Life Abroad 2010...: Interlaken & Grindelwald, Switzerland

May 29th

Can't explain how great Interlaken is. I knew I wanted to go, but planned it last second. Gina and I met for coffee when she was home to visit and one of the last things she said was you have to go to Interlaken. Then I was talking to Nick (lives in Hagnau) and brought up Jungfrau Mountain. Didn't realize they were in the same area until I looked up what he was talking about. I was set on going as soon as possible. Since the weather has been so rainy here I figured I should try and go some where a little more distant.

Travel by train is so easy, fast, and provides great views. I didn't realize how quick it was to get through Switzerland, I started from Southern Germany and it took 5 hours to get to mid Switzerland. You come up on Lake Thunder when entering into Interlaken from Bern.

The scenery is so amazing since the clouds move so quickly it is always changing.

Entering into the town as was so beautiful. The weather was pretty cloudy with a 30% chance of rain.

I decided to stay at Balmer's it is cheap and easy to get to, plus said to have the nightlife in town. Highly Highly rated on all websites. The accomodation was 10 bedded female dorm. The directions said walk straight from the station and you are there.

I checked in with the reception, she said the room is ready at 2p. With a few hours to kill I had some ideas of what I wanted to do. Jungfrau was really cloudy and hard to see anything at the top. It was great they had a tv to show what the weather was like up there and if it was worth it to pay the train tickets (they are expensive).

I figured out that I can take the train up to Grindelwald and do a hike to Lake Bachalp. I planned it out the night before it takes about an 1hr 40 mins starting from Grindelwald first. Put my bag in the luggage storage since I would only need water, garnola bars, money, sunglasses, and camera (tripod). I grabbed a map and time table and was set to go.

Left from Wilderswil just a short bus ride from Balmer's (they provided a free bus ticket). The train ride up only took 40 mins and 4 stops along the way.

Made it to Grindelwald:

The gondala ride up to Grindelwald first was only a 7 min walk through town on the left side. I went passed it and checked out what else was to offer first.

A cemetery

Ok it was starting to rain so I headed up towards First: The little fountain is fresh drinking water. You can find them everywhere in the area.

First:

Getting higher:

Finally there! The weather was completely different when we headed west. The sky was clear in the east and completely changed. The fog was really thick. I was just hoping for it to not rain and clear a little bit.

The clouds and fog were covering everything.

Love having a tripod.

It was so unreal how the weather went from rain, fog, sunshine and back again.

The lake was iced over still. Didn't look like the photos on the brochure! haha

The cows were so funny. One their cow bells are extremely loud, you can hear them anywhere and Two when it rains they look for shelter but the trees are too small for them to all fit under. Local beer.

May 30th

That night I met some girls from Canada; Alicia and Jenny. They were a few of the people that were not American. The hostel was 90%. They were actually the only other two girls in the dorm room with me. They booked to go Canyoning in the morning and said I should come with. So it was a 7a wake up call to go.

We had to suit up and get ready for the trip down the canyon. wet suits, water shoes, life vests, harnests, and helmuts. Then there was about a 5 mins drive since we went to the local canyon (3 hour tour)

I picked Kermit! So the guide, Tim, is explaining what I am about to do. Basically put all my trust in him and lean back while I walk down the rock. I picked the one with the longer fall. Shit...

Then we made our way down and were able to start with a smaller jump. The water is moving so fast and pushing us before I go. To get to that spot I had to lunge across, damn you short legs.

I think I look a little scared, time for the big jump.

Everyone had pics with their friends so I went to take one by myself and the guide, Matt, jumped in.

Pretty freaking awesome, it would have been great to do the longer duration ones, but the water was about 9 degrees Celcius and our lips started turning blue so I think the 3 hour trip was good enough for the time of year.

Then I was in town for a few more hours and was able to actually explore Interlaken.