Blogs from Gimmelwald, North-West, Switzerland, Europe
June 20th 2011
As we mentioned, the trains through Interlaken into the Swiss Alps provided breathtaking views. Glacier lakes, gorgeous mountains peaks surrounded us. After 2 trains, a bus, and a cable car to the near top of the mountain, we reached our hotel in the midst of the Swiss Alps around 7 pm. We couldn't believe how high up we were. We checked in and were greeted by sweet and gracious manager, Sabine, who oriented us to the space. We went next door at the youth hostel, which was buzzing with energy, to use the 5 francs for 48 hours computer and stopped to meet the friendly staff. We decided to stay there for dinner and had traditional Swiss meals, quiche and salad, baked cheese, pineapple and onion dish, and had great conversation with a couple from Colorado ... read more
Now You See Why Za Birds Sing .....Eh
Published: June 25th 2011Europe » Switzerland » North-West » Gimmelwald
June 20th 2011
We were ecstatic about starting our full day in the Alps. Our hotel recommended that we have breakfast in Schiltorn, which was the highest point you could be as a visitor. It was in the 40's so we bundled up with as much as we could. Since we deliberately packed light and were going to be in so many different climates, our Swiss Alps gear was limited. We took a cable car from Gimmelwald to Murren and then a vertical cable car from Murren to the summit. Visibility was limited because we were literally in the clouds. It's definitely not something one who has a fear of heights should try. :) There was a huge multilevel structure that looked like something out of a sci fi movie and on one level was a rotating restaurant where ... read more
August 1st 2010
wll i think i last left you in venice. i dont seem to be blogging too much but oh well. i took the night train from venice up to vienna. vienna is a beatiful city. i made friend with some british kids and we had a good time going out together. the food was great. next came prague. even better looking than vienna. truly the nicest hostel i have stayed in so far. it was like a nice hotel room with luxurious bunk beds. i met some new brits here and continued the party. the city was great. i dont understand a word of czech by the way. next i went to sazlburg. looked at all the mozart stuff and ate chocolate balls. short stay. then i went over to reutte in the mountains of western ... read more
July 12th 2010
Wow, amazing scenery in this area of the world. Arrived in Interlaken to be treated with a beautiful , clear, hot day and decided to take the journey to the top or Europe- Jungfrau. A two hour journey beginning in hot 30 degrees in Interlaken and 5 degrees by the time I reached the top. Snow galore- amazing views and many photos to be taken. Very exciting! Had to take 45 minutes out when I arrived at the top as I had altitude sickness as we were at above 3000m. A very expensive meal later, after getting some sugar into me I explored the top. The ice palace was very cool with many ice sculptures even the floors were made from ice so it was the closest I will ever get to ice skating. A few ... read more
October 11th 2009
9/10/09 It was a cold, loud and restless night with little sleep. According to Andrew, we had to be out of the parking lot by 7am. Around 6:30am he headed to another parking lot for breakfast. I fell back asleep and woke an hour later in yet another parking lot. He just kept moving us around like fugitives on the run till the campgrounds opened at 9am. We finally got to the campground and got a little shut eye till 10am. We then headed down the river to catch the Gondola up to Gimmelwald and Murren. The view from Murren was breathtaking. We were surrounded by the King of the Alps mountains. We had lunch in front of the famous Eiger mountain, snow capped at 13,000 ft. and the majestic Jungfrau, the tallest (13,600 ft.) and ... read more
July 18th 2008
Picking up where we left off, canyoning was a lot of fun although we had to cut the day short (it was supposed to be 8 hrs total) as it was raining and the water levels were getting too high (we only got about 5hrs total). It was still pouring when we arrived back at Balmers, completely exhausted, where we had to make arrangements in order to reach our night's lodging in a town called Gimmelwald. After taking a bus, train, and a crazy ass moutain lift we arrived at "the Mountain Hostel", 4500 ft above sea leavel, at around 6pm. Surprisingly, the place was packed...mostly young people but there were some older rick steves worshippers too. Due to the fact that our views were blocked by fog we just hung out at the hostel (in ... read more
July 17th 2008
We arrived in Switzerland after having taken 4 trains (7 hours total) from Munich to Stuttgart, to Zurich, to Bern, to Interlaken - it was an unintentionally fun day as we boarded the two best trains we have been on yet (very luxurious) and, of course, the scenery coming into Interlaken was something like we have never experienced. We stayed at the famous Balmers hostel where we found a ton of Americans and non showering Canadiens. It was very much like summer camp as they had bbq's (12 dollar burgers...ouch!) and a very outdoors enthusiast crowd. Having been exhausted from the "step your game up" nights in Munich, I decided to keep it a little more mellow - only heading to the hostel's "Metro Bar" for a few minutes (very much like a night in TJ ... read more
GPS is awesome...if you know how to use it!
Published: June 11th 2008Europe » Switzerland » North-West » GimmelwaldJune 11th 2008
Hi everyone! Yes, we made it. I'll try to catch you up... Left Sunday from McGuire on a C17. Boy was in awe of the accomodations on the plane! Arrived in Ramstien on their Monday afternoon. Secured lodging at Landstuhl and picked up the rental car. Had some kind of scnitzel and beer for dinner and sacked out pretty early. Took off midday Tues for Triberg in the Black Forest. This is where we got to know Helga the GPS navigator really well. Until she bailed on us in Baden Baden - about 2 hours from our destination! Of course, the maps we had were no good and my co-pilot was lulled to sleep by the switchbacks and the sounds of me grinding gears on a 35% grade! OH, did I mention we have a Picante ... read more
October 14th 2007
Everyone get your passports organised because you will want to go to this place!! I decided to do a blog just on this small town off 200 odd people just because it is simply amazing! Most of you would know that I was coming here after stumbling across it over a year ago on the net and then and there I decided I was heading to this remote village.Getting here is quite difficult as there are no cars allowed and either hiking or using the cable car is the only means of transport. The town is on a cliff face over looking a massive valley and with snow capped mountains on the other side it is just amazing.Think this place would be full of touirsts... think again... The goverment put a hold on building, saying that ... read more
I dont want to give this a title. Take that TravelBlog. Sucker.
Published: October 6th 2007Europe » Switzerland » North-West » Gimmelwald
October 6th 2007
Last time I wrote, i think it was Berlin. Ya, thats right. In between then and now: Paris. Hulled Ass. Fi and I pushed hard in Paris cause any longer than 3 nights would have done a number on my bank account. But enough of the ugly truth of traveling in Europe! Paris was wonderful and I think part of that had to do with the rain and midweek timing. Crowds were low, humidity high and everything else just right. We did and saw most of the major stuff, but the Musee dOrsay blew me away. Although I have not been to EVERY museum in the entire world, so far I would say its pretty much perfect. I could have stayed there for a very long time. Sidenote: Traveling has been amazing for my dreams. I ... read more
