12-5-2015 BASEL, SWITZERLAND

Filling in the blanks:

Twice we did not go ashore when docked.  We didn’t go to Baden-Baden.  Almost 3 hours on a bus seemed a lot in the pouring rain and cold.  We took a time out.  We also did not go to Breisach on the last day.  The “disembarkation briefing” had us in a kerfuffle so we thought it better to stay put and pack our bags.  That afternoon, Rob went, instead, for a brisk walk in the dense fog and cold and ran into an old fort built in 1319.  We don’t have much information on this fort but Rob took a few photos.

In the end, a taxi transported us from the River Harmony to the Dorint Hotel An der Messe in the morning.  After settling in, we decided to explore a bit.  Dorint is located handily on the tram lines and we have already figured out how to hop-on-hop-off to see what’s shakin’ in Switzerland.  Mostly, whatever is shakin’ is expensive and they charge for everything.  The two mile taxi ride was $20.  At the hotel, buffet breakfast is served.  $26/ea.  We requested ice in our room for cocktails.  $5 for ice cubes. If desired, a bottle of chardonnay can be delivered to the room for $70 + $5 delivery charge.  Big Mac and a medium fries $13.  Martini in a bar $20.  While searching for lunch, a menu at one café had a cute little lunch for $58/ea.  No, we didn’t eat there.  After walking for more than an hour, a pleasant street worker in an orange suit sent us to where the locals eat, a little bierstube where homemade goulash is served steaming hot in big tureens with a fresh bread basket and cold beers for $30 altogether.  Perfect.  We thought we might go on a two-hour walking tour of the city which includes a cheese fondue lunch.  $280/ea. plus the cost of the fondue.  We obtained a booklet describing all 20 city tours.  The prices range from $150-600/person.  Apparently, there is very important shit to see here in Basel, Switzerland and the cheese fondue must beyond tasty!

Munster Cathedral

There is a curious mix of the ancient and the modern metropolitan.  The rathaus (town hall)

Rathaus in Basel

and the Münster Cathedral, both which overlook the city, were begun in the year 1,000 AD.  In the old town, half-timber buildings lean against one another for support and next door, one will find a modern fancy department store featuring models dressed in the latest blue jeans with holes all over them and stiletto high heels.  We rode the tram to the Christmas markets where we found pubs, cafes and hundreds of booths prettily decorated in lights, ornaments, garland, trees, wreaths boughs and mistletoe. 

Barfusserplatz Marketplace

In the background, the Music Grinder plays Christmas carols. 

Rob in the pub at the marketplace

We poked our heads into a little cubbyhole and found tables covered with red and white checked tablecloths where brats, beer, glüwein and hot chocolate were served. 

Lindy & The Music Grinder

At other booths, slabs of salmon were being smoked over open wood fires, long kebobs of pork, beef and veal were cooking on open flames and many different kinds of pastry were offered, baked right there before your eyes.  Cinnamon rolls, apfel strudel, quiche, pies, custards, cookies and cakes galore and of course, Swiss chocolates.

Suddenly, we heard loud thundering and what to our wondering eyes should appear?  A Harley parade through the marketplace!  Each driver was dressed like Santa and the Harleys were elaborately decorated.  This was an incredible sight!  The bikes thundered around town for hours and we laughed out loud!  American ingenuity!  Aaargh! 

Santa's sleigh a la USA

Santa on a Harley!  YAY!

Another Harley sleigh courtesy of the USA!

At last, completely worn out, we found our way back to the hotel.  Tomorrow, we will rent a car and we are off to Ulm where, they say, stands the biggest cathedral in the solar system (so far).