This morning we finally had a good sleep. We all went to bed before 10:00 lastnight. Tavis and Sandra get up early every morning to enjoy their coffee and make sandwiches for everyone. Today was no different. The rest of us slept in until 7:45. Then we all ate breakfast and left the house by 8:34. Our commute was as follows:
- 8:36 – 8:48 bus from Krattigen to Spiez
- 9:00 – 9:30 train from Spiez to Kanderstag
- 9:44 – 9:54 bus from Kanderstag Bahnhof to Kanderstag Sunnbüel
Tavis and Sandra were the leaders of the pack (as usual). They both do all the planning for each day. When we arrived at the train station in Spiez they had to do some quick thinking because the Eurotrain which we were originally planning to catch was cancelled due to a police incident. Everything worked out though and we made it to the gondola just in time to go up.
Gemmi Pass
The gondola ride from Sunnbüel up to the Gemmi pass was packed to capacity (35 + 1). It was standing room only and packed in like sardines. However, we were still able to get a good view as we were lifted way up into the mountains. Twice we reached a tower at the side of the mountain and the gondola changed the angle and had a slight swing. Each time it made our hearts sink into our stomach and everyone held their breath.
When we reached the top we all made a stop at the rest room before setting off on our 3 hour hike through the pass. At the exit of the gondola there was a maintenance station set up with high quality tools and an air pump station for bikes. The tools were all chained to the wall but free for anyone to use. What a great concept! We also had to exit through an electric fence which was used to keep the free range cattle from entering the gondola. There was also some sort of marathon going on and they had a clock set up I guess to track runners’ times. We set off on our hike at 10:16.
About 5 minutes down the trail we heard an orchestra of wind chimes. However, there were no wind chimes around. Instead, it was a heard of cattle grazing in the mountains, each with a bell around its neck. The poor cows are probably deaf from all the noise they make each time they move!
About another 30 minutes down the pass we came to a farm house that sold cheese. We had to check it out. Tavis opened the door which lead to the shop where the cheese was actually being made. His wife invited us in to the next room where she had the cheese in a fridge for sale. It was stinky but fascinating. These farmers bring their cattle up the mountains in the summer and live in the cottage while their cows and sheep graze in the mountains. They sell cheeses and milk. Then in the fall they round up their heards and bring them down the valley until the Spring. While Tavis and Sandra were selecting a cheese to purchase, the rest of us were outside feeding the chickens and rabbits. It was not a usual stop for us Canadian hikers.
About another 45 minutes down the trail we came to a lake and a restaurant in the middle of nowhere! It was so beautiful to see this big restaurant/hotel with lots of flowers set in the mountains in the middle of a hiking trail! Ari wanted to stop and play in the playground but we were hungry and wanted to reach the next lake before we ate our sandwiches.
We continued along the trail another 40 minutes up a windy hill. Everyone was getting hungry and losing energy but just after noon finally made it to the edge of a huge lake. Ari climbed to the top of a rock but it was too windy for the rest of us so we decided to eat our lunch out of the wind somewhere. As we ate sandwiches we heard more wind chimes and noticed several black-nosed sheep just a little further up the hill from us. They were so cute! We relaxed for about 20 minutes and refuelled before continuing along the trail again.
We walked along the lake and on the other side was another gondola taking people from the lake up to the gondola that takes everyone down the mountain to Leukerbad. Instead of taking the gondola we walked up along the trail under the gondola. Just before reaching the lookout we decided to look for a geocache. This time Tavis was the one who found it hidden behind a rock. We exchanged our travel bug that we picked up in Munich for another one that was waiting to move along. Then we continued out to the new lookout. It was a little scary on the lookout because you could see through the grate that was under our feet. I bent down to take a photo of the ground when my metal travel mug fell out of my backpack and made a huge bang. It scared the daylights out of everyone who thought the platform was going to fall. It scared me too and apparently I turned on my video without even knowing. I caught the aftermath of the scare:P
Around 1:30 we hopped on the gondola at the other end of the pass which took us down to a cute little town called Leukerbad. We walked around the town and snapped a few photos. Sandra also found a cat to pet. We had about 40 minutes to wait for a bus down to Visp so Tavis and Sandra decided to get groceries for the weekend. All of the grocery stores close on Sundays so you have to plan ahead in Switzerland! While they were shopping, the rest of us went to a playground.
At 2:48 we caught a city bus like none other! It was a huge, fancy, air conditioned coach bus with a trailer. We were one of the first ones on and took the front seats. Oh boy was that interesting. The road down the mountain was a series of switchbacks and hairpin turns on a road that was barely wide enough for 2 small cars. It was terrifying!!! Around each corner the bus took up both lanes. I have no idea how we made it down in 1 piece. When we reached the bus stop I wanted to give the bus driver a huge hug and kiss but apparently that is not appropriate so I just thanked him instead.
We had about 20 minutes in Visp and it was quite warm so Tavis bought us all ice cream bars which was a perfect way to pass the time and give us some energy. As we finished our bars the train arrived and we caught the 3:57 train to Spiez. We arrived in Spiez at 6:30 and had to wait 30 minutes for our bus so we went into Migros so Tavis and Sandra could have a coffee. We sat in the air conditioned building until it was time to catch our bus back to Krattigen.
Swimming at Thunersee
We arrived home just after 5:00. Terris and Sandra stayed home while Tavis and I took the kids down to our favourite swimming spot on Thunersee. We love spending our evening hiking down the valley to the lake. It is a perfect way to cool down on a hot day. We all went in the water and swam in the clean, refreshing lake. It is not cold at all. We then hiked all the way up to the house (about a 15-20 minute hike). Tavis and Terris cooked Tortellini and put in a lasagna for me. It was an excellent meal and a perfect end to another perfect day!
Tomorrow will be an early morning as Terris will accompany us up to Jungfraujoch, the top of Europe.