Trip To Europe - My Dad's journal

On Thursday in the evening with Mr Anil and Archana we started for Airport. They left us at 10 o'clock on airport.
we got our luggage etc checked in and moved toward security check etc. Then waited for hours for the Austrian Flight.
Sharp at 1.55 A.M. The flight started which arrived at Vienna in The morning at 6.10 O'clock aCC. to Europe Time.

Our connecting flight was to start from Vienna to Munich at 6.00 hrs. The time taken for immigration check and security
check was in between. After we got all these cleared we went to terminal B26 from where our connectoing flight was to
start. Oh on enquiring from the officer sitting in security check Cab we could come to know that the flight has already
taken Off. Being quite new to the country and the Language problem we found ourselved in a state of what to do? We were also
worried about the fate of our luggage whether it has already gone in the flight or still at Vienna air port.

Under these circumstances we preffered it to inform Kamal for all this so that he may not be waiting at Munich airport for us.
Then we started another trial for further steps to be taken to reach Munich. Actually there were some other persons also
in the similar state thru which we could be consoled. We were told to take exit from the gate and to go to Service Centre of Austria.
We did not know the geography of airport so followed other. After travel a lot we could reach some C75 something and there we told
the whole story. After a good time in check from the system they told that next flight is already over crowded and we can go further
only in next to next flight that is at 1.00 noon of local time. She issued the free of charge
ticket but nodded no for our comfort and meals atc. Anyway we sighed a relief and again moved towards the point from where the flight
was to take Off.

Again we had to face Security Check. We tried to convince them that we had already gone through this check but they did not allow
and again we had to under go for severe check i.e. put off your all ornaments jewellery etc and we passed it and reached again
to B26. There were five long hours of wait. But it was god's grace that we had enough food in our hand bag. Both of us are
Diabetic and we have to take multitime foods. So First I asked my wife to take food. After we both finished it; there was still long
hours to pass. There was no alternative but to bear all this. Luckily I received a call from Archana who wanted to know about our
arrival in Munich at particular time. I narrated the whole episode to her. She made calls to Travel Agents and asked him how and why
it happened to her parents for nothing? She kept on doing telephone to know the status of every moment. All this gave us consolation
and courage of course in New Country. We tried to be normal but still some tension remained for luggage. That is from where we would
get it and from where we shall enquire in Munich as we had listened that munich is a very Biog airport. We had telephone from Seema
who said not to worry about luggage as it can be located through inf. On net also. This also consoled us a lot. Still there were hours to
pass. Every minutes after we were seeing to the clock hanging in the premises; besides we were also feeling sleepy as we could take
sleep in the plane. Chalo any way time passed and we could see sign of Flight to Munich 'Go to gate' This appeared at 12.20 and the check in
started a few minutes before 1.00 noon. We boarded the plane and had a sigh of relief and felt comfortable as the flight was Lufthansa.
Here we desire to mention that when we were boarding the plane we saw our luggage being loaded in the same plane. This gave us good relief.

Thank god we reached destination Munich. Here we proceed towards baggage claim and enquired regarding which conveyers would be having our
bags. She told 10 no. and we collected it from there and proceed to exit which is writtem as "ausgang,ausfahrt. Similarly in/ entry is called
called "einsgang & Einsfahrt" Kamal was there to receive us and we moved towards Home Sweet home. On the way we saw huge and beautiful buildings.
Very disciplined Traffic and clean roads. It was felt that the people are environmental conscience as there was no dust and other waste material
seen on any roads as we see in our country India. We reached Home Sweet Home and met Seema and children who offered us Welcome Cards. For I had left
India for the first time ; felt very good to see the love and respect from my children. This is all from Indian home to Home sweet Home in Munich.
Parents feel proud when they find their children on heights of achievements. We were feeling the same way.


2.APRIL 9. HOME SWEET HOME MUNICH: After reaching Seema's house we had a glace of her house from outside. The roofs are so slanting and beautiful
the reason was told that during Snowfall the ice comes down automatically. Seemas' house has six sleeping rooms all furnished with latest gadgets.
I personally liked the heating and Windows system in the house
which basically is hot water based pipes. It can be explained only through video and cannot be explained in writing. This is certainly a
better system in comparison to electric heaters etc. Very good bathrooms with neverseen gadgets in it, Three types opening of windows
the storage system in the basements, very beautiful flower plants of dif. colors in the yards and inside drawing room, wood work in the house
wood roofs automatic curtains on the windows,cleanliness in the house, temp control in the home, very good looking and well placed furniture all this things were clearly
proving that really we are in the deveolped country. Really I was impressed to see the heights of culture and rich living of the country. Here I
desire to narrate reg navigation system in the car. when Kamal met us in airport and we started for home ; he first adjusted the destination point
in his car ; the system which works thruogh satalite and guides you to reach your destination. This was new experience and a never seen before approach
of technology. The atmosphere is so clean, dust free here which can only be felt here itself. The clothes do not get dirty, no perspiration etc. hence you
can enjoy your own clothes for several days. As we were tired enough and a time lag between India and Germany of 3.30 hours we slept at seven of Germany.

3.10-11 APRIL Next day it was Saturday and supposed to be Off day so Kamal planned to take us to Switzerland for two nights and three days. Kamal hired one more car and got one hotel
booked in Luzern. We started from Munich to Luzern at 11.00 in the morning we reached there in two cars at 6.00 in the evening. I and Seema were in one car
Kamal Madam and children in other rented car. Here I would like to mention about the disciplined traffic. Inspite of being two lanes
the cars and other vehicles were running very smooth. There was no speed limit except at few curves/ tunnels etc. Seema drove the car at 150KMPH speed.
We covered the distance of 367 KM in just four hrs from Munich to Luzern. He had to pay fine because of language problem. After covering a distance of
app 170 KM we were stopped by the Austrian Police and they fined us 120 Euro each car for not paying Toll on the way. Actually the toll plaza was not found on the way rather
it was situated besides the highway which could not be judged. We checked in Hotel Falken The best part of it was that the hotel is it is situated in the centre of the city.
Every types of Shops , railway stations and spots to see, all were situated nearby. We had sightseeing, lakes and rivers, Railway stations, enjoyed different foods
and drinks of course along the river, had photo sessions, all around it was beauty and glamour everywhere. we were amaged to see the confidence among the Swiss people and the ladies.
All ladies and girls are of good heights and slim body with all confidence were roaming about with some one or the others. we found every resident and vistors in pleasant mood.
No tensions and signs of worry on any bodies face. We traced one restaurant Tandoori (Indian restaurant) had food and came back to hotel.The food was not
delicious to eat as the taste of eatables was diff. Kamal planned to leave for "Titlis Mountain" next day. We had a good sleep in the hotel.

Next morning we had breakfast in the room and planned to leave for TITLIS thru train after having information from the Railway Station. At 11.45 we left for
TITLIS and reached there after one hour. During way we had glimpses of Ice clad mountains , green land scapes, water falls etc.etc. At one place we experienced the
train was running on quite steep path. We had experienced this type of rail journey for first time. Overall we reached the destination. There we located the
start point of gandolas (ropeways) and got the ticket exchanged to ride in for upward journey to TITLIS peaks. The ticket we had purchased from Luzern @ 91 frank per person which includes
rail fare ,gandola charges and back to Luzern. We all rode in one Gandola, then the next rope way bus which took us to second heights, again we were
asked to ride in revolving type of closed round bus which took us to highest destination point. During the way we all enjoyed beautiful sceneries, land scapes etc.
on destination we found a very good open restaurant, bar, ice cream parlour, Bathroom facilities. We had snacks and enjoyed the snow all around. People of
Switzerland looks fond of skiing as most of families were seen doing it. Even children of 3, 4 years & old persons 75 years & above all enjoying it from steep
heights of snow mountains. It was really beautiful to see all this. Here we met several indian families also one from lucknow, Delhi, Andhra and
others part. To my surprise I would like to mention here that we found sign boards written in HINDI. This made us feel proud. After enjoying snow fall for two three hours we saw a sign board of Glacier Cave. We enjoyed this cave too. In this cave too there was a music system which covers national Anthem of only Six Countries and
what made us feel proud, ours was one of them. We switched it on and listened to our amusement and felt proud. this was already 4.00 evening. We started back as both
childs were under finger pain because we had forgotton there snow clothes at home and it was -17 deg C here. During downward journey we saw that heavy snow fall
has started, nothing was visible thru glasses of Gandolas. We had good photo sessions which are being put on face book.Our train started back from the station at 5.45
evening and reached Luzern after one hour. After it we searched for another Indian foods but could not suceed in. We took the help of internet on Steffni's laptop; the manager of the Hotel. She told reg KACHI Restaurant but it was very expensive. Still we went there having no alternative in hand. The food was good. We came back and slept in the Hotel for second night.

12 APRIL(MONDAY) After having breakfast , we had a round of markets where all brands of watch are available. We searched Buchere,Casagrande,Gublin etc.
Kamal purchased a watch of TISSOT Brand for 865 CHF. We had tea etc and some snacks and started for Munich. Seema had an idea of some Reinfall on the way.
So we all moved to see it on the way. The roads were thru mountains hence curved and steep somewhere, so Seema was finding it difficult to drive, still
she covered whole distance of its own. The way to Reinfall was via Zurich the capital of Switzerland. We saw the Zurich city on the way to reinfall. The distance was app 115 KM from Luzern. It was beautiful to see this fall. This was wonderful.To see the full view, we all had to go down at least 200 steps app 12 floors down. We had photo session, we had
boat ride to reach in the middle of fall. The Photoes have already been put on facebook. We drove back to Munich. On the way we had dinner and reached Home at 11.00 in the night. We all were tired and slept.

13-14 APRIL As it was working day, Kamal started for his office. On the way we returned the rented Car. Seema and me then went to "Real" bazar, Purchased
some household and came back to house. We all enjoyed the Company of children this day and on 14 as it was raining whole day we remained at home with children.
It ias really a good event of life to be with sachi and sonali both are so lovely and enchanting. Sachi when talks; fascinates every one, Soonali when speaks look so
charming. Sonali has an attractive personality thru her language and the way she speaks. It has been really wonderful to be with these two kids.

APRIL-15 We had bazar trip this day in Munich. On comparision we found everything very costly. Seema purchased a school bag for Sonali for 70 Euro.
Seema purchsed several household goods. The bazar we went to REAL and after noon in KAFFERIN thru Bus. On arrival of Kamal from office Seema planned
a trip to Autria Vienna for weekend. This is app 450 KM distance. Kamal hired a 9 seater Car @180+10 Euro to go to Austria. Booked Hotel in Vienna for two
Nights for 108 Euro per night. We had planned to leave on 16 April at 5.00 evening sharp. During the stay till now I would like to mention that Kamals' nature
is quite cool and amicable to all. In any circumstance he was not seen irritated as I am.

16-18 APRIL A TOUR TO VIENNA: As the nine seater was not available Kamal arranged one Seven Seater @ 245 Euro from 16 to Sunday Night. We started
at 4.30 sharp for Vienna and reached there at 9.30 in the hotel Cortina having a break of one hour in the way. The car was so eqipped with so many
gadgets like GPS System, Cruise System, Seats with arm rest and adjustable heights. GPS system "Global positioning System" Cruise System " You adjust the speed
and the car keeps on itself running on same speed in any types of road. This system is fitted on steering. To my surprise no horn was listened thrughout our
journey from any side inspite of two lane system. Hotel 'Cortina' one of very good hotel @ 108 Euro per night per room was eqipped with telephone, TV with remote
very good and airy room with heater and well eqipped bath rooms. Locker and frige furnished all types of alcohlic and other drinks. As we were late in the night
we having a glimpse of city during night went to sleep.

Morning having breakfast in the hotel we started for visiting the city thru Bus ' hop on hop off 'group of tours. This bus starts from Opera House Stop.
but it was very far off from our Hotel; we decided to leave for 'shornburn Palace'. This place we reached via Train which is for station distant. We had missed the 10.25 A.M. bus. We had two hours in between the next Bus. Kamal decided to have round of the Palace. We had a ride of Victoria all around the palace. The
beauty of the Palace can not be explained in writing. This can only be felt on visiting this place. It took us app two hurs to visit the beauty of this place.
We started towards the Bus which was due on 12.25 Noon. Actually the Bus of this group 'Hop on hop off' keeps on running thru tourists stop in the city after
a perticular period. the group has divided all tour spots in three catagory. You get off the Bus at ant spot , roam about and catch the second next bus on the same
whole ticket which cost 20 Euro per 24 hrs. Till Enenin 6.00 O'Clock we finished all catagorical spots. Then we started seeing the diff nearby already shown places on foot. We enjoyed a lot had photoes ,drinks, glimpses of beauty all aroun us. We realised that this city is really worth seeing and is famous throghout world.
We saw groups and groups of visitors. Rush of tourists at every place from diff parts of world. We moved on foot several KM. We had snacks/ coffee from the
world renowned 'Starbucks' chain outlet. It was really a good and healthy preparation. We tried to locate some Indian Restaurant for dinner but could not
succeed. Then we took some veg and non veg sandwitches and enjoyed the dinner after coming back to hotel. We returned to Hotel via train from Opera House station.
This is ten station far from Opera Station. The Hotel is app 1 KM away from Station. Durin night we could feel how safe it is here. None to disturb you. None to
stare at you. Every one in his own masti. We forgot the way to hotel on coming back then we had to travel on foot several kilometers. After all we cold reach hotel but fully exhausted. We slept a sound sleep.

SUNDAY 18 APRIL: After having breakfast we stated for PARATE WHICH IS IN THE CITY AND IS VERY GOOD PARK FOR CHILDREN AMUSEMENT.We till evening 3.00 O'Clock
enjoyed there in dioff. rides ,Swings and enjoyed drink and eatables. We started back for Munich and reached here at 8 evening. Here there is some Mehfil
Indian restaurant from where Kamal got Dinner which was very delicious to eat.