SWITZERLAND 2010 - RAILWAY ROMANCE

                         On Wednesday morning  we changed our plan for today because we both woke up with some minor sourness in our legs from yesterdays hike. So we took the train from Grindelwald to Wilderswil, where we had to wait 1 hour for the railway bahn, a very old fashion train with wooden benches, who will take us to the top of Schynige Platte, 6000 feet above Sea level.

Waiting for train, her favorite pass time, reading a book

or flirting with engineer

                           The train arrived and we could not believe our eyes, there must be at least 200 old people struggling to get an the train. It looks like  I was the youngest one beside Donna. The train was climbing at 9 miles an hour and it took 1 hour and 10 minutes to get to the top, but we had incredible views from both side of the mountain.

                        On our arrival we went right away to check out the world famous botanical alpine garden. There are over 600 labelled species on display. Unfortunate it was very late in the season and most of the flowers been gone.

Just a couple samples of the alpine flower garden

                         Next of course we had to visit the "Berg Restaurant Alpenrose". The restaurant was closed for renovation,  but there had a self serve snack bar open with limited menu. We had some white wine and European style hot dogs, very messy but not bad.

                         We enjoyed the great mountain scenery around us and took the next train back down.

First view stepping of the train

Schilthorn in the back ground

Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau

Wetterhorn

This is the view from other side of the mountain of Thunersee

                        A little bit tired we went back to our chalet, had some drinks and I fixed us a delicious tomato soup and wurst salad with fresh bread and butter.

Simple but delicious



                        

SWITZERLAND 2010 - FIRST MOUNTAIN HIKE

                           On Tuesday I woke up early and at 8 am I drove to a family owned bakery in Grindelwald for some fresh baked Croissant, sweet rolls and Hero marmalade. We enjoyed breakfast on the balcony and after 4 coffees each we got on our way for our first hiking trip.

Map of the Berner Oberland, house is marked  below the Eiger

                          A 3 minute ride with the train brought us to the  bus station in Grindelwald. From there we rode a 45 passenger Grindelwald bus to our hiking destination Grosse Scheidegg, 6000 feet above sea level. The bus ride was an adventure itself. The mountain road was only about 2 foot wider as the bus itself and before every curve the driver had to blow his air horn to warn descending traffic. About every half mile there was a small  plateau for passing on coming traffic. Donna and I, sitting in the back of the bus where hanging over the cliffs in every hairpin curve. Of course, the free roaming cows where a challenge too to our excellent driver. 

                          The sun was covered from the Wetterhorn and we had to start of our hike bundled up in chilly mountain air, but after a few hundred yards we had to peel off some clothing. It was again a gorgeous day. Our mission was climbing 4 miles up the mountain to an outlook and restaurant named First. We also had to find a good looking stone to bring home with us for Brian. He requested  a picture taken with the stone as prove that it came from Switzerland.

Still bundled up, the sun is just peaking over the mountain top

First is  far away. Our mountain walk is to the right top

Still full of energy

Donna is resting in front of the Eiger



Donna found a stone in the form of the Eiger, so we took a picture in front of

the famous north face

Same with this stone, shaped like the Wetterhorn in the back ground

End product of Brians gift

We had to cross several streams

We admired lots of flowers on the way, like this alpine Distel

                          The hike  was posted as 1 hour and 45 minutes for regular hikers. We arrived at the restaurant  in 2 hours and 45 minutes, hard breathing and exhausted  but happy. The two bottle of beer tasted wonderful and I enjoyed also a great meal ( Grilled chicken breast with wild  mushroom sauce ) . Donna had a hard time finding her way in this large self service restaurant and ended up with a funky sandwich, but she did not accepted my well meant help. Ha, Ha.

Right in front of the restaurant 

The training zip line, half mile long, people in harness sliding down the mountain

at speed up to 80 miles an hour.  Sorry, a have no better picture



2 more beautiful views from the First

                           We admired the view from up here, the hang gliders and the zip line for hang glide training, before we rode down in the gondolas all the way back to Grindelwald. Being already 6:30 pm, we decided to have dinner in our favorite local restaurant "Bahnhof Grund

                               We had assorted Salads, Entrecote and Alpine Makkroni. Thoroughly excellent food, but no room for dessert, but room for a bottle of Epesses, one of Swiss finest white wine. After a couple of espressos we went home to our relaxation time on the balcony.

SWITZERLAND 2010 - TRIP TO GRINDELWALD

                        First of all we are so lucky, because my brother Toni and Andrea are the owner of a beautiful vacation home directly below the impressive mountain Eiger in the middle of the alps.

Toni and Andreas vacation home, top floor of this chalet 



                        So on Monday Sept. 20st, Toni handed me the key to the house and we departed for Grindelwald about  11 am. Last time, 5 year ago, we made this trip and it took us about 3 to 4 hours, but  a lot has changed since then and if you are in a hurry you could make it in less tan 2 hours, even respecting Speed limits.

                       They opened the highway from Zurich to Interlaken, with just a little strip of 15 minutes mountain road over the pass of Brunig. Actually you lose all the great scenic view of the lakes and valleys driving through Switzerland. There are tunnel after tunnel most of the way and you feel like a mole, being underground a lot. Not so good for tourists.

                         Thank god, I grew up in Switzerland and still know most of the scenic routes so we do not have to miss out on the beautiful scenery. We exited the highway in Luzern  and had a good view of the lake of Vierwaldstatter and  the mountain of Rigi and Pilatus, specially on this clear, sunny day. I also found one of my favorite restaurant on the lake of Lungern, famous for their local fish Egli..We opted not
to eat there and save it for a later trip, but on top of the Brunig we where both ready for some good Swiss food.

                        We stoped at the Brunig-Kulm Restaurant and indulged in a cervelat- cheese plate, dry meat plater, served with fresh baked farmers bread and two large bottle of Gurtenbrau beer. It was delicious
and we also got our first good view of the north side of the alps from the sunny deck of the restaurant.

                         At 3 pm we arrived at our destination, our home for the next 10 days. First we opened all the wooden shutters on the windows, plugged in the appliances, organised the sitting area on the balcony and took care of the bed room. Then we jumped back in the car and visited Landi, a new store in Grindelwald to purchase groceries and lots of beverages. Back at the home, siting on the balcony enjoying the view, drinking some Bacardi and coke, smoking my krumme, the relaxation time really began.

 Arriving in Grindelwald

Safely in the garage,  pretty small,  I had an inch on each sides

 Comfortable living room

 Swiss style,  inclusive Cow bells

View from the galleria

View from the back of the house

View from the balcony

Train station of Grindelwald in the background

This is what I call   "RELAXING"