16. June ...On the way we made a stop at Lucerne, where we walked the promenade and watched Swiss Folklore. For lunch we had home-made Birchermusli, afterwards coffee of course. After check in at hotel we were advised to have dinner at Hotel Spannort. As one can see, we enjoyed fish with pasta.
17. June Second day we went to Klein Titlis at 3020 m. It was another nice day, not crowded. At the top we were keen to see if the Indian tourist, some with slippers on, were going to glacier park Ice Flyer too. When I was asked to name the mountains, I had to consult the map attached to the handrail. But it was still a hard task to point out the mountains.
On the other hand I could have recited just some names which probably wouldn't haven been noticed. At the glacier park Ice Flyer we had 2 rides with the Snow-Scoots, but we didn't do the Crevasse Abseiling. The Indian tourists we met on the way up with the chairlift, what kind of Snow Toys will they try ? After we visited the Glacier Cave, 150m long, we went back to Engelberg.
In the afternoon we visited the famous Cheese Factory at the monastery. For lunch we enjoyed a piece of fresh made cheese cake. The nearby church we visited before we left Engelberg to go up to Stanserhorn.
Just before we reached the Station, we met out of clear sky Petra. After some small talk we entered the original old timer funicular from 1893.
At the top I didn't check if all the 10 lakes could be seen. But while I had a coffee, my guest had a lazy chair for 30 minutes. The marmots behind the fence were lazy as well. At 17:00 it was time to leave to check in at hotel Roessli in Alpnachstad.
18. June, at 9:45 we passed Pilatus cable car station. Unlike usual, we started the golden round trip reversely. With the ship we went to Lucerne, by bus to Kriens where we entered the aerial cable car to Fraekmuentegg. For lunch we ordered a mixed salad, I didn't mind that most of it was left to me.
For coffee afterwards we always have time of course. After watching people at the Suspension Rope Park, we rode on Switzerland's longest summer toboggan run (1350 m). At the top of Pilatus, 2132 m, we first walked the dragon trail, then to Tomlishorn. Legends and myths: Since time immemorial, the rugged cliffs above Lucerne have been enveloped in mysterious myths and legends. in the Middle Ages, people believed that a dragon with healing powers and spirits inhabited the rocky crevices. It was said that the restless ghost of Roman governor once found lasting peace in Lake Pilatus. And so for a long time it was forbidden to climb the mountain - for woe betide any one who disturbed Pontius Pilate!
On the way to Tomlishorn we studied many flowers, only some were blooming. Appropriate to the occasion, the Forget-me-not I like to mention. At Tomlishorn we fed the jackdaws. The jackdaws were so trustingly, that they even picked apple from open hand.
On the way back, I had to let know how a hearty Swiss whoop at the echo spot sounds.
After another coffee we descended with the the world's steepest cogwheel railway: Height difference 1635 m, Length of track 4618 m, Gradient: 48% maximum, 38% average. Back at Alpnachstad we got into the car to drive home to have dinner with Ernst.
20. June On Saturday we visited my brother at Hombrechtikon. As he is a great chef a the barbecue, he suggested to get it going for dinner. After a relaxing chat we went around the immaculate kept garden and for walk with quite a quick pace. Back, we soon tasted meat from barbecue with salad while recollecting holidays.
21. June, Sunday. Because weather forecast was bad for northern side of the Alps, I made reservation to see places at Ticino. At noon we left home to drive over San Bernardino to Bellinzona, where we had a coffee break. After check in at hotel Atlantico in Lugano, we went up to hotel Colibri to have dinner. The way up was longer than expected, more than one hour walking. But at the balcony of the restaurant we were rewarded with a fantastic view down to Lugano and Monte San Salvatore.
22. June. In order to show the sweet side of Switzerland, we visited the chocolate factory Alprose at Caslano. Before we arrived at Caslano, we made a detour via Melide and Morcote, a very scenic drive along Lago di Lugano. As we had to exit the factory through the shop, we bought plenty of different choices of chocolate.
Afterwards we continued the drive around Lago di Lugano, Italian part. Back at Lugano we had lunch in the park Belvedere, shopped at Migros. The afternoon was reserved for a tour in the Tourists Train and going up Monte Bre.
22. June The first time for me, we bought a return ticket for the funicular to Monte Bre. This time, without any strain we passed hotel Colibri to the right. Once more, at the top coffee was welcomed. For dinner I suggested to go to restaurant Tango, because I have been there a few times. Or more to the point, I longed for Saffron-Risotto with calf. But before we had a leisure walk through old town, we even spotted a very expensive dog shop.
23. June For this day, a round trip by car around Lago di Como was on program. First we drove to east of Lago di Lugano, then Laino and to Argegno. At Aregegno we had the first coffee break. This beautiful day was interrupted by a fine put onto my windscreen.
We soon found the reason for the fine. Because I left the window a gap open, a gust blew the parking receipt from the dashboard. Because I preferred to spend that amount for coffee, I asked about the location of the polizia communale. At last we found the location, but only to detect it was closed for 1.5 hours. I just wanted do leave when the window next to the door was opened by a policemen. After explaining our problem, handing over receipt and fine, eventually solved the matter.
All along the beautiful Lago di Como, passing through narrow roads, tunnels without illumination, until Menaggio where we had lunch. As there was plenty on the plate, I once more had one and a half portion. Another stop we made at Varenna, then straight on to Lecca and passing Como as time was running out.
24. June Now forecast for north of the Alps has improved as expected. So we left Lugano by way of Ponte Tresa and Luino. For it was Wednesday, a very crowded market left no car parking. We just drove on to Laveno, to cross Lago Maggiore by ferry. At Intra, where I have been a few times, my favourite restaurant was next to a reconstruction site. We not only found an alternative, but had an interesting chat with a women about keeping a dog, Pandorra. Next coffee break we made in Ascona, lake side at Moevenpick.
But before we went lunch shopping at Coop and enjoyed it in front of Moevenpick. We couldn't call it a day, for our destination was Meiringen. I choose to go over the San Gotthard, sadly the old road was closed. At Andermatt we made a photo stop at 18:30, another one at Schoellenen to see the devils bridge and the monument of General Suworow.
At Wassen we started to clime up Sustenpass, where we photographed besides glaciers alpine roses. At Meiringen we checked in at hotel Tourist, how appropriate! But the furnishing of this budget hotel was quite a surprise!
25. June We didn't want to wait for 1.5 hour to enter the Reichenbach Falls, so we drove straight to Interlaken and on to Stechelberg, station of aerial cable car to Schilthorn.
Not at the impressive summit of Schilthorn we were able to see Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau because of fog, but below. The revolving restaurant and the low priced coffee made their contribution to an already nice day.
In the afternoon we visited Truemmelbach Glacierwater Falls inside the mountain, in the Lauterbrunnen valley. In spite off the low temperature inside, some tourists came rather lightly dressed. The Truemmelbach alone drains the mighty glacier defiles of Eiger (3970 m), Monch (4099 m) and Jungrau (4158 m) with up to 20000 litres of water per second.
After the busy day we checked in at hotel Flower in Interlaken, both of us quite tired.
The dinner we hadn't in Interlaken as one would expect, but in Thun.
But before that we visited the old town. I didn't know how photogenic it was.
26. June The last day in the Alps we spent in Grindelwald. Besides Zurich, this was the second rainy day. Now this was funny: Just when I wanted to insert the last coin into the parking meter, the meter went out of order. As this was the second experience concerning parking, we were careful. We took a picture of the meter displaying "out of order" and put a notice behind the windscreen. Instead feeding the parking meter, a stomach with coffee is a better choice.
By gondola we went from Grindelwald at 1050m up to First at 2168 m. As rain wasn't soon expected, we went for a 50 minutes walk to Bachalpsee 2265m. On the trail we enjoyed more Alps flower and tunnels from marmots. At the Bachalpsee I intended to have the "meter coffee", only there was no restaurant but all the benches were taken by Japanese. On the way back I had to test if the snow bridge will carry me, it felt like it could carry 10 times me.
Back at Grindelwald we had lunch at hotel Sunstar, a rather special mixed salad with dried fruit. Leaving Grindelwald at 15:15 was early enough to buy dessert and meet friends at Hoeri for an open air dinner at 18:30.
27. June Unfortunately this holiday has come to an end, just when I got used to it. With breakfast at Fleischli, a Cafe I often visit, we started the rainy day - rainy just like on arrival. We move too, now just to the airport, with plenty of time left for the Self-Checkin. Was it now Switzerland at it's best, let's the guest decide.