Matten, Interlaken: Last day in the Berner Oberland and a local walk

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We had intended to go hiking in the Emmentaler area today at a small place called Sumiswald but decided against it as it meant another 2 hours on a train to get there and another back again. It is our last day in the Berner Oberland so we figured there were areas close at hand that we could visit. We set off for Wilderswil first which is nearby and headed off down the Lutschine River to it's outflow into the lake of Brienz. One mistake. There was a really cold wind blowing and we were doing our Kiwi habit of shorts and a light jacket when longs and a windproof jacket was in order.

The Lutschine flows down the far side of a huge unused aerodrome belonging to the armed forces. All around it are large mounds with huge sliding doors like bunkers or aircraft hangars. The locals seem to use it for walking their dogs or cycling but I guess it's in reserve in case of a disaster. I'd love to know what is inside those mounds and whether they are protection bunkers in case of a nuclear war rather and aircraft hangars.

At the lake we found a seat out of the wind so a chance to warm up and have a picnic lunch. The lake is a most beautiful aqua colour, surrounded by high mountains. If it wasn't for the cold wind, it would have been perfect here. We walked up the canal that runs between the two lakes to Interlaken Ost and headed back to the apartment to get some warmer clothes. set Much warmer, we set off for Interlaken West to buy some flowers for Mariann and walked up the hill to Unterseen to her apartment for our last visit. Many of our friends who have visited with us have met this most generous lady and she of course, sends greetings to them all. She fed us, despite that fact that we had already eaten. There's no such thing as not being fed by her as it's a foregone conclusion that you will be treated to something yummy. She, on the otherhand, eats practically nothing. We three then walked back to Interlaken Ost via a forest track and a trail on the far side of the canal. Only the locals use this path and very nice it was too. Soon we were back at the apartment ending our last day here.

We love the Bernese area but it really is being overrun by tourism. The locals, whilst they benefit from the income, dislike the shear numbers that now descend on this area. We can relate to this in NZ as we try to keep up with the tourist numbers visiting locations that simply do not have the infrastructure to deal with them. At least the Swissies are making changes to cope, but I wonder if it's in the best interests of the locals as opposed to the business owners.

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Photos

Houses in Matten dating back to 1537
It's incredible to think the house here is almost 500 years old. The timber is definitely aged but it doesn't look like it's about to fall down. Styles haven't changed over the years.

A sheltered spot near Boningen at the head of the Brienzersee
In the background is a very old, ornate Lake Brienz ferry boat.

The Monch and Jungfrau mountains from Unterseen
What a superb view from Mariann's deck of the Monch and Jungfrau mountains