Thursday, July 27, 2006
26th July 2006
We hiked in the Alps again - not too strenuous- we seem to be choosing the downhills rather than the uphills. The downhill makes you really stiff so we were hobbling a little bit. We then left the Grindelwald area and got to Interlaken. This town is very commercialised and Americanised! The main city is not very pretty but there is a lovely river Aare and the walk along the river and the houses are really pretty. This river leads into one of the big lakes- which is a nice walk. The drive through the passes and little villages is really stunning and Lucerne is not too far away. Arriving in Lucerne is a problem- Big City and we don't know where to go? The traffic is heavy and one finds tourist info but cannot get a parking- so what does that help? Eventually you pay for a parking a few blocks away and walk to the info. After that you find your car and have to find a parking near the hotel. That is also a mission- special blue zones with special tickets etc.. We settled in late and had a quick salad at Hotel Sclussel - which is very pretty and situated right by the Jesuite church on the square.
We hiked in the Alps again - not too strenuous- we seem to be choosing the downhills rather than the uphills. The downhill makes you really stiff so we were hobbling a little bit. We then left the Grindelwald area and got to Interlaken. This town is very commercialised and Americanised! The main city is not very pretty but there is a lovely river Aare and the walk along the river and the houses are really pretty. This river leads into one of the big lakes- which is a nice walk. The drive through the passes and little villages is really stunning and Lucerne is not too far away. Arriving in Lucerne is a problem- Big City and we don't know where to go? The traffic is heavy and one finds tourist info but cannot get a parking- so what does that help? Eventually you pay for a parking a few blocks away and walk to the info. After that you find your car and have to find a parking near the hotel. That is also a mission- special blue zones with special tickets etc.. We settled in late and had a quick salad at Hotel Sclussel - which is very pretty and situated right by the Jesuite church on the square.
25 July 2006
We woke up early for our big day to the top of Europe. Rushed to the train station to find out we were 2 minutes late and had to wait for the next train. Then the price almost killed us- budget blown for a few days- just like that.
The trip up took about 2hrs and it was really pretty at the top(Jungfroujog). There is snow and glaciers and lots of activities up their. Walking on the snow is really difficult and exhausting due to the altitude. We went to an ice castle up their and the sphinx is a tower from which one gets the best views. The weather was good- really warm outside, but inside was freezing.
We stopped halfway on the way down and did a hike - not in the snow though- it was already much lower and less altitude.
We got back exhausted and had some wine on our balcony overlooking the alps and chatting to friends around the world.
We woke up early for our big day to the top of Europe. Rushed to the train station to find out we were 2 minutes late and had to wait for the next train. Then the price almost killed us- budget blown for a few days- just like that.
The trip up took about 2hrs and it was really pretty at the top(Jungfroujog). There is snow and glaciers and lots of activities up their. Walking on the snow is really difficult and exhausting due to the altitude. We went to an ice castle up their and the sphinx is a tower from which one gets the best views. The weather was good- really warm outside, but inside was freezing.
We stopped halfway on the way down and did a hike - not in the snow though- it was already much lower and less altitude.
We got back exhausted and had some wine on our balcony overlooking the alps and chatting to friends around the world.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
24th July 2006
We went to see how they make the Gruyere cheese in Moleson and then we went to Cailler Choc factory in a place called Broc. All this choc is only manufactured here. It is a part of Nestle. We enjoyed the tasting and pigged out a bit!
We stopped in a toen called Thum and whizzed through Spiez, but the drive was through the mountains and little towns. They were not as pretty as the Alsace route but the countryside was very pretty. Green rolling hills and lakes.
We reached Interlaken and headed for Grindelwald. High in the ALps.
Picture of Rich with all the chocolates...
23 July 2006
Gruyere country- The Fribourg region in Switzerland. This is cheese land and we went hiking in Moleson. They make the cheese from scratch in this region without any machinery.
The dbl cream on mernigue was to die for.
The town of Gruyere is this medievil town -really tiny but wonderful We had a cheese fondue for dinner and a creamy tiramisu!
22 July 2006
Had a lovely day in Bern The weather was very hot but we managed to get a swim in the river Aare. It was really wierd because everyone walks ahead and puts their clothes down on the lawn. Then you walk back to where you came from or however far you want to swim and jump in the water. The river flows with a current in one direction so you float along with almost no effort and when you get near the lawn you hop out and fetch your clothes.
The water is turquoise in colour and clear clean mountain water.
We also fell asleep in the rose garden and chilled the rest of the day- strolling through the city.
Had a lovely day in Bern The weather was very hot but we managed to get a swim in the river Aare. It was really wierd because everyone walks ahead and puts their clothes down on the lawn. Then you walk back to where you came from or however far you want to swim and jump in the water. The river flows with a current in one direction so you float along with almost no effort and when you get near the lawn you hop out and fetch your clothes.
The water is turquoise in colour and clear clean mountain water.
We also fell asleep in the rose garden and chilled the rest of the day- strolling through the city.
21 July 2006
We left Turkheim and went to 2 other French wine villages in the morning where we had our last few wine tastes before heading off to Switzerland. We had no idea where we were headed in Switzerland. Our inital thoughts were Luzern, but when we past signs going to Bern (which is the capital of Switzerland) we thought that sounded a good option so we headed to Bern.
We were both amazed when we arrived in Bern to be greeted by a spectacular view of the River Aare.
We found a very basic accomodation and had a wonderful evening in the Altstadt (old town) of Bern.
20 July 2006
Another boiling hot day in Western France.
We left Strasbourg and made our way to the French Alsace wine route. We visited 4 little villages, drank lots of wine for free and had an amazing day. We finally settled in a little village called Turkheim where we spent the night in a rooftop room. It was extremely hot in the roof, but we had fun nonetheless.
We found that the Alsace region was definitely not for red wine lovers. Also, we found the the Riesling was far drier that what we are used to back in South Africa, but we did find enough wines to enjoy.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
19 July, 06
It was a boiling hot day today- 37 degrees. We spent it in Strasbourg, France. It is a pretty town with the river running through and cobbled alleyways and walkways. The town itself really feels so French even though it borders Germany. However, the architecture is similar to that of the traditional german style in the countryside nearby. Only one full day is really needed to see everything and the Petit France area is very quaint and very much like Venice. The place is flooded with tourists and many people speak a bit of English. They are friendly and helpful too. A car is definately not needed and parking close to town is a problem. Make sure if you do not have navigation in your car that you have a great map otherwise you can drive within a 5km area for one and a half hours- which is how we started our day today. Not great!
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Tuesday 18 July
Headed off to Freiburg, Feldberg and Schwarzwald. It was a glorious day and there was a traffic jam on the autoway so we decided to take a back route which was a great idea. The countryside was amazing with all the quaint german B&B's and hotels along the way. We climbed quite high up into the mountains and we reached a lake called Titisee. A great place if you want to have a swim or just relax at the waters edge. Further on we reached the feldberg where there is skiing in Winter. We did a lovely forest walk and took the cable car up because it is quite a walk uphill. The views are beautiful! We drove to Strasbourg which was really weird because one minute you were in Germany and the next we were in France.
Headed off to Freiburg, Feldberg and Schwarzwald. It was a glorious day and there was a traffic jam on the autoway so we decided to take a back route which was a great idea. The countryside was amazing with all the quaint german B&B's and hotels along the way. We climbed quite high up into the mountains and we reached a lake called Titisee. A great place if you want to have a swim or just relax at the waters edge. Further on we reached the feldberg where there is skiing in Winter. We did a lovely forest walk and took the cable car up because it is quite a walk uphill. The views are beautiful! We drove to Strasbourg which was really weird because one minute you were in Germany and the next we were in France.
Monday17 July
We started the day by taking Sylvia and Bart on a walk/run in the fields. They were not used to this! They enjoyed it, even though there was lots of moaning.
We visited Heidelberg and it was the most amazing beautiful little university town. The roads were cobbled and the architecture was so old. There was an amazing castle looking over the town and a beautiful river called the neckar river which we walked along.
It was another hot day and by the time we got back to their house we had some sangria and Sylvia whipped up the most amazing fillet with sauce .
We started the day by taking Sylvia and Bart on a walk/run in the fields. They were not used to this! They enjoyed it, even though there was lots of moaning.
We visited Heidelberg and it was the most amazing beautiful little university town. The roads were cobbled and the architecture was so old. There was an amazing castle looking over the town and a beautiful river called the neckar river which we walked along.
It was another hot day and by the time we got back to their house we had some sangria and Sylvia whipped up the most amazing fillet with sauce .
Sunday, July 16, 2006
16th July, 06
We have arrived in Frankfurt and we caught a train to Karlsruhe where Bart (Robert) picked us up at the station. We met Sylwia and the two kids (Oliver and Nievah) and then we sat down to a wholesome breakfast. Chatting away we eventually got going to a town called Bretten - very typical architecture of this region.
We have arrived in Frankfurt and we caught a train to Karlsruhe where Bart (Robert) picked us up at the station. We met Sylwia and the two kids (Oliver and Nievah) and then we sat down to a wholesome breakfast. Chatting away we eventually got going to a town called Bretten - very typical architecture of this region.
We have not stopped eating today; I think that 0ur friends think we are not going to get any food for 8 months! Sylvia is an amzing cook and whips up a meal in a flash- with all the frills as well (nog al). It is now 20h55 and the sun is starting to set, the picture is taken from our room.
15 July, 06
We left Cape Town, South Africa for our big journey around the world very apprehensive and excited. Everything was packed in our backpacks for the next 8 months and my dad came to fetch us to take us to the airport. We were leaving for Frankfurt, Germany.
