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Published: January 14th 2007
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Amazing
One of the most amazing sunsets and scenes I have ever seen as every corner allowed more oohs and ahhs! Firstly as we left Austria we entered into one of the smallest countries in the world, Lichtenstein. It is only 6km from west to east, so it was only going to be a short stop, as we dropped into the capital city of Vaduz. It proved to be an expensive lunch as we sat in the town directly below Schloss Vaduz, before some of us got our passports stamped and stocked up on some supermarket supplies.
On the bus once more, charged with Swiss francs (which I would say is the best looking money I have come across along with our own Aussie dollars) we travelled onwards through Switzerland on our way to Lucerne. We stopped in and made our way to purchase some Swiss paraphenalia, mainly Swiss Army knives and Swiss watches, which I dutifully obliged in purchasing. Afterwards we walked over the Kapellbrucke (Chapel Bridge), with a beginning to set, offered up some great sparkling views over the River Reuss. It is a most photographed bridge and rightly so, with many swans nearby. From here we also made our way around to lion engraved into the side of a wall that is supposed to overlook the town.
It was then a rush back to the bus to travel onwards to Lauterbrunnen.
This part of the bus trip was one of my favourites all tour! Sensational scenery of the Swiss Alps and small towns as the sun began setting. We stopped at various times to take photos and generally take it all in, and where the infamous words "this is quite possibly the greatest day of my life" took hold! After that these words I would use quite often. It was sensational, with oohs and aahs at every corner, as we drove on roads that the Swiss military has great control over, they could easily press a button that would enforce a boulder to drop on the road and stop any movement taking place on the road to stop any sort of military takeover of their country.
We arrived into Lauterbrunnen at night, and welcomed by the green demon, VB. A freebie for each and everyone on arrival, which some of us took the liberty of ensuring we got a couple more. We got settled in before having dinner and some fondue (not my cup of tea), before a red and white party was held in
the nuclear bunker below the campsite. It was a rad party (thats what the cool kids say) and we had a few more VB's before realising the price and got onto some cheaper drinks, which is hard to find in Switzerland!
The following day we were up early, many of our group were to set sail on a cog railway trip up to Jungfrauch Mountain (I would do this a year later). While the rest of us got set for what I had organised for a few of us to do, skydive over the Swiss Alps. Unfortunately this and a few other events later in the day, would make this one of my more uncomfortable and unpleasant experiences on tour, but not for the skydive but because of a few people and of some behaviour. But enough of this as its well and truly passed, and if they were my biggest worries then I have done extremely well.
So we were set to skydive from 15,000 feet, with a 45 second freefall. Craig and Matty C started of proceedings, before Pricey and Jane-o, and finally Molly and myself. On a sensational morning, we had a simply amazing view
Gliding in
I forget who it is though of the Swiss Alps from the helicopter, which I could have just kept flying over instead of jumping out, but as we got up fairly quickly Molly was ready to go having been sat on the side, with the door open (would have been quite scary).
Molly was the first jumper and just as I had done with my mate Jack on the Whitsundays, it felt weird watching someone there one second, then just disappear in an instant. I wasn't nervous until getting to the edge, when all the familiarities of it all come flooding back, my initial fall out of the aircraft was much better this time as we did a series of flips on the way down. That amazing feeling that you cannot describe was there once more, and it felt so invigorating. With the shute opening after 45 seconds, we glided safely to earth, over the waterfall and through the cliff faces into a most serene setting. It was another great experience that I will always remember.
We then went to what became our local establishment for some fruit flavoured beers. With the adrenalin still probably pumping the great tasting beers probably hit everyone very
Bus talk
Drossing with Sean ... I did this a lot and helps sum up how much I enjoyed bus days! easily as were having a "good time" after a couple. After a while of that sitting out in the sunshine and taking in this beautiful part of the world, I went for a walk around town with Nomes, and then back towards the airport hangar, while walking along the river.
We were back to the hangar to see the others jump. Rach, Viv, Shell, Steph, Megan and Owen all had their go's at it and it was great seeing the panic in some of their eyes. I was so happy they all had a good time and the expressions on their faces was priceless, which made me a little proud.
Back to the campsite and dinner before out to the pub we had afternoon drinks at for some cheaper drinks and good times. Some interesing conversation was had, before letting loose a little and some general shenanigans were had (some I shouldn't mention), before I began heading back to the campsite with Nomes before accidentally insulting a guy from the otehr tour group whose eyebrows were constantly up high and we throught he look astonished all the time, upon saying this we turned around and he was directly
Passing out
with Nomes at the Lauterbrunnen chalet behind us, hearing everything we said. Inebriated we laughed it off and continued back, seeing Sarah and Brendan in conversation before passing out in the foyer of the chalet, and then being woken up by the others returning.
I headed off to my room to find Dave and Lans already "asleep" where an interesting and entertaining night was had.
The next day we were up after an hour of sleep and I was having to get pumped for my day as tour manager. It was an easy task to be pumped up and we were off once more.
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eri
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Skydiving in Switzerland
Hi, I was interesting in skydiving in Switzerland during my winter wanderer contiki tour and I was wondering what company you went with? Thanks!