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Showing posts from June, 2011

Cycling Around Mount Fuji

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Note that this photo is a posed shot. You are supposed to cycling anti-clockwise around the lake! Haha If you are deciding between taking the train to Kawaguchiko or driving, you can check out the car rental prices at   https://www.nipponrentacar.co.jp/english/user-guide/reservations.html   and train prices at   http://www.hyperdia.com/ It depends on whether you’re staying overnight at Kawaguchiko and the number of people travelling. Remember to add toll fees of about ¥4200 one way. We decided to rent a car but forgot about the toll fees so it ended up being more expensive. I’d say if you’re staying for one night and there are at least 3 of you, renting a car is a good option. If there are two of you and you want more freedom to move around (such as going to neighbouring places like Oshino Hakkai, Chureito Pagoda, Yamanakako etc) it is also better to rent a car. You should also be warned that traffic is congested upon leaving and arriving at Tokyo. We parked our car at ou...

Hotel Schweizerhof in Lucerne

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This hotel, the first 5-star hotel in Lucerne has a long history and is one of the important landmarks in lucerne. Situated right in front of lake lucerne, the grand building cannot be missed if you stand on the side of the KKL. Schweizerhof is a chain in Switzerland reputed for it's good locations and service. Welsome snacks which we brought on our cruise Cruise on Lake Lucerne, with the hotel in the backdrop From KKL, the cultural centre (for perfomances, conferences, exhibitions etc.) What we liked best was the fitness and wellness centre which all guests have access to. Check out my video :) Rate: SGD$450+ per night for non-lakeview without breakfast. Add CHF80 per night if you want lake view, CHF35 each for breakfast.

Hotel Gletschergarten in Grindelwald

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Of all the hotels we stayed at in Europe, only two are worth mentioning here: 1. Hotel Gletschergarten in Grindelwald and 2. Hotel Schweizerhof, Luzern. Grindelwald is one of the two gateways to Jungfrau (Top of Europe). The other is Wengen. I simply love this hotel with splendid view of the mountains nestled in Grindelwald, 35 mins from Interlaken OST station. Grindelwald n wungen are the gateways to the famous jungfrau region. Run by a couple, the fourth generation owners, the hotel gives you a chance to stay in a traditional Swiss country-side cottage. Although 100 years old, it is very well-maintained and clean with modern amenities such as complimentary wireless Internet. They very kindly picked up our baggage from grindelwald station so that we could go straight to jungfraujoch, the highest peak in Europe. After our jungfrau trip, we were picked up from grindelwald station and checked in immediately, with our baggages already placed in our rooms. No need to show passport or prese...

Tax-Rebate Fuss

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It's such a fuss to collect tax rebate if you make purchases in an EU country but leave from a non-EU country like what we did. I made purchases in Milan, Italy (EU) but we were to fly back from Zurich, Switzerland (non-EU) to Singapore. When you do that, you need to get a custom stamp at the last EU point of departure. No custom stamp = no refund! Reach Switzerland = too late! If you travel by plane from Milan to Zurich, that's not a problem cos you can get the custom stamp from Milan airport. Unfortunately, we were going to travel from Milan to Chur in Switzerland via Tirano. So we had a hard time figuring out where to get the custom stamp because we had no idea where the border is! The worse part is that the Italians themselves have no clue! Is it at Milan? Is it between Milan and Tirano? Is it between Tirano n Chur? Here are the versions we got: 1. Ferragamo salesgirl Just do it at Zurich airport This is the biggest mistake! Once you reach Zurich, it's too late! 2. Girl...

You is crazy!

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The custom officer at Tirano is very funny! When I presented my tax-refund forms for the custom stamp, he insisted on seeing my Ferragamo shoes so I showed them to him... Custom Officer: These shoes? This price *points to receipt*?!?! me: Yes... Custom Officer: *suspicious look* me: *points to the brand* Ferragamo Custom Officer: *shakes head* You is crazy!! Me: *run my fingers over the stones* Swarovski crystals... Custom Officer: Ah... Hm... Your (h)usband (will) kill you! LOL All these happened when chris was happily sipping his minestrone soup at a restaurant and when I related the incident to him, he also LOL haha