THE THING ABOUT GENEVA : MONTREUX CHRISTMAS MARKET

All over Switzerland, this is the time where Christmas market sprung up in towns and villages. 

I do think its kind of fulfilling a basic economic theory, where there is demand, there is supply. Just like in Malaysia, people tend to spend more during the period leading up to a festival. People need new stuffs to celebrate the coming celebration and are more than willing to part with their hard earned money.

SBB (the Swiss Rail company) offers good rail tickets discount (30%) for those who wants to visit these Christmas markets. If a person have a 1/2 fare card, it will be double, meaning 30% off the Christmas market discount plus the 1/2 fare, for a total discount of 80% from the the original ticket price. Children below 16 travels for free provided they have a Junior Card and travels with at least one parent.  Since my love one and I have the 1/2 fare card, its a huge savings for us. Besides, I could enjoy the scenery on the train and not stress out trying to find the always elusive and difficult to find parking space.

Perhaps KTM could learn a thing or too from SBB and offer something similar since its a good way of promoting, attracting and encouraging people to visit.

I think I dont have to write about Montreux since its already famous and need no introduction. I mean, the jazz festival, the place where they sort of adopted Freddie Mercury need no more write up from me, right?

I observed the Christmas Market in Montreux do offer a variety of stuff that are not sold in the next door supermarket. Locally made handicrafts were featured prominently on the display, in between cheap clothing with its Made in China labels.Lots of good food too. Apart from that, there are stalls that sells Christmas ornaments and biblical figurines. And as usual in this kind of place, there are always  something to attract the children.. A giant ferris wheel  rose above the stalls. Its crowded, hectic and very fun place for people watching. The Christmas Market location right on the shores of Lake Geneva guarantees a great sunset view of the lake and the Chablais Alps.

These are some of the pics I took.

THE THING ABOUT GENEVA : FESTIVAL ARBRES & LUMIERES

Geneva is having its annual Festival Arbres & Lumières (Trees and Lights Festival) starting from the end of  November until early January 2011. Its too tempting not to go and capture as much pics as possible of the event despite the below zero temperature.

The reflection on the lazy flowing river and lake are simply stunning and I hope I have done enough to convey the amazing sights with my camera. 

I have also submitted 2 entries for this event photo contest. Better to do something with the photo than to keep it in my hard disk. A win would be nice, but the most important thing is that I finally have the courage and the confidence to let my work be judged in a competition. (Thanks for the support and encouragement, FB friends!)

Still got a lot to learn.

Enjoy the pics.

THE THING ABOUT GENEVA : SNOW DAY - THE AFTERMATH

This is a series of pics I took right after the snow storm subsided in Geneva. The pics turns out quite nice. People walked past me heading for home when I took these pics and I was the only one standing with a tripod taking photos.

Anyway, please enjoy these.

Should have lowered the tripod to capture that footprint. Isk!

Spookyville.

This is my favourite!

THE THING ABOUT GENEVA : SNOW REPORT

Geneva was hit by a severe snow storm yesterday, paralyzing most of the public transportation. It snowed from Tuesday's night for about 24 hours non stop.

People walked to their work place since buses were stranded on the streets all over Geneva. Those who drives, found their cars and motorcycles under a deep blanket of fresh snows on Wednesday morning. Those who did not change their summer tires quickly found out that its a slippery world out there, with their cars skidding on the road.

By mid afternoon Wednesday, some people took out their skis and actually skied to the office. Seriously. Unfortunately I was not there to snap the pics and have to rely on what was seen by my love one and a colleague. (They swear its true!)

I was amazed to see a few guys cycling to to work in the deep snow. As far as I know, there are no snow tires made for bicycles. 

The snow blizzard finally stops around late Wednesday night after its success of disrupting the normal, everyday life of the people in Geneva.

The children however just simply loves it, and were spotted happily sledding and throwing snowballs.