Since we had seen most of the things on our Geneva list last night we decided to sleep in, eat breakfast at the hotel, and continue on our way by catching a bus (with all of our stuff) and then a couple of trains. The landscape went from city, to mountains, even snowcapped mountains in the distance, to turquoise lakes lapping along the banks of the rails. The Grand Hotel Suisse overlooked the city park.
Our adventure took us along the northern side of Lake Geneva and around to Montreux located on the far east side. Just down from the train station was a restful, stunning park full of colorful flowers overlooking the turquoise Lake Geneva.
Not realizing until WAY TO LATE, that there was baggage storage at the train station we descended on a Sunday to the park with everything we owned. We had Nutella banana crepes for lunch. Luckily the day was beautiful, Cody and our baggage found a public shady park bench and hung out for several hours.
Randy and the kids hopped, well, literally jumped on a ferry to visit the Chillon Castle. Cody and I walked the park, chased pigeons, played in a water fountain and joined church back home via zoom.
Below are castle pictures and since I was not there and have nothing to say about them.
Next our adventure took us on 2 trains and a bus or two, I am losing count. The first train was the Panorama Express with windows on the ceiling. It climbed via switchbacks to Montbovon. Remember in Switzerland there are no assigned seats, or at least we did not ever have any, so I ventured up through several cars to the front as far as I could go, also not realizing it was first class until the conductor mentioned I could stay if I paid. Goodbye, even though it was EMPTY. I did manage to get the family to come experience the views and take pictures before we were caught.
Another train took us even higher to Gruyeres. While waiting for our last bus to take us up the mountain side to our hotel and the small medieval village of Gruyeres, we explored the cheese station. The wheels of cheese reminded me of the “Hot Now” donuts at Krispy Kreme.
The first picture shows nettles, which Mazie accidentally found and taught us to stay away from them! After unloading and getting our bearings we walked into town and had a tasty cheesy meal at Gruyere Traditions Switzerland, along with dessert.
Lees in France 