Monday September 12th was just another day at the office for Melissa, but for Eric, Ashley, and I it was another fun filled day of exploring Switzerland.   Being adventurous people, our guests  had come up with the plan to go paragliding in Interlaken, and me, being a sane person, had come up with the plan to watch them go paragliding from the ground.  Our day in Interlaken also included a quick driving tour through two nearby mountain valleys.

Shortly after Melissa left for work, the three of us loaded into the rental car to begin the hour and a half journey.  Our route first took us northeast through idyllic Swiss farm country, then veered southeast, after the capital city of Bern, to head straight for the Alpine peaks just visible on the horizon.  The road then hugged the shore of the picturesque glacier lake called Thunersee, while we gradually saw most of the snow capped mountains disappear behind foothills.  Then we pulled into the town of Interlaken.

Situated on a narrow strip of land, boxed in by large glacial lakes to the east and west, and tall mountain ridges to the north and south, Interlaken is a postcard picture of what most people imagine Switzerland to be.  For this reason it is very popular with tourists. As we entered the town looking for a place to park, our car crept slowly along with our eyes always on the crowds of people walking beside the street.  Besides a couple of main roads, the streets of Interlaken belonged to pedestrians.  It was common to see people cross the street at any time, and to see people looking around enjoying the scenery while walking down the middle of the street. So when we pulled into the first parking garage we found it was a relief.

We arrived plenty early for their 12 p.m. paragliding appointment, so with time to kill we looked around the town, found the large park which would be their landing zone, and did a little shopping. When it was time for them to go, they loaded into a large van along with the other paragliders, and I went back to the park to chill out and wait for them.

Groups of paragliders were constantly landing in the park, making it impossible to tell exactly who was who, but I knew they were supposed to land about an hour after they left.  So just after 1 p.m. I started taking pictures of everyone landing and was happy to later find out I took a few of Eric and Ashley.  With them on the ground it was easy for me to spot them, and as we walked back to the paragliding office they told me about the trip.

The van brought them up to the top of a big grassy hill, which they said looked like a possible ski hill.  Then, after picking professional tandem guides that would steer the paragliders, they suited up to become airborne.  One by one they ran down the hill until eventually the chute would fill with air lifting them off the ground. Their ride was quiet enough to talk to their tandem guides, and more relaxing than they thought it’d be, with no big adrenaline rush from jumping off a cliff.

They both picked up some cool go pro pictures from the paragliding company, then we found a restaurant where they could have a beer and chill out after their adventure.  We had hamburgers for a late lunch, Eric found an interesting fruity beer (Grimbergen Rouge), and Ashley found out her credit card company canceled her paragliding payment.  We spent a little time getting the payment figured out, then we were ready for some sightseeing in the valleys near Interlaken.

But first we had to fill our car up with gas.  At the edge of town we found a strange automated gas pump that accepted cash payment but didn’t give change.  When we asked the attendant for change back, she had to grab the manager and she told us we were lucky he was in, because he’s the only one approved to give change.

With that taken care of, we next drove to the Lauterbrunnen valley, which means either “loud fountains” or “many fountains”  in German. This narrow mountain valley with sheer cliff faces on either side is home to 72 waterfalls, with one of the most impressive, Staubachfall waterfall, cascading above the town of Lauterbrunnen.  Over eleven scenic miles we drove due south of Interlaken through the valley until we came to the town of Stechelberg and the end of the road.  There were more clouds obstructing the view than in the morning, but everyone was still impressed with the views.

We then loaded back into the car and drove six miles back in the direction of Interlaken, then veered east into the Grindelwald valley. After almost eight miles of further driving we came to the town of Grindelwald and stopped in a parking lot before reaching the end of the road.  This valley was wider, with clearer views up to the tallest mountains.  It was interesting to think as we looked up to the Eiger mountain looming above the town, that we had seen the same mountain from the other side the day before.

It was near 5:30 p.m., and we had a long drive ahead of us, so we left Grindelwald for home and didn’t make any more stops (except for in rush hour traffic of Bern).  Around 7:30 p.m. we made it back to the apartment and ate a delicious chicken and vegetable meal that Melissa had made for us.  We  spent the night filling Melissa in on the day, but she still isn’t quite convinced to try paragliding.

Tuesday was Eric and Ashley’s last full day in Switzerland, and also their last full day in Europe.  After so much time spent traveling, they decided to take the day a little easier by exploring the area close to Lausanne.  We began the day with a hike through the wine country, then toured the city of Lausanne, and finished our activities with an afternoon beach visit.

Melissa again had to go off to work early in the morning, whereas the rest of us began our day with a drive to the nearby village of Grandvaux.  Located near the top of the vineyard hills, Grandvaux has an incredible sweeping panoramic view of Lake Geneva and the rolling hills of vineyards stretching along its shore.  Being at the top of the hill our hiking started out all down hill.  We strolled along narrow roads that see more hikers than cars, took a shortcut right through the vineyard at one point, and sampled a couple grapes along our way.  Then we had to walk back to the car.  All up hill.

After we caught our breath we continued our day’s exploring by driving back to Lausanne.  We first stopped at the tallest point in the city where a lookout tower sits in a large wooded park.  It’s an uniquely built tower, with a long climb to the top, but I think the impressive view may have lost some of its luster because it was similar to the view from Grandvaux.

We then drove the short distance to Lausanne’s city center, and spent some time wondering through the narrow cobble stone streets on foot.  For lunch we bought sandwiches from an outdoor shop.  Then we loaded back into the car and drove it home to the apartment one last time.

Our final stop of the day was a beach on Lake Geneva, just outside of Lausanne near our apartment.  After grabbing some things from the apartment I dropped our guests off there, then drove the rental car into Lausanne to return it.  It took me about half an hour to return to the beach by way of public transport, and when I found Eric and Ashley they were sprawled out sun bathing enjoying the warm day. The water was a little chilly but still acceptable for swimming.  During the next hour,  I feel like we got the true European beach experience because we couldn’t help but notice a couple topless women, and couple naked toddlers out unashamedly enjoying the beach with everyone else.

Eventually we felt satisfied with our beach time and began walking home.  Back at the apartment everyone was a little exhausted, and indecisive about dinner.  When Melissa came home she told us we were having pizza and that was that. That night was spent packing and getting ready for their next and final day of traveling home. Before bed we made sure to enjoy a shot of Greek Ouzo out of Swedish shot glasses.

The next day, Wednesday, they left even earlier than Melissa heads out to work, and Melissa and I had just a few days to relax until we flew out on early on Saturday morning for Brussels…

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