Fly me to the Mountain....

On Saturday, my flatmate, Abi, and I got up at 6.30am, sleepily walked to the tram stop, which took us to the train to Luzern, were we arrived surprisingly awake a couple of hours later.

It was definitely worth forfeiting our Saturday lie in. Luzern, on the Lake Lucerne, in central Switzerland was not our final destination. A "Golden Round Trip" to the top of Mount Pilatus and back was the aim of the day.

After a beautiful lake voyage and journey on the world's steepest cog wheeled railway we reached the summit. Cloud engulfed the very tops of the mountain, giving an eerie, spooky presence. Pilatus is so named because it's believed the spirit of Pontius Pilate roams, and on Good Friday, descends to wash the blood off his hands in the lake. There are many myths of dragons, and for centuries it was forbidden to climb up, but according to our guidebook, a priest lead a party of brave men to the summit, and as "no supernatural counterattack ensued, it was judged the curse to be broken". Apart from a couple of sun burnt noses, we experienced no supernatural activity.

As the mist curled away from the mountain, the most gorgeous view was exposed, stretching to the Black Forest, Alps, and far down in the distance, Pilatus is 2132m above sea level, the Lake.
After picnic lunch on the summit and a couple of treks round the mountain top, we descended by cable car to the longest summer toboggan run in Switzerland. It was really fun, though had more courage the second time round to go a little faster. We thought of it as training for the winter bobsleigh season! Finally we left the mountain by gondola (a 2 person cable car), and arrived back in central Luzern.

After traditional rosti at Restaurant Taube, we sheltered under Chapel Bridge as the heavens opened on us, and watched the thunder and lightening display before dashing for the train back to Basel, knackered but having had an incredible day. Before I left for Switzerland, someone warned me to pack for all weathers, I assumed he meant in Summer it was hot, winter freezing, but so far for the last 3 days, we've had 30C heat, then thunder and lightening followed by heavy showers. But I don't mind, not now I've had the idea of buying a Rain Mac!

More updates to follow..........

Swizzy