Day 16: Into SwitzerlandEnjoying The View: There were really no bad seats on the bus, and we had sat at many different places throughout the trip so far. For this leg of the trip, we decided to try sitting in front. That turned out to be a good decision. Switzerland was the destination Pam was most looking forward to seeing, and we were rewarded with stunning views along the ride from Cinque Terre to our Swiss hotel.
A Change in Currency: Because Switzerland does not belong to the European Union, we had to switch our Euros for Francs for a couple days. We stopped in Interlaken for about an hour and stocked up on Francs and groceries. We didn't need much, however, since we had been told to buy most of our food and snacks before entering Switzerland where prices were significantly higher. (Thanks to our guide for more good advice!) Hotel in Paradise: Some people may picture paradise as a cottage on the beach. For us, it was our lodge in the Lauterbrunnen Valley. We were nestled in the elbow of mountain ranges in the village of Stechelberg, surrounded by beautiful bluffs, many waterfalls and majestic mountain tops. Almost as soon as we arrived, we started planning our our hiking routes for the next day. A Great Supper: We were treated to a great Swiss group supper at the hotel dining room. It featured pork, potatoes, beans and carrots. It felt a lot like the meals we grew up eating at home. The chef added a special touch by demonstrating how to make a cheesy fondue bread dip. It was delicious, and the kids got a big laugh when one of them dropped their bread off the fork when dipping it in the fondue. According to custom, that meant the one who dropped the bread first had to kiss their neighbor! There were red cheeks and laughing faces after that. |
|