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Fabulous photo of the promenade!
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Day 5: Train to Wengen (CHF 34 half fare each). Had reserved seats on MOB prior to trip. Bought lunch to eat on train (baguette, quiche, strawberry tart). The bakery cafe across the road from the Montreux train station also sells prepared salads for train picnics, which looked good. Another scenic train ride, passing towns I’d noted for visiting one day, Chateau d’oeux, Rougemont, Saanen. Sat next to a charming young Vietnamese man now studying in London, but taking his parents on a whirlwind trip through Switzerland. His mother spoke no English, but we ‘talked’ as one does, with hand signals and smiles. Really enjoy these interactions when travelling. Where we stayed: it was back to the fabulous Alpenrose for us, room with view and balcony, plus half board CHF 300 per night, (excellent breakfast, and the dinners are an amazing 5 course experience, taking that into account we thought it good value) Arrival afternoon, just relaxed around town. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d806ba9af.jpeg Lauterbrunnen valley https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...aba5fdd2e.jpeg Lauterbrunnen valley https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a6e735428.jpeg View from our balcony |
Day 6: High cloud, no rain. So trained to Lauterbrunnen and bus to Isenfluh (about 10 minutes) CHF 14.40 each return (half fare). https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...569cdcd55.jpeg Isenfluh https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2249e6173.jpeg Isenfluh https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f5a7a8ea1.jpeg Isenfluh https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f1c435c2a.jpeg Isenfluh It’s a little Postbus, about 10 of us on board. Some hairpin curves as we ascended and a 1200m tunnel. Arrival in Isenfluh, and took the little cablecar to Sulwald (CHF 9 each, return with guestcard). Tiny little village, meadows filled with flowers. Cows not up at higher altitude yet, due to recent snow. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...00a7973a2.jpeg More uphill https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...bc461d21e.jpeg Rocky and steep trail in parts https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...442d42951.jpeg It’s a workout https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3827a2695.jpeg Beautiful rural views Took the trail to Lobhornhütte, quite uphill, through forest, then a stream with little waterfalls, patches of snow, and finally the hut (about 1 ½ hours walk) for a very welcome lunch of beer, merlot, an Alp cheese plate and a Gesternsuppe (CHF 43). Fantastic. Views over Wengen and the nearby mountains, but quite cloudy so peaks obscured. A great walk. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...bc01111b0.jpeg Flowers galore https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...98d378202.jpeg Sulsalp https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...94f5aa908.jpeg Beautiful views https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...06279bcfd.jpeg Looking towards the valley https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...13a501666.jpeg Waterfall https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2cc62a548.jpeg Nearing the Lobhornhütte https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7a0f5555c.jpeg Teasing glimpses of peaks https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8d5a194c4.jpeg Lunch https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8f7f1285d.jpeg So beautiful https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a2e5e783e.jpeg Descending into forest again https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6a04d47f2.jpeg Lots of options https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f68fef1c0.jpeg Meadow flowers We returned the same way, others were walking to or from Grütschalp. Left our hotel before 9am, and were back by 5 pm. A lot of excursions from Wengen involve lengthy travel, but there are some great very local, but not busy, walks. This was also a very cheap day out. Plenty more photos on my Flickr album... |
Be glad you weren't in Montreux this last Saturday! There was a HUGE storm on the lake (and here in the Valais too) with high winds, thunder, hail etc. Unfortunately the annual Bol d'Or race which involves hundreds of sailing boats (biggest race on an inland waterway in the world apparently) was happening at the same time. Lots lost their masts and sadly a woman spectator was killed when the boat she was on sank.
Can't wait to see photos from Sils Maria!! Have a wonderful time in the Engadin. |
Yes, we heard that awful news. So sad. Day 7: Wengen. Forecast cloudy until mid afternoon then sunny. The high town of Mürren was shrouded in cloud. So, the Lauterbrunnen valley was our goal (last time we were here we walked in the rain). Our half fare return to Lauterbrunnen was CHF 6.80 each. We walked to the Schilthornbahn, a gorgeous 90 minute easy (flat, paved) walk. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...566ea4114.jpeg Lauterbrunnen https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e1e2b0ac2.jpeg Valley walk https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...175ff3422.jpeg Soaring cliffs https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a5aff117c.jpeg Gorgeous. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...19da8ffac.jpeg Soaring cliffs https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...33511fc72.jpeg Waterfalls https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4d043967e.jpeg Spectacular walk It was still cloudy at higher elevation, so we took the Schilthornbahn to Gimmelwald for lunch, as it was sunny there (CHF 6 return). https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...08e3b315b.jpeg Gimmelwald https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3f9ad5958.jpeg Perfect lunch spot https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a87c19ec7.jpeg Gimmelwald https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e21aa7b26.jpeg Gimmelwald Enjoyed a simple lunch of dark beer, leek soup and rustic bread (CHF 27 for 2). Wandered around Gimmelwald for a while, enjoying the sun (and the goats and cows). |
Lovely photos Adelaidean! You're whetting my appetite for our trip this fall.
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Day 9: the cows being brought up to summer pastures in Wengernalp https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7bd144074.jpeg Cows being moved to summer meadows, need to pass through village https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...52970e4dc.jpeg Cows heading to Wengernalp https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c6d9115a6.jpeg Cow bells, what a lovely sound |
Lovely lovely photos! I remember so well the cows going up to the alpage above our chalet in Verbier -- we had to pray for rain for the next couple of days so that the road would be washed - you can imagine from what!!
Personally I prefer the views from the Schilthorn to any other views around the Jungfrau. Again GREAT photos! |
When I saw the cattle moving in 2016, I think everyone in town had cut their lawn the day before, and your second photo shows why--to discourage them from trying to graze along the way. We stayed in the yellow building in the background of pictures 2 and 3. Having all those bells wake you up was a memorable experience.
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Bookmarking. Looks like an amazing trip. Thanks for sharing your lovely photos.
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Thanks for commenting. continuing day 9: Wengen to Thun: Where we stayed: Hotel Krone 4 nights modern double room with breakfast CHF 988 Train CHF 16 and 90 mins to Thun. (I had bought the train tickets on the SBB app, and while we hadn’t bought a SIM card after all, I just took a screen shot on my iPad and the conductors scan that.) There was a slight delay on the Lauterbrunnen to Interlaken leg, so we missed the connecting train. But the train carriages have screens showing connections and a bus to Thun was leaving shortly, so we jumped on that. I wasn’t sure if my train ticket was acceptable to use on the bus, but the charming driver okayed it, then chatted to us about Adelaide. :) Gorgeous bus ride, so happy we missed the train! It follows the other side of the lake from the train, and stops in little towns, turquoise lake views, rolling green hills, more distant peaks, cliffs, tunnels, beautiful trees. Just lovely. Slower and nicer than the train. Lunch in the square just by our hotel, another delightful lady doing her best to understand my order, and we stumbled through, with a superb simple cheese and ham seeded roll and tap beer each (CHF28). Then a wander around to orientation ourselves. Great vibe, really like this little city already. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...14004cc6a.jpeg Our hotel is in this square https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b95a5b411.jpeg Schloss Thun https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8e010f9f9.jpeg Covered bridge https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d1fbe6665.jpeg Rooftops https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b010905b6.jpeg Old town https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e104c97e4.jpeg Charming architecture https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a79f7ed9c.jpeg Covered bridge https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...294e63d4b.jpeg Gorgeous houses |
Still here! Still loving your photos!
Glad you're liking Thun! I love it, too! s |
And still loving your TR. Again, great photos... we really enjoyed Thun.
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Just beautiful! Dreaming of my next trip!
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Thun is so very lovely. And your photos are too!! Thanks.
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Fantastic photos Adelaidean. Has me excited for my Switzerland trip later this summer. Thanks for sharing!
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Day 10: A morning wander... https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...64a66818c.jpeg then 40 minute direct train ride to Kandersteg (CHF 22 each return half fare) Again, the journey itself is lovely, along the lake to Spiez, then through valley via Frutigen, really stunning. Charming little town, and stroll to the cablecar (CHF 13 each return). Totally surrounded by mountains, incredible. A quick ride up and an easy walk to the Oeschinensee. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2a9646b49.jpeg Walk to the lake https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2be41216e.jpeg Walk to the lake https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...999ea05bd.jpeg Oeschinensee https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d11bc9320.jpeg Oeschinensee https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3758e9d4d.jpeg Oeschinensee We walked via the Läger lookout and were trail shamed by the 70 year old Swiss hikers heading up the mountain trail instead. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...144be3bba.jpeg The trail we didn’t take https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7cc741913.jpeg Can just make out some hikers on the high trail Majestic mountains surrounding the lake. And a gorgeous sunny day as well. A pleasant lunch at the lake and a lovely slow wander back, https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...bab98458d.jpeg Flowers https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0b8c3a9a1.jpeg Flowers https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7b9e42805.jpeg Church https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d6bffa96c.jpeg Waterfalls https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...28b3ddbc0.jpeg Interesting rock formations https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...fd046b0c2.jpeg Surrounded by mountains And a simple journey home. Followed by a craft beer at our ‘local’ at the square. Another wonderful day. |
Lovely photos - thanks for sharing! Look forward to more...
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and were trail shamed by the 70 year old Swiss hikers heading up the mountain trail instead.
If I only had a nickel for every time that has happened to us! :) |
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