Day 18 - Engelberg

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Great day. I got up at 5:50, caught a bus to the train station, and then took the train from Luzern to Engelberg (about an hour). The train was on a very light ascent most of the way... barely noticeable. Then, for the last four of five kilometers, it took an almost steep ascent into the mountains.

Engelberg is surrounded by big, sharp, steep, snow covered mountains (mostly, as in the lower areas most of the snow has melted off).

First I talked to the information desk and then I got breakfast at Cafe Desire (which sounds chic or something, but it looks like what you would expect a traditional Swiss restaurant to look like. One of the things I got was a muesli mixed in yogurt with fruit on top... different but it tasted very good. Also, I got a croissant, some bread, jam, honey, butter, and hot chocolate. And I definitely need all of that for energy skiing.

After getting to the entrance to Mount Titlis (http://www.titlis.ch/001tit_00_en.htm) and renting equipment, I was reminded that how much it costs to be ignorant. I spent 16 CH (about 12 USD) on lockers, while it should have cost me only about 6.5 USD if had better known how they work. And, of course, everything costs more here, and in Switzerland in general. A hot dog would have cost me about 5 bucks, and a hamburger with fries about 12 USD. So, I went with the Snickers... about 1.4 USD, and I'll try to catch up with dinner tonight.

First thing, I went as far to the top as the lifts would take me. There are amazing views everywhere. I'll try to get some photos posted soon. There are a lot of big cliffs kind of contrasting against the normal mountain slopes (in color, as well as shape).

The skiing was great. It took me a few runs to get back into the groove of things. Not too cold out... maybe -5 C. The runs here are often very wide and sometimes go on for a long, long way. Getting back to Engelberg, I must have skied at least a few miles. It was a lot of fun and I look forward to getting back out on the slopes early tomorrow morning. Most of the snow was good, though near the bottom it got a little slushy. Also, I think there might be some snow tonight in the mountains.

Haven't checked into the hostel yet... I'll do that in about 30 mins., can't until 5 pm.

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Photos

Engelberg Train Arriving in Engelberg
This train had a great whistle... it sounded like a wood whistle... kind of surreal... like a Mister Rogers Neighborhood type town.

Engelberg - 1
The mountains scale above Engelberg on three sides.

The Hostel
I really liked this hostel. It was more geared towards familys and had a great breakfast. I had the whole 12 bed dorm room to myself.

Cafe Desire
Located in the bottom corner of this building. This is where I had breakfast the morning I arrived in Engelberg.

A Church in Engelberg
Not sure of the name or denomination.

A Church in Engelberg
Not sure of the name or denomination.

Comments

[Augusta]

Skiing
Woohoo! Skiing in Switzerland...pretty awesome!

[Ivan]

great
As I told you, Switzerland is a beautiful country. The pictures are great. Houses are beautiful, also and nature. enjoy in your trip through Europe?

[Linda]

Picture of the church...
It's a photo of the small protestant church in town.

[David Geiger]

Cafe Desire
Thanks for the photo's. I just spoke to my dad this morning and he informed me that my second cousin Jorg Geiger who owns the Cafe Desire was in Niagra Canada looking at some land he owned. Unfortunately we were not able to meet, however I will make sure I visit him next year during my family trip to Europe.