Interlaken - Almost as good as it gets

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Interlaken in Switzerland has been the highlight of the trip for a number of reasons.

• Everywhere you look its just breathtaking views.
  
• I went paragliding off the top of a mountain for my birthday.
  
• Beautiful clean air and lakes full of sparkling clear water.
  
• Its just a great place.
  

We ended up staying in Interlaken for 5 nights which is longer than we had originally planned so this is where not stopping with the football hooligans in Heidelberg paid off (no offence meant to any English footy supporters)

On the way into Interlaken we took one of the ‘Jungpass’ mountains pass which was both a spectacular and hair-raising drive. We stopped to get fuel at the bottom of the pass and the brakes were smoking so much I thought they were on fire. Its not that I was driving like a maniac (in fact we took it very slowly) but 30 mins down steep hills under brakes all the time and they were not happy. The petrol pump lady (she fills it up for you - good on the swiss) didn’t seem to be that bothered so its obviously a regular occurrence.

More world cup action, only this time the qtr finals and sad to see the poms go out on penalties again. Loads of poms in the campsite at Interlaken and they were not happy.

We travelled up some of the cable cars to the tops of some of the mountains and saw some paragliders going off the top and decided that this would be a great way to spend my birthday the next day (Sunday 2nd July). So the next day we headed off to another mountain peak to do it there, but the winds were not quite right from that location so we went back up to ‘First’ were we had been the day before.

I did a tandem thermal flight which went for just under an hour with a Kiwi guy who had lived in Switzerland for years and who was the ex world champ. We basically set up then ran off the mountain and soared up into the tops of the mountains, being carried by upwards by thermal currents and then flying around. It was an amazing experience and a highlight of the trip. Thanks Rach for the great birthday pressie. Thanks also to Mum, Al, Anna & Louise who shouted us a Fondue dinner for my birthday - good stuff. And thanks to those who 'smuggled' some birthday pressies with Rach!

We also did some hiking up to some lakes in the mountains above the snow line, but it was great weather so not cold at all, hope you like the photos.

Interlaken is a must see if going to Europe and make sure you fly up high in the clouds

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Photos

First, Interlaken - One of the views of the trip so far
Photos good but still not the real thing

Jungpass - the smoking brakes road
Super views but a steep road not for the faint hearted

Jungpass - the smoking brakes road
Super views but a steep road not for the faint hearted

Jungpass - the smoking brakes road
Super views but a steep road not for the faint hearted

Up to the Mountain tops at First 2500m
About 30 mins up in the chair lift

Up to the Mountain tops at First 2500m
About 30 mins up in the chair lift

Up to the Mountain tops at First 2500m
About 30 mins up in the chair lift

Comments

[Derna]

I am soooo jealous
Hi there, What a fantastic entry so far. The places that you've visited are just spectacular. I wish that we could travel again (one day!). Glad to see and hear that you are having a wonderful time. Love to you both, Derna.

[thelimit]

pretty random but...
caught you guys picture on the title page and just reminded me of travelling through switzerland and interlaken last winter. One of the most beautiful areas I saw in Europe for sure! I think it was the scenic train from Interlaken to Lucern that was also amazing. nice photo and enjoy!