su·per·cil·i·ous·ness

Up early today and headed down to the SBB station to grab a train ride around Lake Geneva to the town of Montreux. The track runs around the lake with gorgeous views of the lake and the mountains behind - so the hour long trip was a bit of a treat.

When we got there we grabbed some breakfast and wandered around the town before heading on out to Chateau de Chillon which is actually the most visited attraction in Switerland. Famous for the imprisonment of François de Bonivard and the poem that Byron wrote about it, Chillon was a bit of a highlight for me.

We grabbed a bus back to town and then the train back to Geneva. From the main station we caught a TPG tram up to the Palais des Nations and the United Nations precinct for a tour with a cute German guide named Kim. It was fascinating to see the enormous conference facilities used for committee meetings for organisations like UNHCR but I couldn't help but feel like the UN in Geneva was struggling for an identity - and felt overshadowed by New York.

That said - one of the things I really loved about Geneva was the multiculturalism on the streets which comes as a result of the many national delegations to the UN. I could definitely live/work there.

We jumped on a train and headed to GVA in time to check in for our trip on FlyBaboo to Florence. A Dash 8 for this flight that wasn't even full - the crew worked really hard for the one hour - providing excellent service. But soon we were at FLR and in a taxi paying nearly AUD50 for the 10 minute trip to UNA Hotel Vittoria. A reminder of how expensive taxis are in Italy.

We checked in and first impressions are that this hotel is all for bonking. Full length mirrors, a shower which is exposed to the room by a clear glass wall and this cool LED mood lighting. No bonking for me though - with my focus tonight on getting some freelance done before work starts tomorrow.

Super busy days ahead.