Ok blogger apps and I are not really getting along at the moment haha. I’m trying some other ways to get these posts done so I can catch up, but we’ll see. Journaling with a photo dump at the end is going to have to suffice.
Welp Lauterbrunen is stunning. The Interlaken area was my favorite for views alone.
Isn’t bread the best? I just love it so much. I think I love bread like a crazy cat lady loves cats. I look at all the beautiful loaves and want to give each one special attention and learn its name and history and discuss its good and unique qualities. Bread is my children. I’m crazy bread lady now.We met a cute couple from Pakistan and the husband convinced Aaron to try hard boiled eggs for the first time (yes, Aaron is 49 years old and has never eaten a boiled egg. The thought has always disgusted him until now. I’m happy to report he went back for a boiled egg again today! Very exciting.)
We rented e bikes and pedaled 30 kilometers from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen and all around the area. The valley is breathtaking. We met a lovely Japanese family visiting from the California Bay Area and talked a long time and took photos of their huge extended family for them. We are loving most of the people we meet, everyone is so kind. Our interactions with Swiss locals are incredibly positive, and everyone that we’ve found to be off putting has been from France and Germany, following my previous stereotype of interactions. I’m determined to find a kind and bubbly German by the end of our stay. They are (so far) very unamused by the beauty of Switzerland and annoyed by our stupidity as Americans and inability to speak French or German. (But we will try! Google translate is my bff). Also the smoking. Ok I know “everyone in Europe” smokes, but I’ve experienced more of the unbearable-can’t-get-away for even 2 minutes of relief on this trip. It’s pretty gross and the only thing I’ve witnessed locals be upset about is someone leaving a cigarette burning on the ground outside of a building, and people throwing trash on the ground by the train.
Ok the bike ride. Pheeew it was a workout! Even on e-bikes, we got in a good sweat! Part of that started out of fear ad we rode along the highway, trying to find the bike parh…which we did eventually. But at first, we were on the road with no shoulder and tight corners with cars whizzing past us. Once we got off of that and onto the bike trail it was just lovely!
We were apparently in the save exact spot as the Douglas’ on the same day but different times. Same thing the day we hiked Stoos Ridge. Would have been wild to cross paths!
One of dozens of waterfalls.
Mountain cows with bells
We parked the bikes and took a series of 3 cable car gondolas up to Piz Gloria at Schilthorn summit. We did a thrill walk, a cliff walk that includes sections of glass bottom and slack line cables to walk on. Thrilling indeed and with amazing views.
Does that cable look like it’s going straight down? Yes? I thought so too! That was a scary ride! We made friends with an Indian family from London and their adorable daughters. Hofsa, 4, joined us for some of the views from Piz Gloria. Her bravery doing all the things made me less afraid. Do I have vertigo? I didn’t think so before this trip but maybe a little!
There was some snow at Piz Gloria, but there was also some cloud cover sinking on us. Still beautiful. Aaron was blown away by the sight of it. So amazing. We feel so blessed to be here together. What a life!
That view though. We hiked a mountain ridge that looked similar later in the week! The view from the mountain tops cannot really be experienced through photographs, but here are some shots anyway.
Dinner in Interlaken central. In this cute alley I walked by a “chocolate wasted” kiosk holding a tray of strawberries leftover from our supermarket picnic lunch. The girls working the truck gasped and insisted on GIVING ME a cup of chocolate to dip our strawberries! They would not accept payment and just kept saying “it is crime to eat the best berries in the world with no chocolate. Swiss chocolate is the best and now you know better to dip the best berries in the best chocolate!” Truth. Is is the best chocolate I have ever eaten. Ever.
We started meeting the most wonderful people once we crossed into Switzerland. Swiss locals are so incredibly kind. They open doors for one another and stop to tell you directions. They all asked us about our family and where we are from.
This sweet couple do alpine horn demonstrations as part of a Christian missionary effort and interfaith initiative. I love it anytime missionaries can use their talents to bring people together to hear about Jesus Christ or worship together. Music is such a special way to testify and incite the Spirit. They asked if we have missionaries from our church and of course we said yes! And told them about Reese’s recent experiences and Quincy is waiting for her call (which hopefully arrives before we leave for Croatia!). As we talked about our family, they stuffed little chocolates into our bag and hands to take home to share with them. Swiss people are just so proud of their country and the locals we visited with yearned to share it with us.
This accordion lady was great! She played, sang, and even pulled out some castinets to play and share her message of peace.
Dinner was in Interlaken Centeal. We had moité moité Swiss fondue, red pepper soup, and risotto with Mediterranean vegetables in it.
Dinner was Swiss moité moité fondue and risotto. Heavenly. Travel with me, I’m a delight to dine with. I don’t even know what else people do when they travel.
Ok maybe I do…we did take 25,000 steps this day.
We walked an average of 17,000-22,000 stars each day. There was just so much to see!
Can’t get enough Swiss chocolates. We ate so much chocolate and cheese but wrecked our digestive systems. Honestly happy to just let it destroy me. Worth it to have all other chocolate ruined for me.
Just take my money, Switzerland. Dresses and Lederhosen 😍
Our little mountain chateau in Wilderswil, Switzerland. It was not fancy, but the breakfasts were good and our Mountain View was breathtaking.
I am loving being here with aaron! Oh I have so many stories about our wonderful day but I’m already a day behind on posting and am to bed! Hopefully I’ll catch up and fill more in later.
