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Switzerland 2023

September - October 2023
A 24-day adventure by Heinz Read more
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  • TravelerSwitzerland 2023
    1
    Day 2

    Wängi - Switzerland

    September 20, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F

    We embarked on an outstanding journey to Switzerland via Philadelphia. Zürich, where we picked up a compact car, greeted us with exquisite weather and a clear blue sky.

    Adjusting to a manual transmission always takes me a little while. Modern cars are becoming increasingly equipped with electronic features, and it took me a few minutes to figure out how to adjust the side-view mirrors properly.

    Following a brief drive, we reached the quaint farming village of Wängi, where Ursula's brother, Wally, resides. Wally's girlfriend, Marli from Brazil, treated us to a delectable lunch of Pao de Queijo. Delicious!

    In the afternoon, we took two trips to the bank in Aadorf. Incredibly, the speed limit on this 4.5 km stretch of road changed no less than eight times!

    Despite my strong resistance, jet lag intensified as the afternoon wore on, forcing me to nap briefly before dinner.    Read more

  • TravelerSwitzerland 2023
    Day 3

    Jet Lag

    September 21, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    The night didn't treat me kindly due to jet lag, unlike Ursula, who wisely took a sleeping pill.

    The day commenced with a delightful Swiss breakfast featuring options like yogurt, crispy rye bread, savory butter, and delectable Bündner Bergkäse (cheese), thoughtfully laid out by Wally for us to savor.

    As is customary when relatives reunite after a long absence, we engaged in lengthy conversations, reminiscing about past events, and time seemed to pass swiftly.

    In the afternoon, Wally took us on a leisurely drive that culminated at the Migros and Coop supermarkets in Aadorf. There, we procured dinner ingredients, and Ursula found some "goodies" on sale that were on our list to bring back to the US. I couldn't help but admire the cleanliness and meticulous organization of these supermarkets, in stark contrast to the United States. Instead of overwhelming quantities stuffed on the shelves, they offer a wider array of products in smaller portions. Many items tempted my eyes, but I restrained myself and chose only a "must-have" unique cheese.

    Chef Wally's evening dinner was a culinary delight, perfectly complemented by the Rioja Reserva. Around 11:45 p.m., fatigue caught up with me, and I had to excuse myself. The rest of the group soldiered on in their conversations until 3:15 AM.

    It was a splendid and relaxing second day in Switzerland!    Read more

  • TravelerSwitzerland 2023
    Day 4

    Leisurely Day

    September 22, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ 🌧 59 °F

    The night rain had finally relented as we gathered around the breakfast table. However, the sky remained shrouded in clouds, and the world outside bore the unmistakable marks of a thorough soaking. Consequently, we seized the opportunity to turn this day into yet another leisurely family affair, which I fear may bore you. My apologies for that 😥.

    Wally's girlfriend from Brazil put in a valiant effort to learn our language and worked tirelessly. However, the constant switch between Swiss-German and English in our conversations proved challenging for her. On the other hand, Wally did a commendable job translating from Portuguese, which benefitted me in learning more of this melodious, beautiful language.

    In a surprising recollection, Wally entrusted me with a delicate task befitting my watchmaker skills—replacing the battery in his aging Apple MacBook Pro. Three hours of meticulous work later, the mission was accomplished with a fully charged battery. However, we noticed an issue with the trackpad and keyboard. Wally informed me that this had occurred a few times in the past. I will need to investigate further tomorrow. Apple recommends inspecting the flex cable connections between the trackpad/keyboard and the logic board. It seems I might be on the brink of becoming an electronics engineer!

    Later in the afternoon, we embarked on a quest for eggs from a local farmer and made another visit to Coop for our grocery shopping, among other errands. Time slipped away from us, and before we knew it, we were indulging in a take-out pizza dinner accompanied by a delightful bottle of red wine courtesy of Wally's wine cellar.

    As for tomorrow, our plans entail a road trip to the enchanting Appenzell region. We will purchase "Chällerhocker" cheese directly from our favorite cheese maker and visit some friends in their weekend countryside farmhouse.    Read more

  • TravelerSwitzerland 2023
    Day 5

    Lichtenstein

    September 23, 2023 in Liechtenstein ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F

    Today, we decided to pay a visit to Liechtenstein. Despite my Swiss background, I must confess that I've never had the chance to explore this charming country. My knowledge of Liechtenstein was limited to it being a tiny nation nestled along the banks of the River Rhine, home to a mere 36,000 residents, and sharing borders with Switzerland and Austria. I often came across images of its picturesque castles. I heard tales of its shallow wealth tax rate, which stood at a mere 0.000,007% (although it's worth verifying whether this remains true today).

    Our journey along Highway A1 was swift and effortless, taking just over an hour. Regrettably, we couldn't visit Vaduz Castle due to ongoing renovations that had closed off access. However, Ursula quickly spotted the nearby Vineyards and Cellars of the Prince of Liechtenstein, a delightful alternative. Enjoying a glass of wine (Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Eiswein) left us with a contented eagerness to explore more of Liechtenstein.

    Following a narrow road, we ascended to Oberdorf, with a stunning view of the Rhine River Valley. Gazing toward Sargans, we identified Burg Gutenberg Castle, perched majestically on a distant hill.

    Our journey led us to a parking lot in Balzers, where we embarked on a hike up to the castle. Today, it belongs to the municipality of Balzers, and although we were unable to explore its interior without a visitor permit, we marveled at its well-preserved exterior. Burg Gutenberg boasts a rich history, with its first mention dating back to 1263 when it was under the ownership of the Freiherren of Frauenberg before being occupied by the Duke of Austria and later the Habsburgs.

    Tonight, we relished a quintessential Swiss meal, savoring grilled OLMA Veal Sausage paired with crispy Rösti Potatoes, expertly prepared by Ursula and her brother, Wally. It was the perfect way to conclude yet another splendid day in Switzerland.    Read more

  • TravelerSwitzerland 2023
    Day 6

    Interlaken

    September 24, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    This afternoon, we reached our friends Kurt and Heidi's place in Interlaken.

    Following an enjoyable "Apero" on their terrace apartment overlooking the Aare River, we embarked on a leisurely walk along the river and through the town. Interlaken was brimming with tourists, with a significant Asian presence. We paused at the expansive meadow opposite the renowned Victoria Hotel to witness the Paragliders gracefully touch down.

    Our meal at Café de Paris, featuring a delectable Wurst and Käse Salat accompanied by crispy French fries, was simply superb.

    The evening unfolded with captivating conversations and eventually drew to a close around 11:30 pm.    Read more

  • TravelerSwitzerland 2023
    Day 7

    Sass Fee

    September 25, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F

    We had a great time with our friends in Interlaken.

    Today, we loaded the car onto the train through the Lötschberg tunnel and quickly visited a lady friend in Natters for coffee and cake.

    Afterward, we took the winding road up to Saas Fee, where we will stay for the next five days.

    Our room at Hotel Les Amis is small, but it has everything we need, and it's pleasantly quiet.

    Dinner with our group at the restaurant Zur Mühle was excellent!

    As a start, we have a short hike planned for tomorrow (pilgrimage route from Saas Grund to Saas Fee).

    The weather is expected to be wonderful and sunny again.    Read more

  • TravelerSwitzerland 2023
    1
    Day 8

    Sass Fee

    September 26, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F

    We were dropped off in Sass Grund by the postal bus, and our guide, Bernhard Schafroth, led us along the Freevispa River, passing the Campground, until we reached the trailhead of The Chapel Trail.

    The Chapel Trail to Saas-Fee takes you through a remarkable journey, passing by 15 small chapels and shrines that were constructed between 1708 and 1711. These chapels depict the mysteries of the Psalter and the three Catholic rosaries: the Joyous, the Sorrowful, and the Glorious. Bernhard, deeply connected to this trail due to its significance to his late mother, wanted to share this experience with us. It was truly enchanting, featuring steps cut into glacier rocks and hiking through serene spruce forests. We took our time, frequently stopping to capture the numerous photo-worthy moments.

    After a relaxing break at the hotel, we ascended with the gondola to Plattjen, where we were treated to an unforgettable panoramic view of the entire Saas Fee valley. Our friend Peter Ulli chose to hike instead and joined us in the summit restaurant two hours and 10 minutes later for a drink—an impressive feat!

    We opted for Pizzeria Poccalino, an excellent restaurant for tonight's dinner, and our chosen dishes met our expectations.    Read more

  • TravelerSwitzerland 2023
    1
    1
    Day 9

    Panorama Trail - Kreuzboden

    September 27, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F

    Today, our team embarked on a memorable hike, starting at Kreuzboden at an elevation of 2,400 meters and winding our way down to Sass Almagell at 1,675 meters. To the reader, this may seem like a gentle downhill hike, but in reality, it was anything but.

    The weather couldn't have been more ideal, with perfect temperatures that allowed us to fully appreciate the breathtaking views of the snow-draped peaks.

    We intentionally planned several stops during our journey to immerse ourselves in the natural beauty that enveloped us. Consequently, what was initially estimated as a 3-hour and 10-minute hike took us nearly 6 hours to complete.

    Marli, in particular, impressed us with her resilience, as this was only her second mountain hike. She consistently wore a cheerful smile and often led the group, allowing me to share insights about navigating rocky terrain and other safety tips. We also delved into discussions about alpine vegetation and wildlife.

    Our evening meal brought us back to Pizzeria Poccalino, and we were delighted to be joined by another fellow hiker, Hans Vogler.    Read more

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  • TravelerSwitzerland 2023
    Day 10

    Sass Fee - Spielboden

    September 28, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

    We were transported by a Sass Fee gondola to Spielboden, perched at an elevation of 2,447 meters above sea level. As we ascended, the few scattered clouds dissipated, and after approximately two hours of hiking, we arrived at a small glacier lake at 3,005 Meters.

    Among us was Brad, a fellow hiker from England, who wasted no time shedding his attire and plunging into the chilly 2-degree Celsius water. He took another dip while I captured the daring act on his cell phone. Quite the adventurous soul, I must say!

    Before this aquatic adventure, we had the privilege of observing Marmots and a group of Chamois gracefully traversing a vast glacier rock from a distance.

    Upon returning to the Spielboden restaurant, most of the group opted for a refreshing drink and snacks. A charming Marmot roamed freely among the tables, playfully begging for a share of our fare.

    Meanwhile, Bernhard and Peter decided to embark on a full descent to Sass Fee on foot. By 4:00 p.m., everyone had returned to the hotel, enjoying some relaxation before dinner.    Read more

  • TravelerSwitzerland 2023
    Day 11

    Lake Mattmark Trail

    September 29, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    I threw open the balcony window early this morning, and lo and behold, another sunny day awaited us in Saas-Fee, with a brilliant blue sky. We've been truly fortunate with the weather so far.

    Today, we hopped on the postal bus and made our way to the Mattmark Lake dam. From there, we embarked on a delightful two-hour hike around the lake, encountering rushing waterfalls, a herd of cows, a tunnel, and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. It was a truly magical hike.

    Rather than taking the bus back, we decided to hike back to Saas Fee from Sass Almagell. Along the way, I spotted numerous mushrooms, although sadly, they were either past their prime or unfit for consumption. We had the thrill of watching two boys zip-lining across the deep gorge as we arrived at the bridge in Saas-Fee.

    Dinner plans are still up in the air, but four of us are in the mood for some Raclette. Restaurant Vieux Châlet was the answer! Yummy 😋.    Read more

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