AmyHuang
Floating down stream in the Swiss capital
The Swiss Capital - Bern
It looks like a small town, it feels like a small town, but Bern stands high and tall as the Swiss capital near the Alps.
Build on a river bend, Bern doesn't really have all the hypes and crowd of a capital city. Surrounded by lush greens during spring and summer months, and snow in winter, this beautiful city has much to be loved for.
Main street of Bern
With only one main street in Bern, it's easy to navigate around. Although there isn't much to see in Bern, there are a couple of activities you might enjoy - like hopping into one end of the river, let yourself flow with the stream around the bend to the other side of the city, get out, cross the city and do it all again. European summer can get quite hot and this is one of the best ways to cool down and join the locals for a bit of fun. On the up stream side of the city, kids and teenagers uses a footbridge as the dive board and one by one, they splash into the crystal clear waters. Bern is clean (the entire country is extremely clean) and there is no fear of getting out all muddy. Those who enjoys less extreme activities lie on the river banks to sunbake, and others prefer to sit in the air conditions cafes with rich chocolates of the Swiss.
Ah yes, chocolates. If in Zurich you were too busy buying watches and Siwss Knives, when you get to Bern make sure you get some nice handmade chocolates for your taste buds. Back home when all we know is Lindt, there are chocolate shops with independent brands keeping up the Swiss reputation of good chocolate makers.
Another little novelty story is, when they were building Bern, they accidentally killed a bear during the construction. Therefore the citizens of Bern have vowed to protect and worship bears as their city motto, and has a pet bear at the entrance of the city. Don't worry, he is happy in his little home that he won't come out to hunt you.
For leisure travellers there really isn't very much else to note about Bern but if you are like me who like to pretend they can actually live there, maybe spend a couple of days enjoying its leisurely and orderly lifestyle.
Tomorrow, we'll head into Lauterbrunnen to see why the entire world just love the Swiss mountains.
