The
journey from Stockholm to Bergen was not so exciting. It was a routine flight,
which took off at 8 in the morning. We arrived in Bergen at around 9:30 am. But
we were quite hungry as we had missed our breakfast due to an early morning flight.
Already informed by our tour manager about missing the breakfast, many of us
were carrying dry snacks as a contingency measure. Some of us opted for a quick
snack and black tea at the Stockholm airport itself.
Our welcome in Bergen was quite
interesting! As soon as we got out of the airport, a rocky mountain front with
large and embossed letters ‘BERGEN?’ caught our attention. BERGEN was
understood, but the following question mark puzzled us. It was learned that the
weather in Bergen is very random. One just cannot forecast whether it would be
sunny or rainy. Generally, the entire Europe is known for its unstable climate,
but Bergen seemed quite peculiar in terms of unpredictable weather conditions. As
our puzzle of the question mark got resolved, the sun had already started
playing hide and seek through the white clouds which were lazily strolling in
the blue sky. Surrounded by mountains, Bergen is called the city of seven
mountains. It is the second-largest city in Norway. Bergen is the busiest port
in Norway in terms of both freight and passengers. Gradually growing over a
period, today, Bergen is an international centre for aquaculture, shipping and
petroleum industry. We spent some time near the market in the centre of the
city. It was similar to the fish market we visited in Helsinki. I could hear
someone playing a Hawaiian guitar. My feet just could not resist and took me to
the spot. I made a request to play me a song of his choice. To my pleasant
surprise, he played ‘Lambada’ for me. It was lovely to sit at leisure and enjoy
a vintage classic. As a token of appreciation, I paid him humbly. He thanked me
and continued playing. He played a few more popular numbers. His general getup
made me believe that he was struggling to make two ends meet. I was lost in
thoughts, as I did not expect such a scenario in one of the wealthiest and
happiest countries in the world. Incidentally, I noticed a couple of beggars in
Stockholm also. The resilience of the guitar player to survive in affluent
surroundings was laudable.
We had lunch in an Indian restaurant. Post
lunch, we boarded our coach again to have a short orientation tour on our way
to the funicular ride. Our guide for the day told us that almost 80 percent of
Bergen was destroyed in a massive fire in 1702, and what we saw that day was a
rebuilt Bergen. The buildings built after the fire used bricks and paint
instead of traditional tar or wood. The hard work put in and the patience of
the country was palpable as we moved through the city. Although we saw some high-rise
buildings, the old set-up was generally preserved. Although provided with all the
modern amenities, sincere efforts were made to maintain the vintage look, which
eventually made the set-up look classy. All of us were excited as we reached
the entry gate of the funicular ride. It was a short ride taking us to Floyen, the
top of Bergen, which was like a plateau. Though many people explored the food
outlets and shops, most of the visitors preferred to sit and relax on a platform
that was actually a set-up of long stairs. The panoramic view of Bergen was
soothing. Even from a great height and distance, Bergen looked calm and serene,
nestled in the lap of nature. The fjords narrated the tranquillity, which was
an identity of not only Bergen, but the entire Scandinavian region. I could have
sat there for any length of time, hungrily taking in the beauty and the peace.
But time was a harsh constraint that forced us to move on to our next
destination.
Overwhelmed by the prettiness of Bergen,
we proceeded to Wharf, which is a unique feature of Scandinavia. Wharf in Bryggen
is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was a centre of Hanseatic commercial activities
during mediaeval times. Today it houses museums, shops, restaurants etc. Again,
Bryggen we see today is a rebuilt version of the older form that was destroyed
in fire. Typically coloured in pastel, Wharves looked charming, fascinating and
unmistakably took us into history. We spent some time near the waterfront also.
The almost still waters were comforting. Generally, every European country has
made great efforts to preserve the vintage settings and traditions in spite of
widespread devastation during world wars or by nature’s fury. Europe has certainly made
amazing progress, but has successfully preserved the historical settings as well. The efforts are not only praiseworthy and inspiring, but worth replicating too.
As the itinerary of the day came to an
end, I was lost in thoughts once again. The day was relaxed. The calming vibes
of Bergen perfectly complimented the relaxed pace of our itinerary of the day. Bergen
had fascinated me just like Helsinki and Stockholm. I sincerely wish India could follow at least a few steps taken by Europe in an honest attempt to make itself
a calm, restful and peaceful place. The struggle of the guitar player to
survive amid highly prosperous surroundings narrated the bitter truth of hard
life once again. As I said earlier, I noticed beggars in Stockholm also. Although the situation
was not as harsh as we see in India, it still pinched me to a substantial
extent. The coexistence of contrasting facets of society is indeed disturbing,
but seems a universal and inevitable phenomenon.
The
weather remained kind to us the entire night. The sea was calm, and the ride
was smooth, except for occasional mild vibrations which were supposedly
expected on any cruise. We had an early breakfast and reached the top deck.
Though not clear, the morning sky looked quite bright. It was not windy as it
was the previous night and the light breeze was soothing, giving us an
opportunity to enjoy a stroll on the top deck. We were steadily sailing,
getting close to the shores of Stockholm. Nestled in small rocky hills, the
beautiful houses at the shoreline were enjoying private and comfy moments.
Occasional water scooters stirred the quiet ripples of the blue waters, painting
them white for a while. The seagulls were catching the attention of one and all
with their peculiar screech, grunt and squawk sounds. As our cruise anchored at
the Stockholm shores, the sky was almost clear.
After disembarking from the cruise, we boarded
our coach for a city tour of Stockholm, which seemed a busy place, with a
sizeable crowd. Besides the political and economic centre, it is the largest
urban area in the Nordic countries. Being a cultural centre of Sweden,
Stockholm is known for housing many ceremonial halls, and we were going to
visit one of them, the Stockholm city hall. The construction is of red bricks,
which were traditionally used in monasteries and churches. Influenced by
Venetian Gothic architecture, the hall has many wooden masts and statues,
golden artwork and decorated balconies. The Blue Hall is special. It is the
dining hall where banquets are held after the annual Nobel Prize award
ceremony. After the banquet, a ball is held in the Golden Hall, which lies
above the Blue Hall. The Golden Hall is made of nearly 18 million mosaic tiles,
which make use of motifs from Swedish history. The northern wall shows a large
seated queen of Lake Malar. I was wondering how overwhelming it might be for
any Nobel Laureate to attend such an event.
As we passed by the War Collegium and
Swedish Radio office, we could feel the buzz of the city. The city has an
extensive public transport system. The tram line, light rail and the bus
services are very efficient and widely used by all. The traditional buildings
took us into past as our tour guide for the day told us the history of
Sweden in short. “We will walk down from here up to the museum”, our guide told
us as we got down from our coach. We walked down a short distance and reached a
building which resembled a ship’s hull. The wooden panels with masts were
perfectly designed to make one curious about the interiors. The Vasa Museum is
a maritime museum in Stockholm. The museum displays a salvaged 64-gun 17th century
ship called ‘Vasa’ that sank on her maiden voyage in 1628 after sailing less
than two kilometres. The salvaged ship was treated with polyethylene glycol.
Certain missing parts were replaced. The original parts have been darkened due
to prolonged contact with water. The replacement parts are not treated or
painted and can be distinctly made out of the original parts. The roof of the
museum is made of copper. We saw the ship from six levels, from the keel to the
very top of the captain’s cabin. Along with the ship in the centre, the main
hall has various exhibits related to the archaeological findings of the ships
of the 17th century. The Vasa is probably the only 17th century ship that has
been salvaged and preserved almost fully intact. Although the ship sank after
sailing for less than two kilometres, the skill of the artisans and the
mathematical knowledge of the designers are amazing considering the non-digital
era. It was fascinating to learn how sailors scaled the boundless seas in
unpredictable weather conditions in the olden days with very limited navigation
techniques. The hard work and continual search for excellence in the field of
shipmaking and sailing was evident in the exhibits in the main hall.
Our
tour guide of the day made us curious about the royal family while narrating the
history of Sweden. Sweden is a constitutional monarchy where monarch exercises
their authority in accordance with a constitution and is not alone in making
decisions. Fascinating stories related to kings and kingdoms have always left
me enquiring. The Royal Palace of Stockholm was not going to be an exception.
It is erected in the same place as the mediaeval Tre Kronor Castle, which was
destroyed in a fire in 1697. It took more than 50 years before the king and the
queen moved into the palace, as the war-affected kingdom did not have enough
funds to build the palace. The Royal Palace is the official residence and major
royal palace of the Swedish monarch. The palace is made of brick and sandstone
and the roofs are covered with copper. It has more than 1000 rooms, four
facades named after the four cardinal directions and two courtyards. The
exteriors are adorned with beautiful sculptures, medallions and reliefs. The
Pink Drawing Room and the White Sea ballroom looked majestic. The Hall of State
and the Bernadotte galleries were grand. The events unfolded in my mind like a
movie as the tour guide narrated how the kingdom evolved to reach the present
stage. Interestingly, similar to Finland, the Swedish king was also on summer
holidays. Countries like Sweden are examples of how the old monarchy and new
democratic setup can work together and still adjust to the modern times and
progress exceptionally well without compromising on quality.
We had lunch in an Indian restaurant and went to the Globe Arena to have a panoramic view of Stockholm city. Unfortunately, some of the members of our group got stuck at the top due to a technical glitch. They were rescued with great difficulty. The Globe ride was closed to all visitors after the incident. We also had a brief visit to the ‘Ice bar’, a place entirely made from ice. Even the glasses in which the drinks were served were made of ice. It was fun.
(Stockholm)
Our mobile phones were displaying the time as 9 pm when we reached our hotel, but the summer sky in Helsinki was still as bright as it would be in India at 4 o’clock in the evening, assuring every one of us that we had knocked at the right door. Being close to the North Pole, Scandinavian countries enjoy nearly six months of daylight. The sky never becomes dark. Even at midnight, the horizon remains soaked in twilight. We had to draw the curtains neatly as we wanted darkness to have a sound sleep after a long and tiring journey.
As I pulled aside the curtains and peeped out, the morning greeted me with a bright sunshine that was again quite unusual for me at 5-30 am. The sky was clear, occasionally teased by a few silver clouds. The surroundings were wet as it had rained the previous night. I got ready a little early. The breakfast was sumptuous. Quiet surroundings took charge of me as I stepped out of the main entrance of the hotel. It was a delight to see House Sparrows chirping around, which are nowadays hard to find in India. A couple of joggers, some cyclists, and a few cars stirred the silence. The calmness was soothing for someone like me who was used to the noisy surroundings of the Indian cities. I could perceive the calmness more as our coach began to move through the city. Apart from the luxurious taxis, the trams caught my attention with their elegance and beauty. Painted in yellow-green or bright red, the trams are the main means of transport in the city centre. In some parts of the city, the tracks are separated from the road traffic; elsewhere they share road space with cars and buses. A single light rail line was also made operational a few years back, but it is separate from the city centre tram network. As we passed by the parliament building and the offices, our tour guide said that many of the members of the parliament were out of their offices as they were on summer holidays. The parliament building was sober, decent, and without any security cover or barricades. It was interesting to learn that even the Prime Minister was on summer holidays. Our tour guide informed us that it was mandatory for all to avail almost six weeks of holidays every year, which was, in my view, one of the factors that made Scandinavia one of the happiest places in the world. Helsinki is the capital and most populous city in Finland and has one of the highest standards of urban living in the world. We got down from our coach at a distance from our first place of visit. Like I noticed on my Italy-Swiss tour last year, Scandinavia also seemed concerned about emissions around important archaeological sites. Vehicles are usually restricted at such sites. As we walked down, again, the calmness could be perceived. ‘Rock Church’, our first place of visit, was located in a quiet place. Built directly out of solid rock, it’s a Lutheran Church which was opened in 1969 and is located in the heart of the city. The original character of the square is maintained, which is its fundamental concept. The inside of the church is bathed in natural light which enters through the skylight surrounding the central copper dome. The dome is uniquely designed, made of nearly 22 kilometres of copper strip. The copper dome along with rough and virtually unworked rock surfaces create excellent acoustics, making the church a favourite venue for various concerts. Interestingly, the church has a ‘Church organ’, but no bells. A recording of bells composed by a Finnish composer is played via loudspeakers on the outer wall. The church was a modest structure without any carvings or artistic creations. There was a corner where people could light wax lamps and keep them on a platform. Even though not being followers of Lutheranism, some of us put the lighted lamps and offered their reverence. Worship is a universal expression, free from the captivity of caste, creed, colour or religion.
As we moved on, the beautiful trams caught our attention with their sheer charm. The coach was parked in the parking area. We had to walk a short distance to reach the Sibelius monument, located in Sibelius Park. The Sibelius Monument by Eila Hiltunen is dedicated to the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. The design of the monument looks like organ pipes arranged in a wave-like pattern. Apart from the qualities and errors of the abstract art, it also sparked debate as the composer had created little music for organs. Hiltunen addressed her critics by adding the face of Sibelius which sits beside the main sculpture. Hiltunen's aim was to capture the essence of the music of Sibelius. There are a number of examples around the world, where, more than art, controversies have made monuments popular.
We had lunch in an Indian restaurant, from where we were supposed to reach the cruise terminal. All of us were excited about an overnight cruise journey, which was maiden for many of us. Each setting was like that of any airport, except that we were going to board a cruise. Every one of us was curious to enjoy the sprawling decks, scenic surroundings and luxurious interiors. After due formalities of check-in and boarding, we moved to the top deck. All present cheered as the cruise blew horns, announcing the departure. Soon we were in the middle of the current. The blue water enchanted us with its shimmer. As the cruise sailed gracious and smooth, the water mesmerised us with its calmness. The only sounds which stirred the calmness were those of water scooters and seagulls. It was quite windy, and we had to wear jackets. We wanted to spend more time on the deck, but had to take refuge in the interiors, as we could no longer bear the cold winds. It was cosy inside, bustling with people. We bought ourselves coffee and some snacks, and began exploring various outlets. The shop line was extensive. Small cafeterias were elegant. We enjoyed a beautiful performance by a music band. All the performers sang beautifully and did not fail to impress us. The restaurant in which our dinner was arranged was roomy and filled with the unique aroma which began to tickle our taste buds at the entrance itself. Although the buffets were stacked with a variety of continental cuisines, it was a bit tough to decide what to pick for the platter, as several dishes were new to many of us. But, finally, every one of us could manage to fill our bellies sumptuously. After dinner, at around 10 at night, we reached the top deck once again to view the night sky. The sky was still glowing, but it was not as bright as the previous night in Helsinki because of clouds and rain. We wanted to watch the sunset, but we realised that it was not possible, as the sky was not going to be clear at least that night. We bid goodbye to the calm waters which had begun to hide behind the mist formed by the drizzle.
It was indeed a tiring day, yet winning. The rocks of the Lutheran Church softened our stance, took us into history and once again taught us the lesson of oneness. The legacy of the music left behind by Jean Sibelius once again emerged as the winner in the conflict of art and ego. To conclude the chapter, the calm waters took us to an almost mystical state. Be it a spread-out sea, or an unbound desert, I often wonder about the secrets these entities probably nurture, which are unmistakably spellbinding.
We were still lost in the lingering memories of Disneyland, which had rejuvenated one and all. The memories will stay with everyone for a very long time. It was not only a tour of childhood, but a beautiful experience, reviving our minds which had gone a bit dull in the hustle and bustle of professional and personal commitments. Our revitalised looks were apparent as we boarded our coach for a city tour of Paris. The traffic was moving slowly. The number of visitors seemed more,like the previous day. The traffic was diverted in many places as Paris was preparing itself for Olympics. Some locations were barricaded, and we had to be satisfied by only glimpses. The stairs leading to the front gallery of the National Assembly were decked with colourful dummies of athletes. Makeshift stadiums were being erected in suitable open areas. The entire city was getting a festive look for the grand sporting event. The Arc de Triomphe posed elegantly. It looked as splendid during the day, as it looked in the sober shimmer during the night. The streets which we saw at night looked equally beautiful in the bright sun. We could see the iconic tower from a distance as the coach moved towards Champ de Mars park. We got down from the coach in the parking and walked towards the Pont Alexandre bridge. A lady on the bridge was taking pictures of various tourists and printing them on a dummy front page of a retro newspaper. She did not charge any price for that and told us we could pay any amount we wished to. Many of us got our pictures in black & white and paid happily. It was fun and a lovely souvenir. We walked down the bridge and crossed the Place de la Concorde square. The amazing giant won our hearts right at the introductory glimpse. The Eiffel Tower stood grand and greeted us graciously. The Eiffel Tower is a wrought-iron structure in the Champ de Mars park area. It is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower in 1889. It is a freestanding vertical framework tower. It’s a construction technique which is widely used in making electric transmission towers, radio towers or observation towers. The technique helps in building a stronger structure, at a much lower weight, with more wind resistance than that of a tower of solid construction. It is nicknamed ‘La dame de Fer’ (French: Iron Lady). It was constructed as the centrepiece of the 1889 World’s Fair, and to crown the centennial anniversary of the French Revolution. The tower is 330 meters tall, as high as an 81-storey building, and is the tallest structure in Paris. The tower has three levels for visitors, with restaurants and amenities on the first and second levels. The top level is the highest observation deck accessible to the community in the European Union. Although there is a staircase, most visitors use a lift to reach various levels. The top level has a radio broadcasting aerial and an apartment built for Gustave Eiffel’s private use.
There was a deluge of visitors. The queue
was very long and tested our patience. It started raining, and we faced strong
and chilly winds, making us feel the wait even longer. But the long wait gave
me a chance to study the tower. The design was majestic, and the resources
seemed to be of very high standards. Be it a hand-railing of a staircase or a
large bolt of a beam of the tower, each component was of a very high caliber. In
this tour so far, I observed that there was no compromise anywhere in terms of
quality, standards or safety. All the structures and the edifices appeared
technically sound, irrespective of the era in which they were built. The zeal, the
passion and the hard work were noticeable and commendable. The tower was an
engineering marvel, born out of a genius’s mind. A gush of cool wind welcomed
us as we stepped out of the lift and reached the gallery on the first level. The
queue for the lift to reach the second level was long again. I decided to stay
at the first level and enjoy the sights of gorgeous Paris. The neatness was obvious,
and the green cover appeared ample. The makeshift stadium which we saw from the
coach looked graceful. The Trocadero platform looked calm, from where we had
viewed the glittering Eiffel two nights ago. The panoramic view of Paris was
simply majestic and spoke volumes about the prosperity of the place. The level
had all the amenities, with uninterrupted wi-fi and the cleanliness was extraordinary.
The Eiffel Tower faced controversy during the initial period. It was criticised
by some of France’s leading artists and intellectuals for its design, who did
not believe it was feasible and objected on artistic grounds. However, it soon became
a global cultural icon of France and one of the most recognisable
structures in the world. The Eiffel Tower is the most visited monument with an entrance fee in the world and receives visitors in huge numbers every year.
Post lunch, we boarded a cruise on the
river Seine for an orientation tour of Paris. The cruise glided under the bridges of Paris and gave a breathtaking view of a succession of beautiful monuments along the waterway as we listened to commentary about Paris. The lady commentator spoke in English, Spanish and French, providing live commentary
about Paris and its history, monuments, and architecture.
The cruise ride marked the end of our tour. We were going to board a flight to our home country the next morning. As we bid adieu to Europe, all of us had mixed feelings. On one hand, we were immersed in the exquisiteness of Europe, but on the other, we felt sad about departing with the group members, who had become almost a family. Europe has gifted us lovely memories which will stay with us for life. While I enjoyed viewing magnificent places, I also felt a striking absence of many virtues in my home country, which were predominant in Europe almost like a culture. Every city we visited showed the highest regard for human life and a deep concern for children. The neatness was palpable everywhere, and the traffic was exceptionally disciplined. The cleanliness was praiseworthy. The infrastructure was of an outstanding technical grade and was user-friendly too. There were no banners, placards, posters or any kind of audiovisual display exhibiting religious, political or social matters. Billboards were almost non-existent. We did not see pushing and shoving anywhere. Even the most packed places showed quietness and tranquillity. Many prominent edifices were beautified, but did not pose gaudy. There was no lack of glitter, yet it never appeared ostentatious. I believe the progress, the prosperity and the serenity Europe or similar places demonstrate can only be attained by following a path of honesty, hard work and commitment. I wish to see more of Europe in the future.
Adios Europe, until we meet again!
(Roissy-en-France-
02 May, 2024)
The
excitement was easily read on our faces. In spite of staying up quite late the previous
night, we forgot about the exhaustion. Even before reaching the actual place,
the magic of Disneyland had already taken charge of our minds. So much so, that
we forgot to enjoy the surroundings, and got busy making plans of the rides we
would go for and the shows we would try not to miss. Located about 30 kilometers
from Paris city, Disneyland Paris is an entertainment resort. It has a golf course,
two parks, two convention centres, hotels, restaurants, shops, departmental stores
and dining centres spread over more than 5000 acres of land. The resort is
operated by a division of The Walt Disney Company. Disneyland Paris is Europe’s
most-visited tourist destination and the largest single-site employer in France
with nearly 17,000 employees. Disneyland Park opened with the resort in
1992 and is based on a scale larger than the original Disneyland in California and the Magic Kingdom in Florida.
Right from the entry gate, every
setting was such as to attract the attention of the children unmistakably. Each
signpost, each hoarding was colourful and striking, bearing charming pictures
of popular Disney characters. As soon as we entered the resort, a beautiful
garden welcomed us, which was full of a variety of lovely flowers. The tulips were
familiar, but other flowers were new to us. The fountains were refreshing. As
the tiny tots began to gather, the music of their chit-chat filled the atmosphere
with glee. It was a great delight to see so many children in colourful attires
and fancy headgear, who were all engrossed in the existing moment. Our first
ride was ‘It’s a Small World’. We were specifically urged not to miss the ride.
It is an old mill boat ride and is a part of the ‘Fantasyland’ area in the park.
The ride features over 300 dolls, which operate through a robotic animation
technique. The dolls in traditional costumes from cultures around the world perform in a spirit of international unity. I was completely immersed in the delightful show. The mesmerising ride made
no mistake in taking me back to my childhood days. At one point in time, I also
thought of making a loud cheer as the surrounding children did. The tiny tots
watching the fascinating show were so fortunate to enjoy things at the right
age. The entire show seemed like the outcome of a brilliant mind, an in-depth
study of children’s psychology, and revealed an amazing sense of art. A complex
theme of international solidarity was explained to tender minds in a beautiful and entertaining manner. The title track which played in the background was ‘It's
a Small World’, a popular song by the Sherman Brothers, and had a theme of global
peace. ‘It's a Small World’ is perhaps the most publicly performed song of all
time.
Being a holiday, the park had a lot of
visitors. School children could be seen in their sports uniforms who had come
to the park on a vacation. We had to wait for an exceptionally long time to get
entry to any ride. We missed ‘The Lion King’ show as we were still in the queue
when the show began. We switched rides, but could not avoid long queues. We
finally managed to watch the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ ride. It was again a
kind of mill boat ride. All the sets in the series were beautifully created.
The characters looked so factual. I wished I could shake hands with them. The
scenes were exactly recreated along with the background score. It was almost
like watching a 4-D movie. The scary scenes seemed impressively real, so much
so that children could be heard screaming. On a couple of occasions, the speed
of the boat increased unexpectedly and gave the feel of an adventure ride. It
was sheer joy to watch Johnny Depp, mischievously waving at us, enjoying his
wine, sitting atop the looted treasure which was seen spread all around him. Believe it or not, but, Johnny Depp looked so actual. Kudos to the artists and the
technique!
Due to the long queues, we decided to
watch the road shows, a kind of parade which operates continuously on the
streets inside the park. The shows take guests on a journey through time to
discover the stories of Disney Animation and Pixar - from timeless classics to
the most recent hits. We saw two such delightful shows featuring Mickey, Minnie,
Goofy, Donald, Timon, Joy, Mirabel, Miguel and a host of Disney and Pixar
characters. Over 50 characters, wearing lovely costumes, singing, dancing and bursting
with popular songs and stories, perform on the streets and entertain the
audience. The characters mingled with the children around and played with them. The children were undoubtedly happy as anticipated. However, the happiness and the
contentment of the parents were also conspicuous. Children were eager to have a
glimpse of the popular characters who were waiting at various locations. They were
actually artists, dressed like the characters. There were long queues of girls
to click a photograph posing with the popular fairy-tale characters. The cute
little girls waiting for their turn were also dressed in fairy-tale costumes or
beautiful frocks and robes. The boys were busy clicking photographs, posing with
Aladdin characters. Many of us tried adventure rides and were thrilled. Indiana
Jones was one such ride, scaring the hell out of everyone. The screams said it
all.
The clock was ticking slowly to the moment
everyone was waiting for - Disney Stars on Parade. We reached Main Street a bit
early to secure a suitable place to sit and view the parade. But people had
already begun to gather at the location. Soon both sides of the road were
packed with the audience. Children were given the front rows to have an
unobstructed view. Unaware of the parade, some tiny tots were playing on the
street. The volunteers were busy insisting the parents take care of the
children and clearing the way. We could feebly hear the music and the beats.
The parade had begun. The cheering got louder as the music got clearer. The
magic filled the air as the parade reached our location and the floats made
their enchanting appearance. Various Disney characters wearing dazzling
costumes were seen on their colourful floats against a backdrop of enthralling
music. It was all about the thrill, fun, joy and amusement. The excitement in
the atmosphere was palpable. The delight on everyone’s faces clearly exhibited
the bliss and the exhilaration. The show reminded me of my school days when I
watched the Mickey and Donald shows on the television on Sundays. I have not
seen all the Disney movies. I was not familiar with many characters either.
However, the show enthralled me with its charm and enthused the child hidden
within me. The ecstasy on the faces of children was unique and could not be
described. One has to actually be there to experience the magic.
I had only read and heard about the thrill
of Disneyland till I visited there. After reading about it, I figured out
Disneyland to be merely a children’s amusement park. However, I was overwhelmed
when I visited the place myself. There were no such parks or rides during my
childhood. I have visited some such amusement parks in India and watched many
animations made for children too, but none could engage me so much. Every
little setting was planned from the children’s point of view. The design of the
park was entirely dedicated to entertaining children. Even the pizza we had for
lunch was Mickey-shaped. It was a pleasure to see a massive setup exclusively created for
children. The efforts made solely for the children were praiseworthy. It
clearly showed the commitment towards bringing up the new generation in a
healthy way.
Every one of us was thrilled and
contented. Almost all of us relived our childhood for a day. The highlights of
the day began to gather in my mind. A moment once gone never returns. The arms of the timepiece cannot turn rearward. Nonetheless, I can urge the clock to keep
reminding me of the reminiscences of my childhood. I sincerely wish the fond memories
to stay with me and keep the child within me dynamic.
Sing a cradle song, tranquil,
(Roissy-en-France- 01 May, 2024)
As I said earlier, we bid goodbye to Switzerland with a heavy heart. Yet another pretty train passed by the hotel and brought a smile on my face. Had there been a Trevi fountain in Switzerland, I would have certainly thrown a coin and made a sincere wish to visit Switzerland one more time. The place had mesmerised almost every one of us by a beauty which was beyond anyone’s capacity to express in any way. I stayed in the mountains for a long time when I was serving in the Indian Army. Apart from the places of postings, I have also visited some of the beautiful mountain ranges in India. But none can match the gorgeousness of the Swiss Alps. From the freshness of the grass to the brilliance of the pristine waters, every aspect seemed exquisite. The geography is quite different and has blessed the place abundantly. As we moved away from Switzerland, our surroundings changed dramatically. Although the settings were nice, they appeared average to our minds, which were immersed in the aura of Switzerland. The traffic was greater than what we saw in Italy or Switzerland and gave us a slight hint of the buzz of Paris, perhaps the most happening place in Europe. The number of beautiful cottages went down and both sides of the road showed sprawling fields, some of them green while some were ploughed. We saw large warehouses, storage spaces, and small and large industrial setups on both sides. Some of the setups were spread over a few miles. We saw manufacturing facilities of some of the popular brands also. France is home to a huge manufacturing industry and is a leading country in the research & development sector. We crossed Basel, a place known for industry. We were carrying packed lunch boxes. We had a lunch break in a park, within the premises of one of the Autogrill outlets in a place named Troy. We have stopped at a couple of Autogrill outlets during our tour so far. Each one of them was spread over a large area and provided with all the essential amenities like a park, lavatories, shops, eating outlets, snacks & beverage vending machines, and ample parking space. I noticed that people were fond of enjoying coffee in the traditionally shaped small cups made of bone china, which were invariably white. On this tour so far, I realised that Europeans worked hard with sincerity, but even then, no one was in a hurry. They were prompt, yet they looked calm. Be it a long queue at St. Peter’s in the Vatican or a large crowd at Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence, orderliness seemed to be a way of life and was palpable at every step. Cleanliness at every such place was outstanding. Discipline was almost a culture.
As per the itinerary, we were supposed to
reach the hotel in the evening and proceed on the onward journey the next
morning. However, our tour manager suggested a night tour of Paris city. Some
of us, including me, were not ready initially, as all of us were feeling tired.
Moreover, we were supposed to proceed to Disneyland quite early the next
morning. After some deliberation over the matter, we all decided to go for it. We reached the hotel after dinner, freshened up hurriedly, and gathered in the lounge to board a coach. As the coach reached the highway, the twinkling
outskirts of Paris welcomed us. As we got nearer to the city, the humble twinkling
soon became a shimmer, giving us a glimpse of the extravaganza of Paris. The capital
and the largest city of France, Paris, is the fourth-largest city in the European
Union. It is one of the world’s major centres of commerce, fashion, culture, international
relations, arts, science, and yes - gastronomy. We entered the city and the
dazzling Paris began to show off. It is said that Paris was the first place in
the world which introduced street lighting, and eventually was called the City of Lights.
Although the shops were very modern, the vintage setup of the road was
preserved. We were exploring Champs-Elysees street, the world’s most beautiful
avenue, which is known for its world-famous theaters, cafes, and luxury shops. The road made of blocks is still preserved, offering a feel of the olden
days. Similarly, the designs of the footpaths, walkways and streetlights were
preserved too. The only difference was that of the material of the lamps. In the
olden days, oil lamps were lit in the evenings, and were kept glowing till
dawn. Although the lamps are now operated electronically, they create a similar aura even today. After every short distance, the design of the
streetlights changed. Every lamp post and the lamp body were elegantly designed.
The glow of each unique lamp was humble but classy enough to get noticed amidst
the modern gleam. We got down from the coach just close to ‘Arc de Triomphe’, a
grand monument. It is located at a juncture formed by twelve radiating avenues.
The Arc de Triomphe honours those who fought and died for France in the French Revolution
and Napoleonic wars. The names of all French victories and generals are
inscribed both on its inner and outer surfaces. Beneath its vault lies the Tomb
of the Unknown Soldier from WW-1. An eternal flame burns in memory of the dead
who were never identified. The Arc de Triomphe is an architectural masterpiece which narrates an interesting history. Like other monuments and structures we
saw in Italy, the Arc de Triomphe also reveals the exclusive talent of the
great artisans of the era. The Arc de Triomphe stood majestically, humbly
illuminated from all sides. We drove down a little ahead and had our first
glimpse of the iconic tower of France. We got down from the coach in a square
near Trocadero. We walked down to a large open area of Trocadero and were just
speechless. The iconic Eiffel Tower stood grand. It was an enormous structure,
with all its outlines lit with beautiful lamps. The beauty and the grandeur are
beyond my capacity to express them. The tower left me amazed, awestruck, and
stunned. I kept on watching it for a long time. As per the prevalent practice,
the lights of the tower blink every hour for a minute. There were more than three
thousand people on the Trocadero platform, who all cheered together, as the
lights of the tower began to blink and dance at the stroke of 11 in the night.
But I liked the humbly lit tower more than the one with the dancing lights.
We spent some more time at the Trocadero. The
Eiffel Tower was just haunting. I could not take my eyes off it for a long
time. The crowd at the Trocadero was massive, but there was no pushing and shoving.
Every one cheered, but there was no exhibition of frenzy and the conduct was
decent. Some of us bought souvenirs of the Eiffel Tower too. Soon it began to
rain and we had to rush to our coach. The roads, shops, and streetlights lured
us again as we drove through the city. The shops were dazzling, but looked
aristocratic. The cafes were scintillating, but showed quietness. The
billboards were fewer and were brilliant. Every setting appeared vivid, yet had
a touch of elegance. Paris had kept its promise of being grand and posed
gracefully. But honestly, it was more than that. The day’s journey revealed the
sheer prosperity of France, and the evening in Paris was much more than just
regal.
Irrespective of the type, I have always found trains interesting. This one also reminded me of my childhood. I was watching a train moving on the railway track that was just adjacent to our hotel premises. It was fun to watch the train so closely. It added to our excitement as we were actually going to board a train that day - Jungfraujoch line, and that too, after a cable car ride. The coach ride was lovely once again. We enjoyed watching the magnificent landscapes as we would do every day. Colourful trains on the way looked pretty. At one point, our route was diverted due to ongoing road repair work. Even while the repair was in progress, the site was not unkempt. Blocks, barriers, tools, sand, chippings, etc. were neatly kept and did not affect the traffic adversely in any manner. The diversion was also very neatly planned, which took us through a small town, probably the countryside. Once again, I envied the people residing there for being able to stay in such a picturesque place. Quite unexpectedly, we came across a railway crossing barrier gate, which is very common in India. But, it was unmanned and operated automatically. The train was painted in dual tone - yellow and indigo, and needless to say, was beautiful. The discipline displayed by all in terms of the traffic was commendable. I wondered why such proficiency was not palpable in my home country. I was lost in thought when we arrived at Grindelwald terminal. We boarded the ‘Eiger Express’, the fastest and most modern attraction. It is a high-speed cable car. It took just 15 minutes for the cable car to take us from Grindelwald (3000 feet) to Eiger Glacier railway station, which was at 7000 feet. I was quite used to the neatness and cleanliness of Europe by then. Eiger Glacier railway station was as spick and span as other places would be. But when I looked at it keenly, I found the station quite swanky, almost like an airport lounge. It was learned that all the railway stations in Europe were equally classy. Our train was simple, but an elegant meter-gauge train. It was a ‘Cogwheel Railway’, specially designed to operate on steep grades. The trains are fitted with cogwheels that mesh with a toothed rack rail, which runs between the running rails. We were welcomed onboard by offering delicious chocolates. Barring a few minutes in the beginning, the entire ride was through a 7-kilometer-long tunnel. It was learned that the tunnel took 16 years to complete. In about 30 minutes we reached Jungfraujoch - Europe's highest railway station, which was at 11000 feet. As soon as we got off the train, we became a bit breathless, getting a hint of high altitude. The giddiness became very obvious as we reached the elevator area. We had scaled nearly 8000 feet in just more than an hour. The lack of acclimatisation showed its effects. Some of us took longer to recover. It was a great relief and a pleasant surprise to have a sumptuous Indian lunch on the top of a great glacier in the Alps. By the time we had our lunch, all of us had recovered from the high-altitude sickness. Once settled down, we took an elevator to the Sphinx station, an observatory deck from where we could see the lofty snow-covered peaks of the magnificent Alps. It was just white all over, yet looked beautiful. Zero visibility, harsh winds, and sub-zero temperatures were narrating the might of nature. Two black birds sitting on the fence of the deck were drawing the attention of all, perhaps telling us how they dared to fight mighty nature. The Ice Palace was a great amusement. Some of us said that the sculptures inside the Ice Palace were not solely made of ice and some other techniques were used. Overall, it was interesting. Jungfraujoch is the most favoured destination for skiers, which offers over 250 kilometers of perfect slopes, infrastructure, descents, snow parks, and a great opportunity for adventure sports. The area between Jungfraujoch railway station and the Sphinx observatory is called the ‘Top of Europe’ building, which includes several restaurants, shops, and a post office. Each one of us received a small booklet resembling a passport. There was a Jungfraujoch Passport Stamp machine just off the restaurant area for people to get a souvenir stamp. One could insert the dummy passport inside the stamp machine and get a stamp of the Jungfraujoch. It was fun. All of us were tired and needed refreshment. Although we knew that the coffee would be with less milk, we opted for it, thanks to the perfect weather. We returned to Grindelwald terminal by the same route. All along the way, I was wondering about the efforts Switzerland had made to preserve its beautiful vintage look even while implementing the most sophisticated technology. Every care was taken not to disturb the ecological balance while creating engineering marvels like cable cars, tunnels, roads, or the railway network. Uninterrupted wi-fi connectivity at the great heights of Jungfraujoch was laudable.
As our coach moved through the small
towns, our eyes once again got glued to the windows as they would do every day. Our
excitement grew as our tour manager informed us that we were about to reach
Interlaken (between lakes), yet another beautiful place. Interlaken is a Swiss district in the canton of Bern, and the main transport gateway to the mountains and
lakes of the region. The town is a base from where travellers and backpackers
begin their expeditions and explore the surrounding areas. The district has
various companies providing guided services for skydiving, canyoning, hang gliding, paragliding, and skiing. We could see people gliding down
and landing on a sprawling lush green ground which was just across the road.
The walk-ways, roads, and footpaths were extraordinarily beautiful. Colourful
flowers added to the beauty of the roads. We wondered how the beautiful
planters were taken care of. Every corner was spick and span and contributed to
the overall prettiness of the place. The place had hustle and bustle, yet it
had a unique calmness. The shops were upper-class, but they still appeared humble. The overall
manifestation was so elegant, still, it revealed serenity. We walked further to
reach a spot near the Congress Centre. It was a popular tourist spot. For
Indians, it was more so because of its relation to Hindi cinema. The late
legendary Hindi cinema director Yash Chopra discovered Switzerland in 1970. The
renowned film director was fascinated by the landscape around Interlaken and shot many of the scenes from his films there. The aura
of the films had a great impact on the Indian audience as well as the Indian
cinema industry. Since then, many directors have chosen Switzerland for
shooting their films. This boosted Swiss tourism to a considerable extent. In 2011, the Swiss government honoured the late Yash Chopra with the title of
Ambassador of Interlaken for presenting Switzerland's beauty to Indians through
his films. In 2016, a bronze statue of the late Yash Chopra was installed as a
tribute by the Switzerland government at the place where we had gathered.
It was indeed an honour to see the acknowledgement of an Indian at such a
faraway place.
We boarded the coach, but with a heavy heart, as we were supposed to bid goodbye to beautiful Switzerland and proceed to Paris the next morning. Perhaps nature has gifted all its treasures to Switzerland. Switzerland has valued the treasures with all its might and made every effort to preserve even the most trivial aspect of the setting. Switzerland does deserve acclaim for its vision, will, zeal, and inclination. The Persian verse, which I mentioned previously justly speaks about the paradise status of Switzerland. Nature always gives us abundantly. However, it is entirely in our capacity to cherish, love, value, preserve, and conserve a beautiful gift.
