Enchantment of Eastern Europe

Go to the Alps because they’re there!

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We caught the 9:23am train at Interlaken West to Interlaken OST, then the train to Lauterbrunnen, the cable car to Grutschalp and the train to Murren. We arrived after all those “like clockwork” transfers at 10:30 and were greeted by Luanne and Dan. This town of Mürren sits on a ledge 2,000 feet above the Lauterbrunnen Valley and the first train pulled in here in 1801.

We walked through Murren toward the Schilthorn cable car station, stopping along the way to enjoy the view of the Lauterbrunnen Valley from above!

Our trip up to this stop was included in our Berber Overland pass, but we had to buy tickets to get up Schilthorn. We paid half price for these ticket because of that pass.

Tickets in hand, we boarded the cable car, but unfortunately, this was our view.

When we arrived at the summit at 9,748 feet, we stepped out onto the viewing platform that was covered in snow. Apparently they had received 20 cm in the last day or two! It was so bright! I tried to do a selfie, but it was a squinty one! Most of the time that we were up at this elevation, I found myself gulping air and feeling a bit light headed.

My buddy Rick says you get a spectacular view of more than 100 peaks, but this was our view!

We headed inside for the Bond World 007 exhibit. Gary really enjoyed the behind the scenes information on the 1969 James Bond movie “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”. Lots of the movie was filmed here and apparently helped to finance the completion of the complex.

We decided we needed lunch, so planned to eat at the Birg station, but when we got down there, the restaurant was closed. Dan, Gary and I headed out to the Skyline Walk and Thrill Walk. The Thrill Walk was a catwalk bolted to the cliffside. I thought I could do the tightrope across the cable bridge, but chickened out before I got very far! Gary did the whole thing. We crossed the glass floor, but had to turn back because the rest of the catwalk was closed.

We took the cable car back to Murren and Luanne led the way to a restaurant with views of the valley. It was at various times, completely socked in with clouds or a beautiful view of the valley! I was happy to have a chance to try rosti and it was very good. Rosti is sort of like hash browns, topped with ham and alpine cheese. Yum!

After lunch we got to see Luanne & Dan’s room at the Eiger Guesthouse and then caught the 3:53pm train in Murren.

We were back in Unterseen at 5pm, made a stop at the Coop and then were in for the night again. Gary watching French Open tennis and me writing this and thinking about tomorrow.

Today was about making the best of a less-than-ideal weather situation.