May 13 - Flight to Geneva

We had to be up at 6 AM on Saturday. Ron’s UBER app wasn’t working, so we had to take a taxi, which is terrible for me. I can’t climb into those back seats, and had to sit on the jump seat, facing backward and holding on for dear life as we raced through the streets. Traveling on the left side was even more weird going backwards! 

For security reasons Edinburgh airport is completely blocked off from traffic, and passengers can't be dropped at curbside. The driver let us off in the parking garage. We put the luggage on two trolleys and off we went. Mary a little slower than Ron (and I might add, it was raining and there was limited shelter). But, I made it! Once we checked in Ron had to take two of our check-in bags (garment bags) to the "odd- size" check in. That was a walk I didn't want to make. We had asked where was the wheel chair that I had requested. Told we had to walk about 300-feet and go outside. Managed to do that and I had wheel-chair help through Edinburgh airport. Although it was a comedy to access the help point, it was a good thing we did, as it was an even LONGER way to the gate. The gentleman who pushed me looked like Alfred Hitchcock, portly and with disheveled hair. Also, it was interesting that an American fellow was in there trying to get assistance for his wife. It seemed she had fallen on the cobblestones at Edinburgh Castle and broke her patella. Think it was good we decided not to visit there. (I had been there years ago.)

At Security, I set off the alarms. It seems it was the "Rock Tape" on my knees. I had to enter the special scan machine, then go through a rather thorough "frisk". Ron also had to go through searches. In fact, it seemed most people did - including "Alfred Hitchcock" (my pusher).

We then passed through the Duty Free Area, and Ron said he would meet me at the gate. He stopped to "shop", and ended up with two more bottles of JW Black (a good price).

Across from the gate was a cute champagne bar (Tails and Flutes)  which we couldn’t resist – even though it was only 9:30 AM. We each had a crisp glass of Spanish white wine.

 

Perusing menu in champagne bar

The Easy Jet flight was a lot better than expected. We had paid more for the luggage than the tickets (1 bag at 30 KG and 3 bags at 20 KG). Ron thought we’d have overweight luggage,  but no problems. They also don’t limit the weight of your carry-on like most of the budget airlines do – so everything was fine. We had aisle seats across from each other in the third row, and I was lucky to have the middle seat next to me empty. The flight attendants were pleasant, and the male steward, Tom, was very funny and joking with the passengers. They offered a lot of food and drink options for sale, and we imbibed in Sauvignon Blanc and Heinekens.  Wouldn't hesitate to fly Easy Jet again.

The problems all started in Geneva. There was no help available, and we had two long flights of stairs to go down. Ron's lady seat-mate (who kept falling asleep on his shoulder) offered to carry one of the bags down - offer gladly accepted!  Then the people-mover wasn’t working because the Immigration area was too backed up. People would have been piling on top of each other. Ron was adjacent to the mover and I was walking on it, and his queue got backed up. I ended up having to stand at Immigration and wait for him about 20-minutes. We were about the last people through. Then it was another walk to luggage claim, and from there we had to walk (about 3-miles Ron says) to the French sector of the airport to take the shuttle to our lease car. He was pushing a trolley with all of the heavy luggage, and had to maneuver through narrow passageways and tiny elevators.  I could only pull one carry-on and not even that part of the time. He was exhausted and I was in pain. Getting too old to travel with so much luggage!  It would have been difficult even with just carry-ons.

Anyway, the car was way off airport in the countryside. We are really pleased with it – a Renault Scenic. Brand new (4 km. on odometer). This is the lease buy-back where we actually own the car, and they buy it back for a pre-specified price. So, we have it for six weeks at a set price which includes all the insurance, no deductible, etc. We have used this service numerous times.

The young man explained the features of the car to Ron and programmed the GPS for Evian. Then we were off on the next adventure. Ron had to adjust to driving on the right again. The GPS directed us right through the city of Geneva. We commented on hotels and restaurants we had stayed in many years ago. So many memories. It is a beautiful city, but for some reason, not one of our favorites.

Once we got to Evian, all of the effort was worth it. Edinburgh was interesting, but here you exclaim “OMG” –. the beauty is stunning. Our hearts lie in this area of Europe!

Before checking in, we decided to have dinner. This was a rather complicated effort. Ron first dropped me near the restaurant, Zainos, and found a distant parking spot. By the time he joined me, I had discovered that the restaurant wasn't open yet. He went to get the car, thinking we would go to the hotel after all. But as we neared the restaurant, there was a parking spot. So, he pulled in, and we went to have an aperitif at a nearby café. He spoke to some employees outside Zainos and was told they opened at 7 PM. A little different than Scotland! So, we hung around, and entered the restaurant promptly at 7, only to be informed that all of the tables were reserved, and nothing was available until 9 PM. Ron pointed to the fellow he had spoken to and said, "He told me to come at 7". This was a slight "stretch", but it worked. The manager removed a reserved sign and said we could have the table until 8:30. Plenty of time for us. It is still the usual policy in Europe not to turn the tables. Many, many patrons were turned away while we were there even though there were several empty tables, including one set for a large party.

Zainos is a very nice, but casual restaurant. Lots of families dining. They have an extensive menu, including pizza, which is what Ron was hungry for. I ordered the lake perch, one of my favorites. Ron had his usual, capricciosa.

Lake Perch

After dinner we checked into the Hilton which we had reserved using HiltonHonors points. They upgraded us to a beautiful junior suite with nice sitting and work area, walk-in shower as well as tub, and best, a balcony with table and chairs looking out directly at Lac Leman (Lake Geneva). Would love to live with this view forever - hills, mountains, lakes, city lights. What more can you ask for? We turned the car and luggage over to Mehdi the porter and went off to the executive lounge. Mehdi put away the car and delivered the luggage to the room, including hanging both heavy garment bags.

Wing of Hilton we are in (Room on end by the chestnut trees and Lake)

A perk of Diamond Hilton status is use of the Executive Lounge, which was located on the fifth floor in another wing - totally opposite our room. In other words, a LONG walk. But a glorious panorama with a large rooftop terrace, and COMPLIMENTARY drinks and snacks. What a fabulous end to a tiring day.

Sorry our camera isn't better. You can't see the mountains and the city of Lausanne on the far shore.