Luxembourg City, The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Sunday, 20th May 2018
Stepped out at 10:15. Walked to the central station, purchased Luxembourg cards (2 days') at the ticket office. Boarded a shining bus no. 14 just outside the station and rode till the Bock casements on Montee de Clausen road. We had spotted the Petrusse Express - a city sight seeing train painted in an attractive green, carrying tourists around. On an impulse, I decided to travel on it, this morning. Purchased tickets (Euro 14/- for two; a 30% reduction with the Luxembourg cards) at its starting point and boarded the waiting 'toy train' which left on its 45 minutes journey around the city, at 11:03.
The ride was simply awesome!! It took us all round the old town and also provided a commentary in English on the city's history and the important buildings we passed by.
So many beautiful constructions, each better than the other, meticulously maintained, surrounded by thick greenery! It was incredible!! We passed by a few spots visited yesterday. The ride took us into every nook and corner which we would otherwise not have visited. The views of the city; and its sights were spell-binding!
The train took us along the main viaduct too. At the end of the ride, we spent time clicking photographs and videos from two different observation points that allowed us views of opposite sides of this majestic capital.
Walked to the nearby bus stop and boarded a bus for Hamilius, where we needed to change buses for Kirchberg. Kirchberg was the last stop on that route and was located in the modern area of Luxembourg city. By mistake we alighted at the stop before Hamilius, where a smiling girl showed us the way to the right stop. The city scene was magnificent - clean, green, scarcely any people; magnificently maintained stately houses!
We caught bus no. 192 and rode till its last stop, Kirchberg Avalon. The Kirchberg area is what is called the European quarter of Luxembourg city. It comprises huge, wide, clean roads and modern constructions - a different face of the capital. Just behind the last bus stop was a huge building, a centre for treating handicaps and invalids. The buildings in that area were of similar size, shape and colour - so uniform and pleasing to the eye! Had to wait for approx. 22 minutes before we could board bus no. 192 again, for the journey back into the city centre. A 20 minute ride saw us alighting at the stop called Centre Martys, as we
had spotted a number of restaurants in the area, from the bus. The stop was just two stops before the central station; and just a five minute walk from our hotel. The roads were rain-washed and looked more beautiful than they had done earlier. While we were in the bus, there had been a light shower which served to augment the ambience of the already superb city. After an interesting lunch of lamb chops served with a bowlful of vegetables; and Glenfiddich 12 on the rocks at Lucky break restaurant, we strolled back to our hotel, with a halt at Express supermarket to purchase bread, etc. for the morrow.
Stepped out again at 16:00 for central station bus stop. It was drizzling on and off. Searched for nothing in particular at a store called KAT - this store had a variety of items for sale, each priced at Euro 10/-, except for neckties that were priced at Euro 11/- each. Found a handbag to our liking and the price was really tempting. However, with our experience at Prague on the 2014 trip, we took care to check the manufacturing label and our fears were confirmed - made in China!
Took bus no. 9 to Hamilius - the same spot we had boarded a bus from, for Kirchberg this morning - Urmila recognised it because of the kiosk that was advertising magnum ice-cream for Euro 1/-! Strolled in the direction of Villa Vauban, which we had come to see. The villa itself was nothing great - it is now a museum of art; we entered the building and left it almost immediately - but its surroundings were ! Wonderful lawns with a fountain in the compound. Adjacent to the compound was a public garden and opposite it, on the other side of the road, was another public park. Had the ground not been wet, we would surely have spent some time in one of them. Walked back to the stop, caught a bus and reached the station. Trudged back to Hotel Park Inn; clicked a snap of the hotel from its opposite sidewalk. Had soup and noodles for dinner - the noodles were excessively salty so had to throw away most of them. Sorry !
To Vianden tomorrow !