Following in James Bonds Footsteps

Fearing exorbitant Switzerland prices the team performed a massive grocery shop before crossing the border into Lugano. Little drama greeted us on the crossing but the magnificent scenery did. After completing the famous 20km St Gothard’s tunnel the weather had closed in on the other side of the Alps. The drive into Lauterbrunnen was spoilt by the inclement weather and once we arrived at the campsite we flagged any idea to pitch the tent and retreated to a 4-berth cabin for the evening.

After a few beers we spotted the Contiki bus in a lodge at the back of the campground. After sneaking in a good night was had with a very much New Zealand flavour. I bumped into a couple of girls I knew from Hornby and after a while Ems and I retreated back to the cabin whilst James and Jimmy T occupied themselves with a couple of Americans.

The clouds of the day before were gone and the sun pierced the valley floor. Waterfalls fell into the valley from every angle making this place one of the spectacles of the trip so far. The debate was whether to do the Jungfraujoch railway at a steep 120fr or do the Murren Loop and ride the cable car up the Schilthorn famed in the James Bond movie, ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’. The latter was chosen and we consummated our journey on a series of funiculars, trams and cable cars.

The peak of the Schilthorn was at 2970 metres and spectacular. The 360 degree views over the Alps took in the famous mountains of Mont Blanc and the Eiger. Here we had a rather indulgent lunch in the worlds first revolving restaurant. The cable car ride down had Emma at her wit’s edge and once at the floor we awaited the bus to take us to the Trummelbach glacial waterfalls. These waterfalls are unique as they fall inside the mountain face fed from glacial run-off.

Back at camp we hijacked the games room to cook dinner and play some cards over a few drinks. Eventually our willpower caved in and we headed back to the Contiki bar, otherwise known as The Bunker. Whilst the bar was a lot quieter we took under our arms a group of Americans and taught them some drinking games. After a few shots I found myself escorting Emma back to the tents after a tough night on the Cointreau.

After the excesses of the evening before Ems and I took opportunity for a big lay in whilst James and Jimmy summoned the strength to awake at 6am for their train journey up the Jungfraujoch. Emma and I jumped in the car to take a tour around the Lake Thun. First stop was Interlaken that reminded us a lot of Queenstown. First mission was to find and internet stop where the standard rate was 18 francs an hour. An e-mail told us that Emma had missed an interview for a dream job in Christchurch. After a moments dwelling we continued our drive around the lake.

We arrive in Thun and strolled the majestic old town, which was alive with café’s and canals. The youngster’s were rampant everywhere and their fetish for herbal remedies was hardly discreet.  After a lay around the lake and a cup of tea we met the boys back at camp before turning in for the evening in the games room.