Visiting Liechtenstein

Flying to Zurich

I made my way to my gate around midnight for the 0125 departure to Zurich.  The metal detectors at Changi are less sensitive than at KLIA where my cheap mostly plastic smartwatch set off the detector.

Boarding the 777-300, no mask/sanitiser pack was given out; likewise on the previous short flight.  Masks had been so standard in recent months that I guess everyone should have their own now; but some jurisdictions are starting to phase them out.  But Malaysia Airlines still hands them out complimentary.

Like the previous sector on the A350-900 there are only about 180 Economy Class seats.  Singapore Airlines is a premium airline; about half the aircraft is allocated to higher classes.

However, this aircraft sounded like a vacuum cleaner even before it started up.  And once inflight it was a lot noisier than the A350 which is a couple of decades younger.

Even though I only had 3h of dozing (rather than sleep) the flight went quickly.  I had nice chats with my neighbour who was extremely knowledgeable about the world and had a keen desire to travel, but hampered by a girlfriend who won’t.  I reckon he needs a girlfriend.

Both the meals were repeats of what I had six months ago to Christchurch, being favourites amongst Singaporeans.  The first, seafood horfun was barely warm while the second, the nasi lemak had the ikan bilis inside the meal rather than on the side as with Malaysia Airlines.

Flying over Ukraine at war?

As I settled into into my Singapore Airlines flight, I was amongst several people shocked to see other projected flight path right over Ukraine. Yeah, despite the Russian invasion.

It brought back memories of how I had flown through the area just hours before Malaysia Airlines MH17 was shot down.

Then Singapore Airlines, childhood sister of Malaysia Airlines, publicly told the world they don’t use the same routing.  But it came out pretty quickly that you did but had stopped promptly after the shooting.

Why Switzerland?

This gorgeous but tear-wateringly expensive country wasn’t on my travel radar.  But when Singapore Airlines had fares from Malaysia to Zurich for SGD650 return or Istanbul for SGD550 return, I had to act quickly.

Only these two European destinations were highly discounted and they were selling them out of Singapore at 2-3x the price.

A friend had shared his detailed itinerary of Switzerland with me and I thought I was able to adjust it to my available duration.  It meant that I could commit at short notice without exploring the detailed feasibility of the trip.

I booked an open-jaw between Zurich and Istanbul (returning later in the year) for SGD600.  While Switzerland hadn’t been on my travel radar, I knew that I could make it work and have a great time.  Anything is better than a cold and wet Auckland winter.

Landing in Zurich

Despite a slight delay leaving Singapore, we touched down in Zurich on time at 0820.  Having parked at the “E” gates, it was a long walk with a train ride to baggage claim.  The train was a funny set-up, with a segregated half dedicated to transit passengers who would presumably clear immigration at a transit hall for Schengen destinations.

Despite seemingly long queues at arrival immigration, it only took 13 mins.  Luggage was a little slow, so I took the time to brush my teeth and fresh up.  I was out an hour after touchdown and five minutes after, on the train to Zurich main station.

Visiting Liechtenstein

I had stored my bag at my guesthouse about 10 mins from the station.  A little less than 2h after landing, I was back at the station on the train to Sargans, the Swiss town that borders Liechtenstein.

After about an hour, I changed to a bus that would take me to Vaduz.  The bus entered Liechtenstein in the south near Balzers, which had a nice castle.

The half-hour ride through Liechtenstein gave me an idea of how mountainous the area is, with the towns set in the low valley.  There were a few casinos around.

In Vaduz around midday, I had my passport stamped at the tourist information centre for a fee of CHF3.  I wandered around the various notable buildings before hiking up to Schloss Vaduz, the castle that sits overlooking the city.  I knew it wasn’t possible to enter so it was more to get a view of the surroundings.

Back down at the valley level, I walked out of town a little to the Old Rhine Bridge which connects Liechtenstein to Switzerland.  The covered wooden bridge spans the River Rhine, of course.

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It was a long wait for the bus back to Sargans.  During that wait, there should have been 2 services already.  After about 30 mins, three buses turned up.  I guess, this isn’t Switzerland (famous for its punctuality).

It was after 1500 by the time I reached my guesthouse and got into my room.  I had done remarkably well, including a hike up to Schloss Vaduz, despite only having 3h of a light doze and having missed a night’s sleep.

After an hour indoors, I was ready to explore Zurich in my little remaining time in the city.  I took a tram down my side of the river bank and then the other side.  To my surprise the Swiss watch shops are small and low key.  And the banks are low rise.  Rather surprising as this is the home of Swiss watch brands and also a major financial hub.

For dinner, I had a chicken sandwich Syrian-style taken back to my room.  I was in bed by 2000 after a productive day.