Saturday, 3 October 2009

LAKE CONSTANCE - Meersburg

A couple of weeks ago I went for a vacation in Germany and Switzerland with Yi Lin and Yin Ling (both were my senior). We took Ryanair from London Stansted departed at 1350hr and touched down at Friedrichshafen Airport around 1620hr local time. The journey took about 1 hour and 20 minutes. The airport was surprisingly small reminded me when I was in Lahad Datu, Sabah. Right before our flight landed, a clear and astonishing view of the lake could be seen from the tiny window in Ryanair airplane. Shape of the lake is exactly the same as shown in Google Earth. Arriving at Friedrichshafen we took a bus (Group ticket 7.90Euro) to Stetten - a small town where the hotel where we were staying located.

Upon arrival we searched for Gasthof Rebstock (Haupstrasse 15, 88719 Stetten) and checked in our luggage. It was surprisingly comfortable in there with reasonably priced, 25 Euro per person per night + Buffet Breakfast = VERY CHEAP (Big thanks to Yi Lin and Yin Ling for their research on hotels). Plus, it has a very romantic room setting - suitable for those who plan to have their honeymoon :) Shown in the picture is the room for me alone :D
My room

We took dinner at the Hotel before heading off to tour around Meersburg for a night walk. I took a breaded pork with salads and chips + Apple juice.. My favourite on that night was the fresh apple juice (100% apple). It was stunningly fresh and tasty - how could I tell it's fresh or not - just fresh..

Apple juice

Meersburg is a very small castle-like-town with romantic and soothing surrounding. It's an ideal place for a relaxing walk. We walked all the way down from the upper part of the town across the steep walkway to the lower part - waterfront. It was reposeful to walk along the steep walk way. Pubs were occupied by most of the visitors and locals who enjoy wine and beers very much - I only enjoy wine :P. It was great experience except for they could hardly understand and speak English. Night walks over and we got back to the hotel - shower and sleep..

We decided to wake up early in the next morning - around 6 and go for a jog then breakfast. Yin Ling managed to jog around Stetten but I just can't wake up that early - so I slept longer ignoring the jogging plan in the morning. We took a bus to the harbour and then boarded a ferry across the lake to Konstanz. The 2 ways ferry ticket from Meersburg to Konstanz cost us about 3.50euro per person. As we arrived at Konstanz - hurried to the Information Centre Office and get the brain updated with some interesting sightseeing places. We took Bus No. 1 and requested for a FAMILY ticket (6.70 euro). I became the Old Daddy with two little daughter. Konstanz, as compared to Meersburg is more attractive but it's a bit busy with cars and people flooding the streets. We went to the Market Street - a lot of coffee shop, Fish Market - don't really see any fish and the Imperia - a Lady statue in front of the council building. Lunch were at a Seafood restaurant next near the Market street - got myself 2 raw herring (nasty but great) and some fried potatoes and a smoked Mackerel (delicious).

Raw herring with potatoes and salad

After Konstanz, we took a ferry back to Meersburg and walked a round the castle town. Sunset was absolutely wonderful with the sun reflection on the lake. We had our dinner at one of the Restaurant near the waterfront. I had some fish + Salad + Potatoes accompanied by a glass of red wine.
Meersburg town

My dinner at Meersburg

That's a day of travelling around Lake Constance. Next up will be Luzern...

1 comment:

Alex said...

I still prefer Meersburg though compared to konstanz :)