In and Out of France....

Making the trip to Saleve 1000 metres up a steep hill + was on the cards - said to have spectacular views over Geneva on one side, and the Alps on the other. The only hitch - it is across the border in France - and two in the group were without valid Schengen visas ( the ladies had decided to make a full day package tour to Chamonix instead).... well, we just walked across the border, and took the steep, steep ( near vertical) but very swift ropeway up. Phenomenal views unfolded - despite not being the clearest of days.



The hike up was a steep one, but through a beautiful wooded slope - and sharp wind and cold!! real cold - the trip was well worth it. Celebrated with a small bottle of wine split all around. The ride down, the crossing back across the border - just as the Frontier Police landed up to do surprise checks...Tushar's expression captures it all! Safely back....an excellent outing!!



Some of the other sites and sounds of Geneva below...including the Turkish / Doner kebab joint, Aly Hyder!

WTO & The Sunny Afternoon....

Friday morning at the EU commission to the WTO - with tea and coffee in the meeting room! All happy. Howard made up for the no food the previous day with a lunch at a nice cafe..enjoyed pouring rose wine from a carafe ( like the Paris experience)...and a free lunch is always welcome. Need we add that the breakfast at the hotel had been done full justice to as well.

The session with the Indian Ambassador to the WTO was sharp, and Mr Bhatia held forth forcefully on India's position. Cleared perspectives all along. was this the office building that had been Sharad Mama's office? Thought so, but not quite sure.

skimming across the water, Mont Blanc looking down benevolently - quite a thrill. And a woAt the WTO were were met by a PR lady - not really equipped to handle our queries - but the superb afternoon by the lake more than made up for it! Cold, windy, clear skies, yachtsnderful photo-op. Let these pictures tell the tale...Abdullah at his happiest best here as well!
With the official leg over, we were on our own.