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Engleberg – Day 11

Holiday, , , ,

Woke up little late and breakfast was already open. Quickly chucked on some clothes and ran down stairs still half asleep.After breakfast came back to the room showered and got ready to go up the mountain. Nine people from the group went paragliding. I wanted to do this but was a little expensive. Just the gondala ride was $140 franks for both Rhian and I.

After getting organised we meetup with Bec, Cathi, Kelvin in the lobby. We headed into town looking for a store to buy bennies and gloves to go up the mountain with. After checking a couple stores we found the cheapest place where I also found a fridge magnet to add to the collection. After our purchases we went to a cafe for Hot Chocolate. Now everyone was fed and warm we went back to the hotel for a short pitstop.

We walked from the hotel to the Gondala station which was just a few hundred meters from our hotel. We took some photos on the bridge crossing the snow filled stream that passes right by the town.

We had a group of 8 at this stage so we split into two cars for the first leg up the mountain in the gondala. We took a lot of photos on the first leg. In a padock below were a flock of cows all which had cow bells. You could here the bells clanging away below.

Once at the top we had to change to another car for the second let of the ascent. This car held 80 people. Was a little squishy. It revolved around so everyone could see different side of the mountain as they go up. We next got into the third car which took us up the final ascent of the mountain. This car held 60 people. Some how everyone from the previous car still fitted. We finally reached the top of mount Titlis. The peak is at a height of 3,238m. The top of the mountain is total covered in snow.

We made our way through the station at the top of the mountain and found ourselves in the ice caves. This is a series of tunnels of ice at the top of the mountain. We got some group photos here. Next we found the outside viewing area. When we got outside it was calm and clear. Perfect conditions. The temprature was only about minus one degree.

After a couple of quick photos of the view I went straight for the snow. Soon and I stepped on the snow I took a photo of my feet. I then was like a kid running around Toys R Us. Picking up snow and clapping my hands together. I grabbed a handful and ran back to the group showing them my handful of snow. Rhian tried to steal it off me so I tried to put it down the back of her jumper.

Eventually everyone made their way to the snow area. We took many photos and threw a bit of snow around. Our tour leader told us you could sit on a donut and slide down the hill. Couldn’t find this so I climbed up the hill myself and slid down on my ass. Same effect was still fun. The group then made our way to the sky walk. This is a steel suspended walkway which hangs off the side of the mountain. I kept breaking the ice off the fence which had built up watching it fall to the ground far below.

After this we went back inside the station through some tunnels that looked like they had been taken from a James Bond movie. We tried to find the restraunt to have a beer at the highest bar is Switzerland. However it was taken over by a group of Asians and we were kicked out. We decided to make our way back down the hill and find lunch in town.

After making the descent to the bottom of Mt Titlis Rhian and I lead the others to a patisserie we found yesterday with Aaron. We both had a bratwurst wrapped in pastry and a quich pizza slice. Was very tasty I could have had it again.

Rhian and I went back to the room and I fell asleep for an hour watching the Singapore F1 pratice. I woke up at five and went down stairs to have a drink with the others. Rhian didn’t come down until dinner time. Dinner was fondue consiting of bread, pickle and cocktail onions and red capsicum. Very healthy…..NOT. I didn’t like it and didn’t eat it. After that we had a potato square with veal and rocket with a mushroom sauce, was nice but filling with the fondue.

After dinner we hung out downstairs with the others talking over a few more drinks then called it a night. Was my favorite day of the trip so far.

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Nice to Engleberg – Day 10

Holiday, , , ,

Bonjour,

The day started with another 6 am wake up from our alarm. I think everyone was keen to get out of our small hotel. Breakfast today was again very basic. Croissant, ham (if you were quick) cheese and cereal.

8am and the bus departed for the long drive to Engleberg. We passed through Italy on the way to Switzerland. Lunch was at a very fancy truck stop. Felt like you were in the duty free area of the airport. The prices were a little pricey but Rhain and I managed to not spend too much.

The scenery and country side of Switzerland is beautiful. We passed through a 17km tunnel. Count how many lights are on the wall. Hint they are in groups of three. This tunnel is the longest tunnel in Switzerland.

We arrived at the Hotel around 5pm. We dropped our bags in the room and a group of us went for a walk around the town of Engleberg. We had two hours to kill before dinner so we were in no rush. Most of the stores were shut with only a handful remaining open. The whole city of Engleberg is beautiful. There are natural fountains around the town that continusily flows fresh water from the streams flowing through the town. The water is crystal clear as it is melted ice from the mountains surrounding the town.

Arron, Rhian and I visited a couple of patisseries which had some interesting fatty products. We proceeded back to the hotel to meet the others for dinner. Dinner was Bratwurst saussage, potatos and salad. After dinner we hung around the dining room and the lobby of the hotel drinking a few beers with our other tour buddies.

Au Revior

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Nice and Monaco – Day 9

Holiday, , , ,

Bonjour,

Today started with a sleep in until 7am. Breakfast was not until 8am. Breakfast was little more than cereal, bread or a croissant. This is called a buffet. anyhow after breakfast Rhian and I took our washing to the laundry behind the hotel. After working out how the system worked we quickly ot two loads of washing underway which only took twenty minutes. After the wash four turns in the dryer at one euro each and we were in and out of the laundry in an hour.

After dropping the clean washing back to our room it was off to the main strip of Nice wherre Rhian dragged me into every womens clothes shop. After spending more than an hour in a single H&M store waiting for her I was fed up and pissed off. I had not come half way around the world just to follow Rhian clothes shopping. After me cracking the shits and Rhian cracking the shits at my lack of enthesium for clothes shopping we walked down the main strip to the beach boardwalk.

We found a kiosk to buy three more fridge magnets to this leg of the tour by. Next we climbed to the top of the fort which is perched on top of the hill over looking Nice. We got some great photos from this vantage point. Time was short so we did not spend a long tme admiring the view. We proceeded back down the stairs to the markets. Turned out we were a little too late for the markets as most were packing up and the many restraunts were taking over the same area.

WE stopped for lunch at a small restraunt. I had a nice onion soup and we both had steak, The meat was very good. An old french couple came sat next to us and when we were ready to leave they started to talk to us. They were French but now lived in America. They had returned for a visit. They were lovely and interested in where we had come from, visited and where we were heading too. I am glad we got to meet them.

Once lunch was finished Rhian wanted to do more shopping so I took the key and headed back to the hotel. Tried to rest before going to Monaco but couldn’t. We had to be ready for the bus to Monaco by 5:15pm. Was a little bit of a rush because we have not been able to withdraw cash using our travel cards.

We stopped on the way for a quick photo oppertunity on top of a cliff. After our photo stop we proceeded down the hill to Monaco where our tour guide played another trick on us. She told us we all needed our passports for border control. As we neared Monaco she told us to all hold our passports open to the photo page agaist the window because it would be scanned as we drove past. The whole bus did this. We were had. The concrete walls of the road are not border protection as we were all had again.

Our first stop in Monaco was for the Princes Palace. We got to see the guard pacing forwards and backwards at the front door with his gun equipped with bayonett. After being told about another statute it was time for another photo oppertunity overlooking Monaco. From this point you could look down on the final corner of the formula 1 track. The pit entrance as well as the La Rascasse. Next we went back down to the car park where the bus was. This carpark below the palace cost $160 euro per hour for the bus to park at.

We then took a short trip to a car park near turn eight of the f1 circut Portier which costs $140 euro per hour for the bus to park in. From this point we had a couple hours free time to get dinner and explore Monaco. A group of us went to an Itlalian restraunt called Tip Top located along the straight after turn 4 (Casino) just after the bump in the road. This restraunt cost us just under $50 euro so was not too expensive and the food was good.

After dinner we quickly explored the Grand Casino of Monaco. Was little disappointed that the game floor was so small. However it was still a casino and the house always win. I didn’t make a bet. I don’t gamble. The room was very extravigant. Would have been great to take some photos but your not allowed to pull a phone or camera out. Google it. I am sure there are pictures online.

Next we went to the Sun Casino. This had a bigger game floor and the minimum bet was lower. Some of the tour group had a bet here. Some won some lost. No one declared bankruptcy though.

At 10pm we all got back on the bus and departed Monaco for Nice again. My only regret was we did not have time to walk the F1 circut. That is all I really wanted to do in Monaco. I got to see some of the famous roads but I can not really tick it off my bucket list.

Upon arrival back in Nice everyone filed into the hotel and passed out. I know I was exhausted. Until tomorrow when we head for the Swiss Alps Bye Bye.

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