Chapter 10: Stepping into history at Chateau De Chillon

20 December 2013

Today is our final day in Montreux and we wanted to keep this day relaxing. The plan was to wake up early in the morning to watch the sunrise. Does it sound lame? Due to the nature of my job and our hectic lifestyles, I never really had the chance to watch the sun rise. I was overly excited so I was up early. I can never sleep soundly whenever I have to wake up early.

Walked out to this gorgeous view.

Its was so peaceful and calm that it really took my breath away. 

And so we posed for photos with this magnificent view.

I so love the view. The photos did not do the place justice at all.

So we waited for the sunrise.

To no avail.

We did not see the sunrise. Probably due to the fog. I was disappointed because we will be leaving Montreux before sunrise tomorrow.

It looked like it was about to rain. But it was still stunning.

Since there were swans and ducks swimming around the lake we decided to feed them with the bread we bought last night.

The bestie was like a happy kid feeding the swans, seagulls and ducks.

I was ecstatic too. I squatted down to be closer to the swans and I wanted to touch the swan’s head. Its so cute how it kept getting closer to me and tilting its head upwards to eat the bread I was throwing into its mouth.

Well, I AM an animal lover, not that I am crazy.

This is quite a cute picture haha.

There was hardly anyone around. Perhaps it was too cold and only crazy people like us would take a morning stroll in such cold weather.

But this view is too mesmerizing.

Spotted more of Smurf bushes!!

Even with Gargamel!

We went back to the hotel for a short rest.

Once we met up with Bon, we made our way to Chateau de Chillon which was a few minutes away from our hotel.

And so we walked…..

Spotted this absolutely stunning place. With the bench under this tree and facing the lake, this spot was perfect for a date. Can I come back here with my date?

I am still obsess with the beauty of the trees here.

As I walked on, I felt that this place was too pretty for me to be able to capture it all into my ipod and phone. I wanted to walk even slower so that I can observe the little details on the ground, breathe the fresh air, touch the leaves but the rest were walking faster than me and I was the last one lagging behind.

Beautiful orange flowers braving through the winter while the rest of its species withered.

I can see the chateau!

Finally here!! Its so huge and gorgeous!

The Château de Chillon is an island castle located on the shore of Lake Geneva in the commune of Veytaux, at the eastern end of the lake, 3 km from Montreux.

I was amazed that they have wifi in this thousand year old castle.

Inside the castle there were several recreations of the interiors of some of the main rooms including the grand bedroom, hall and cave stores. Inside the castle itself there are four great halls, three courtyards, and a series of bedrooms open to the public.

Imagine being imprisoned and the only window to the world is this.

The bestie went up to the attic. I was lazy.

I was amazed by the bathroom! Check out the shit hole and the joke about fart. Haha.

I was thoroughly impressed by the architecture.

There were so many rooms and different rooms served different purposes.

It was actually as chilly inside as it was outside. I accidentally cut my finger when I was looking for my charger in my bag. It was bleeding profusely so I was walking around with one finger wrapped in tissue.

The view from outside the castle. Wow.

Waiting for our turn to step on this. There were so many tourists from China and Korea who were posing for photos there too.

Finally! After a really long wait!

Knowing my clumsy self too well, I was really careful with my steps so as not to fall into the lake because:

1. I cannot swim.
2. I would freeze to death before I drown.

I have always wanted to visit a castle so this was like a dream come true.

I am just thankful that I had the experience to see this spectacular view with my own eyes. If you are reading this and have not been to Switzerland, you just have to. You owe it to yourself to see God’s beautiful and best creations on Earth.

It was time to walk back.

I wish we could have strolled back but it was starting to drizzle and I needed to pee badly.

There is just something enchanting about the trees here, I cannot seem to put it into words.

Love my cat mittens and I managed to get Bon to give me a goofy facial expression. Yay.

I headed back to the hotel to do prayers while the 2 girls went to get lunch. They bought some food and we had our lunch in the hotel. It was nice not to rush, I really hate rushing during holidays but I guess its inevitable at times.

After a short rest, we headed to Vevey because we wanted to ransack the supermarket there.

Can you imagine 3 girls being excited in the supermarket? Yup, that was us. I was excited going to a normal supermarket but this supermarket had a wide variety of food! I was starring at the pies for a long time, I tell ya.

I also loved that there were so many choices of yogurt! Argh, I wanted to get them all. I also wanted to get another packet of meringue but Bon would not let me. Boo.

Once we were back in Montreux, we were looking around for a restaurant. Its amazing that everything closes at 6 pm here. Most shops are also closed on Sundays? Its such a family oriented place.

People from the city like us do not know what to do after 6 pm when everything is closing.

Dinner that was damn expensive but the restaurant had a really great ambience. What is this cheese they put on the salad? Its the most tasty cheese I have ever tasted!

Strolled back and cannot help but feel amazed by this view at night even though its not my first time seeing this.

Thankfully, the night Christmas market did not retreat too early. Pretty lights.

Its been a really awesome stay in Montreux. We are leaving for Paris early in the morning. I am slightly saddened by this fact.