For a change of place, we decided to go to a nature park called Marmot's Paradise. This park is located at the Rochers-de-Naye mountains in Montreux and is reachable via train or by hiking. Our new friends had to go back to France today. And while we were sad to say goodbye, we hoped to see them again someday. The three of us rode the bus to Montreux and walked towards the train station. While in the train, we discovered that there was still plenty of snow on the mountains. It was also colder than usual, but that didn't bother us as we were wearing our winter jackets. The park itself is free to visit. There is a restaurant, a souvenir shop, and small, igloo-like structures, which are actually reserved for hikers and those who would like to stay in the park overnight. The highlight here is, of course, the adorable, inquisitive marmots, or, as they are alternatively named, groundhogs. I have to say that they are just so cute and loved to have their photos taken. I even wished that I could bring one with us! We enjoyed walking in the snow for the very first time, too. We also took photos of ourselves while holding some hefty snowballs before riding the train going down to Montreux. We ate a delicious dinner at a pizza restaurant before riding back to the hotel.
After my parents had finished their conversation with Dave, they told me that we will be having a day out with his family tomorrow. I got so excited that I almost couldn't sleep. The next day, we met his wife, Sophie, and their two daughters in the lobby. They were very happy to meet us. We then rode the bus going to Vevey, as the family planned to visit the Alimentarium Food Museum. They have visited Chillon Castle, too. Although we've already been there, we decided to accompany them. It soon turns out that our second visit was more fun because we had more companions, and we also had a conversation in the cafe while eating some ice cream. When the museum closed, we took a stroll along the lakeside, taking lots of photos and videos. It was a really enjoyable family day out and we had a magnificent time together.
The last museum for our tour is the Historical Museum of Vevey. This museum showcases the history of the city and its surrounding areas. It also has a mission to preserve its cultural heritage. The exhibits here feature Vaud and Swiss furniture, handicrafts, old weapons, medal collections, manuscripts, engravings and paintings of minor Swiss masters. There is also a room showcasing a local event known as "The Feast of the Brotherhood of Winegrowers", which takes place about every twenty years and whose purpose is to protect the interest of vineyards and vine growers. All in all, it was a very interesting museum and we enjoyed it.
The next museum we went to was the Swiss Camera Museum, which is located in Vevey, too. In this museum, there are exhibits showcasing the history of photography and film. It even displays some vintage cameras. We also watched a hilarious short film in the theater before leaving. In the following day, we visited the Swiss Museum of Games. This museum is just a short walk away from our hotel, and what makes it unique is that it's housed in a castle. Inside the museum were exhibits of classic games, from marbles to chess, as well as retro and modern video games. Our visits to both museums were splendid and we had a very lovely time.
Today is the start of our museum tour. We went out a little earlier than usual so we could have more time. The first museum that we visited was the Alimentarium Food Museum in Vevey. Before going there, we decided to check out the Nestle headquarters and shop. Afterwards, we started our walk to the museum. It was a little far, though. But we didn't mind as we also wanted to walk by the lakeside. When we reached the museum vicinity, we posed for pictures with the Charlie Chaplin statue and a suspended giant fork. The museum itself showcases the history of food and there are lots of interactive exhibits. There is also a cafe in the ground floor. An audio guide is recommended to make the most of your visit, so I got one for free at the ticket booth. In the end, it was another educational and enjoyable experience for us.
The first historical place that we visited is the Chillon Castle, or the "Château de Chillon", as it is locally called. I was excited for this, as I will be going inside a castle for the very first time. I've always been fascinated by them. My father also took a break from his work so he can visit the castle with us. We got a discount for our tickets after showing our visitor card. The castle was built on a small rocky island in the lake. We explored the dungeon, the dining room, the armory, and the courtyard. There is even an ancient bathroom where the toilets are simply large holes! Overall, it was a fun and educational experience and we enjoyed our visit there. Before going back to the hotel, we ate a hearty dinner at a chinese restaurant called Beijing Town in Montreux.
After studying the mini booklet the past night, my mother and I decided to ride the tram bus going back to Vevey. We showed the visitor card to the driver, who then allowed us to take our seats. It was a relaxing ride. When we arrived, we went to a small shopping center to eat lunch. We also explored the department store and supermarket, where we bought some take-out food, chocolate bars, and juice. After the mall closed for the day, we went around the neighborhood for a couple of hours before going back to the hotel. My father returned from his work and asked how our day was. We told him that we had lots of fun together, to which he responded, "I am very happy to know that you are enjoying the place." Soon, it was time to go to bed. Before I slept, my mother told me that we will be visiting Montreux tomorrow.