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Published: June 29th 2017
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Geo: 45.9253, 6.86979
What a great way to celebrate our four month travel anniversary! Todays expedition to the top of Mount Blanc, the highest point in Western Europe, would prove to be one of the most memorable of our trip. It didn't start perfectly. We were up at 7, to get up, get ready and find the departure spot for our tour. Nat obtained directions from Google. They werent remotely helpful. We wandered aimlessly, only finding the spot thanks to assistance from locals. On the bus, it didn't take long to discover our 'tour' was actually pretty crappy. The guide wouldn't accompany us anywhere really, and just take us to locations, with a bunch of erratic directions and guidelines in broken English. It was an English speaking tour. What was a fail in tour terms, we made up for as best we could, and the destinations and attractions themselves made the day more than worthwhile!
We crossed the border into France and arrived at the town of Chamonix at the base of Mount Blanc. The weather at this point was depressing and ominous, not just raining and cloudy, but thick mist and fog. We gathered at the cable car up the mountain, bound
for the summit at the top of Aiguille du Midi. Not that you could see the summit, the cable car tracks vanished into mist after 50 metres. For the majority of the steep climb, there was little to see but white. Through glimpses now and then, you could appreciate how steep the climb was though. We changed cable cars half way up, and continued towards the summit. Near the top, we came through clouds and mist to be greeted by sunshine and spectacular views.
There were plenty of lookouts and views to behold at the summit. The air was thinner at such height, and physical exertions more difficult. It was white everywhere. Snowfields, glaciers, clouds, and rugged whitecap mountain peaks and cliffs emerging from the mist. It was a different perspective to Mount Titlis, but just as breathtaking and beautiful. A lift took you to the very top, for panoramic views of Mount Blanc at around 4km high. The sheer enormity of the area was inspired, and sometimes a test for the nerves. Especially climbing some stairs suspended out over huge drops and heights. After enjoying the sights, we began our trip down the mountain. Here we met our guide, and
walked through Chamonix to a three course lunch at French restaurant called L'M Rue Joseph Vallot. Meh. A slight disappointment for our first French dining experience. The food was just okay. Tasty, but very plain and creamy. We both had soup for entree. For mains, chicken for me and salmon for Nat and a couple underdone Creme brulee for desert. The wine was excellent though.
After lunch, we had another amazing destination ahead in the afternoon. We caught a steep cogwheel train from Montenvers Station to the Mer de Glace Glacier. The train itself was spectacular, taking us up the mountainside. With the mist and cloud clearing, you could get great views of Chamonix below. At the top, a 8 person gondola, took you within viewing distance of the glacier below. From there, 450 steps down put you at the entrance of the bright blue glacier. That's right, the entrance. Caves have been dug into the ice, so you can explore their interior. Incredible! Lighting illuminated the blue ice into all colours, and there were plenty of sculptures to behold within. After exploring we dragged ourselves back up the 450 steps, boarded the gondola, and back onto the cogwheel train to
Chamonix. Here we met our guide and boarded the bus back to Geneva.
Back in Switzerland we explored Geneva and had take away pizza for dinner. Tomorrow, we fly to Barcelona!
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