All aboard the magic train! Here we go...faster and faster and faster we go, where it takes us nobody knows...clicketty clack ckicketty clack and suddenly we slow...first stop Lugano, Switzerland.
The Swiss rail system is a pleasure to ride aboard...the term Swiss Precision is exactly that. The rail system works seamlessly and is very easy to navigate. We left Rome, which is a little less organized, via Milan on our way to our first stop in Lugano. We are met with a chilliness we haven't experienced yet, we shuffled off to our hotel only a short 5 minute walk from the train station. Lugano is such a pretty little town with Lake Lugano being the feature of this quaint town. There are 2 major mountains you can go up by funicular, being Monte Salvtore and Monte Bru, we did neither due to the poor visibility and the rain which dampened the days. We were very keen to do the high ropes course at Mount Tamaro, but of course it closed the day we arrived...seems to be a pattern. I enjoyed Lugano, regardless of the rain, as it allowed us to settle back and take in all the scenery and walk through the town and local park. We found the most delightful cafe called Gabbini, everything you can imagine from meats, cheese and sweets. In the outdoor alfresco sitting area was kitted out with cosy sheepskin hides lining the chairs while you sat back, listened to the rain and drank hot cocoa which had the consistency of pudding. It was so yummy! Mr Gabbini had decided that he and I knew each other and after telling him I was from Australia, he pointed to the name on the door and the second floor window of an adjacent building saying that's where he was born. Such a funny man, but boy did he have the staff hopping as he roamed from cafe to hotel to market. We were in a lovely hotel with the most wonderful staff, so we ate dinner in each night.
Here we go again..all aboard the Wilhem Tell Express, an overview of our journey begins with a short train ride to Bellinzona, 1 1/2 hour stop, before boarding another train to Flueelen where we embark on a boat cruise of Lake Lucerne with the final destination being Lucerne.
An insight to Wilhem Tell, if you are already not aware, Wilhem Tell in short struggled with his adversary, Gessler, the local Governor. Tell refuses to obey an order, the consequence is Gessler forces him to shoot an apple from his own son's head using a crossbow. Tell let's it out that he has kept a 2nd arrow intended for Gessler, he is arrested. On this lake we travelled, he escapes when being ferried across the lake, he gets his revenge after ambushing and killing his adversary. What would you do of you were forced to shoot at your child with a fatal arrow?
Back to the journey, which took us along the Gotthard route with 4 loops (we call them twirly whirlies) and a tunnel which lasted 10 minutes. The scenery was majestic, stunning, divine. Landscapes of mountains, some with snow caps and vivid greenery lower down in the fields and valleys below these mountains nestled some Swiss style homes with uninterrupted views of their land. After a quick change in Fluelen, we boarded our saloon style motor vessel and enjoyed this 1st class boat journey on Lake Lucerne, while we dined and watched the landscape of this beautiful country as it engulfed us through mystical and legendary coves, villages and mountain landscapes and past to the Rutli, where the original Swiss Confederation was founded. 2 1/2 hours later we arrived at the port of Lucerne with the magnificent railway station adjacent to it.
The town of Lucerne is divided in 2 parts with the old town and new town. As you can imagine the 'old' town is very old, but beautifully, restored Swiss structure buildings maintained in all their glory, right out of vintage Christmas drawings. Cross the bridge to the new town and this is where the famous Kappel Bridge sits, completely made out of wood and in summer adorned with colourful blooms and of course the water tower you see in all the photos. Our first day, we decided to make the climb to Mt. Pilatus, a mere 3,123 metres up. Taking the steepest cogwheel train in the world, had us up in the clouds in 30 minutes. Here the kids first experienced snow and a snowball fight broke out immediately, I took refuge behind my lens and snapped the joy on their faces. The visibility is so poor, so there was no view of the land below, we were right in the mist of the fluffy clouds...a white out! We stayed up for a couple of hours playing in the snow, eating lunch in the clouds and attempting the dragon cave walk. This was aborted due to high winds and those who were wet from the snowball fight were now very cold.
Speeding down the rails again! Next stop - Interlaken.
Being Emmas birthday, we are keen to find something exciting to do. Interlaken either has modest and extreme outdoor activities with hiking, paragliding, skydiving and of course the Top of Europe - Jungfrau, the highest mountain in Europe at 4158 metres OR you can pass the time in the sport of buying Swiss made watches. Seeing we had already been up to one mountain albeit not the highest, paragliding was calling out to us. The weather broke for after the kids had a morning of swimming at the indoor pool, so off we rushed for a bit to eat and get Tony and Emma ready for their first flight. How exciting! As Hamish and I waited in the cow field below, we got our first glimpse of the duo as they peaked over the mountain top, soaring through the sky over the legendary Victoria hotel. Doing a few twirly whirlies and a few whistles, hoots and hollers, they landed without incident, only pure elation and exhilaration!
Tony writes;
A 20 minute drive from the centre of Interlaken, up the hill through the mountains to our take-off point. I must admit I expected emma to be more nervous than she was expressing during the car ride. We finally arrived at the top, our pilots already decided for us, and the insurance waiver signed off on. A short walk up the hill with our gear to the take-off point, a very professional outfit with good instruction put us at ease. I was allowed to video Emma's take off and then follow her into the blue. Emma took off at a run as requested then pulled her feet up a bit early, but the instructors are used to that with children, he kept going and they sailed off quite quickly out over the mountain tops. A bit of a belly laugh from me at the sheer exhilaration of watching my daughter take-off on a paragliding adventure. I am jealous, how do they get to do these things at such a young age, I'm sure I didn't have these experiences at their age?
My turn, what a thrill, walk down for ten steps, run as fast as you can for three or four steps and then your weightless and flying through the air. The view was simply spectacular and the feeling of floating on air just indescribable. I was busy taking photos of everything I could see, hopefully they work out from our 'old' little camera from 2001. The pilots knew that we would enjoy flying close to each other, so despite my rig weighing alot more than Emma and her pilot he brought us close together. Some more great snaps as we soared around the Swiss Alps with views over Jungfrau, Eiger, and Monch, the 3 highest peaks. A little over 12 minutes in the air and we start to descend, my pilot says, "do you want to do some turns?" Why not, I answer, silly me! Round and round we go, very fast soaring on the thermal winds coming lower over the landing grounds and the hotels. A loud whistle for the ground crew of Tracey and Hamish so they know it is us and down we come. Emma comes into land a little after me and Tracey captures some excellent snaps as she comes down. Landing is very easy and gentle but the memory of floating around the skies of Interlaken is one not to be forgotten soon.
10.11.13 Happy Birthday Emma
The is day cold and wet with heavy rains at times. We take ourselves to the bus stop, wait for an hour, and board the bus to our next activity - skating. Emma has chosen this for her birthday day, Hamish wasn't missing out on anything as who would argue with going skating. A great time had by all and we even managed to get Tony on ice in skates. I have to say I almost wet myself watching him with laughter, not a very supportive wife I am. It was funny though. Emma swirled around and practised alongside me and Hamish had it mastered soon thereafter. The zimmer frames were available for those a little unsteady on their blades. Hamish found a hockey stick and tried to join the big boys, he was bound and determined to play hockey and he did, he will find any suitable opponent willing to give it a go and who can resist that face. Afterwards we walked down the road to the Irish Pub and had a fantastic meal finished off with apple crumble and a sparkle for Emma's Happy Birthday.
