Up and through breakfast, we bid farewell to our lovely host Emma, and were down to the train by 8am. The weather did not look like improving for Murren, it was still in the clouds, we were lucky to have seen and done as much as we have. The usual run of train, gondola, train took us through to Interlaken Ost. Took a photo of the stream - unusual colour of water that is the runoff from glaciers.
At Interlaken we boarded the Golden Pass Line train for the picturesque journey through to Montreux on Lake Geneva. This highly recommended train trip passes through some of the most picturesque countryside that Switzerland has to offer. After a short ride beside Lake Thun, we passed through beautiful rolling green hills dotted with Swiss style houses/chalets and many pretty little towns, over thickly wooded mountain foothills and across bridges over deep gorges with steams at their base. About halfway through the journey, we noticed the change in houses to a more French style, and by the time we reached Montreux, the buildings were completely different. Swiss architecture is influenced in the east by Germany, and in the west by France.
(photos are taken through train window, so there are some reflections on the windows)
We found our hotel - La Rouvenaz - without too much difficulty, and checked in. It is a beautiful room, overlooking Lake Geneva. The hotel also gave us each a Rivieria Card which entitles us to free public transport within a 12km radius, and half price entry to several tourist attractions. The weather seems to be doing the right thing by us - although it rained a bit while we were on the train, it had now stopped, and it wasn't that cold either.
We freshened up, then headed out in the direction of Chateau de Chillon. Across the road and down to the lake, then turn left onto the lakeside walkway. We pondered lunch, and decided we weren't too hungry, but fancied fries, and McDonalds was there (3 lots of Maccas since we arrived in Europe is more than we have had for about the last 5 years, and no doubt will last us 5 more!). Boy are things expensive in Montreux - 2 medium fries came to 7.80 francs - not far off Aud$10!! If we had wanted it, a big Mac was 11.90 francs (about $15).
View from our room:
The lakeside path is lined with beautiful garden beds all the way to Chillon, and the views were gorgeous, this is one big lake! There is an amazing suspended highway in the distance too. What with our stopping for photos, it probably took best part of 50 minutes to do the walk, but the chateau was worth it. Twelve francs each for entry, including a written guide, and if we had remembered the Riviera Card, it would have been half price!
The first building on this site was around the 12th century, but the chateau was extended over the centuries to its current size. It sits on a rocky island by the shore of Lake Geneva, giving it a natural moat. Restoration began at the end of the 19th century, and continues today. We followed the guide up and down, around cellars and prisons, bedrooms and business rooms, bastions and sentry galleries, finally finish with a steep climb up the tower of the keep.
Out of the chateau and across the bridge, we just caught the bus going back into town. Hopped off a bit before the hotel as we wanted to have a look at menus for dinner. Considering how dear Maccas was, you can imagine the costs at restaurants. Bought a cold drink, and went back to the hotel to consider our options. Picked up a menu for the hotel restaurant on the way in, and it looked reasonable, so we decided to eat there. Food was good, prices not too ridiculous.
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