Hello my friends! Sorry for the long silence.. things have been busy / I have not been very motivated to spend time on the computer when I am not at work.
Since Friday, Lena has been visiting! She left Geneva earlier today, and I will be meeting her in Krakow, Poland Thursday night. After quite a stretch of time spent at home, I'm ready to get out and do some exploring! (I actually have quite a brutal travel schedule coming up here, and while I'm looking forward to it all, I have a feeling it will leave me wiped out.)
After Lena got in on Friday, we took advantage of the mild weather and walked around town for a bit. We stopped into several chocolate shops to pick out a few pieces, then sat at Globus and had a glass of wine and a self-made chocolate tasting before heading to bed early (the jet lag got to her!)
Saturday was a super rainy day, but it was nice to just sit around in our pajamas and catch up for most of the day! We finally left the house when we met up with a new co-worker and his wife for lunch. Then we did the quintessential European rainy day tourist activity - visited a museum!
Patek Philippe is a Geneva based luxury watch maker that has a museum dedicated to watches. We were lucky to be there for the opening day of a new exhibit, and the museum itself was really cool! Lena and I both left the museum wanting to get watches, but a quick Google search at home verified that I definitely cannot afford a Patek Philippe! Seriously though, the details and the complications are unreal.
Sunday, we got up early to get on the train to head to Gruyeres. I was a little worried because the forecast earlier in the week didn't look that great, but my friend Lauren assured me that it would still be a good way to spend a Sunday with visitors.
I was so happy when we woke up and the sun was shining! The train ride is a little over two hours from Geneva, and we had some incredible views of the lake, the vineyards, and the mountains along the way. iPhone pictures could never do it justice!
When we arrived in Gruyeres, it was the perfect day! A little cool, bright blue skies, and snow on the tops of the mountains. Our first stop was meant to be the Chateau, which is about a ten minute walk from the train station.
We climbed down the hill and stopped for some lunch before heading to the Gruyeres cheese factory. The cheese making process was supposed to last from 12:30 to 2:30, and I was pretty interested in seeing that!
The museum is pretty basic. You walk around learning some stuff about cows, cheese, cheese making, etc. I learned some stuff, but it was nothing life-changing.
The cheese making itself was kind of a bust. This guy just kind of walked around this vat and stirred it every now and again. We didn't stay the whole two hours, so maybe it got way more exciting, but I just couldn't stay there and watch this guy wander around any longer.
We hopped on another short train to get to Broc Fabrique to visit the Cailler chocolate factory! I had actually never heard of Cailler before I moved to Switzerland, but it's a division of Nestle (which is also a Swiss company - didn't know that either!).
I'm not really sure how to describe the factory tour. First of all, when we arrived, it was packed! We actually had to wait about 45 minutes before we could start our tour. Luckily, there was a little theater where we could watch short films and commercials about Cailler until it was our turn to line up.
When the tour actually started, it was totally not what I expected. There were Disney-style sets with narration of history. It was kind of interesting, but just not at all what I had imagined. There were props and skits to teach us about the history of chocolate. The first 20 minutes or so was like this. Then we moved into an area that actually had information about the chocolate making process.
Then we turned a corner, and there was an entire tasting room of chocolates!! We were able to sample all different types of Cailler chocolates. I took my time and tasted every single piece, and I walked out feeling like I definitely got my 10 CHF (admission price) worth and like I had a stomachache!
And with that, it was time to head back to Geneva. Overall, it was a great way to spend a Sunday!
Since Friday, Lena has been visiting! She left Geneva earlier today, and I will be meeting her in Krakow, Poland Thursday night. After quite a stretch of time spent at home, I'm ready to get out and do some exploring! (I actually have quite a brutal travel schedule coming up here, and while I'm looking forward to it all, I have a feeling it will leave me wiped out.)
Presents from Target... woooo!!
After Lena got in on Friday, we took advantage of the mild weather and walked around town for a bit. We stopped into several chocolate shops to pick out a few pieces, then sat at Globus and had a glass of wine and a self-made chocolate tasting before heading to bed early (the jet lag got to her!)
Saturday was a super rainy day, but it was nice to just sit around in our pajamas and catch up for most of the day! We finally left the house when we met up with a new co-worker and his wife for lunch. Then we did the quintessential European rainy day tourist activity - visited a museum!
Patek Philippe is a Geneva based luxury watch maker that has a museum dedicated to watches. We were lucky to be there for the opening day of a new exhibit, and the museum itself was really cool! Lena and I both left the museum wanting to get watches, but a quick Google search at home verified that I definitely cannot afford a Patek Philippe! Seriously though, the details and the complications are unreal.
Saturday night fondue!
Sunday, we got up early to get on the train to head to Gruyeres. I was a little worried because the forecast earlier in the week didn't look that great, but my friend Lauren assured me that it would still be a good way to spend a Sunday with visitors.
I was so happy when we woke up and the sun was shining! The train ride is a little over two hours from Geneva, and we had some incredible views of the lake, the vineyards, and the mountains along the way. iPhone pictures could never do it justice!
We had to change trains at one point, and this was one of the advertisements in the hallway of the train station. I just found this to be hilarious. And creepy.
When we arrived in Gruyeres, it was the perfect day! A little cool, bright blue skies, and snow on the tops of the mountains. Our first stop was meant to be the Chateau, which is about a ten minute walk from the train station.
Lovely day!
Uphill walking path
Cute little town square
We stopped for some hot chocolate along the way
Chateau!
Seriously - these views!
This little map helped you identify what mountains you were looking at
Stopped for a meringue on our walk back through town
Too bad that damn trashcan photobombed me
I don't know if you can really see it, but this fountain was made in 1980. I just found that really ironic - it seems so old!
We climbed down the hill and stopped for some lunch before heading to the Gruyeres cheese factory. The cheese making process was supposed to last from 12:30 to 2:30, and I was pretty interested in seeing that!
Cheese
For 7 CHF, we got entrance into the factory museum and some samples of cheese! I liked the 10 month cheese the best.
Cheese making
The museum is pretty basic. You walk around learning some stuff about cows, cheese, cheese making, etc. I learned some stuff, but it was nothing life-changing.
The cheese making itself was kind of a bust. This guy just kind of walked around this vat and stirred it every now and again. We didn't stay the whole two hours, so maybe it got way more exciting, but I just couldn't stay there and watch this guy wander around any longer.
We hopped on another short train to get to Broc Fabrique to visit the Cailler chocolate factory! I had actually never heard of Cailler before I moved to Switzerland, but it's a division of Nestle (which is also a Swiss company - didn't know that either!).
Train station - so cute
We're here!
I'm not really sure how to describe the factory tour. First of all, when we arrived, it was packed! We actually had to wait about 45 minutes before we could start our tour. Luckily, there was a little theater where we could watch short films and commercials about Cailler until it was our turn to line up.
In the "staging area", we saw a lot of vintage posters and had a little history lesson on Cailler.
When the tour actually started, it was totally not what I expected. There were Disney-style sets with narration of history. It was kind of interesting, but just not at all what I had imagined. There were props and skits to teach us about the history of chocolate. The first 20 minutes or so was like this. Then we moved into an area that actually had information about the chocolate making process.
The proprietary recipes are kept secure!
We watched some chocolates being formed and packaged.
And nibbled on a few.
Then we turned a corner, and there was an entire tasting room of chocolates!! We were able to sample all different types of Cailler chocolates. I took my time and tasted every single piece, and I walked out feeling like I definitely got my 10 CHF (admission price) worth and like I had a stomachache!
One last look at the beautiful scenery
And with that, it was time to head back to Geneva. Overall, it was a great way to spend a Sunday!
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