Géneve to Zermatt. Second day of my journey.

I have to share few things before I talk about my next travel to Zermatt. I assumed and judged that I am traveling to super rich country, so the people out there would be super arrogant, super egositic, super rude and super self centred. They proved me wrong in a very short time and I always admit my bad judgements! Oops and Sorry.

To my surprise, I found Swiss people super considerate and super kind. Firstly, though the country has 4 official languages, almost all people spoke english. That was a great relief! And at any chance of enquires they were patient enough to answer and as I mentioned in my previous posts, people straight away invited me to their homes even at our first encounter. I say these people are super considerate and thoughtful because of two main reasons which were very useful to me specially. One, in every 100 to 200 m distance you will find a fresh water pipes flows water 24 h nonstop. And importantly near to the water pipes there will be free clean toilet available! These amazed me at first sight!

Now, I continue my travel from Geneva to Zermatt. It is like 4 h journey. I have to mention about the SBB mobile app. Whoever travel to swiss please download this and it is brilliant! You have a touch timetable option, there you just draw lines of starting and destination and you will end up with all the detail of the travels. You can add and edit the cities you are intersted to visit. I had so much fun (useful) with that!

 So according to the plan of SBB, I had to do one change. Since I started very early and I had some rest in the rail journey and as soon as I woke up I was exposed to montains with snow, water falls, rivers. It was very charming!

Voila, now I see what I wanted to see in Swiss.

 With charming rail journey I arrived Zermatt. My plan was to visit the Matterhorn mountain.
(The Matterhorn – mystical, majestic, the mountain of mountains. No one can escape its fascination. Neither locals nor guests).

Zermatt is the first charming small town I visited in Swiss. With sunshine was wonderful!

 

From touristic office, I got all the informations that I needed. So I was ready to reach ...

 The Matterhorn glacier paradise is the highest summer ski region in Europe and is open 365 days a year.

It was quite a walk to get to the cable car starting point. In my opinion it was worth it. I could have done it with bus ( When touristic office personal told me about the green bus, I assumed there will be a real bus) and while I was walking, I was thinking why there was no bus crossed me so far. I show you how bus look like then you would understand. Tiny cute ones of course environmental friendly.

 

After almost a hour walk I got the ticket. With swiss pass I got 50 % off, I paid 50 euros. I was thinking my god it is too muh money for this journey.

I was happy that I got the pass to reach highest cable car station in Europe (3,883 m /12740 feet).

Matterhorn: The Jewel of the Swiss Alps

At 4,478 metres, the majestic Matterhorn – certainly the most famous mountain in Europe – looms over the breathtaking Alpine panorama. This Switzerland landmark is at the border of the western Swiss canton of Valais between Zermatt and the Italian resort of Breuil-Cervinia, and offers a paradise for all nature-lovers looking for peace and quiet. Its symmetric pyramid shape, the rocky tooth reaching the sky and the light reflections of the nearby Stellisee make the Matterhorn’s landscape a unique natural spectacle in Zermatt.

Cable car journey took almost an hour. I was thinking at one point if that ever stops. ;-) and I could have paid more :-). 50 euros was nothing for this blissful trip.

After 2000 m it starts to get cold, so I prepared little to face the cold. It was breathtaking when I saw mountains of snow. I used to live in Germany and got chance to see lot of snow, but this one is completely different.

 

At one point cable car journey ends and I was just out to the snow mountains. It was absolutely magical. I had a chance to climb more to have a thrilling experience.

Not lot of people wanted to do that, but I was so excited and I first understood I am standing above 12500 feet so I have to realise it and I walked slowly to enjoy the breathtaking view. It was freezing cold but I managed and spent little time out there!

If you look down the metal base (you can see down), its on purpose made to make you get all adrenalene rush! It was a perfect feeling!

After I could jump into snow and do whatever I want. At that time I thought I should learn sking. So next project is already set. But I wanted to do something with this amount of snow and at this height. There was a guy ( I guess who understood my eagerness) asked me to do the kids stuff. ;-).

I was absolutely up for it. I asked cute guy (incharge) and he agreed to put me in this. He even took some picture of me.

I was completely frozen ;-). I could not feel my hand anymore. I survived with good adrenalene rush also I guess overwhelmed dopamine.

I thought I could have my lunch there. That was a bad thinking and of course I didnt do that. After having satisfied fun with snow, I was ready to descendre (oh la la, now I speak french :-)).

So, other surprising encounter happened. While I was waiting for the cable ccar, I got to talk with dozen people came from Zurich. They were doing mountain hiking and I asked about their interesting experiences. They found me crazy (of course) and one of them offered me his gloves and even warmed my hands. It was very helpful!

After one cable car trip, I said goodbuy to Zurich people and thanked them for their timely warming up . To reach glacier paradise we had to do 4 or 5 times changing.  This is one of the stops. quite a panaromic view!

The journey was very long and I was hungry. So I stopped in one of the stataions and decided to have my lunch and relax!

While I was having lunch, I thought about reserving place to stay that night. Around 3 pm I finalised my accomodation in air b&b in Grächen.

So after such a beautiful trip,  I went down to Zermatt and I took the bus trip to have little fun. It was pretty funny! It is little bigger than Auto riksha ;-) but without noise! 

It started raining and I happened to see this sheep parade.  I never saw before black and white sheep and the unique sound (bells around their neck) pleased me! So I decided already what to buy for me from Swiss.

I visited few souvenir shops and was looking for the bells. It was quite expensive but I wanted to have a better one that make same sound which registered in my brain. So I was happy to get this one!

After spending enough time in Zermatt, I had to get back to airb&b place in

Grächen. I checked the transportation and I went to the train stataion where I met again Zurich people. They were in hurry but still he (Thomas) gave me his number and told me if I come to Zurich I had to visit them! I was just smiling nothing much I could do.

So I left from Zermatt to Grächen. After a rail there is a bus journey. I did not realise when I reserved that place it located in the mountain of 1 619 m. I was excited and enjoyed such a lovely bus journey.

This was the view from the home / hotel I stayed! It was perfect. I feel lucky always, because everything I think it happens. I am not sure how much you beleive this. But it DOES!

 

I was hungry and I spent little time to cook my dinner and I had a simple delicious dinner with the great view and went for after dinner walk. 

 

WIth the rain drizzles it was highly romantic. I mean I didnt expect someone with me, the nature itself was a great joy! It might sound stupid and crazy. That is ME!

 

 

So, second day already gave me enough satisfaction about my Swiss trip! I am sure I will be delighted more with this trip!

 It was time to get some sleep!

I had a good plan for the next journey!
So wiat for it!

Starting in Geneva (Géneve) : French region.

I was in a super fast TGV train and it took me 3 h to reach Geneva from Paris (360 km/h). First thing I did, searched for the new sim card. My french number was not useful and from my search result it was a great suggestion to get a new sim card. I found "SALT" (I prefer salt over sugar ;-)) network and I found a great deal, ten days unlimited 4G network for 20 euros. 20 euros sounded nothing. So I was very happy about it and went to buy my SWISS SBB travel cards.

I tell you something, this SALT network was awesome, it worked in the mountain high 4300 m and also in the tunnel travel. I do not know about other services but I personally gurantee this one !

As I decided before I went to get a 8 day swiss travel pass. Voila!

For Geneva, I got a 24h day pass that covers all transports inside city, boat trips, touristic bus tours and lot of museums free visit. Day pass cost something like 25 euros. It was all done in quite a short time and I had to meet my couch surfing friend at 7 pm. With salt network was easy to communicate.

My plan always with my couch surfing member is to prepare a indian food and have a good chat. Since Swiss is an another world, in order to avoid the time delay I gave list of things to be bought and Eric (CS member) did a great job. He received me in the bus station and as soon as I arrived his beautiful home, I started cooking. Eric was giveing me a good hand so we had dinner in the balcony with the beautiful view!

I was given a room with glass roof so I was looking at starts and I had a good rest! It reminded me my childhood counting the stars and sleep. I had a same feeling and I have to thank Eric for that! It meant a lot!

Morning, Eric prepared a great breakfast, he is a guy expects quality in everything. That was my first observation. So everything he does was unique and it was quite interesting to observe.I enjoyed his company. We both left early and I went to explore Geneva and he went for working. He gave me lot of tips for the city visit. Also he promised me that he would find a time to get me a one of the best chocolates and hand over me. That was impressive to think how considerate people are. Sometimes I go speechless and just embrace the moment!

So my touristic plan starts now. While I was waiting to take a sightseeing bus trips, I had time to walk along lake side. It was a beautiful day!

 

 

First interesting encounter happened. Elisabeth (a swiss woman) asked me if I want a photo with jet. I appreciated her and we start to chat and in a short moment we exchanged our numbers and she invited me to saty at her place! I was shocked and surprised and I found it quite interesting. It was early morning like 8 am and she told me that at the evening there is a free CONCERT in the park, gave me all the details of the location and told me to meet her there. I promised her that I would be there to meet her again! So I was with all smiles I left to explore the city. 

With Geneve pass I took first international sightseeing tour.

This bus took all interenational organisation places and with guided tour. It was very cool. So many information I was not aware of that. I am not going into detail and you should go and explore.

As you well aware all international leaders supposed to stay in this hotel for safety reasons.

This is the residential area of other side of the lake, where famous and rich sportman and film actor actreess have their homes. I have heard from the tour is that these rich and famous people are treated as normal people and local population dont care about them so these people can go to local markets without any security or issues. I found that quite interesting. This should be very good for the famous people. So no wonder they are all there! Some of the homes were incridible!

After I decided to visit Red cross museum. Among all other museums, the only thing I wanted to spend time is this one. I have to warn you, it is quite painful experience. But I do not want to escape.

The data of people who lost their lifes and refugee details.

 

This photo was impressive! We complaint to be in a queue even for a short time. I want to keep this picture in my mind always. Not just this, all the experience I felt in this museum was very meaningful and useful for my lifestyle!  

So I participated in the human chain.If you are interested you can join the chain too, just need to download tha app and proceed!

After a heavy feeling I left the museum. It was worth visitng though.

Then back to relaxation. I took a boat trip in such a beautiful lengthy lake in Geneva, in french is called lac Léman. First time I see in my life such a large lake of 73 km long, the blue green water and very clean and transparent. Quite surprising and seemed impossible! Anyway, to embrace it and since I had an opportunity to have a free trips (included in the Geneva pass) I took an hour ride. It was perfect and I could not stop and I wanted to do it again and went for little differnt path in differnt tours (also included in the pass).

I assure that no best camera with the best camera man can capture what you see in reality there. I tried several times and gave up was the best decision because I do not want to miss the present and embrace it!

I DID indeed!

 

This light house (in french: le phare) is the best design I have ever seen. I will show later the light settings at night. We will come back to Geneva end of my trip again. A long story to tell!

This boat is too much showing off with swiss flags. It was quite funny and I liked it though!

Jet d'Eau (water jet) is one of the city's most famous landmarks, being featured on the city's official tourism web site and on the official logo for Geneva's hosting of the 2008 UEFA Championships.

(Five hundred litres of water per second are jetted to an altitude of 140 metres by two 500 kW pumps, operating at 2,400 V, consuming one megawatt of electricity.The water leaves the 10 centimetres nozzle at a speed of 200 kilometres per hour. At any given moment, there are about 7,000 litres of water in the air. ) It is quite impressive!

After I did not want to miss the opportunity to get to the top of the mountain in geneva to get a good view of the city. It was not easy to reach this place but I found it and I was lucky to go before the closing time.

If you see, it in remote area almost no one is around.

This is the zoom in ....

The cable car trip was very stable and pretty fast. I spend a little time on the mountain, got some fresh air and I left soon to get my chocolates from Eric.

Eric was very sweet, though he was quite busy he waitied and handed over the two huge bars of chocolates.

I told him about my plan of ging to concert like Elisabeth suggested, he said he is the sound engineer for this and he will be there too. It was a great considense and I was very happy that I would see again there in the park.

So on my way to concert place I enjoyed little schenic stuffs in the lake.

Of course since I saw jet I wanted to go close and feel the pressure of the water. It was on the way to the park where the concert will be. So I went near jet and already the clouds were gathering and strat to drizzle and with jet pressure I enjoyed both water droplets on me. 

I can still feel the pressure of the water flow!

When I approached the park I already start to listen the music and I was happy to be there! I have no clue about music and I went because Elisabeth invited and I didnt have anything else to do. So it was a good decision. 

As soon as I arrived, it starts pouring. I have packed almost everything but umbrella. I love rain and it is summer so I know I would enjoy and I did indeed! I just stood and enjoyed music with rain. It was quite magical to me. At that time, another interesting encounter happened. I supposed to keep his name hidden on request, so I refer him ET ( l'extra-terrestre). We start to speak and he said he was to India several times and he seemed that he knew more stuff about India than I do. We shared many things and he invited me to his place for staying. I was quite shocked, because it happend the same day second time. It felt funny and interesting though. I had to refuse his invite because if I had to stay it had to do with Elisabeth. I tried to reach Elisabeth and I sent her whatsapp message and I did not get any response so I continued stayed in the concert and enjoy in RAIN. Because my plan was to catch late or early morning train from Geneva to Zermatt ( Explore the one of the higest points of mountains Matterhorn).

I was even prepared to stay in the park for couple of hours and even veryfied about that with cops. He said it is safe place and they will be around. So I was good.

But in a while I got continuous messages from Elisabeth, starting with apology since she left the concert because of the rain and she insisted me to go to her place. It was almost 10 pm and she said that is fine she will wait for me and she gave me all the instructions to reach her home. I was completely wet and I thought it would be nice to dry my cloths before starting my early journey. I arrived her place around 11 pm and she provided me food (that was preapred for me to have picnic in the concert, isnt sweet?). I was shokced and I was speechless with her kindness and appreciated her help. I warned her before I went to her place that I would leave early. She said it is absolutely fine by that to my added surprise she woke up with me 4.45 am and drove me to the station. 

I dont know how to thank her still.

Meanwhile I exchanged my number with ET and he suggested me some interesting places to visit in Switzerland. He sent me few photos of Geneva from his flat.  That was provoking ( you would know end of my swiss visit why I say this). Anyway I will finih my SWISS journey in Geneva and I thought I could visit him later. So I kept in touch with ET.