This weekend was action packed, to say the least! We set off for Interlaken on Saturday morning, the train took about 2 hours. Leaving Basel the weather seemed a little downcast but as we pulled into the Interlaken station it was in a hellish downpour. Ran into the "Coop" Restaurant and grabbed a coffee and cake to shelter from the weather. Seriously imagined would be spending the whole weekend damp and wet through. Bought some amazing waterproof trousers to match my raincoat.
We had to hang around to be picked up by Outdoor Interlaken at 13.30 for our paragliding adventure. The rain, wind and temperature seemed to suggest it wouldn't be possible but we spent an hour at the top of the hill in the middle of the downpour to be certain. Still was quite fun, the instructors kept us all entertained, as did the crazy Americans who made up the rest of the group (couldn't seem to get away from Americans the entire weekend!)
So came back down the mountain, in the van not by flight unfortunately. Decided to ride up to Harder Kuln, one of the smaller mountains nearby, which has a panoramic view of the Jungfrau, Monch and Eiger mountains, all snow capped and incredibly beautiful. There was a rainbow at the top and a beer waiting at the cafe on top. After a much appreciated steak and chips, we had a hot choc at "Hooters", which has apparently reached Switzerland, so we could watch the brilliant fireworks in the town square, thankfully the rain had stopped just in time, and their was even music set to them.
Up bright and early the next morning, which couldn't have been more different from the day before. It was bright and sunny, and enjoyed a settling bacon and eggs at cafe nearby before heading off to go canyoning. It was really fun, a mix of abseiling, rope swinging and diving into snow melt pools (wet suit thankfully provided kept the cold out) but I'm not sure I was very good, it's difficult to fight the whirlpool currents. After a hot shower and lunch of hot dog and curly fries, yes diet went out the window, it was PARAGLIDING time, take two. Had the same instructor as before, and it was amazing, weather was perfect and the view of Jungfrau was incredible, the town below looked like a model village. Performed a couple of tricks, rollercoastery type stunts before landing, quite well I think for a first attempt. Spent the afternoon wandering around Interlaken, which is just how I imagined traditional Switzerland, before dinner of tuna salad followed by mango and strawberry sorbet, then jumped on busy intercity train back to Basel, knackered but fulfilled.
We had to hang around to be picked up by Outdoor Interlaken at 13.30 for our paragliding adventure. The rain, wind and temperature seemed to suggest it wouldn't be possible but we spent an hour at the top of the hill in the middle of the downpour to be certain. Still was quite fun, the instructors kept us all entertained, as did the crazy Americans who made up the rest of the group (couldn't seem to get away from Americans the entire weekend!)
So came back down the mountain, in the van not by flight unfortunately. Decided to ride up to Harder Kuln, one of the smaller mountains nearby, which has a panoramic view of the Jungfrau, Monch and Eiger mountains, all snow capped and incredibly beautiful. There was a rainbow at the top and a beer waiting at the cafe on top. After a much appreciated steak and chips, we had a hot choc at "Hooters", which has apparently reached Switzerland, so we could watch the brilliant fireworks in the town square, thankfully the rain had stopped just in time, and their was even music set to them.
Up bright and early the next morning, which couldn't have been more different from the day before. It was bright and sunny, and enjoyed a settling bacon and eggs at cafe nearby before heading off to go canyoning. It was really fun, a mix of abseiling, rope swinging and diving into snow melt pools (wet suit thankfully provided kept the cold out) but I'm not sure I was very good, it's difficult to fight the whirlpool currents. After a hot shower and lunch of hot dog and curly fries, yes diet went out the window, it was PARAGLIDING time, take two. Had the same instructor as before, and it was amazing, weather was perfect and the view of Jungfrau was incredible, the town below looked like a model village. Performed a couple of tricks, rollercoastery type stunts before landing, quite well I think for a first attempt. Spent the afternoon wandering around Interlaken, which is just how I imagined traditional Switzerland, before dinner of tuna salad followed by mango and strawberry sorbet, then jumped on busy intercity train back to Basel, knackered but fulfilled.
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