Saturday 30 March 2013

After a comfortable sleep at Hotel Terrace in Engelberg we're up early to make the most of the wonderful winter wonderland we've arrived at. Upon reflection I've made no notes for today so this may be a short post as I'm relying on memory. Perhaps I've answered my own poll on the blog as to whether or not to include photos. I may have to in order to refresh my memory.

One of my best tips for traveling is to include breakfast when booking if at all possible. Most places in Europe do this and it sets you up nicely for the day, often only requiring a light dinner. As budget travellers a wee bit of bread and cheese squirreled away at breakfast goes a long way towards keeping the food costs down and giving you something to recharge your batteries while on the move. I love the way many hotels provide the food already packaged for you. It is commonplace to find different breads & crackers in small packs just begging to hop into your pocket for the day. Our staple was to become a breadroll or similar with some hearty swiss cheese inside, delicately wrapped up in a serviette. As European breakfast include cold meats, sis usually added some to hers.

After a hot hearty cooked breakfast and with a pocket full of snacks we head out to view the spectacular scenery. This is why we've come to Switzerland. Many photos later we leave our suitcases at reception and head off for our big day. Our plan is to reach the top of Mt Titlis, 10,000 feet.

Of course I'm not climbing it! Remember I'm sick so struggle to do anything at this stage. We set off briskly walking down into town. It's very cold, colder than I remember for a long time, if ever. On the way we pass a ski rental shop so we pop in and hire ski pants. The best 22.50 CHF spent. Feeling much warmer already we head across to the bus stop for a short journey around town to the gondola.

Mt Titlis information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titlis

Mt Titlis

Permanent ice and snow at the top of the world and a revolving gondola lift to take you to the top of the mountain, chairlifts over deep crevasses and exploring a glacier cave... If any of these sound amazing - and they do - Mount Titlis is the place for you. There are also restaurants and breathtaking views for those of us who prefer to be amazed in comfort while sitting on top of the world at 10,600 ft (3,238m).

Titlis is Central Switzerland's highest mountain and the views are amazing.

To get up the mountain you need to catch the Rotair, the world's only revolving cable car which opened in 1992. This leaves from the town of Engelberg.

What this doesn't mention is that you have to take three cable cars to get to the top. The weather is overcast but we are lucky and have an amazing view of the snow covered mountains surrounding Engelberg. What the brochures don't tell you is that there will be hundreds of other tourists, mostly from China, trying to get onto the cablecars at the same time, and they've not used them before or want to sit with so & so, so the lines are slow to move. The regular skiers carrying their gear up the mountain are understandably annoyed by this. By the time we reach the third car, the revolving Rotair, we're jammed in like sardines. The cultural differences are noticable as tourists refuse to move inside the car to accomodate more passengers. Much jostling and standing your ground is required to make this journey!

Arriving at the top it's all worthwhile to see the views. But they are shortlived as very quickly whiteout conditions engulf us. But we manage to do the ice flyer, ice cave and the tiniest gift shop.