Ride: 40; total: 144km
Fine and sunny with a slight tailwind.
After a few minor adjustments on the fitting of my new
panniers to ensure I didn't strike them with my heel, I left the motel about
9:00am. This was a late start for me but I only had a short ride to
complete before reaching my pre-booked (on-line via Booking.com) motel
at Buchs.
It would be an understatement to say the day went like a
Swiss watch. Like the previous day it was just fantastic. Left Sargans
on a well sign-posted, smooth cycle path; as was the case all day. After
about 7km I crossed the Rhine into the tiny country of Liechtenstein, no border guards,
gates or checks, just a sign. The cycle facilities in this country are as
good, or maybe even better, if that is possible, than Switzerland. First thing you
notice about Liechtenstein
is that everything, I mean everything, is immaculate. A cemetery in a
church yard I called in on looked like something out of a garden display.
It was beautiful, with displays of growing flowers and meticulously
manicured lawns, trees and shrubs everywhere. The headstones themselves
were more like works of art. Can a community be judged by the way they
look after their departed?
The living are not doing too badly either, with the majority
of houses being huge mansions. The towns and city centres were, yes
immaculate too, with lots of public art, sculptures, pavement murals and
beautifully designed buildings. As I couldn't afford to stay in Liechtenstein I crossed back into Switzerland to
book into my motel. Bucher Hof, was a first class place, maybe the
cleanest and best run accommodation establishment that I’ve ever stayed
in. I could actually swing a cat in the
room and the staff were helpful and pleasant.
For dinner I walked 100m or so to the Co-op Supermarket and bought
two cooked pork spare ribs $3.75, 300g red sauerkraut $3.90, and a half bottle
of local red wine for $1.85. Most simple meals at any restaurant in Switzerland
cost about $25 to 30. The one from the co-op was a very nice meal.
The beautifully maintained cemetery at Vaduz
Liechtenstein
scene towards the Swiss Alps
Town Square, Vaduz
Public swimming pool at Vaduz, Liechtenstein
My first view of the
Rhine this tour.
My first view of the 
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