Blogs from Kandersteg, South-West, Switzerland, Europe
March 30th 2008
Für vier Monate verlasse ich mein vertrautes und schönes Zuhause. Am 10. April fliege ich mit der Singapore Airline nach Brisbane (Australien). Mit dem Ziel mein Englisch zu verbessern, besuche ich während 10 Wochen eine Sprachschule an der Gold Coast (Surfers Paradise) und werde danach fünf Wochen reisen und das Land kennen lernen. Am 26. Juli fliege ich von Sidney wieder zurück in die Schweiz. Auf dieser Seite dokumentiere ich meinen Aufenthalt in Australien für mich und Diejenigen die es interessiert, was ich in down under so alles erlebe.... read more
Meet a few of the regulars & a change of plans
Published: October 1st 2007Europe » Switzerland » South-West » Kandersteg
September 15th 2007
These are the only photos you'll ever see of me in such close proximity to a beer tap - you better treasure the memory of them! I hope I've earnt extra brownie points for representing NZ on this side of the globe - I've had a few "oh you're from NZ" along with the odd "what are the all blacks?"......to which I obviously replied "Only the best rugby team in the world".....and once somebody even responded with: "What's rugby?" First time to the City in 3 monthsAfter one day in Bern (the capital of Switzerland) following a 3 month stint in the mountains I was left dazed by all of the superficial advertising, the numerous "click clicks" of high heels pounding the pavement and the general hecticness of modern city life. Now I can understand why ... read more
What a cracker of a day! Climbing Blumlisalp
Published: September 14th 2007Europe » Switzerland » South-West » Kandersteg
September 12th 2007
Climbing BlumlisalpBlumlisalp is "the mountain" of Kandersteg - I can see it from the window at work, from my bedroom window, from the belcony - it's like the Queen of the village, always in view where ever you are. The views from the top are fabulous - probably the best view of Lake Oeschinsee I've ever seen - I've now looked down on the lake from almost every angle & height possible, bar a parachute! We were very lucky with the weather - finally managing to head up there together after putting days aside for it 4 times this summer (the weather was always bad on my days off!). The conditions were perfect - it was a still, wind-free, gorgeous Autumn day. I sprung out of bed at 4.30am (nothing like something to remind me of ... read more
September 7th 2007
BeerWorking behind a bar is starting to wear thin - working the beer tap is no longer a challenge (haha) and I may as well have been a chain smoker for the last 2 1/2 months! I have woken up twice in the middle of the night on days off work fumbling around for the door thinking I've forgotten somebodies beer...then finding myself wrapped up in the curtain freaking out because I think I'm at work not dressed. When will I ever grow out of weird sleep walking? Janine came to visit for 1 week around a month ago and apparently I've been sleep talking too. In German. About beer and smoking! "Ich will deine bier bringen" and "nicht rauchen!" I would never have thought the day would come when those two things would be taking ... read more
Aint no mountain high enough...
Published: August 6th 2007Europe » Switzerland » South-West » Kandersteg
July 31st 2007
Life is zooming by for me at the moment. I don't have any crazy cultural tales to share. This is the country where trains run on time, the grass is always short, there are unlimited supplies of chocolate & cheese & you can hear cow bells tinkling in the distance. The contrast to India is astonishing, but I love both places. I've started working in "proper service" every second weekend now & have consequently mastered the art of folding cloth napkins. Ha. There is a knack to it you know. But then again there is often a right & a "wrong" way to do everything in Switzerland, especially in the hospitality industry. Sometimes I wonder what on earth I'm doing here! I don't make a habit of being covered in beer foam or deep frying lettuces, ... read more
Living up to my nature girl title!
Published: August 6th 2007Europe » Switzerland » South-West » Kandersteg
July 15th 2007
KanderstegI've had a fantastic first few weeks in Kandersteg so far. For those of you who don't know anything about it... It's a little village at 1200m up in the mountains in Switzerland, about 45min by train from Bern, the capital of Switzerland. It's a popular tourist destination for hiking & mountain climbing in the summertime. I'm proud to say that there is no Mc Donalds, KFC, Starbucks or any other disgusting American food chain! There are 350km of walking trails around the village, so there's plenty to do - unless you're a couch potato, then you couldn't pick a more boring place! The population is about 1500, but there are 25 hotels and there's an international scout centre. This year is the scout centres 100 year anniversary so it's busier than usual. At the start ... read more
Switzerland - Christmas 2005
Published: January 4th 2006Europe » Switzerland » South-West » Kandersteg
January 2nd 2006
Just a bit of a test before the real trip begins... Christmas 2005 was spent in Switzerland with a fantastic bunch of people falling down mountains, eating and drinking a too much. A quick run down on my take on our activities Cross-country ski-ing - just as I'd always thought, an impossible way to go down hill, hard work going uphill and not that great on the level either - best avoided. Snow-shoeing - a great way to get round, through or on top of the countryside. Tobogganing - highlight of my trip. A 3.5km adrenalin rush down to the bottom of the hill, stopping best done with feet, or just bail out. Curling - definitely an old peoples' sport, bowls on a slippy surface. Ice skating - best left to the young and mad, seems ... read more
