Day 2 in Basel, and it's a public holiday. As a result, most of the shops are closed, including supermarkets. We did manage to find one open not too far from our place this morning, which allowed us to get our breakfast of pastries. 

A road near where we are staying

The Rathaus - city hall

Last night we walked along the Rhine, a very popular thing to do it seems. The river's current is so strong here that the little ferries which take passengers from one bank to the other are actually pulled across by a wire and pulley arrangement, rather than a traditional engine.

A little ferry battling the Rhine's current. Notice the wire pulling it across.

We also visited the Basel Munster, a beautiful old church. Getting around here has been very easy, due to the very efficient and extensive public transport network. The trams and buses are exceptionally clean and very frequent. Fortunately for us, registered visitors to Basel are entitled to receive a free transport card for the duration of their stay, and given the cost of everything in this country, we are really lucky to have one.

The Rhine as the sun is setting

You can see the Munster in the background

The Munster

Earlier today we hopped on a tram which took us way out of the city's limits and into he Swiss countryside, although to do so we had to briefly enter, and then leave again, France. The countryside is absolutely Swiss and absolutely beautiful. It is green and lush, and very tranquil. If I am reincarnated after my death, I think I'll come back as cow in Switzerland; could anything be more contented?

Swiss countryside

Swiss village

We also visited a very special place this morning. It was the very spot where we were standing in three countries at the same time. That's right, we were standing on the border of France, Switzerland and Germany at the same time. And of course, due to the miracle of the EU, no passports were required. We first showed our Australian passports at Geneva ten days ago and we will not need to show them again until we leave Frankfurt four weeks later; suck eggs Britain.

Top left, Alison standing in Switzerland
Top right, Alison standing in Germany
Above, Alison in France. She's certainly well travelled.

Basel is a typically modern European city, with a healthy helping of historic reminders of where it came from. It is hard not to feel a bit jealous as an Australian tourist over here. It's not a perfect existence, but the Europeans seem to do so many things better than we do back home. After our recent visit to the Swiss countryside, retirement as a Swiss farmer seems pretty idyllic.