those of you who don't know the story behind how we know Julia, it goes briefly like this, Julia was an exchange student that stayed with Michelle's family back in 1997, we hung out and did pretty much everything together back then, later that year when Michelle was an exchange student in Austria, I went over to Europe and we travelled around together and of course we went and stayed with Julia's family)

Caught the tram to Julia's house and then had the pleasant job and taking the luggage up the stairs to Julia's apartment (4th floor, no lifts). After dinner spent most of the evening talking on the balcony catching up. Sunlight till after 9pm so it didn't seem so late. Finally got to bed about 11pm and for the first time in about 2 days got to sleep lying down. I only had about 2/3 hours sleep the whole trip so I am pretty tired.

Well thats blog number one out of the way. More to follow of course and pics as well.