FRIDAY TO TUESDAY

We had a train ride to Interlaken surrounded by mountains,fields of sheep and cows with bells!

We arrived in Interlaken and and with good direction made our way to our new hotel.Before we arrived we found green/blue water from the alkaline glacier ice

Also in the distance was the Jungfraujoch( top of Europe)

Next chore was the second round of laundry.Luckily it was at the hotel…..It was a pleasant hotel and friendly owners.The husband of the couple was the breakfast chef and started us each day with a European breakfast of breads,cheese,meats,muesli with yogurt ,fruit and expresso.

The next day we started early to take the train to Zermatt,a ski resort town and at the base of the Matterhorn.

WE wandered the ski town,realizing it was an expensive,sporty and busy with tourists.We grabbed a lunch with deep fried lentil bites and french fries with truffle oil infused with a dijon/mayonnaise based dip…and local beer..amazing.I can envision James with his Italian response to these tastes!!

Interlaken ,from the name is between 2 lakes,both called Seas due to their size.All the bodies of water are high and there seem to be no shore/beach to walk on..

The next day was the big trip to Grindelwald.This was an even bigger ski town with many chalets both at the base and going up the hill.It is also a magnet for bikers,hikers and mountain climbers.One of the main streets has a “walk of Stars” of those who have tried to climb to the top of the Eiger mountain.The first successful climb was in 1936.

WE took the classic photo with the Eiger in our background

It was time to head up the mountain by train,with several stops you might choose wish to stop for pictures or a nice snack while trying to comprehend the majesty of the mountains.You could choose to take a cable car,but we chose the train.The trains are all electric,with a ratchet system to prevent backfall going up and front speed coming down.After leaving the first stop at 2333 metres,we had a short stop to visualize the glacial field below us.

WE make the final leg on yet another train and much of this was through a tunnel blasted through the mountain.

When we reached the top,we were 3454 metres high.At that high you start to feel mild symptoms of altitude sickness.But we took the elevator to the observation deck and went out to the fresh air.Normally it is below zero(32 degrees for us old guys) but today not so.It is hard to grasp the view and the height and the sense of a glacial ice field from above.

There was a TOUR within the complex,one with a visual ski experience where you would stand on a set of footprints ,and the 360 degree screen would move.Then onto the next set of steps in a circle.It was a bit too real with a sense that you needed to shift edges on your skis.I can also say that we have been INSIDE a glacier.There is an ice walk lined with ice sculptures.With my excellent sense of balance,I chose not to complete that walk!!

The top of the mountain has the highest Lindt store in Europe,so we made a visit…and purchase.

On our way back down the mountain,we again changed trains and another pit stop.We were going to take the alternate route back to Interlaken.

The route down took us to the other side of the mountains through the valleys,all still quite high.There were many small hamlets and some isolated houses way up the mountain.There were terraced fields of grape vines high on the hills. The train was moving so fast,I could not capture a picture…just trust me.

Some of the trains go 120 km/hour and everything wizzes past.And I can only sit in a chair facing the front of the train.By the way,the trains have been very clean so far in this trip.

Through the lower mountain were hiking and biking trails of various levels of difficulty.The Swiss population seems very fit and many on the trains had walking sticks and bicycles.

Our last day was spent in Interlaken wandering the streets,having lunch etc.We ended up at the location where the paraglider land.In all of these mountain communities there is an opportunity to experience it by travelling with a trained person.We watched them from almost anywhere as they made their flight around the mountains and over the river.I must admit that if I knew it was a soft landing ,I would have done it.BUT my fear was a strained or broken something impacting the rest of our trip….another time

A walk back to the hotel..I stuck my foot in the water of the river and it was warm enough for a swim,but alas not properly attired.We instead went to our room for a drink …and some Lindt on our balcony.

The greenery is everywhere ,and people use their little bit of property to garden,both flowers,vegetables and fruit.

It is easy to understand why living in Switzerland is ideal !!

Tomorrow off to France …bon nuit