ZERMATT

  

The train to Zermatt is a trip to behold. It wasn't fully covered by our Rail Pass because of it being a private line but extremely scenic for most of the trip. We did get hoofed out of our 1^st class seats because the trip wasn’t covered by the Eurail pass, but so were several others on the train. It seems no-one bothers to inform travellers even when they book on-line, months in advance!

Great room in a great hotel and the staff were so friendly. The views from our room are nothing less than spectacular. Yes, that is The Matterhorn covered in snow in the background!

We arrived early so spent the afternoon and evening exploring. Zermatt is a full blown ski town with half the shops selling ski wear and equipment. Of course the season in not in full swing yet so we are not bogged down with crowds of people.

Also, prices are still reasonable.

We found a terrific Cable Car Trip up the mountains. Zermatt is at 1603 meters and these cars go in three stages to some 4360 meters.  Julie wasn’t able to do this trip due to her fear of heights so she went for a massage package whilst I rode the mountain.

At the start of the trip the notice board advised that at the top it was -5 c with winds of 54 km/h – bloody cold. (The digital image shows 5, for some reason it failed to record the negative sign)!

By the time I reached the top it was -9 c with winds of 76km/h. Never before have I needed to wrap up like a dogs dinner but thankfully I did. Not a good look but I don’t care, it was f*^%#ing freezing up there. Luckily I had invested in beanie and gloves!

However, I must admit that the views were well worth it.

It was as if one could reach out and touch the Matterhorn.

Part of the trip included a visit to The Glacier Palace, the highest 'glacier palace' in the world.

Here we were able to enter into the heart of the glacier - really cold but really pretty.

Switzerland is really an awesome country and we're falling in love with it.

GU LP – THERE’S 2 OF HER

I guess I need to drink less

CHOCOLATE TRAIN

Today we went on our Chocolate Train trip to the towns of Gruyere and Broc.

The train zigzagged across the mountainside giving splendid views as we went ever higher.

On the train we were served a chocolate croissant and drinking chocolate as breakfast.  The trip took us to the town of Gruyere where we visited the Gruyere cheese factory.

Saw how the cheese was made and got to sample the finished product.

We then got some time to explore the area and to visit the Chateau de Gruyere an ancient castle dating back to the Middle Ages. We did lunch in the small town before re-joining the tour and moving on by bus to the Nestle chocolate factory in Broc.

It was great here and we got to taste as much of the finished product as we wished. (They wouldn’t let me take a doggy bag home though). The only thing that spoiled the trip was having to drag Julie away, screaming and shouting from the supply of free chocolates!

It was a great run back down the mountain to the town of Montreux and dinner this evening before we set off in the morning for Zermatt. 

MONTREUX

Settled into Montreux and what a fabulous place it is. I guess it’s all we imagined and more. Our hotel is a stones’ throw from Lake Geneva and all the shops we could wish for.

As for the cake stores; and don’t even get me started on the vanilla slices.....

Our hotel room’s small but ‘cozy’; the hotel itself is very Swiss and full of character. The entry is gorgeous up a long stairway to the reception desk. Thankfully there is a lift available as I don’t fancy carrying luggage up dem steps!

Took a trip to Chillon Castle this morning, a 12^th century fortress on the banks of Lake Geneva. It is beautifully preserved with many interesting medieval artefacts.

From there we took a 2 hour trip on the lake. This gave us a great view of the town of Montreux and the typical Swiss chalets so prevalent here.

Tomorrow were off for a trip on the Chocolate Train. This is a restored 1920’s Pullman car. We get served a chocolate croissant and hot chocolate for breakfast, visit the Gruyere cheese factory and then onto the Nestle chocolate factory before our return to Montreux in the evening. Oh! We also get tosamply as much of the finished products as we desire - sounds good to me.

STRESSED TO THE MAX

Journey from Marseille to Montreux exceedingly stressful.

Stringent ..................

Measures required!

View from hotel in Montreux

HARDSHIP IN FRANCE

Many of you will now be thinking that we are living the life of Riley as we travel around the world. I refer specifically to our friend Russell who has advised us that he is scouring the papers for items of scandal as the paparazzi follow us incessantly. His claim that he has, as yet not read anything about us in the international press obviously shows that he is clearly reading the wrong papers!

Hmmm! Which one will I drive today!

There is of course an old saying along the lines of ‘....The best laid plans of mice and men’! On our attempt to collect our hire car at Marseille we discovered that the company was “No longer operating out of Marseille”! We had paid for the hire in full more than 4 months ago. Since the purpose of our coming to Marseille was to drive around Southern France and specifically to visit the Millau Bridge we tried to hire another vehicle. Yeah! Right – try booking a car at 11-30am on a Saturday.

 Oh!, stuff it – I’ll take the yellow one.

So a change of plan it was! And this is where the commencement of this entry begins. We poor suffering souls have had to suffer major changes to our plans such as a ferry trip to an island for dinner and a side trip to Monte Carlo to visit the casino, swim off the beach and generally slum it with the rich and famous. Now all we have to do is get the car company to refund our initial payment and if I get my way I’ll even charge ‘em for the side trip return fare to Monaco!

Marseille cathedral – being renovated.

It worked in our favour with us having more time to explore the vicinity and realize how much Marseille itself has to offer. The marina and water front is to die for. There is no shortage of cash here.

Our next crazy notion was to take the ferry to one of the islands for dinner at sunset. Talk about paradise.

Monaco Monte Carlos’ only train station. Monaco evidently only has 1.7 klms of rail track. This station is hewn out of solid rock to save precious land space.

Off to Switzerland in the morning. Will keep you posted and Russell, WATCH THE PRESS!

BARCELONA

We arrived in Barcelona quite late as the ferry didn’t arrive ‘til 7pm. We then had to get the shuttle from the port to the station. Then it was taxi to the hotel, check-in, shower and bed.

Our first day kicked off with a trip to Montserrat. This is primarily a monastic town set high in the mountains. How the hell they got the materials up there in the first place beats the heck out of me.

These three shots are of the same subject but with various degrees of telephoto!

We then visited the church where we saw the choir singing. I thought the Vienna boys Choir had the monopoly on this but these guys can give em a run for their money.

We spent the second day exploring and once we grabbed the principles of the trams and the metro we were off and running. We found we could travel all over the joint for 4 Euros ($5-40) a day.

The city itself is a great mix of old and new. Some of the architecture is awesome.

We finished the day with a typical tourist visit to a Flamenco night with dinner and Flamenco dance. Not too sure of the authenticity but a great night anyway.

These guys can sure dance and stomp.

I LIKE BARCELONA

Should have stayed in Barcelona longer.

Coming on a Monday in future.

SUNSET – SUNRISE

We watched the sunset on Italy.........................

 ...............and rise again in the waters of Spain.

On Monday we left Rome for Civitavecchia to catch the ferry to Barcelona. We travelled on the train and it was surprisingly pleasant and reasonably priced.

Some mild hiccoughs on the way but this was our own fault since we failed to do our research properly. It had been our plan being to deposit our bags at the ferry terminal and spend the day in the sea-side town of Civitavecchia but that was not to be. There was no baggage deposit thus we had to remain with our cases at all times. Grrrr! Fortunately the day was not lost and we had a relaxing time reading and ‘re-grouping’ for our next leg of the trip.  We also  took it in turn to  go ‘walk-about’ for an hour or so at a time.

Once we boarded and settled into our cabin for our 20 hour ‘cruise’ we moved to the upper deck to chat and drink coffee until our departure at 20-00 hrs. Whilst on deck we met a 23 year old lass from California who was back-packing her way round Europe for 3 months. Caitlin, or Kate as she likes to be called was interesting and courageous, back-packing solo around Europe for three months and more. In many ways she reminded me of my own ‘wilder’ times as a youth back-packing round the UK by thumb, a wing and a prayer.

I remembered a time 40 or so years ago (Now I’m really giving away my age) when an older couple (Older? Well, they Seemed older according to my distant memory) gave me a lift to Cornwall. They could see that I was broke and insisted on giving me a good feed before parting ways. All they asked in return was for me to one day ‘pass on’ this deed. This was our opportunity to reciprocate!

The ferry is well equipped and has a great al a carte restaurant and the three of us has a great Italian meal over 3 hours before parting company, she to her “wherever I can catch a sleep” and ourselves to our cozy cabin for the night. All we ask in return is that, one day Katie will ‘pass on the favour’ when she, like ourselves is in a position to do so.

Julie is still sleeping in her bunk whilst I am now on the upper deck drinking espresso and watching the sun rise over the horizon. Next stop Barcelona and our adventure continues.

We miss you guys (but not a lot)!