Europeans Rejoice! Mai Tai Returns From 17 Great Days.
Oct 8th, 2003, 05:37 PM
#68
Original Poster
"So you will be in Orlando then? Well, maybe we should have an East Coast Fodor get together that same weekend!!!"
Well, it is a convention, so time is tight, but if there is one nearby, I could always stop in for a mai tai. That is, if my astute business partner has arranged for the rental car as he is supposed to have done.
Well, it is a convention, so time is tight, but if there is one nearby, I could always stop in for a mai tai. That is, if my astute business partner has arranged for the rental car as he is supposed to have done.
Oct 8th, 2003, 06:27 PM
#69
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maitaitom: wunnerful! wunnerfull!! Terrific read!
Yes, certainly wish all California would project such fun and good humor!
The cow bells: they are of different sizes because each bell can sound different. If the bell goes "tinkle, tinkle" the owner can say "Bessie is over there". And if the bell goes "bong, bong" the owner can say, "Bullwinkle is over here".
And if I'm wrong, please don't tell me! After this killer election season, I need a few sustaining fantasies!
Keep up the great work, mtt!
Jason
Yes, certainly wish all California would project such fun and good humor!
The cow bells: they are of different sizes because each bell can sound different. If the bell goes "tinkle, tinkle" the owner can say "Bessie is over there". And if the bell goes "bong, bong" the owner can say, "Bullwinkle is over here".
And if I'm wrong, please don't tell me! After this killer election season, I need a few sustaining fantasies!
Keep up the great work, mtt!
Jason
Oct 8th, 2003, 06:40 PM
#70
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maitaitom: Terrific report. I decided to copy and paste your report into Word so I could leisurely read it off the Internet (and maybe share it with my son). Wish I could write as well as you do and with such great humor. Looking forward to more.
Oct 8th, 2003, 06:43 PM
#71
Original Poster
Jason. I'll take your word on the cow bells. Sounds good to me. Thanks for the good comments.
"have you been following The Red Sox (they'll blow it, just give them time)"
seafox. As a San Diego Padre fan, I can only semi feel your pain. However, the reason there is no report tonight is because I'm watching the Sox and the Yanks. To all you New Yorkers, I'm sorry, but go Sox! Love the underdog.
More abut Grindelwald tomorrow, but no matter who you root for, baseball must come first (coincidentally, our gondola ride on the trip report tomorrow goes to First).
Wattch out for the Pads in 2004.
"have you been following The Red Sox (they'll blow it, just give them time)"
seafox. As a San Diego Padre fan, I can only semi feel your pain. However, the reason there is no report tonight is because I'm watching the Sox and the Yanks. To all you New Yorkers, I'm sorry, but go Sox! Love the underdog.
More abut Grindelwald tomorrow, but no matter who you root for, baseball must come first (coincidentally, our gondola ride on the trip report tomorrow goes to First).
Wattch out for the Pads in 2004.
Oct 9th, 2003, 10:04 AM
#76
Original Poster
After looking back through my report, I realize I am now up to Day Nine, not Day Seven. Back to details.
I woke up rested after making love all night to Shania Twain (I swear the Swiss put something in their fondues). After realizing it was only a dream, I took a long, cold shower before awaking my bride. Tracy was hoping I had forgotten that this was to be a day of more hiking, but to her dismay I told her we were going on the gondola to First for another hike.
It was another spectacular day. I only wore a t-shirt (well, I had pants and stuff, too), and we took a spectacular ride up to First. As we got out of the gondola station, I yelled, "Who's on First?!" I received no reaction from the three hikers and two cows nearby, so I assumed Abbott and Costello were not big in Switzerland. Then Tracy told me, "First is actually pronounced more like Fist", which I assumed she would give me if I didn't shut up.
My plan was to hike to Faulhorn, but we had been doing a lot of walking, and since I plan to return to this region, I decided to give Tracy a break from my drill seargeant regimen. We hiked to the Bachalpsee (about 50 minutes), and stopped to eat a sandwich. Unbeknowst to Tracy, as she was about ready to take her first bite, a cow (with a very quiet bell) sneaked up behind her.
Of course, I could have told her this, but I felt a photo opportunity superceded my husbandly duties. So now I have a fun shot of a bemused wife trying to have her sandwich confiscated by a hungry cow. She didn't mind it because she loved the cows, however when the cow began spewing a liquid substance from its nostrils, I knew it was time to go.
I gave Tracy a thrill; (no, not that kind of a thrill) when I told her I was going to forego the hike up to Faulhorn, and that we'd hike down to the Bort gondola station, and we'd go back into Grindelwald, have lunch and relax that afternoon.
I know that Faulhorn would have been spectacular from comments here, but since I knew I'd return, I thought we'd take an easier hike this day.
The hike down to Bort offered spectacular views of all the mountains and the valley below. We really thought the views were better than the Mannlichen to KS walk because of the varied panorama. Then Tracy got another thrill. As I forged our path I stepped on a wide rock that served as a stepping stone. But since I hit the rock at an awkward angle, it also became a falling down stone. As I once again took a tumble, it afforded Tracy the pleasure of taking a picture of the fallen Tom on the trail.
I could hear her thoughts:
Ham and cheese sandwich - 3 Euros
Gondola to First - 60 Euros
Seeing Tom fall down again - Priceless
It was a fun hike and we got back to Grindelwald where we enjoyed a day of sunshine with lunch, a little wine, reading the latest newspaper and doing a little window shopping. It was Friday and the town was hopping.
That night, the dinner at the hotel looked good, so we stayed in. They had a mystery fish appetizer (don't ask, don't tell) that was really good, their very good salad bar, a goulash stroganoff that was killer (they offered seconds and I took it) and a dessert of ice cream and campari.
When we got back to the room, we turned on CNN International and found out that Robert Palmer had died. So in his honor, I will end with,
"Might as well face it,
I'm addicted to Berner Oberland."
Next on to Lugano and the best four meals of the trip (all at our hotel) and a drive up a wrong way road.
I woke up rested after making love all night to Shania Twain (I swear the Swiss put something in their fondues). After realizing it was only a dream, I took a long, cold shower before awaking my bride. Tracy was hoping I had forgotten that this was to be a day of more hiking, but to her dismay I told her we were going on the gondola to First for another hike.
It was another spectacular day. I only wore a t-shirt (well, I had pants and stuff, too), and we took a spectacular ride up to First. As we got out of the gondola station, I yelled, "Who's on First?!" I received no reaction from the three hikers and two cows nearby, so I assumed Abbott and Costello were not big in Switzerland. Then Tracy told me, "First is actually pronounced more like Fist", which I assumed she would give me if I didn't shut up.
My plan was to hike to Faulhorn, but we had been doing a lot of walking, and since I plan to return to this region, I decided to give Tracy a break from my drill seargeant regimen. We hiked to the Bachalpsee (about 50 minutes), and stopped to eat a sandwich. Unbeknowst to Tracy, as she was about ready to take her first bite, a cow (with a very quiet bell) sneaked up behind her.
Of course, I could have told her this, but I felt a photo opportunity superceded my husbandly duties. So now I have a fun shot of a bemused wife trying to have her sandwich confiscated by a hungry cow. She didn't mind it because she loved the cows, however when the cow began spewing a liquid substance from its nostrils, I knew it was time to go.
I gave Tracy a thrill; (no, not that kind of a thrill) when I told her I was going to forego the hike up to Faulhorn, and that we'd hike down to the Bort gondola station, and we'd go back into Grindelwald, have lunch and relax that afternoon.
I know that Faulhorn would have been spectacular from comments here, but since I knew I'd return, I thought we'd take an easier hike this day.
The hike down to Bort offered spectacular views of all the mountains and the valley below. We really thought the views were better than the Mannlichen to KS walk because of the varied panorama. Then Tracy got another thrill. As I forged our path I stepped on a wide rock that served as a stepping stone. But since I hit the rock at an awkward angle, it also became a falling down stone. As I once again took a tumble, it afforded Tracy the pleasure of taking a picture of the fallen Tom on the trail.
I could hear her thoughts:
Ham and cheese sandwich - 3 Euros
Gondola to First - 60 Euros
Seeing Tom fall down again - Priceless
It was a fun hike and we got back to Grindelwald where we enjoyed a day of sunshine with lunch, a little wine, reading the latest newspaper and doing a little window shopping. It was Friday and the town was hopping.
That night, the dinner at the hotel looked good, so we stayed in. They had a mystery fish appetizer (don't ask, don't tell) that was really good, their very good salad bar, a goulash stroganoff that was killer (they offered seconds and I took it) and a dessert of ice cream and campari.
When we got back to the room, we turned on CNN International and found out that Robert Palmer had died. So in his honor, I will end with,
"Might as well face it,
I'm addicted to Berner Oberland."
Next on to Lugano and the best four meals of the trip (all at our hotel) and a drive up a wrong way road.
Oct 9th, 2003, 10:53 AM
#78
Original Poster
"What's your day job?"
Lately it seems my job is writing this report. Actually. I am co-owner of a small publishing company and recording studio where we record radio and television commercials.
We also make videos from pictures and include music and sound effects. Cool for birthdays, weddings, graduations. I also made a 30 minute "movie" of my 2001 trip to Italy, and will be working on another one from this trip. I hope to get it ready soon, so I can show it at Thanksgiving. It's a good way not to have to talk to my relatives for a short span.
Scanning the pictures can be a pain, but I did not bring a digital on this trip purposely because I knew I needed a good zoom in a lot of places, which my digital does not have. As I scan pictures, though, I usually come up with good (and fun) ideas of what music and sound effects to incorporate into the video.
I guess I had better collect my Lugano notes for later today.
Lately it seems my job is writing this report. Actually. I am co-owner of a small publishing company and recording studio where we record radio and television commercials.
We also make videos from pictures and include music and sound effects. Cool for birthdays, weddings, graduations. I also made a 30 minute "movie" of my 2001 trip to Italy, and will be working on another one from this trip. I hope to get it ready soon, so I can show it at Thanksgiving. It's a good way not to have to talk to my relatives for a short span.
Scanning the pictures can be a pain, but I did not bring a digital on this trip purposely because I knew I needed a good zoom in a lot of places, which my digital does not have. As I scan pictures, though, I usually come up with good (and fun) ideas of what music and sound effects to incorporate into the video.
I guess I had better collect my Lugano notes for later today.
Oct 9th, 2003, 11:31 AM
#79
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What a great report, so much so that I'm turning in my keyboard. Just going be a voyeur.
To comment on a different post -- This sight is so popular because of the high quality advice and the high quailty reports.
To comment on a different post -- This sight is so popular because of the high quality advice and the high quailty reports.
Oct 9th, 2003, 12:11 PM
#80
Original Poster
We bid "Auf Wiedersehen, Au Revoir and Arrivederci" (so many languages, so little time) to Grindelwald.
We made the drive to Lugano, and within about 45 minutes we were winding our way through the Alps. The frightened look of bus drivers and motorcyclists were many as our ugly blue car careened around corners.
Another viamichelin faux pas caused a slight delay. It said to take the "Lugano Centre" exit for Lugano to help us navigate to the small town of San Mamete and the Stella d'Italia hotel.
First up "Lugano Nord." Next up Lugano "Sud." There was no "Lugano Centre". We got off at Lugano Sud and headed back toward the center. A very lovely drive along the lake, although it was pretty hazy.
Not knowing where the Hell we were, I decided not to "pull a Sarrbrucken." We pulled into a prking lot and asked a taxi driver how to get to San Mamete. Tracy would have asked, but the taxi driver was so good looking that Tracy just stared like that guy at the waterfall.
He told us to get on the little road to St. Moritz and you'll be in Italy very shortly. He was right and about 15 minutes later we were at our hotel, situated right on the lake.
The room was gorgeous, the bathroom was large and well appointed (I sound like a real estate agent), the view was gorgeous, and Tracy reminded me that the taxi driver was gorgeous. Since I had made love to Shania Twain recently (see previous trip report), I couldn't really get mad at her.
We were starving because, after all, we hadn't eaten in about four hours. We sat in the outdoor courtyard with a view of the lake. It was sunny and hot, and we soon found out that this place had some great food. I had my favorite Italian appetizer, prosciutto y meloné and a pasta in a venizon sauce. "Oh deer," I thought. Tracy had some ripe tomatoes and cheese along with another incredible pasta dish.
There is a boat dock at the hotel and, since it was nice out, we took a ride to a little town that was having a street fair. We tootled (yikes a '60s fashback) around the town and got back on the boat an hour later for the trip back.
About 15 bicyclists joined us on the trip, and we started chatting. They were from a Swiss club and enjoyed hearing about California. They also wondered if Arnold was going to win.
We bought a bottle of nice Chianti across the street from our hotel (San Mamete has a couple of bars, a couple of stores, a restaurant, a church and not a heck of a lot more, but it was the perfect place for us (thank you bobthenavigator, the place is still good).
They have the same menu for dinner as they do for lunch, only a couple of euros more (but still very reasonable). I again had the prosciutto y meloné along with a very tender filet de bouef and the best créme brulee I've tasted in quite some time. Tracy went the shrimp salad and veal saltimbocca (spelling error possible) route. Her dessert was also spectacular. An orange hollowed out filled with an orange ice cream. Fantastic. Since we were in Italy, we forced down a couple of Limoncellos apiece. God, how I love Limoncello.
The next day was kind of overcast and drizzly. Since it was Sunday, we knew Lugano was shut down, so we were going to the Villa Favorita, and the gardens I promised Tracy we'd see.
The hotel informed us that the VF has been closed because the owner died and his FIVE ex-wives were fighting over ownership. No wrath like the scorn of five ex-wives. The hotel people told us about a nice little drive near Locarno called Val Verzasca.
It was pretty neat. A number of towns are built into the hills with the houses made out of stone. We were told to see the town of Corippo. We crossed a bridge and took the narrow road up to Corippo. About 1/2 way up, I realized that if a car was going down, there is no chance we could both fit. I started sweating like the guy flying the plane at the end of "Airplane".
Fortunately, we did not encounter another car (probably because no other driver was stupid enough to navigate that little road). The town was cool, but since it was raining in the hills by now, we drove back to Lugano.
We walked around the old town and promenade, but since everything was closed, we decided to hightail back to the hotel for another delicious meal. Since it was not raining there, we dined alfresco. The spaghetti was terrific, and I was forced again to try their creme brulee.
We walked around the little town of San Mamete and enjoyed our patio view of the lake that afternoon sipping a little more wine and enjoying the day. The occasional rain made it very refreshing.
Dinner was again fantastic. Limoncello was again delicious. Whether I would ever travel to Lugano again is iffy, but if you go to the area, I highly recommend the Stella d'Italia as a place to stay (140 euros per night for the room with the patio overlooking the lake).
Tomorrow: On to a little B&B in a medievil city, a crooked Tower, a run down garden, a free train trip, some bling bling on the Ponte Vecchio and Tracy deals with dueling church bells.
We made the drive to Lugano, and within about 45 minutes we were winding our way through the Alps. The frightened look of bus drivers and motorcyclists were many as our ugly blue car careened around corners.
Another viamichelin faux pas caused a slight delay. It said to take the "Lugano Centre" exit for Lugano to help us navigate to the small town of San Mamete and the Stella d'Italia hotel.
First up "Lugano Nord." Next up Lugano "Sud." There was no "Lugano Centre". We got off at Lugano Sud and headed back toward the center. A very lovely drive along the lake, although it was pretty hazy.
Not knowing where the Hell we were, I decided not to "pull a Sarrbrucken." We pulled into a prking lot and asked a taxi driver how to get to San Mamete. Tracy would have asked, but the taxi driver was so good looking that Tracy just stared like that guy at the waterfall.
He told us to get on the little road to St. Moritz and you'll be in Italy very shortly. He was right and about 15 minutes later we were at our hotel, situated right on the lake.
The room was gorgeous, the bathroom was large and well appointed (I sound like a real estate agent), the view was gorgeous, and Tracy reminded me that the taxi driver was gorgeous. Since I had made love to Shania Twain recently (see previous trip report), I couldn't really get mad at her.
We were starving because, after all, we hadn't eaten in about four hours. We sat in the outdoor courtyard with a view of the lake. It was sunny and hot, and we soon found out that this place had some great food. I had my favorite Italian appetizer, prosciutto y meloné and a pasta in a venizon sauce. "Oh deer," I thought. Tracy had some ripe tomatoes and cheese along with another incredible pasta dish.
There is a boat dock at the hotel and, since it was nice out, we took a ride to a little town that was having a street fair. We tootled (yikes a '60s fashback) around the town and got back on the boat an hour later for the trip back.
About 15 bicyclists joined us on the trip, and we started chatting. They were from a Swiss club and enjoyed hearing about California. They also wondered if Arnold was going to win.
We bought a bottle of nice Chianti across the street from our hotel (San Mamete has a couple of bars, a couple of stores, a restaurant, a church and not a heck of a lot more, but it was the perfect place for us (thank you bobthenavigator, the place is still good).
They have the same menu for dinner as they do for lunch, only a couple of euros more (but still very reasonable). I again had the prosciutto y meloné along with a very tender filet de bouef and the best créme brulee I've tasted in quite some time. Tracy went the shrimp salad and veal saltimbocca (spelling error possible) route. Her dessert was also spectacular. An orange hollowed out filled with an orange ice cream. Fantastic. Since we were in Italy, we forced down a couple of Limoncellos apiece. God, how I love Limoncello.
The next day was kind of overcast and drizzly. Since it was Sunday, we knew Lugano was shut down, so we were going to the Villa Favorita, and the gardens I promised Tracy we'd see.
The hotel informed us that the VF has been closed because the owner died and his FIVE ex-wives were fighting over ownership. No wrath like the scorn of five ex-wives. The hotel people told us about a nice little drive near Locarno called Val Verzasca.
It was pretty neat. A number of towns are built into the hills with the houses made out of stone. We were told to see the town of Corippo. We crossed a bridge and took the narrow road up to Corippo. About 1/2 way up, I realized that if a car was going down, there is no chance we could both fit. I started sweating like the guy flying the plane at the end of "Airplane".
Fortunately, we did not encounter another car (probably because no other driver was stupid enough to navigate that little road). The town was cool, but since it was raining in the hills by now, we drove back to Lugano.
We walked around the old town and promenade, but since everything was closed, we decided to hightail back to the hotel for another delicious meal. Since it was not raining there, we dined alfresco. The spaghetti was terrific, and I was forced again to try their creme brulee.
We walked around the little town of San Mamete and enjoyed our patio view of the lake that afternoon sipping a little more wine and enjoying the day. The occasional rain made it very refreshing.
Dinner was again fantastic. Limoncello was again delicious. Whether I would ever travel to Lugano again is iffy, but if you go to the area, I highly recommend the Stella d'Italia as a place to stay (140 euros per night for the room with the patio overlooking the lake).
Tomorrow: On to a little B&B in a medievil city, a crooked Tower, a run down garden, a free train trip, some bling bling on the Ponte Vecchio and Tracy deals with dueling church bells.
