It has been a pretty eventful week. My friend Puk came to join us in Switzerland so we showed her around in this lovely country and the nearby french towns. The weather wasn't cooperating in the beginning, it was raining for a few days in a row. but as brave as us we still ventured out to some nearby tourist attractions , like Chateau de chillon, and met up with Patrick in Laussane, who just arrived in Switzerland for vacation . as a result Puk got a little sick (poor her!). But later the weather clears up, from then it was on a sunny beautiful streak for 5 days. we took the opportunity to visit Zermatt and Chamonix. Zermatt is this picture perfect town and everything one imagines switzerland would be like - small mountain town only accessible by train and foot, chalets decked out with colorful flowers, horse drawn carriages and electricity powered carts transporting tourists to their hotels, with the backdrop of swiss alps. from there a cable car took us up to have an close-up, impressive view of Matterhorn (if the name doesn't ring a bell, think Toblerone chocolate bars! :-)).
Puk and I in Zermatt
Matterhorn vs. Toblerone
The next day we visited Chamonix, from there we took one hell of a gondola ride, at some point almost vertically ascending, up to Aiguille du Midi at 3777m, in 20 mintues!, from there another elevator ride to 3842m (12602ft) and a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrouding french alps, including Mont Blanc, the roof of europe!! The viewing platforms and structures are just almost as impressive as the view itself, perched on jagged pinnacle of rocks, connected by a footbridge, it's one engineering marvel. Funny thing is i had been there once before, in the winter of 2005, and i didn't remember much about it other than that my feet were numb even before i got in the gondola, and it was -35C up there and was the coldest day of my life. i remembered the line in cafeteria was super long, and i really needed that cup of hot chocolate before working up my nerve to go outside. This time around, it was much more enjoyable. we got to spend much time on the deck, marvel at the view it offers and have many pictures taken (with smiles and skin shown this time). :)
winter 2005 vs. summer 2007, -35C vs. +10C! same place, different feeling :)
one of the viewing platforms
hardcore hikers and climbers make their ways to the top.
Yesterday, Patrick and Karen came to meet us up and we all went to Aletsch glacier. When they arrived, i went straight past Patrick to hug Karen and the guys all laughed at me. :) we had a fun (and very rainy) day, they stayed over for the night and this morning we went to Augnet (my fave cafe in switzerland!) for brunch and did some shopping together. then we sadly said goodbye and hoped to see each other again soon, hopefully in taiwan!
us at Altesch glacier. tried to put on a bright smile for the picture in the cold and rain. :)
brunch at Augnet. the things displayed and the things we took. I took a croissant and a ham canape (bread topped with ham, sliced egg, pickels, tomatoes, and a layer of cream cheese, it's so yumm, i finished one and wanted more! ). they also have one of the best capuccino there.
now the rain continues, tomorrow Puk will be back to Munich and our stay in Switzerland is gradually coming to an end. with only two weeks left here, on one hand i know i'll be sad to leave this beautiful and comfortable place, but on the other hand i am excited to be on the road again!
for more pictures on Chamonix and Aiguille du Midi, click here
for more pictures on Zermatt and Matterhorn, click here
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