last-minute trip to Vevey and Montreaux

I really thought I would not be travelling this weekend. Despite the fact that I had no one to drag along with, I didn't really plan to do any travelling this week. I was successful in staying at home on a Saturday night but I decided that if I would lock myself up in my room, I will be miserably bored (aka depressed and homesick). I got crazy and at 2pm, decided to embark on a last minute journey to Vevey and Montreaux.

Why Montreaux? I preliminarily decided to go to Neuchatel to hear and see the purest Swiss-French that exists, however asking from one of my Geneva foyer-mates to the best of my French abilities, he suggested that going to Montreaux would be a lot better as it is nearer, cheaper and best of all scenic.

So I stepped out, tried to pack some cheap Vienna sausages and margaritas and stepped into a tram to the gare.

I need to go to Voie (platform) 4 to take the train to Vevey/Montreaux. I was a little bit apprehensive as I am scared to stop in Vevey as my final destination is Montreaux. How could I possibly explain that in French? As I wait for my train, I try to compose my sentences with the help of my loyal buddy - my dictionary.

Somewhere along the road, I passed by a complex full of aerials. I wonder what this might be. It could not be a shortwave transmitting station as SRI have long closed and stopped broadcasting in shortwave. Maybe some kind of CIA-like Swiss electronic surveillance intelligence complex???? Or a UFO monitoring station???? Your guess is good as mine.

Taking the train at 14.36, I arrived in Vevey in true prompt Swiss fashion (15.32).

Vevey is a small city with a population of about 15,000. The city is made famous being the headquarters of the largest beverage company in the world - Nestle. Here's the first impression of the city just outside the gare.


Walking by the shops in Vevey, I can't help but be attracted to look again into the watches. Here' some cheap ones, for 300 - 100 CHF (haha, is that cheap???? - cheap in comparisson to Rolex and Bulova)
I didn't know that a limited piece of cloth such as a necktie could be more expensive than a jacket (veste) or a belt (ceinture). This is just absurd!!!!

And that one is the one I am talking about.. What's so special about it? Probably it has some wireless electronic GPS/cellphone kit installed inside... With such price for a tie, you would think the unthinkable...

And here's the heavyweights. Zooming in, look at how they display the price. They intentionally hide it as it might cause hyperventilation, palpitation and increased heart rate.



Strolling by the lake, I am shocked and awed by the magnificent scenery this place offers. Now, this is priceless.

After the stroll, I was able to see the headquarters of Nestle. Christian, here's your headquarters:

During the trip, I really tried not to be tempted to buy something to eat but the stroll has actually made me hungry. I tried bringing in some cheap vienna sausage, yogurt and margaritas but I could'nt really control my temptations. Its just like there's some magnet trying to draw me in. Alas, I gave in and hanged-out with Uncle Ronald. I feel bad actually as I have been more of a fan with Uncle Ronald here in the land of Heidis considering that it is the cheapest (but still crap) food available.


Some impressions of downtown Vevey:

Walking into the station, I came past a rundown building in Vevey. I am taking pictures because I think this is such a novelty in Switzerland where almost everything runs in order.



Come 1700, it was time to leave the Swiss city of Vevey and go to the lakeside town of Montreaux.

Montreaux is just awesome! Look at this view:
Lots of rich people and apartments for them:

And the lakeside, it is just awesome!:

I need to spend the sunset in Montreaux as train ride back to Geneva is free after 1900. I got a good reward though as I saw the sun setting in this lovely town.


Strolling by the lakeside, you cannot help but sometimes have a call of nature. My curiousity is just stirred by some things you don't find somewhere else, like public washrooms having blue lights so as to prevent would-be drug users finding their veins.


Some additional impressions:

Passing by the casiono, I got to pass by a display kitchen I could only dream of:




And here is a view of the city at dawn:

Bye bye Montreaux and back to work in Geneva, awww the weekend is just soo short: