Hiking Through Switzerland

Day 2: Zermatt 

We left Zurich on the 8:02 train bound for Zermatt.  When we embarked, we found 2 blind men siitting in our reserved seats.  What a moral dilemma! Fortunately we were able to find 2 empty reserved seats for them and didn't have to feel too guilty. 

The train soon left the flat area around Zurich and we got to experience the beginning of the Swiss alps.

Our trip required a transfer in Visp to a regional train that began a steady ascent to Zermatt at over 5,000'

We arrived in Zermatt to mostly cloudy skies but no rain.  Our hotel was  literally steps (and not too many) from the train station and quite posh. Though our rooms weren't ready, we were given great options for hiking for the afternoon.  

It was a short walk across the train tracks then down to the river running through Zermatt to the Sunnega cog railway station.

We took the train up to Sunnega 

and by the time we arrived, the sun was out and the temperatures began to warm up.

We kept waiting for the clouds to move away from the summit of the Matterhorn, but it never happened.

So we gave up and began to hike back down to Zermat. Wildflowers were blooming everywhere, and ChatGPT was very helpful in identifying them.

Along the way, we passed through several small villages, half expecting to meet up with Heidi and her Opa.

In addition to hikers, these trails also accomodate mountain bikers, though most that we saw were on E-MTBs. Made us think of Al and Joan.

Had to make a quick first aid stop for a developing blister

and then headed into the woods for the final descent into Zermatt

The 6 mile descent was pretty hard on the legs, and back at the hotel we rewarded ourselves by (heavily) partaking in the afternoon coffee and pastry at the hotel.  The pastry chef is amazing!

Dinner tonight was at an Indian restaurant around the corner from the hotel.  We've tried Indian food all over the globe, and have rarely been diappointed.  Tonight was no exception.  We had a great dinner, though it was definitely the most expensive Indian food we have ever eaten. Prices here are CRAZY!

After dinner, back at the hotel we happened to glance out our window and low and behold, the heavans had parted and the Matterhorn was clear as a bell.

A good omen for tomorrow?

Hiking Through Switzerland

Day 1:  Arrival in Zurich

We finally returned, after about 25 years, to the land of chocolate, Swiss bank accounts and Heidi.  Getting here involved a bit of a circuitous route that began with a drive to Larchmont (which gave us a chance to get a Gabby and Nate fix), a train to Philadelphia

                                            

another train to Philadelphia International Airport, an overnight flight to Zurich,and finally a train to the center of Zurich and a short walk to our hotel.

  

Our entire trip here was flawless with the exception of our disembarking the train station in Zurich on the wrong side of the tracks requiring us (me) to carry the bags up a couple of flights of stairs.  Fortunately, a strapping young lad took pity on an elderly couple and helped us.

Jeri and I had a few hours to kill before Molly and Dave arrived, so we decided to shower and then go on an explore.  First we went back to the train station 

to figure out the correct way to leave the station to warn Molly and Dave. We sent them explicit directions on how to get the train from the airport and how to correctly get to the hotel.  Unfortunately, Dave's European number was incorrect and they never got the update.  This gave them the opportunity to get lost all on there own.  

From the train station, 

                                    

we strolled into the old town, die Altestadt, 

thinking we might climb the tower of the Grossmunster, the iconic Zurich church.  We have been to many iconic structures throughout the world, each covered with scaffolding including Notre Dame, the clock in Prague, the Acropolis, the Forbidden City in Bejiing, and countless others.  Grossmünster did not disappoint.

                                                    

The renovations also saved us a significant climb since the tower was closed. We still hadn't heard from Molly and Dave, and began to think they might be having communications problems since we saw that their plane had already landed, so we decided to start heading back to the hotel. As we wandered back through the old city, 

                                                     

a light rain began to fall.  We were happy to find it  brief and never to hard.  By the time we got back to our hotel , the rain had stopped.  As we walked in we noticed 2 tired Americans checking in at the desk.  Great timing!

After Molly and Dave got into their room and freshened up, we all went back out to explore. 

                                           

The weather started out looking like more rain, but within a short time, the sun came out and the rest of the day was beautiful.  First order of the afternoon was to find some food. We sat outside at an Italian restaurant in the heart of the Altestadt and had a nice leisurely lunch.  

                                        

Refueled, we continued on to the Fraumünster, 

a church famous for its Chagall stained glass windows. There were also crypts there especially for Molly.

Since the weather was now pretty spectacular, we decided to walk along the river to Lake Zurich 

and take a boat ride around the lake. This allowed us more time out in the sun to keep our jet-lag at bay. 

We stopped at the Lindt factory in Kilschburg.  Sadly, there were no tickets available (we had checked 2 days earlier, so if you want to go, get tickets early!).

  The boat trip was a very pleasant 1 1/2 hours in the sun. 

On our return we stopped at a falafel stand for a light dinner.  The proprietor utilizing her "Jadar"  pegged us as Jews.  She was Israeli and had her stand here for about 30 years. We sat and ate our falafel on a park bench skirting the pigeon poop.  They were quite good (as expected from an Israeli).  

We ended the day with a walk back to the hotel and a comfortable bed.  Tomorrow we tackle the Swiss rail sytem on our way to Zermat.