Life got busy, and somehow it’s already been eight months since my last trip to Switzerland. Time really does fly. But this trip deserves its own post because Switzerland has such a special place in my heart. Thankfully, I kept a journal to jot down little details, so I can relive them now. I finally had the time to sit down and write about it during my 3-hour flight back from Da Nang (which I also need to write about soon). 


Geneva 

We got to Geneva from Annecy in just 50 minutes by van and checked into Adagio Genève Mont Blanc Aparthotel. It’s supposed to be one of the expensive ones in Switzerland, but honestly, the view wasn’t anything special. Probably because it’s right in the city and not a touristy spot. 

What I thought was pretty cool though was how the luxury shops are laid out, open spaces with train tracks running between them. Rolex, Aesop, Swatch… just casually there. Though I didn’t manage to get any photos of myself (still a bit sad about that), but at least I got some souvenirs and a couple of things for me. I still had three days left to shop for colleagues, cousins, and friends anyway, so no rush. 

We also visited the Palais des Nations, where the famous Broken Chair monument stands tall. It’s this huge wooden chair with a broken leg that symbolizes opposition to landmines and cluster bombs. While we were there, a small group was holding a demonstration outside, which really added to the whole experience of being in such a political hub.


Montreux 

Our first proper stop was Montreux. We had about two hours to walk around before catching a train to Interlaken West, and honestly, Montreux didn’t really wow me. Or maybe it’s just because the town in France had already taken my breath away that Lake Geneva felt a little underwhelming. The Bazar Suisse felt like any other town, and the Musée de Montreux was closed for the winter, which was a bit of a letdown. 

Still, I enjoyed it. Walking through the town is one of my favorite things to do when I travel. We wandered through little alleys, walked under bridges, and ended up in random spots we hadn’t planned to see. The weather was cool and crisp, the kind that makes walking so easy and refreshing. No sweating, no exhaustion. Just easy conversations, people-watching, and soaking in the vibe of the town. We grabbed some burgers to go before hopping on the train to Interlaken.



Interlaken West 

From Montreux, we took the train to Interlaken West, and honestly, the ride itself was a highlight. Three hours and fifteen minutes of pure magic with snowy Alps, mountains, and endless scenery. Definitely my favorite part. The Golden Pass lived up to its name, giving off such a luxurious vibe that it made everything else feel small in comparison. I had the burger I grabbed back in Montreux, and even had time to read and journal while soaking up the views. Switzerland is truly blessed by Allah with its luxurious nature. Everything felt so serene. The mix of white snow and blue skies was enough to make me forget all the stress from work. 

By the time we got to our apartment, I was excited to stroll around Lake Interlaken in the evening, but mom wasn’t feeling well and came down with a fever. So that plan had to be put on pause. A little disappointing, but then again, after such a stunning train ride, it was hard to complain. Switzerland has this peaceful, luxurious vibe that makes everything else feel insignificant. 

In the end, I stayed in, edited photos, and caught up on journaling after four packed days.


That’s it for today. I’ll pick it up again in the next post. Can’t wait to share more soon. Stay tuned, it only gets better from here ;)