-= adventures in Europe =-

Posted In: Europ*ng . By Zεηιτħ

Grenoble and Annecy

On Timeline: 09 - 10 Dec 07

After the crazy night at Lyon on the 8th, I was glad to a proper rest (finally!) at Grenoble, courtesy of my host, Xiaowen. Lynn was still in Lyon at that period of time, so I bunked in with XW, and to think that we arrived in Rabot (Grenoble) at 2am! Gosh. Din feel like hitting the shower, no matter how hot it was. The weather was...TOO COLD.

I can totally empathize with the Europeans now...

Anyway, the next day it was a lazy Sunday morning. After having a hearty morning breakfast (or was it lunch?!), Xiaowen brought me up to the Basilique, on top of Rabot. It was a relatively short climb up, and the view up there was definitely worth it! I was told that there was another route to a further mountain, but the weather was not that good and it threatened to rain. Nonetheless, the scenery was breath-taking enough. I just cant get enough of mountains!

The 'express' way up to the top!

Rabot

The long straight road there leads to Lyon!

My guide, Xiaowen!

Grenoble

Another part of Grenoble

Nature!

Up at Grenoble!

Dealing with puddles of water

Grenoble

Luckily for both of us, we managed to make it down to Rabot before the rain hit...and we decided to get ourselves something to eat! I tried to cook carbonara with the spaghetti and ham (as a substitute for bacon), and it turned out relatively alright! I'd think we cooked too much...cos I had to cook 3 rounds of the 'carbonara' because of the small pan XW has. haha. Quite a sight! Need to improve my cooking skills too...haha.

Pastries from Segovia (Had 2 left in my bag...just nice!)

Carbonara, with a twist!

Another view of the carbonara (yea 2 of us ate that whole plate!)

Lynn was back in the evening, and I took the chance to go ~~disturb~~catch up with her whilst she was having her dinner. It was a long time since I last met up with her! And it was great to catch up! Gosh!

I had intended to go over to Marseille/Nice the next day, but I was told that the train to Nice is long and might not be worth the trip there. I thought about it and after some serious decision and discussion, decided to forgo the trip down to the South coast, and stay around Grenoble (read: free lodging). Of course, that's besides the point. I was recommended to go Annecy by Lynn, and I decided to make the short trip to Annecy, which seemed like a rip-off of Venice from pictures she showed me.

Unfortunately, the day in Annecy was destroyed by the unforgiving weather. It rained the moment I stepped off the train at Annecy, and stopped only at 2.30pm, when I had almost walked for 3 hours in the rain, and about to go back to Grenoble! Nonetheless, I was glad that the rain had stopped, and made a couple more rounds around the old town of Annecy. Also, Xiaowen was kind enough to loan me the use of her camera, as my battery charger for my camera had died in London! Therefore, the pictures are made possible with her help. Thanks!

It was quite an amazing little town with much to offer. It's a neat little place with high living expenses - most of the food places there are restaurants, and as you know, they would cost at least 9 Euros and up for a simple main course. However, there were many other shops which sold Baguettes (which is so common), as well as pastry and chocolate shops! Bought macalons from this chocolate shop I passed, and brought one back to let Xiaowen and Lynn try, because I felt that it was simple irresistible! (Something like what Ben's cookies would do to me in London, this happened in Annecy)

The day ended with me meeting up with Lynn (albeit a little late due to an unreported delay in the train service) and touring the Christmas Marché in Grenoble. It was beautiful! A pity the rain spoilt the fun, but we had a great meal (Cayon and Potato Soup) in one of the Marché tents! Wonderful meal!

Somehow, the feel of Xmas is rubbing off me...I can't wait to go Sweden in 2 week's time!