This is the 4th part of my travel to Alpine Countries for Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #27: My Travels.
Continue from my previous post… (Due to popular demand, story will go on… Ok, ok, Manja was the only one who asked me to continue my story. So, for Manja… )
Simplon Pass
The Simplon Pass (French: Col du Simplon; German: Simplonpass; Italian: Passo del Sempione) (2,005 m or 6,578 ft) is a high mountain pass between the Pennine Alps and the Lepontine Alps in Switzerland. — Wikipedia
(Simplon-Pass)
We stopped at Simplon-Pass for a restroom break, I think. I don’t remember if we had lunch there or not. My guess is we probably did, but that part of the trip is totally blank. Other than remembering seeing some Swiss Army guys eating food there (Wei took some photos of them), I had no recollection of food.
It was the first time we saw mountains right in front of us –Day 10 of this trip! I felt like running toward them. “I bet our slightly overweight tour guide can’t catch me!” I thought to myself.
Soon, it was time to leave. “I am NOT leaving. Pick me up on your way back,” I said.
Our tour guide laughed. “This is nothing. You’ll have better views later,” he said and went straight to the bus, leaving me behind.
The ground was pretty wet; sitting on the ground kicking legs was definitely not an option. Deduct $5 from the tip, I noted.
Lucerne
Lucerne was actually after Zermatt. But I want to save Matterhorn to the last.
Pilatus, also often referred to Mount Pilatus, is a mountain massif overlooking Lucerne in Central Switzerland. It is composed of several peaks, of which the highest (2,128 m (6,982 ft)) is named Tomlishorn.
The top can be reached with the Pilatus Railway, the world’s steepest cogwheel railway…
– Wikipedia
(Mount Pilatus – Lucerne) We rode a train like this to the top!
(Mount Pilatus – Lucerne) See the train?
(Mount Pilatus – Lucerne)
Zermatt/ Gornergrot
The ride up from Zermatt to Gornergrat was crowded (We shared the ride with two traveling groups from Taiwan!) We were lucky to find seats – of course, all window seats were taken. Although Wei doesn’t care to shoot through glass window, with scenery like this, he couldn’t resist. He started shooting from the wrong side of the train. A couple from Washington State, who sat by the window, kindly offer me their window seat. I kindly pass the opportunity to Wei. Wei was happy. Click, click, click… Many clicks later, he seemed suddenly remembering that he has a wife; he stepped aside and let me take some photos. I quickly took a few. Noticing several Chinese tourists envyingly looking at us, I said to them, “Come on, take some photos!”
Three jumped out of their chair instantly, rushing to the window. Click, click, click… Many clicks later, I began to see that they had no intention to leave the spot. Wei was waiting to take more photos; he became impatient. He wasn’t happy for losing the spot, I was sure. avoiding Wei’s eyes, I turned to the Washington-State couple. While talking to them, I checked on Wei’s situation, from time to time, with the corner of my eyes.
I have a problem… I don’t know why… Wei’s angry face often makes me laugh. Trying hard not to burst into laughter, I could feel my face started twitching. In spite of all my effort, a couple of smiles managed to surface. I looked like a crazy old woman!
It took a while, but, at last, Wei got the spot back. I felt relieved. Time to sit back and enjoy watching him having a good time.
(Gornergrat)
The photo above shows the train station where we got off the train. The view was spectacular (need me to point it out?) A wet and somewhat icy staircase will bring us to an even higher ground. High altitude made it difficult to breath for Wei. He told me to go up by myself and he would wait at where we were. I suspected that the problem was more mental than physical. I said to him, “We don’t have to rush. Let’s take one step at a time. If you want, we can always turn back.”
We made it. Then we found out there is an elevator somewhere.
I was surprise to see the national flag of Republic of China was used by one tour leader from Taiwan as the guide flag (not sure what it calls). I borrowed it so Wei could take a photo of me holding the flag. In no time, I sent the photo to my friends back in Taiwan. They were as surprised as I was.
Matterhorn Mountain
The Matterhorn is a mountain of the Alps, straddling the main watershed and border between Switzerland and Italy. It is a large, near-symmetrical pyramidal peak in the extended Monte Rosa area of the Pennine Alps, whose summit is 4,478 metres high, making it one of the highest summits in the Alps and Europe. — Wikipedia
… (Not sure what more to say…)
On our way back, we visited Rhine Falls, Black Forest… etc. Frankly, I don’t remember a thing…
Thank you for visiting my blog.
wonderful pictures. did you visit during the Christmas Market season?
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Thanks, Jim. No, we went there in early May, which was a good time because the ski season was over and summer tourists were not there yet. I was, actually, thinking about visiting one of those cities during the Christmas Market season, but from TC, it looks cold. I mean it looks colder than MN. ;-(
Good night.
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Spectacular!
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Thanks, Roberta. I like mountains (more than oceans or lakes). It was an exciting trip!
Good night.
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Looks like a wonderful trip..
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Ahhh, you indulged my wish! Excellent! Thank you so much. I must say that I also almost burst into laughter just imagining the angry face of your husband whom I don’t even know. You were not kidding – you indeed booked an Alpine tour!! I haven’t seen any of these peeks and I live so near! That train sounds a bit stressful but luckily you still had the coffee booze? Right? It was great to follow your tour and I hope you go somewhere soon again so that we can read about it.
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Thank you so much, Manja. When I read your comment saying you wanted more stories, I had already finished part 4 with only photos, no stories. To be honest, it was only until I started writing, all those memories magically came back to me. Ha. That’s why I want to thank you! 😉
Italy is beautiful. We had a wonderful trip there 3 or 4 years ago. Food was very good (and healthy 😉 I would love living in Europe; traveling to different countries is so easy there, yes?
Have a great day.
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Oh, Helen, I made you go back and add commentary, excellent! 😉 Sometimes it pays off not keeping my mouth shut. I have never been to Asia and only one time to the USA which was the only time outside Europe. For me everything is close, fast and easy. I imagine if I travelled to the Himalaya, for instance, I’d need three times longer to finally start seeing some mountains. 😀 I’m glad I found this series and will stick around. Happy blogging!
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Thank you, Manja. Now I wish I had written about my other trips: Italy, France… ;-)The problem is when I come back from a trip, I usually don’t feel like to talk about it. A few months later, when I am ready to write about it, I forgot a part of the trip already. Oh well… Maybe I will take a good note on my next trip.
Have a wonderful day.
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Helen–you so made me laugh. Talking to somebody while keeping a sly eye on your husband. God forbid they should be unhappy! 😀 Wow–the Matterhorn is beautiful. I loved being on this trip with you and so happy Manja asked for a Part 4!
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Lois – I had to keep an eye on him; I thought he was going to explode at any minute… 😉
Thanks for saying you want to know more about the trip many months ago. That comment motivated me even though it still took me a while. Ha.
Good night.
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Fantabulous. I should have ridden the tram up to Pilatus instead of hiking it. Got sun stroke.
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Perpetua, we saw people hiking up. Actually, I wish I hiked instead of taking the train ride. I was saying mentally I wish I hiked, but physically no. Ha.
Good night.
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Amazing places and breathtaking shots.
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Thank you, Rupali. It’s definitely a place I would like to go back.
Have a nice day.
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So spectacular!
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Thanks, Anabel. Have a wonderful day!
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Matterhorn Mountain, Wow… Can’t imagine being there, Helen. While enjoying your fabulous photos, I suddenly remembered the train trip through Alps from N. Italy to Austria.
These photos are spectacular, indeed!
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Thanks, Amy. That train ride sounds so attractive. (I googled 😉 I should start planning for our next trip… ha.
Have a great day.
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Spectacular is right! And you made me laugh too… glad Wei got his seat back 🙂
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Thanks, Julie. It is beautiful there. I wonder if I would like it as much in the summer time. Hmm… that’s a good excuse to go back, isn’t it?
Have a wonderful day.
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