Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Leaving Taveyanne, Switzerland

We had two options to get back to Villars from Taveyanne: Hike back up to Les Chaux and catch the last gondola down or hike down to La Barboleuse and catch the 5:10 pm bus. We decided on the later, however, we would need to rush, because we only had enough time to hike, no stopping for pictures. Well, we stopped for many pictures along the way, but we thought we could jog on the flat parts of the trail to make the time up.
starting the trail back to La Barboleus.

Taveyanne on the background

I had to stop to take in the view

on our way down from Taveyanne - easy hike and very beautiful
Here I am nervous as I passed by a bull. He would not stop starring at me. The trail lead us right through a cow pasture. Jeremy managed to get this picture.
At the bus station. The next day the top of these mountains were all snowed in...this was the last the mountains were bare, and the last hot day...it was 78 F.

Jeremy at the bus station, checking out our recent hike on the map
We arrived a few yards from the station, just in time to watch the bus pull in and out, causing us to have to hang out in the town for another 45 minutes or so. We visited the Migros and the bakery, and ate chocolate as we waited for the next bus.

Le Croix des Chaux and Taveyanne, Switzerland

Hiking #1 - Took bus to La Barbelause (a few minutes from Villars). The bus ride was free of charge because of the "Villars-Gryon-Diablerets Free Access Card" given to us by our participating hotel. The card gave us many perks while in the area.

At the top of Les Chaux (Switzerland)
Jeremy facing me at the top of La Croix des Chaux

Highest point we could go before heading down to Taveyanne
In La Barbelause we took the gondola (also free) to Les Chaux. From there we hiked 55 minutes to Le Croix des Chaux. The views were spectacular all around us. From there we hiked another 55 minutes to Taveyanne where we had lunch




Jeremy way in the distance headed to Taveyanne
Little restaurant in Taveyanne

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Villars, Switzerland


Our first five days were spent in the area of Villars, Switzerland. Here we did much day hiking, visited Mt. Blanc in France, and relaxed a ton as we visited other towns near by, like La Berbauluese, Les Diablerets, Huemoz, and Aigle.
View from our hotel

Downtown Villars

Monday, October 3, 2011

Geneva, Switzerland

Celebrating our 5th Anniversary in Switzerland (Suica). Our trip started in Geneva, where we spent a few hours walking around the Old Town, visiting the Reformation Museum and the Reformation Wall. Switzerland is well known for its watches so Geneva city made its own larger than life clock, which originally only had the dials, and later had flowers added to it.

Geneva flower clock
We had to start our trip with a Swiss meal. Geneva is highly influenced by the French, so we decided to eat a Crepe, with spinach, cheese and veggies.Thin pancake loaded with anything you can think of. Desert Crepe was also an option, but after all that walking, we needed some protein.
Crepe
Note: Switzerland bank ATM pins can only take 4-6 digits. We learned the hard way, as our U.S.A. bank card had a pin of 9 digits. However, nothing visiting a bank with a teller could not fix.