Glacier Express - Chur to Brig
4th May- Bernina Express
Caught train from Varenna to Tirano to connect to the Bernina Express. We weren't 100% sure that it was our train as there was no announcement and no-one around to ask - but it was around the right time - so we thought it better to catch it! I was in the middle of asking a passenger if it was the train to Tirano when suddenly we reached a long tunnel and everything went black! No lights on in train! So Mum and I stood there clasping on to our luggage, trying to stay upright as the train flew through the tunnel!
We WERE on the right train :-). Arrived in Tirano with about three hours to spare so had a wander around - even though it was raining! Weather had really taken turn for the worse and was really foggy and quite miserable actually!
Bernina Express ride through the mountains to Chur in Switzerland was lovely. Most of the mountains were shrouded in fog so I'm sure it could have been 'spectacular' rather than 'lovely'! We did manage to get some great photos - we found some windows that we could open in a passageway near our seats - we could then take photos without a reflection of the train carrage in them! So we spent the whole trip racing to the window when there was a great view - then sitting down for about 2 minutes until the next interesting view! Was fun - and funny as we tried to remain upright while rushing to the other side of train as a better view appeared. The side to side momentum was probably worth videoing actually! We were glad that there were bars to hold on too!
Arrived in Chur at 7pm - walking to hotel our immediate impression of Switzerland was how calm, orderly, clean and friendly it was.
5th May - Glacier Express across Switzerland to Brig
Well after such a long time planning - it all just comes down to the weather! And the weather was revolting!! Rain, fog, sleet and wet windows on the train - I think I only took about 5 photos - and they were really only in desperation!
This was not the Switzerland in the pictures!! It was pouring with rain when we arrived in Brig so we trudged to our hotel (walking the wrong way initially!). We looked and felt like drowned rats, dripping all over the hotel reception floor! We were given a lovely warm and friendly welcome though and we really appreciated it!
We checked in then went out exploring, despite the weather!
The weather forecast is terrible for next few days - we were hoping to see the Matterhorn tomorrow or next day. The hotel staff suggest waiting until Friday rather than going tomorrow (Thursday) but said that it didn't look good! So perhaps we will go to Montreux (on Lake Geneva) tomorrow and attempt Zermatt (and the Matterhorn on Friday). Not looking good but we'll see!!
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Hi Chistine & Trudy, so sorry to hear the bad weather you are having, keeping fingers crossed that it will improve soon. The photo's are great, had a laugh about getting out of train with doors shutting just as long you both didn't get hurt. You sound as you are enjuoying it all no doubt you will be home for a rest!!!!! Esme Cotton.XXXX
ReplyDeleteHi Chris and Trudy, Glad you are still having a good time despite the few mishaps. Just letting you know we head up to the farm to night for 3 weeks but I am popping in home on the way to work on Thurs so will check how you are going then. The autumn trees are beautiful at the moment through Stirling and Hahndorf so it will be nice living up there for a while. Happy travels and I hope that the weather clears for you. Love Gail
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