Walk: 10km; total: 453km
We planned to go further afield today using the metro and bus. Our initial attempts to get to the Sauvabelin Tower were thwarted by the road closures to contain the protestors; we couldn’t find our bus as all the routes have been temporarily changed. No problems, we got back into the metro and exited a few stops further up the hill. We still had a walk/hike up a hill to get there. The tower is built of solid wood from the local area and is 35.2m high, weighs 130 tonnes, with the viewing platform being at an altitude of 700m. It was opened in 2003, and gives you 360 degree views of the city and surrounding countryside. Oh, and it has 151 steps in its double spiral staircase. They built the double spiral first, then the outside columns, staircase rails and lastly the platform. We did question our sanity on the hike up the hill to the tour, but the view was worth it. The iPhone lens didn’t quite do it justice.
Moving back down the hill, we decided to catch the bus from the car park back to a spot on the metro where we could make our way to our next planned site, the Rolex Learning Centre in the University of Lausanne (UNIL) complex. We missed the bus by 10 seconds, so decided to walk back to the metro we exited at which involved another rather high set of stairs, hmmmpfff! We arrived with a few minutes to spare, so were able to catch our breath. We got off the metro at the nearest stop to our destination and enjoyed another walk. It was such a beautiful day why wouldn’t we. The university campus includes the Lausanne Federal Institute of Technology and Lausanne University, covering a huge area.
The Rolex Learning Centre is a science library, (with over 500,000 volumes) public study and dining areas in a landmark curving building made of concrete and glass. It was built off the ground so that people could use underneath to chill and take breaks. Even on a warm day it would be lovely and cool. It was really the only building we came to see at the Uni, but found lots of other interesting looking ones in the process. The Learning Centre was buzzing with lots of people studying/learning. The building is amazing and Wendy compared it to her days at UQ. She wondered how such a nice building and relaxed environment might make learning more pleasurable. We walked through the Uni complex, (there were no fences, “do not enter” signs or visible security measures at all) found a mini NASA, complete with rocket on a launch pad. This is what we equated it to, however, we have no idea of what it really was. The SwissTech Convention Center another futuristic looking building.
Back onto the metro to the nearest stop to our last planned destination for the day, the IOC HQ. Whilst the building is closed to the public, again, it is a nice looking building. Its shape is inspired by the movement of an athlete, and is one of the most sustainable buildings in the world, allegedly. Designed to reflect the IOC’s overarching mission to make the world a better place through sport, it brings together the entire staff of the IOC, over 500 employees, under one roof.
We decided to take a walk along the waterfront before catching the bus to the metro that would take us back to the hotel. Being a Saturday, there were a lot of people out and about, which was good to see. We found the bus stop, waited for 20 minutes and hopped on. We thought we were being taken to Ouchy, but again, the route had been changed due to the jolly (being nice) protestors. Why do the minority always have to bugger it up for everyone else?? Anyway, we had another lovely walk to finish from where the bus dropped us off early. When we got to Ouchy, Greg decided to take a ferry across the other side of the lake to Évian-les-Bains, in France. Wendy decided to call it a day so she took the metro back to the hotel and Greg went on a ferry. He left at 3:30pm and came home at 7pm! We’ve certainly made use of our tourist and city tax by using the metro and bus service here in Lausanne over the last two days.
The ferry ride was magic as there was no wind and the sun was shining brightly. The backdrop of the alps really made for a great cruise. Of course everyone knows about Evian, the “source of youth since 1789”. Not sure about that but it is nice water. However we’ve never believed in spending money on water unless you’re in a place where the tap water is dodgy. Evian is a great little place to spend a couple of hours but it is a tourist trap. Greg is glad he went across, even just to get a bit closer to the alps.
Dinner, blogging, post-dinner walk, and bed. Our last touring day tomorrow, with another day to clean the bikes and pack them in their boxes.
Sauvabelin Tower
The views from the tower platform
A dog chasing the water in the trough fountain
The construction of the Tower
A building completely covered in what appears to be solar panels,
near the University, so anything is possible
What we called the mini-NASA, had the name of Odyssea on the side of it
Rolex Learning Centre
What looks like a uterus??
Another sustainable-looking building at the university
The SwissTech Convention Centre
A bumblebee on lavender, not a real good shot, but it wouldn’t stay still for long enough
IOC HQ
Children’s playground on the waterfront
The ferry over to Évian-les-Bains
Evian
Driftwood Art
Evian
Town Hall Evian
Evian Church
Evian “beach”
Evian
Evian Water building
The source
One of eight steam ferries built in the 1800s and still operating today on Lake Geneva. Some have been converted to diesel/electric for sustainability reasons.
Wendy’s tan line
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