Schilthorn

After our invigorating walking tour of Basel yesterday, many of us have seen a good deal of what the city has to offer.  It is funny how quickly one can get acclimated to a new surrounding, and I feel that before we know it our kids will be able to give a walking tour of their own.  We had promised to show the students as much of Switzerland, and today we set forth towards the prize gem of the country: the Alps.

 The Swiss Alps are one of the most recognizable landscapes that this country has to offer, and while a few of our students had already ventured   to the mountains before, today was the first time for most of our students to see the majestic beauty of Europe's most famous mountain range.

We left the train station early for a two hour ride down to Interlaken.  Interlaken is one of the most picturesque towns that I have ever seen.  We rode along the shores of Lake Thun, and the aqua water that lolled up along the shores of the sleepy villages offered a different sort of tranquility that cannot be found in a city.  The mountains that began to emerge around us in every direction were a majestic juxtaposition to the serenity of the lake.  Our students were busy snapping photos, but I fear that photos cannot do the scene justice.

We then boarded a new train in Interlaken and began our ascent up to the mountains.  It is not an easy task getting to the peaks of the Alps, and we found ourselves traveling by train, bus, and, ultimately, cable car to reach the peak of a mountain named Schilthorn.  While the ride was a bit daunting for a few, we were all amazed by the views we were witnessing.  Schilthorn is most famous for its role in the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service, where the restaurant, Piz Gloria,          was used in the film.  The cable cars even 

play the 007 theme while you are ascending.  

 

View from the rotating restaurant

Ali, Victoria, Logan, Serena, and Phoebe atop Schilthorn

We had about an hour and half when we reached the top of the mountain (nearly 10,000 feet), and the students were in awe of the multitude of mountains that could be seen in every direction.  After snapping photos, students at lunch in and around the restuarant.  The restaurant is slowly rotating, and it offers patrons 360 degree views that words cannot justify.  Perhaps the best sight is the chance to see one of the most spectacular views of three of Switzerland's most famous mountains:  Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau.  We were lucky to have another spectacular day of beautiful weather that allowed us to see for miles (or kilometers, as the metric system is becoming much more familiar to us).

We then descended back down the same way we came up, by cable car.  Here is a view of part of the descent.   

We arrived back on the more level ground before boarding our bus and trains back home.  We had to hurry a bit to make one train connection, as we had less than five minutes to switch trains, and it provided a moment fitting for Home Alone when they are all rushing to the airport.  Luckily we all made it safely.

Bern

Capital Building in Bern

On the way home we had a quick stop in Bern, Switzerland's capital.  Bern is a different city than Basel in many regards, but we had enough time to see their version of the Capital Building and to do a little bit of shopping before heading back to Basel.  It was a long day, but I know that our students thought the journey was worth the effort.  Tomorrow we have another lengthy journey down to Geneva, but who are we to complain!  We hope all are well and safe in Boston and Reading, and we still have you all on our minds.  

On a lighter note, I couldn't resist film this, Patrick's long await meadow frolic: