Purple Cows & Tiny Countries 🐄💜

Around the same time last year it was still too cold for cows to be grazing outside. I had also learnt about the wonders of Milka's soft moo :P Recently on a train trip I saw a boy carrying a giant purple cow which needed a seat of its own >< Somehow all this inspired me to want to make a trip down to the Milka chocolate factory in Austria and go to the source of it all...chocolate made with special alpine milk!

On a less incredulous sounding note, the Milka chocolate factory is located in a beautiful Austrian town called Bludenz. On the train trip there and even as you walk around the town, you get very scenic views of the mountains. The factory outlet sells some unique items that you can't get at the regular supermarkets and more importantly, I really liked the fact that you can smell this lovely aroma of chocolate baking as you walk pass the factory. You simply can't miss this place cause all your senses lead you there ><

I was also lucky on the day I was there, there was a bread and farmers market on! So I got to try some authentic apple strudel and buy freshly picked strawberries which are in season. That is the best part about these markets;- meeting the farmers behind the produce you consume.

I also took a slow long walk to the cable car station so I could take a trip up Muttersberg, and the view from the top is really breathtaking. On the side I was on there wasn't any snow left but you could see the mountains on the opposite side still coated with snow. Also the view of the entire town and all the houses can be seen really well during the ride.

With some time left, I also made a quick trip over to Vaduz (1 stop by train then bus), which is located in Liechtenstein. This is one of the smallest countries in the world...even smaller than Singapore! It was really cool that the royal family still lives in the Vaduz Castle, perched atop a hill. They also have a rather special stamp museum (for someone who likes snail mail! ><). I also managed to get this rather cute toy which baas from a toyshop near the busstop I alighted at >< It is a nice memory of the calming views away from the city.