we've had an amazing run with the weather really
a bit dull and wet in prague but that kind of worked
today we had plans to do the cablecar ride up mt pilatus
but inclement weather would have provided great views of clouds
we've both been there before so no big loss as plans re-arranged
a planned 5 hour train expedition then started earlier
first part a near 2 hour trip from lucerne to interlaken
our eurail global pass entitles us to 1st class carriages
and we have it pretty well to ourselves as we head out
the climb is almost immediate and seems effortless
we're well into the heart of the swiss interior
in every direction there is something to gape at
beautiful little villages each featuring a church or 2
a raging river, waterfalls, rock-faces, huge mountains
not much sign of life - human or animal - very neat fields
thoughts on how incomes are generated - possibly commuting?
or are the residents fund managers for swiss bank accounts
2 hours passes by quickly with so much to see and discuss
a brief stop to change trains at interlaken for part 2
we're lakeside for a good part of the journey to zweisimmen
comparisons to nz south island scenery easy to make
except for the sight of large villages mountainside
more pondering about how people get to some of the houses
many perched in isolation or grouped way, way up above
no obvious sign of roads so presumably walked/climbed
whatever the means the residents are in splendid isolation
another hour of simple gazing passes by in no time
then the final change to the golden pass train to montreux
so called because of the spectacular scenery on offer
we're in another carriage offering panoramic views
so our heads are going in all directions soaking it up
it's fairly obvious we are in a decent sized swiss ski area
the season well finished and summer coming so no skiers
but lots of ski-lifts, lodges, equipment shops and the odd hiker
after our dubai ski experience there is talk of returning here one day
but for now it's all look and talk only as the train continues it's climb
all quite surreal in a way - so many houses and so few people
the descent into montreux is made with the odd zig or zag
lake geneva opening up before us in all it's glory
stunning views too - it is huge - like an inland ocean
the size of montreux surprises us also as it stretches out
from central station it's a clamber up a few steep streets
lugging 4 suitcases and other bags to our apartment
perched high up overlooking the lake
took a while to locate the place
but worth the effort for our 2 day stopover
