London to Geneva and back by Eurotunnel, Intercontinental Geneva & 2016 XC90 Review
Aug 22, 2015, 2:53 am
#16
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Aug 25, 2015, 2:26 pm
#18
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Intercontinental Gčneve and Geneva City
It had just turned 03:00 hours and there was no room available. I had originally booked a Twin bed Executive suite for my father and I in the hope of expecting two double beds, which is the norm in Asia and North America. After spending 35 minutes calling around because their reservation system was down they were able to find a twin bed roomon the smoking floor. It was a downgrade that I wouldn't have minded since it meant a bed after driving for 17 hours however it smelt (obviously) of cigarettes quite heavily and for a bunch of non-smokers, it was a no-go.
I repeatedly pleaded for a refund so that I could go to the Mandarin Oriental, a quick 5 minute drive away, but they wouldn't budge. Eventually they found a double bed room and took my suggestion of installing a foldable bed into the room, since their sofas were not sofa-beds.
I arrived at my room at 04:00. 1 hour and 15 minutes after arriving. It looked like the 09:00 breakfast was going to be cancelled.
My bed for the evening.
I gave Dad the big-bed purely for the fact that he had spent the last 17 hours driving.
Left my stuff by the door. Too tired to unpack:
Laminate floor:
At 09:45 I awoke and grabbed a bearing as to my location.
Closer look at my 'bed.'
First step, make a coffee:
Easier said than done...
Well crap!
View from outside:
Our dated lavatorium:
After drinking the coffee, Dad and I hit the road heading North towards the French Border to visit Mount Saleve.
Flash cars outside the hotel:
Pulling out of the parking garage
The leafy streets in daytime:
Driving through Central Gčneve:
Lots of French Cars:
Crossing the bridge:
Jet D'Eau:
One of two major supermarkets- Coop and Migros. We went to both.
You can find graffiti all over the world:
Going through border control to get to France:
And then it started to rain:
And um then it stopped:
Here:
We are going up that...
This reminds me of Palm Springs
Oh shizzle
A gloomy Gčneve:
Geneva Cointrin International:
Emirates 77W on short finals:
After those pictures, Dad and I sat down for Breakfast:
I am not a big cheese fan as you may have noticed from some of my previous trip reports and so the concept of having a cheese panini horrified me but after some serious threats from Dad, I ate the panini. Gracefully.
The minute-maid was very nice and was a nice reminder of my trip to America the week prior to this:
Me in 27 years time @:-)@:-)
We got up to 8007M in Palm Springs:
If you wanted to jump off...
I was tempted to ask this lady if she was cabin crew but the fact that they were all chain-smoking put me off:
Walked up to the jumping point:
It looks like something out of StarWars:
Very green:
After waiting 10 minutes for a car to arrive we began the descent down:
Soon we were back in the decepticon and heading into Geneva to spend the afternoon shopping *YAY*
Aug 25, 2015, 3:41 pm
#19
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Aug 25, 2015, 3:44 pm
#20
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Aug 25, 2015, 3:49 pm
#21
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Fantastic trip report. I've never crossed the Channel via the tunnel and had not really thought about the logistics of how it actually works. Great photos and commentary, feels like I've done the trip myself. Excited to read the next installment since I love Switzerland^
Thats what I aim to achieve lizzie
It is a very nice a place. You could easily spend an entire Summer touring the different regions without getting bored and if you do there is always Germany right next door
It is a strange set up but it works when not being abused by helpless migrants.
Hope you enjoy the rest and I would be glad to answer any questions you may have.
Kind Regards LL
Aug 25, 2015, 3:50 pm
#22
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Yeah it is actually very nice! It took them about eight years to design it so it had to be good! Quite a few people on this trip saw the car and were surprised it was a Volvo to be fair.
Hope you enjoy the rest agp!
Kind Regards LL
Aug 25, 2015, 3:55 pm
#23
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Very interesting.
I took the Golden Arrow sleeper to Paris in the 1960s when it would be foggy in the winter and flights were often cancelled.
You should count your blessings that you are in a nice Volvo instead of being a penniless refugee.
No big deal being inconvenienced.
However I can understand your frustration.
I don't blame your aunt moving from Geneva. My mother lived there.
I took the Golden Arrow sleeper to Paris in the 1960s when it would be foggy in the winter and flights were often cancelled.
You should count your blessings that you are in a nice Volvo instead of being a penniless refugee.
No big deal being inconvenienced.
However I can understand your frustration.
I don't blame your aunt moving from Geneva. My mother lived there.
Point(s) well made Bretteee! Hindsight is a fantastic thing and looking back on the Eurotunnel situtation it could have been worse but it could have been a lot better. It really did screw up plans for later that weekend though.
Yeah Geneva is nice but she got fed up because it seemed rather 'monotonous' (her words not mine)! Other bits of Switzerland are definitely much nicer though.
Hope you enjoy the rest of this Trip Report any further thoughts are appreciated.
Kind Regards LL
Aug 27, 2015, 9:53 am
#26
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Aug 28, 2015, 3:30 am
#28
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: EXT
Posts: 477
very much enjoyed this sitting in the departures lounge at St Pancras for the Eurostar. I've been using it a lot this year but as a non-driver will probably never see the car transporter, thanks for the insight! Nice to have reminders of Geneva - it was cloudy when I was there too - and as others have said, you have a great writing style. Plus it's always nice to see something a bit different; I look forward to the rest of your adventures!
Aug 28, 2015, 1:08 pm
#29
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 3,457
great trip report... we considered the XC90 previously but then went with the MDX... since the arrival of #3 we've moved on to a minivan...
how's driving a right hand drive car in a left hand drive environment???
FDW
how's driving a right hand drive car in a left hand drive environment???
FDW
Aug 28, 2015, 7:46 pm
#30
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What a fun report! First of all this is a great way for you to spend time with your Dad. Also, we don't get too many road trip reports here so it was very much appreciated. Lastly, I love your sense of humor, it leads to you writing with a very enjoyable tone.