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Published: January 1st 2012
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I was warned about Switzerland.. that I might just fall in love with it and experience a place like no other, and I certainly did!
As we wound our way around the mountains, through tunnels, traffic and trees, stopped for a photo opportunity, my last blue bus ride came to an end when we arrived at Camping Jungfrau. Under a dark, starry sky, my new travel mates Kelly and Gilete (a Canadian and an American) enjoyed a traditional Swiss meal of potato rosti and were hungry to see what the morning light would serve up.
I should point out that I wasn’t camping in a tent, but slept in a warm, comfortable cabin. The chilly weather outside wasn’t very tent-friendly! Apart from that, the view and location of where I was some-what different to what I’ve experienced – I was surrounded by amazing mountains, some snow-capped, rock faces and a waterfall just across the road! Not a bad start to the morning at all, but wait there’s more –waterfalls that is, another 4 in walking distance and the great Trummelbach Falls; 10 waterfalls in a mountain, the world's only glacier waterfalls that are accessible underground by lift, galleries, tunnels,
Happy Cows
cos they have amazing views, green grass and produce the best chocolate in the world! paths and platforms and carry up to 20,000 liters of water per second. I was quite content with sleeping on the doorstep of Switzerland’s valley of 72 waterfalls.
We walked through the small village of Lauterbrunnen, soaked up the grandeur of the waterfalls and said hello to the some of the worlds happiest cows. Why are Swiss cows the happiest? Well if you could enjoy the spectacular views, eat luscious green grass and produce the worlds nicest chocolate, that would make you pretty happy! After dinner we called it a day, the next morning needed me to get a good sleep and air out my wings for some air-raising action.
As my travel companions and I sat outside our camp ground and watched base jumpers in the distance, we started to think our dreams of flying that day may not come true. Fast forward a short bus ride to Interlaken, and these words prepared me for the ride of my life!
“Start running on my count of three, when you feel a force pulling you back, keep running until you can’t feel the ground anymore”. Before I knew it we had driven to the top of an
800 metre mountain and I was all suited up, ready to take flight. Running towards the edge of a cliff it isn’t as scary as you may think, after all I was in the safe and experienced hands of Robert; a 5 year paragliding veteran with over 4000 jumps under his belt. The thrill of lift off was amazing! Kelly said my feet had lifted off the ground and were still running! Just proves how much I love to run! The views over
Interlaken village,
Eiger,
Monch and
Jungfrau (the 3 snow topped mountains) were breathtaking. I got to take my camera with me and Robert took some pics and video of the 15 minute air-time experience too so you can see just how wonderful the views were. A fantastic experience that can be summed up by my words after we made a spiralling landing: “Do you offer a discount if I want to do it again?.”
Several more mountains were left to conquer, this time by foot. Guided by a fellow travellers recommendation, Gilete and I chose the ‘
Mountain View Trail’, a step above the easiest trail and only 4.5km I though it was very achievable. We caught
Got my flying suit on!
Ready to run down and off this mountain! a cable car to
Grutschalp and began the 1.5 hour hike towards
Murren, doing our best to follow the signs and asking for directions along the way. The temperature was cool, and the intensity of the hike (much harder than I anticipated) was enough to make me strip down to a t-shirt and wish I was wearing shorts. Half wondering why I didn’t just choose the easy trail, the amazing scenic surrounds kept my chin up to reach the finish line. I got excited when we came close enough to snow to make my first European snow ball. We finally reached
Murren after 3.5 hours and a passer-by said that was great timing! I had so much faith in maps until now, and although it was a very challenging hike, it was equally rewarding!
So that was Switzerland in short (but long enough for you to get the idea). I will certainly be back if I have the chance!
For now, my Busabout chapter is closing, but the adventures continue on another 4 wheels.
Thank you to everyone that has kept in touch through Chapter 1; Camp, Chapter 2; Busabout Europe and look forward to my blogs
(I hope they are a breath of fresh air from work emails).
Every time I receive a comment or news that another person is reading these blogs, it makes me smile!
Stay tuned for chapter 3 of Kim’s big adventures; Road trip with a relative.
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Ron and Marianne Rademaker
non-member comment
How about that!
We stayed in exactly the same camping ground. It certainly was magical with waterfalls and snowcapped mountains right there when we looked outside the camper. Walking through the fields seeing the cows with their bells was also such a special experience - this spot was one of our most memorable. Great reading your blogs and sharing your experiences. Love Uncle Ron and Aunty Okky xxoo