Up in the Air

Kissa Castañeda

ometimes, all you need is a change of scenery and a breath of fresh air. You don’t necessarily have to travel far for it, but a 13-hour flight from Singapore brings you to Switzerland, one of the best countries to relish a change of place and pace. The first thing I did upon arriving in Bern one early morning in December was to take a deep breath. With the sun peeking through the mountains as the city was rousing from slumber, that conscious inhale of crisp, winter air was a signal that I had indeed left the tropics. It was the first of many deep breaths during my week-long sojourn in Switzerland, my simple way of stopping to savour the moment and the country’s spectacular natural bounty. Switzerland has always been a special place for most Singaporeans, it being an inspiration to founding father Lee Kuan Yew’s vision for the country. The Swiss are known for many things—they have a fervour for punctuality, a penchant for milk chocolate, an unrivalled skill for watch-making, and enjoy a much envied quality of life—and these truisms are revealed no matter how short the visit. What is most remarkable, however, aren’t the cliches of safety or efficiency, but their profound connection with nature. Criss-crossing the country’s 26 cantons via the extensive rail network, I saw languages and cultures change within a 30min train ride but the Swiss’ love of nature and their commitment to enjoying and preserving it remained the same. I felt that they truly take to heart the idea that the nature isn’t something they inherited, but something they’re borrowing from the next generation. Everyone I met along the way knew how lucky they were to be blessed with such stunning surrounds. They also repeatedly raved about how they had the best milk, water and wine—the latter they hold in such high regard that most of it is consumed locally with only 2 per cent leaving the country’s borders. Most of all, their affinity with the mountains that define their landscape stands out. Looming large from a distance, the Swiss Alps are even more majestic once you set foot on them.