But first a pretzel
The Glacier Expresses Claim to fame “the slowest fast train on earth.” Switzerland has some of the world’s best rail networks running through dramatic scenery, an impressive journey ahead.
We boarded the train after upgrading in the morning to first class. We were told they could only give us aisle seats. The Lucky JEllen Show arrived at the 4 seats and the other people never showed up. BONUS!!!
We don’t anticipate seeing many glaciers (the Europeans actually believe, care deeply & do something about global warming!!). Some of us in the 🇺🇸 do too, but not the ones who can actually do something. 😡
Okay off my soap box and onto this adventure.
We left Chur 11:05, starting at 1,919 feet and will climb to Oberalp Pass 6,670 feet and end in Zermatt at 17:05 at 5,283 feet.
The landscape was very different from yesterday’s train trip. Much less elevation variation, more rocky terrain, glacier fed silty rivers, and never ending valleys filled with pine trees and green grass as far as the eye can see.
Here’s our highlights
Being silly JEllen in the windows
Met some locals 🐑
It was a great train ride…
We arrived on time (it’s 🇨🇭). Welcome to Zermatt. Another picture postcard perfect place. There are no cars or trucks allowed. You can walk, or take a little electric taxi. Or a horse drawn carriage. They’re adorable & mini size.
Our hotel is amazing and we splurged on a suite with a balcony overlooking the mountains and village and hundreds of feet from train station.
We have a whole bag of laundry…
The hotel prices average 18 Swiss Francs for each piece. Switzerland is expensive but no. We found the Alpine Laundry up the street. The owner was there and we chatted up. She opened in June to fill this need for tourists. It was clean, efficient and in a few hours we’d have a clean clothes again.
The idea was brilliant. I complimented her on her business model!! Wash and the machine dispenses soap. Dryer one cycle. One price for each and all by tapping. WiFi, seats, even a WC
As we washed and dried we took a quick walk around town. Could be one of my new favorites.
Look what’s steps away, the Matterhorn in it’s full glory
Zermatt is a municipality in the district of Visp in the German-speaking section of the canton of Valais in Switzerland. It has a year-round population of about 5,800. The streets are lined with homes, hotels, restaurants and shops. All adorned with gorgeous flowers.
And our first Swiss Cat gorgeous!!
It’s been a long day and Jeff is getting up early to do a check. IF the Matterhorn is out (it’s known as a shy mountain) we’re grabbing breakfast and catching the cog wheel train to the viewing point at 10,000+ feet.
