Places 2013

Swiss  Experience

Places :

Lucerne and Weggis

Engelberg - Mt Titlus

Interlaken

        Canyoning

        Kayaking and Grindewald


Zermatt

Paris

Belgium 

Engelberg Mt Titlus

After having seen lakes, green mountains, and being on hill tops and slopes,  it was time to finally see snow. There are many beautiful places to visit in the Swiss alps. We chose Engelberg to go atop Mt Titlus. This is at a peak altitude of 8000 meters (10,000 feet). We took a train to Engelberg from Lucerne. Once we reached, just as we were getting out of the train station, we could see beautiful snow-capped peaks . A total of three cable cars (gondolas) would take us up and the ascent was broken into 3 parts. Engelberg to Trubsee, then Trubsee to Jochpass and finally Jochpass to Mt Titlus.

Ascending Mt Titlus in a cable car

The first two cable cars were small and enough to seat four people. It was Jay’s turn to face his fears this time as he is afraid of heights. He was a little weary when we sat in. He tried not to look down and instead kept looking up at how much farther the destination was. The third of our cable cars up was a unique experience in that it is the world’s only rotating gondola. It is a cylindrical cable car and what they’ve done is made the base of the cylinder(the foot of our cable car) to rotate. This provides everyone in the gondola a full panoramic view. Barring having to constantly keep moving our hand for support on the railing J because our foot board was moving,  it was fun ride up.

From the top, everything in the valley below seemed to be atomic. The sun reflecting off the snow glares in your eyes and that’s when I understood  why people wear sunglasses on snowy mountains. It wasn’t very cold but walking on the snow provided an interesting challenge in itself. The views from the top are sensational. We were at such a height that we could touch the clouds, in fact the clouds were passing through us. That added to the experience, because the views from the peak were changing every 5 minutes. At one moment you can’t see a thing , being completely covered in  a cloudy fog, after a few minutes the entire cloud passes through giving stunning views of the valley below. It is a little scary but mostly fun.

Treading the snowy trail

Titlus also has the highest suspension bridge. We even had our portrait picture taken in a traditional setting. With the attire, background, musical instrument, flowers purse and hat and ell. I love the picture. The shop owner had also displayed family portraits of famous Indians who had visited there including Shaan , Nana Patekar and Virendra Shewag. I think if at all there is a person Jay is afraid of in this world, it has to be that lady who took our picture. She was really strict and a stickler for getting things to look perfect in that picture.

On our way down, we stopped at a small lake in Jochpass. The environs were really relaxing and it puts your mind at ease. You feel so calm and rejuvenated that the world begins to look like a better place. That small lake was one of the most beautiful I have seen in Switzerland. Flanked on all sides by green mountains, the water was itself a lovely green , some water melting from the snow caps in little streams, There was a unique peddle boat on that lake and Jay was strong enough to peddle it. It was a unique boat in that it was square in shape like a floating raft and the peddle was like a bicycle. So to peddle it was literally like bicycling on the water. Of course the raft was lined at the bottom by a rope so that it wouldn't go astray. So technically all we did was move along a straight line. The view from the middle of the lake was completely worth the childish joy of jumping on it and peddling on.

Pedal to the metal

On our way out, we were greeted by a Gourm India stall and snacked on hot hot lip smacking samosas and vada pav. Really authentic stuff down to the chutney pudi they serve with vada pav. Brilliant spicy end to our snowy experience of the day.

Zermatt

Zermatt is a car free village at high altitude of 1,608 m (5,276 ft). It is a very popular tourist destination to board the scenic train glacier express. We did not opt for the glacier express for lack of time and more importantly we felt the 8 hours would be better spent walking around the place rather than sitting on a train. It is a resort town with electric golf car type of vehicles used for transport. It is majorly a holiday village with beautiful aesthetically designed resort hotels spread from inch to inch. We reached Zermatt late in the night and it was around 10 p.m. by the time we got into our hotel. I must mention that this was the cosiest and loveliest hotel room of our trip. It was modern chic with a touch of cosiness and felt really comfortable. When we left from Interlaken it was pretty warm and so both Jay and I were in shorts. By the time we reached Zermatt at night, it was really cold and we were standing out in the crowd sporting shorts at 8 degree Celsius temperatures!

We met a lovely elderly couple on the train to Zermatt. They were scheduled to take the glacier express the following day.  Both of them worked on developing English tests and the lady was a language expert being adept in Latin, German, Spanish and many more languages. We joked that the adage “ greek and latin” would be lost on her  because she actually understood Latin. Ok it was funnier than it sounds here.  Of course the gentleman was kind enough to point out that our shorts were pretty unsuitable for the location. We chatted casually on a lot of other things and the stimulating conversation with them really livened up the boring night train journey because the scenic sights outside were lost in the darkness.

After changing into something warm, we headed out at half past ten, only to realize all the restaurants in our vicinity were shut. If there is one thing you need to know about Jake, it is that he cannot sleep on an empty or even slightly empty stomach. With grim hopes of finding food, I had begun to prepare myself for the wrath of his stomach growls. If there is another thing you need to know about Jay it is that he is also resourceful when he needs to get to something. He managed to get into a restaurant that was just closing and ask him if he was still serving. The owner unfortunately declined, but an American guy who was present there gave us directions to another place that would be serving food. Having thanked him profusely, we went in search of this other place. It was an American style restaurant. We had the best aubergine pizza that night and thanked the heavens for giving us food!

When we woke up in the morning, the place looked completely different. We could see Zermatt right from our hotel.  It was a nice clear day and lovely to walk about and explore the city. We walked towards the Matterhorn which is a famous pyramidal mountain. It was another very different and scenic experience. Clear blue skies, green slopes and a white snow capped pyramidal mountain.

We spent as much time as we could and then prepared to head to Geneva airport where we’d have to bid goodbye to Switzerland and begin our Parisian holiday.

Kayaking and Grindewald

We liked Interlaken so much that we decided to stay back for an extra day. We got out of our hotel with nothing particular in mind. Jay had his eyes peeled for anything exciting that might pop up and I had given up expecting and planning anything by this point. It was a nice bright day and we were lazing around Interlaken. Even though Jake does not do a lot of homework type of preparation, he does his due diligence on anything he decides as and when it happens. Being utterly taken by the beauty of the lakes, Jay had an inclination to do some sort of activity in and around the lakes. We had already taken long cruises and also dabbled a bit with canyoning. It was time for some kayaking. After a quick chat with a few people, he had all the info he needed and we headed out to the nearest pier of lake Thun. Initially Jay had peddle boats in mind, but upon reaching the place he thought kayaking would be more challenging and interesting.

With great hesitation arising from not being dressed for the ‘occasion’, I agreed to renting kayaks for an hour or so on Lake Thun. Bear in mind I do not know swimming and there aren't any lifeguards on constant watch and there are huge cruises that come on that lake. Anyway, even before I could wrap my mind around it all, we were pushing our red kayak into the shallow waters and getting ourselves strapped in.

Kayaking on lake Thun

It was a bit scary at the start because there wasn't anyone to help us and we had to figure it all out by ourselves. It was fun because it made me feel like we were doing some sort of task from The Amazing Race. As usual, I got into it with trepidation, blaming Jay for making me push the envelope and do things I wouldn’t normally go for. As we got onto the deeper regions, the views got more beautiful, the experience of rowing (or is it kayaking) was fun. We had our bit of squabbles about me not steering the boat properly. I eventually left it all up to jay and just sat behind enjoying the experience of floating on a giant plastic kayak in the middle of a beautiful lake. The testament to my emotion then is the fact that we started singing hindi songs to pass the time on the water (while jay did all the hard work). We set out looking for peddle boats but then ended up doing something better and in fact were judgemental of others on peddle boats (typical)!

After about an hour and a half of floating fun, we returned our kayaks and spent the next hour lounging on the lovely green shore trying to dry off. Then we headed off on a cruise on lake Thun.


Grindewald is a small city on the mountains and we had to go there after Jay’s  funny little incident with the crew member of a cruise ship. Jay was chatting with one of the members of the lake Thun cruise boat. He was generally asking him how to get to Grindewald and if it was worth the trip.  He recommended it but mistook that Jay was asking if the cruise ship would take us there. Poor guy must have thought we are insane tourists and  his exact words were, “Ship no go on mountain my friend!” That was enough for Jake (and me later) to burst into peals of laughter.  Truly LOL. So then we took a train to Grindewald. After all ship no go on mountain you see!

Mountains for a backyard

Rooms with a view

The city was beautiful. We could see the snow-capped mountains right rom middle of the city. The city seemed like a haven for trekking enthusiasts.The train winds up the mountainous region slowly and as we reach Grindewlad, we can start seeing snow-capped mountains closer. It gets colder and unfortunately it was a little cloudy that day. We walked around the city, watched an ice hockey game at the local sports center and even spotted a rainbow.

A sliver of colours in the sky

We wished to have had more time to spend there, but we had a night train to Zermatt and had to head back to take it. On our way back from Grindewald, we bumped into a group of marching band performers who were returning from their performance. They seemed like a fun bunch and it was absolute riot to have them in our coach. Besides being funny and drunk, they were so nice and warm, they were willing to join us for dinner and a drink. George the bassist, recommended a restaurant  to us and  even  gave us a handwritten note saying “These are my friends, take good care of them”. Really sweet.

Canyoning in Switzerland

One minute we are having lunch , next minute we are heading out on our bicycles to the adventure sports company to go Canyoning.We didn't even know what Canyoning was until 5 minutes AFTER we signed the consent forms!  Canyoning was a thrill of a lifetime. I say lifetime because I’m sure I won’t do it again. It is scary as hell, but once you have taken the leap, immersed yourself in water and jumped like you were a little kid, it will leave an indelible mark on you forever, making it completely worth it.

FACT : Canyoning is traveling through canyons  by  walking, scrambling, climbing, jumping, abseiling (rappelling), and/or swimming. Canyons that are ideal for canyoning are often cut into the bedrock stone, forming narrow gorges with numerous drops, beautifully sculpted walls, and sometimes spectacular waterfalls.

The hard part is getting yourself to commit to it. The actual traversal through hard rocks, cold water and drops/falls is not so hard. In the course of the trail, canyons can be very easy or extremely difficult. The guides recommend  options depending on the adventure quotient of the group members. Overall the emphasis was on aesthetics and fun rather than pure difficulty. The atmosphere is very motivating and encouraging. The clear water meanders through rocks and you have to become one with the water to actually get through it . At some places when the drop is smooth, we can slide like we do in water parks slides. In other places where the fall is deep and forceful, we have to jump . In the extreme cases of great depths we can rappel down.The water comes from melting glaciers and is pretty darn cold.

For me, the fear set in only gradually . First we met our guides Phil and Stef who put us at ease. We were instructed on what was in store while a video ran in the background of the waiting area with glimpses of what we were about to do.  That seemed ok. Then we got into our costume  which included helmets, wetsuits, specially designed shoes and life jackets. I was a little nervous. We got into a van and started going up a hill to the place where we would be doing our canyoning. More nerves kicked in. Got to the point and got off our van and went into the rocky area. By then, I scared out of my wits.

It is an awesome adventure sport and an even more awesome experience. Despite not knowing how to swim, I had a great  time doing it.  The best part is the view of the point that you are about to jump from and then turning back and seeing that  point after having jumped.You look up at the views which leave you dumbfounded. It is most exciting right before and after the jump/slide. That’s because during the jump your mind goes blank. The views are stunning. You are in the wild and trying to become one with the water.

Another nice thing I liked about the sport is the fact that I let go. I put all my trust indirectly in God and directly on Jay, my route guide and lifejacket. I knew all I had to do was wait for the lifejacket to bring me up and then for Phil/Stef to pull me up and of course for Jay to ensure those two things happen. If not for Jake by my side, I wouldn’t have done it. If he hadn’t pushed me to do it, I wouldn’t have done it. It was the best 120£ spent in my life and the most enriching experience ever,

Just overcome your fears and jump.

Outdoor Interlaken is the company which took us kayaking.
See how the professionals do it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dckf-M3fDFM

Lucerne and Weggis

Lucerne

The first city where we started our tryst with nature’s abundance. The best way to explore Switzerland is by a combination of boats and trains. We started off with a lake cruise on lake Lucerne. We had absolutely no idea what was in in store for us. When we started,  the lake was inside the city and all we saw was the city and its many buildings (mostly hotels). We saw some really distant sights of mountains in the far beyond. As the journey progressed, the city became a faint memory and all we could see for miles and miles was nature.

Beautiful majestic  mountains, the sun rays peering through the dense vegetation on them, the lake itself seemed to stretch for miles, some sparse  clouds kissing the top of these mountains and the air so clear that you feel a high just being there. It is a very humbling experience. You are reminded of what a small spec you are in the bounty of God’s amazing creations. The sights on the cruise was spellbinding. We just sat there with the wind in our hair and feasting our eyes.

The many sights of Swiss

The lake is a massively gigantic water body and all along its coast (don’t know what it is called for lake) were different villages. It would have taken us 3 hours to go around the entire lake. You’d think it would get boring or monotonous after a while. But NO! The views keep changing on the course, the lake itself turns from blue in parts to green at others , the slopes have interesting houses on them, the mountains converge, the sun plays hide and seek with the clouds- ah  ever so many sights – it never ceases to enthral the onlooker.

Changing langscapes

In Switzerland, you don’t have to work hard to experience something nice. Just wake up and walk down the street to something beautiful or if you are lucky just peep outside your window to be struck by beauty of nature.

In the midst of nature

Weggis

The cruise boat we were on, makes several stops on the lake at different villages along its border(coast/shore). Jay’s spontaneity has to be given credit where it is due. While I was busy taking in the fresh air and feasting my eyes on the water and mountains, he noticed that a lot of people were getting off the cruise boat. He quickly discussed with the cruise crew and charted up a cool cogwheel train ride to Mt Rigi. We quickly hopped off our river cruise and took a Cog Wheel train up the mountain to Mt Rigi. A Cogwheel train works on a cog enabling an ascent up a steep slope without getting derailed. 

Fact: A rack-and-pinion railway (also rack railway, cog railway) is a steep grade railway with a toothed rack rail, usually between the running rails. The trains are fitted with one or more cog wheels or pinions that mesh with this rack rail. This allows the trains to operate on steep grades. The first mountain rack railway in continental Europe was the Vitznau-Rigi-Bahn on Mount Rigi in Switzerland, which opened in 1871.

That is the one we took. It was quite an experience in itself because the train is inclined and so the person in the seat in front is above you. The views outside were lush green and extremely beautiful. The Cog wheel train is one of the oldest trains and goes pretty slowly. As you go up you are surrounded by such soothing greenery.

We got to the top and after hanging around there for a bit, took a cable car down. As the cable car lowers itself down the mountain the views are gobsmack green. The slopes, the trees on the slopes, the lake in the distance, the sun rays shimmering on the lake the mountains behind the lake- it is an out of the world experience.

Strolling the Swiss streets

After getting off we wandered around the village a bit on our way to the next cruise pier. The roads around the hill were winding up and down the houses were all beautiful and we couldn’t help but wonder how many celebrities, businessman, politicians had vacation homes in that setting? All houses there had beautifully manicured gardens full with flowers bushes and well , each with an interesting story to tell. Of course we sat on every bench on our way just taking it all in and smiling from ear to ear.

Switzerland

Switzerland has mesmerized Indians for years all thanks to Yash Chopra. Everyone wants to go to the places that Shah Rukh and Kajol went in DDLJ, and to be honest, I did too.

Apart from that, it was on my list of places to visit because I had heard so many great things about it. So after a good deal of research and saving up money we planned a visit to Switzerland just at the end of summer this year. Nothing worth having comes easy, and so after 3 trips to London for the visa and a bunch of cancellations and rebooking of flights  and trains we were finally off on our vacation. Once there, Jay and I learnt new meaning for the word beautiful.

We truly experienced what breath-taking meant and were utterly mesmerised by the beauty . God is the painter of the superbly stunning painting that is Switzerland. The place is so amazing that everything is a scenic experience. Walking down the street, taking a bus or a train everything is beautiful.  Every inch of land that the eyes gaze upon will remain with you forever. In Switzerland, you don’t have to work hard to experience something nice. Just wake up and walk down the street to something beautiful or if you are lucky just peep outside your window to be struck by beauty of nature.

A view straight out of a painting

Railways

It is an experience just to take the trains because of what is around.  There are beautiful sights everywhere. You’ll be torn as to which way to look. We eventually got tired of taking pictures because everything is so scenic everywhere. The railway system in Switzerland is really something else. Meandering through the hills, sometimes around it and sometimes through it via tunnels, going around the lakes, along streams, slopes on each side, the stunning views from the train never end. The houses are also quite appealing. In front of the house you will find hay bales, huge cows and very well maintained green grass and manicured gardens with gnomes. The houses have uniform windows that you will see all through Switzerland and are present in lovely colour combinations.  Big glass windows on the trains give us unending spectacular views on both sides of the train and the glass can also be lowered for those wallpaper pictures. There are a lot of expensive tourist trains, but Switzerland is so beautiful that even the normal ones will not disappoint.

The trains themselves are amazing too. The seats are really comfortable and there are maps at tables placed between every 4 chairs. So that helps tourists a lot. They have impeccable timing which is a big plus. The railway system is appreciable because given their mountainous terrain, they have done a good job of setting up a system and maintaining it on time. In some parts it can be frustrating because the trains go relatively slow. That’s because they go in a zig zag fashion due to the mountainous terrain. There are also some double decker trains which are pretty neat too. Then of course there is the cog wheel to go up steep mountains.

Unless it is a big city like Lucerne or Basel, the Swiss people have not bothered building a boundary for the railway station.  The train stops in its tracks right in the middle of the city which is very appealing to the eye. Just next to the platform you will find cars on roads, houses, hotels, shops, and so on. 

Expensive Switzerland?

Yes, everything is expensive, you have to just digest it. If you are a wasabi or chilli lover, you know what I’m talking about. You hate what it does to you, but you love and enjoy it anyway. Swiss is something list that. You hate that everything is expensive, there isn’t much to say about the food, everything Is so touristy but you still want to go there. You know you are paying way too much for the water and cheese and baguette or even to pee. Despite all that, the overall take away from it is magnificent. It will always hold a special place in your heart and all the pictures you can take will not do it justice. You just have to let the eyes , mind and soul take it all in. That’s what will remain with you always. The people (Swiss Germans)  there are very nice and sociable too.