Morning all. Where does one buy an electric fan in Basel? I am arriving in June and having spent enough hot days during a Swiss summer in the past and knowing aircon won't be an option, I will need a fan at least!

I've just spent a record summer here in Perth and am not keen to repeat the performance in the northern hemisphere!

Thanks.

A shop is a good start.

Any department store (Manor, Globus); many larger supermarkets (Migros MMM or MM, larger Co-Ops); electrical stores (MediaMArkt, Migros Electronics); homewares stores (Micasa, Pfister); hardware stores (Jumbo, Obi, C0-Op Bau + Hobby); auction sites (ricardo.ch) ...

Just the same as in Perth, only the names are different.

Better yet, if you are bringing your home contents with you, bring a fan (buy one there if you don't have one) -- much cheaper that way. Chop the plug off and wire a new one on here.

In addition to Mr Yards' suggestions, I'd recommend keeping a punkah-wallah.

These may be obtained quite cheaply - my last one was an engineering intern looking for pocket money to spend on a trip to Italy - and are much more 'eco-friendly' than an electric fan.

You don't even need to keep him inside. By the use of a simple arrangement of wires, the punkah-wallah may be placed outside, away from valuable electronic equipment, lady house guests and other distractions, and still perform his essential duties. He may be provided with a small bowl of water, a box of Kleenex and a copy of Playboy in order to satisfy those 'little' needs which are typical of his class of servant.

If you need any more information on procuring a punkah-wallah, please do let me know, and I shall do all in my power to oblige.

A shop of course! What an excellent suggestion!

Sorry, being cheeky, thanks for all the ideas. I really only know Co-op and Migros and it will be tricky getting to out of the way stores without a car and not being sure of the trams. As there is no company sponsoring my move it will be personal effects only, no household stuff unfortunately, so will be doing lots of shopping on arrival!

DB, last time I had a Punkah Wallah the bugger was forever off with the lady house guests! Mind you, an engineering intern could be rather amusing…..

You'll find at least one branch of each of those shops (with the possible exception of a couple of the warehouse-style hardware stores) very close to a tram stop. Believe me, the tram network in Basel is a) essential to life (unless you have a car), b) very convenient, c) very easy to navigate, and d) very good value. (Get an annual pass which, amusingly and non-PCly for an Aussie, is called an Abo, for maximum savings.)

Don't worry, you'll get the hang of trams in Basel after one day, max.

Tram network map (the coloured lines are tram routes, grey ones are bus lines). The centre of town is around Marktplatz, approximately, which, as the name suggests (states, actually!), is the main market place.

Coming from Perth, you may need help identifying a tram (or any form of functioning public transport, for that matter). If you see one of these bearing down upon you, it is prudent to change your location smartly, as trams give way only to vehicles larger and heavier than themselves, viz. 747s and ocean liners. Here are a couple of Basel trams:

Thanks for that Mr Yards! I’m a little familiar with the Basel tram system although usually have my friend with me so I don’t need to pay attention. Now I’ll be relying on ME I’d better get with the programme!! Markplatz I know, so as long as I get my directions right should be OK there. I have been known to go in the opposite direction to where I really want to be! Appreciate the map, thanks, have printed that out already and if memory serves me correctly, Messeplatz is the place to change trams. Having lived in Melbourne for a couple of years I am more than happy to bow to the power of the tram and will not argue with who gets right of way!

You are definitely right about the transport in Perth! Word has it that it’s improving (I'm cynical) but it still has a long way to go and I avoid it where possible. We definitely need our cars here.