Another travel day but only about a 2 hour drive so there was more time to explore. We decided to take the “scenic route” from our cave house to Lucerne. You would think I would learn my lesson that the faster highway with tolls route is better after having driven up and down mountains on the scariest roads in New Zealand, Portland, and Seattle, but apparently not because I did it again. It was a solid hour of me driving 40km on straightaways and 20km around curves while the natives were waiting behind me and flying past me. Caitlin meanwhile was enjoying the scenery and taking pictures. We arrived in Lucerne around 1:00 PM and made our way to our hotel in downtown Lucerne.
Snail on the way out of our cave house.
We drove through a lot more small villages on the way to Lucerne since we were off the beaten path a ways (they are probably called towns but villages is more appropriate).
Great landscape the whole drive.
Now, from here on out I am going to talk a lot about costs and expenses in good ole Lucerne. The exchange rate is almost identical to the US, with Switzerland having a slight advantage (1 Swiss Franc = 1.01 USD). Some of you might be saying “oh crap, here comes ole cheapskate Ian,” but hear me out. We parked in the ramp across from our hotel which advertised parking, so despite being an hour early I thought we would park at the closet spot and ask where we should park. We checked in and were told that there were no more spots via the hotel so they recommended a “cheap ramp” a few blocks down the street until tomorrow. This was after we told we were paying a per person tourism tax. Fine, we can roll with that.
We now needed lunch so we took a stroll and happened upon some of the amazing landmarks and buildings that we are planning on checking out in a lot more detail the next couple of days.
After an hour of strolling, we saw a burger place right by the Cathedral Bridge so we stopped in. These weren’t your everyday McDonalds burgers, but still a burger. Ours were actually Mexican burgers, which meant they came with cheese, some Doritos, salsa and jalapenos. The burgers were 20 CHF (Switzerland Franc), fries were 4 CHF, and a beer was 8 CHF so that came out to about 65 CHF for the meal. I am fine, it’s a touristy area.
After a semi stressful morning of driving, trying to park, and expensive burgers, my wife suggested I take a nap to “defuse,” to which I agreed. After my cat nap, we decided to venture out despite the consistent rain. We were first trying to find a place to buy a bottle of wine but soon realized that all markets and stores closed at 4 PM on Saturdays. So instead we found a little Irish bar named Shamrocks around the corner that had rugby on and really friendly people. Guiness was 9 CHF and Magners Cider was the same. Whatever, not TOOO far off from Royal Mile prices.
Now it was time for dinner so we made our way across the famous wooden Cathedral Bridge where we learned that the Swiss also enjoy a good bachelor party, because we saw a Snow White and his Seven (more like 20) Dwarves rooting him on from the bar across the street.
Snow White
Dwarves
Our destination was Pacifico, named after the cheap Mexican beer. I’d seen it mentioned in a book or comments somewhere as a neat place to check out, and sold it to Caitlin as a casual Mexican dining establishment. You know, like some of our favorite places to eat back home.
We strolled into the place with our rain coats on and Caitlin didn’t disappoint with her poorly chosen footwear, Birkenstocks (see Day 1 in New Zealand when she rocked the moccasins). We soon realized that this Mexican cantina (which to my defense had two Euro signs by it in the guide book) was way too classy for the likes of us. We made a dive toward the WC (toilets) in the basement so that we can do a mini recon on our next moves. We were probably the only people in jeans and we looked like ragamuffins, so we were leaning towards leaving before getting the boot from the host, but Caitlin decided we should freshen up to the best of our abilities in the bathrooms, and that I’d block her bare toes with my body from the host (who was wearing a full fitted suit and tie). Surprisingly, even though a bit grudgingly, he let us sit at the bar.
We ordered two regular margaritas on the rocks, 16 CHF each. I proceeded to open the menu and give an audible laugh when staring back at me was a 36 CHF enchilada, one of the cheapest dinner items. Being a good sport, I decided to order the 10 CHF chips and salsa which is the same thing that Malo lets you eat for free until you feel physically ill. Just by principal I could not order a $36 enchilada, so I went with their 15 CHF quesadilla on their appetizer menu, even though the bartender gave me a look as if to say “a quesadilla it is, you peasant.“ Caitlin went with the enchilada, which probably saved us from getting kicked out. The enchilada was sufficiently large, and my quesadilla was a tortilla filled with melted shredded cheese, so a meal worthy of Mika when she has a good walk. When Caitlin tried to have the bartender take away her plate, I stopped him and proceeded to force myself to eat the rest of her meal, because principals. In the end we left full, and it may have set a new record for the most expensive meal I have ever contributed to.
Our regular sized margaritas but there were chandeliers which automatically ups the classiness level.
Proof that $18+ Guac does exist
Excited to get out and see the city more tomorrow…and eat at Startbucks and McDonalds :)