Second Week: Interlaken and Zermatt, Switzerland

Ah, just got back from a run. Much needed!

The past week of my trip has consisted of Kari and I meeting up with more friends, Michelle and Tim, and traveling around Switzerland by train.

On Sunday, Michelle and Tim arrived. After a mix-up on the trains, they managed to find their way to the right stop, where I met them and led them to Mom's apartment. We spent the first day wandering around Vevey, getting snacks to take on the train, and checking out the view. For dinner at home, we had a cheese, salami and cracker plate with wine (thanks, Mom!). Then we packed up and got ready for our four-day Swiss trip.

Walking around Vevey - Tim's first purchase in Switzerland was a Starbucks (ha!)

Dinner at Mom's apartment

For this trip, we bought the 4-day Swiss Pass, which I would recommend if you are going to ride the train around for four days straight and go on interesting rides, such as to the top of peaks in the Alps, etc. It gives your unlimited rides by train, bus and boat and discounted rides up to the peaks!

On Monday, we took the train to Interlaken, Switzerland. It is so named, because it is a town that sits between two lakes, Brienz and Thun. This is a pretty touristy town, but the area is gorgeous and we found plenty to do in our two nights there. We arrived in the early afternoon and checked into our very nice hostel, AlpLodge. Then, we headed over to Seilpark, a high ropes and ziplining course that was just a 15 minute walk into the woods on the outskirts of the town.

Beginning of the high ropes course

I was scared at first - I'd never been on such a difficult and high ropes course. In fact, I think the last time I did any high ropes course, I was 12 years old at summer camp - and it wasn't this high. After I got past the scariest challenge (swinging on a rope from platform to platform), I was fine for the rest of the afternoon. We were all a bit sore the next day, but it was a lot of fun!

My least favorite challenge of the day - but I made it!

Michelle enjoying one of the ziplines

On Tuesday, Michelle and Tim spent the day going up to the Jungfraujoch, also known as the Top of Europe. They reported fantastic views on the ride up, but said the peak was in a cloud, so there was no view from the top. Kari and I spent our day sleeping in a bit and then going on a boat ride (for free with our Swiss Pass!) around Lake Brienz. It was a 65 degree day with low cloud cover, which made the trip very relaxing and serene. There were also fewer tourists on this boat ride, which made the experience even nicer. After the boat ride, Kari and I took the train up to Grindelwald just to walk around and check it out.

I would like to have my boat on Lake Brienz, too.

Rode the train up to Grindelwald - higher elevation, more mountains

The clouds let up in the late afternoon, and we were able to see the Jungfrau (which means virgin or untouched mountain) from the city of Interlaken.

View of the Jungfrau from Interlaken

Beautiful morning walk while everyone else was sleeping

Boat ride on Lake Thun, on our way to Zermatt

On Wednesday, we made our way by boat and train to the famous ski town of Zermatt, Switzerland. I was excited for this part of the trip, simply because I wanted to see the Matterhorn. Of course, when we arrived, it was covered in a cloud. So, Kari and I poked around the town and visited the Matterhorn Museum (free with our Swiss Pass), while Michelle and Tim went up the Gornergrat to see the view from up there (again, discounted ticket with the Swiss Pass). We met for dinner at the Brown Cow Pub (had to!) and it was yummy. Just love that Swiss food, all cheese and meat and bread, and zero veggies. That's my style.

Old Town Zermatt - It once was a farming village

Evolution of skis (and the addition of the snowboard)

Proof! Kari really does like Brown Cows... and brown beer :)

Luckily, by the next morning we had an amazing view of the Matterhorn peak from our hostel (Youth Hostel International, it's a good one). Since the weather was so nice, Kari and I took the train up to the Gornergrat, like Michelle and Tim had done the day before. It was such a clear and beautiful day, we were so glad we went up there to see the views.

View from the Gornergrat - Gorner Glacier in the background

At the Gornergrat - Matterhorn in the background (left)

 Zermatt was a quick trip, just one night, but since we really only came to see the Matterhorn, we considered the trip a success.

Clear view of the Matterhorn on our last day

Kari and I ate at Mai Thai on Lake Geneva for her last night - It was delicious!

 On Friday morning, Kari made her way back home to California. I walked her to the train station to see her off for the airport. I spent the rest of the day relaxing and publishing my late blog post (titled First Week: Switzerland and Italy). Today will be another day of relaxation, and preparing for the arrival of my brother, Michael, who comes in tomorrow from Charlotte, NC. We will be traveling to Venice, Amsterdam (meeting up with Scott, Megan and Jonathan there), Prague and Berlin next. Stay tuned for another post about the upcoming trip in about two weeks.

Thanks for reading! See you soon.

Abby :)