Well yesterday was our full day in Geneva and we decided to tour around via our feet all day. Conveniently I woke up yesterday at around 7 am, and felt fine – no jet lag at all. Someone else (who will remain nameless) did not have said experience and woke up a bit groggy. Well some sunshine, caffeine and walking will just knock that right out of you.

Day 2 started with breakfast in the hotel – typical in Europe – a full meal with breads, pastries, eggs anyway you want, coffee, tea, yogurt and more. I now compare and rate my hotels based upon the breakfast quality (not quantity) – while good this didn’t make the top five slot, but it was quite good. Having traveled a lot in the last couple of years sometimes you get stellar things where you least expect it.

Our hotel is great, very nice and quiet. Best news is that they provided fans and have air conditioning – so while it’s going to be 85F today you don’t feel it while sleeping – and that makes Cindy very happy – otherwise I hear the “air flow, more air flow…” during the night with out much to do…

But back to Geneva – after breakfast we then went on a walk and a boat tour of the lake. I guess locals don’t like you to call it Lake Geneva – of course now that I’m writing this I can’t remember what they want you to call it – so “Lake Geneva” it is. The water is nice, lots of folks hanging on the rocks and sunbathing or swimming. They have these dedicated swimming areas all around the lake.

We were able to take about a 1 hour boat tour – basically circled left – but it was nice – lots of people and a good vantage point of the city from the water. There was an audio tour, but easier to skip the app download and not be technically challenged – I watched so many people spending their time trying to get the app to download, what code to put in and fumble with their phone – best to just look out and see what you’re missing.

After the boat ride we walked up to the United Nations building – pretty cool spot – lots of flags, saw the broken leg chair, etc. We then walked back down to town across the bridge – quick ice cream stop – and then back to the hotel. After a brief break, Cindy had scheduled a free walking tour (not that they are really free) – it was a good one – focused on the religion of the area – Catholic, then transition to Protestant during the reformation period. Funny thing is that now, even with Geneva was once very Protestant – forced Catholics out – it’s now 30% Catholic and about 17% Protestant. So over hundreds of years things change I guess.

Our walking guide was from Vancouver BC – married a Swiss lady – then took 6 years to get his citizenship and moved to Geneva in January. Prices here are very expensive from the outside and currency conversion (add 30%). We had a great meal last night at a pasta restaurant that we’ve now walked past about a zillion times.

Today we pack up, head back to the airport – only to get a shuttle/van to Chamonix and transition into hiking mode starting tomorrow. From the scenery I think this is gonna be some unbelievable hiking.

Ryan says pets are ok, so things are good in Colorado.

Ttyl