Tuesday July 2, Tasch

Maybe it was watching all the Asians taking
selfies that made us do this!!!

Today really has certainly been one to remember. Overnight there was a huge thunderstorm, lighting flashes and thunder that reverberated right through the valley, certainly kept us awake. We had doubts if it would be worth heading up to see the Matterhorn today but although there was a lot of cloud around, we could see the blue sky with the sun peeking through and the forecast predicted sun and cloud for the morning with a chance of rain and thunderstorms this afternoon. Decision made, got ourselves organised, a short walk to the train station, bought our tickets and we were off.

It was only a 10 minute trip to Zermatt where we picked up the next train which took us to the top at Gornergrat. This fully electric cog railway train made its first journey in 1898. It operates year round. What a wonderful 35 minute trip, the scenery was spectacular and as we climbed above the tree line we got our first view of the Matterhorn, and even though the top had some cloud floating around, it didn’t detract from the majestic sight. With its pyramid like shape it is said to be the most photographed mountain in the world.

The top is at 3100 metres and we were very aware of the altitude as we continued walking up past the hotel to the lookout point….very slowly!!! The mountain scenery had my camera clicking furiously, everywhere you looked was spectacular. Even though the Matterhorn was hiding its peak, the whole journey was so worth doing. Words can’t describe the view as we looked down on glaciers and up to so many mountain peaks. We just sat and soaked up the scene for a long time.  And it was hilarious watching the many Asian tourists with their cameras and selfie sticks taking endless photos and posing in some extremely creative ways!!! I often wonder what they do with all these photos.

This is a mecca for trampers and mountain bikers who bring their bikes up in the train then cycle down. We thought at one stage the cloud was going to move off the mountain but it gave a few glimpses of the side before covering it again, although on our way back down, we were able to see a bit more from a different angle.

We stopped at Zermatt on the way down and were surprised us by its size, there are so many hotels and apartments, all with a mountain chalet look and brimming with geraniums on the balconies. It was bustling as we wandered through the streets, lined with high quality shops with so many selling “Genuine Swiss Watches”. Zermatt is a car free town and everywhere you see small electric taxis and delivery vehicles along with a few horse and carriages. It was so pleasant without the noise of cars.

Visitors to Zermatt drive to Tasch where there is a huge multi storied covered parking building beside the railway station. They load everything onto airport style trolleys which they can take on the train, then at Zermatt they off load it all into one of the taxis to take them to their accommodation. Can just imagine this place in the winter, it must be heaving. There are restaurants everywhere. Although it is a tourist town, it has a good atmosphere and we enjoyed ourselves, especially as the temperatures are quite a bit cooler today….so welcome.

It was back on the train again and the return trip to Tasch. Have taken so many photos today, hard to choose a few for the blog!

Loved seeing the sheep beside the track.

Cog railway line

Patterns

Magnificent glacier

Finally the Matterhorn

Zermatt

Something for the chocolate lovers -
just through the window!

Zermatt taxis