Saturday 28 December 2013

Day 6 of Winter Holiday: Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

Day 6: 16 December 2013

We woke up bright and early for our simple breakfast provided by the hotel. I am glad all hotels in Switzerland provide breakfast. Food is definitely very expensive in Swiss.

Princess is definitely happy to see hard boiled egg and bread available for her. She is a simple girl who takes very simple food only - bread, egg, rice and fries.


The small but sufficient breakfast buffet which we had for 2 days. 



After a hearty breakfast, we decided to walk from our hotel to the base of Matterhorn. Walking is the best way to explore Zermatt. This is the first time Princess get to walk on snow and she is excited. 



Along the way, we saw frozen stream and wooden house. Princess and I were deciding whether does it belongs to the 2nd little pig. hehehe..


Finally at the base of Matterhorn glacier paradise.



We took the cable car up to the top. 






Princess wanted to try skiing. Next trip gal. 





It was freezing cold at the top of Matterhorn. Princess was shouting cold. We tried to cover up her up but the strong wind made the cold unbearable. Still, it was a nice experience for her. 






We finally get a good picture thanks to a fellow Singaporean couple whom we met at the peak. 


It was 2pm and we had our late lunch at the restaurant up at the top of the mountain. 

  

SGD 50 for a dish and a soup. That's how high the standard of living is in Swiss.


 

The princess who preferred drinking her milk and ate her snack than trying the expensive food..hehee..





 

I told her to cap nap in the cable car on our way down as it took about 30mins to reach the base. I am glad she can sleep anyway and will not whine when lack of sleep. 



Back at the town, fresh and ready to start walking again!



I love how energetic she is during the trip. We had came to realize that it is fun traveling with children. :)





Thursday 26 December 2013

Day 5 of Winter Holiday: Strasbourg to Zermatt

Day 5: 15 December 2013

Early in the morning, we checked out from our hotel in Triberg and drove back to Strasbourg to catch our train to Zermatt. This is our first trip to Switzerland. 
Hb had a hard time locating where to return the car (read: to park on a designated car park) thus he dropped us at one of the hotel near the train station with all the luggages and wait for him there. Princess and I took turn to go to the toilet in the hotel (read: mummy is so worried that she will be lost) while looking after the luggages. I purposely sat us near to the counter, which is a short walk to the hotel toilet. Then say again, I might not want to do this every again.
While watching the time, I realized that hb will be late if he came back to meet us in the hotel and proceeded to bring Princess and all the luggages to the train station to find the right train platform and text hb the location. Fortunately, this is a right decision as hb managed to run to the right platform to meet us and we managed to board the train on time. It will take 2 trains transfer for us to reach Zermatt and we certainly can't afford to miss any of the train. 


Depart: 10.51am Strasbourg
Arrive: 12.09 pm Basel SBB
Train No: TER 96267; 2nd class, no seat reservation

Depart: 12.31pm Basel SBB
Arrive: 2.31pm Visp
Train No.: 57; 1st class; Swiss Pass







 While waiting for our final train ride to reach Zermatt. 
Hb and Princess with our luggages


Depart: 3.10pm Visp
Arrive: 4.13pm Zermatt
Train No.: 245; 1st class; Swiss Pass





We reached Zermatt on time and hb called the hotel for the free transfer. As Zermatt is a car-free city, no car is allowed to enter the compound unless it is the designated electric car. 

Hotel: Aplenlodge
Address: Zer Bannu 22
                Zermatt, 3920 Switzerland
Phone: +41279669797
Cost: CHF 360 


Another nice hotel room for our trip! Big enough for our family of 3 with extra bed. 



Nearer to the main door is the bunk bed for kids which Princess wanted very much to sleep on the top end. However, unfortunately, she wanted to come down to go toilet at night and had a bad fall which left her with a scar at her chin until today.:(







Beautiful view of Zermatt from our balcony. I love seeing snow capped roof!



After washing up, we walked out to the city centre from our hotel. It was a great 2hr walk going up and down the slope.



Ending our first day in Zermatt with McDonald's meal all because we are still having culture shock of the price of food in Swiss.