My First Solo Trip: Part Two of the Swiss Adventure- Up the Mountains and in for a potentially FATAL Swim

I woke up feeling positive and ready to take on the mountains. It was the first time I was going to be travelling up a mountain in my life and I had no idea what to expect. As it was SO warm in Luzern I didn't pack the winter gear, rather I brought my waterproof jacket, a thermal top to pop on once up at the peak and my trust Dr Martens.

The journey to the Engelberg was by train and made me realise the day before, mt journey down from Basel, had just been a taster of the Swiss countryside. When writing about the scenery I often feel I'm not doing it justice by calling it, 'beautiful' and 'incredible' and 'amazing' all the time... I feel that the only way to really get the picture is by of course going there yourself. Even my snapshots will never give you a real insight.
Once at Engelberg I purchased my tickets to the peak from the train station as I figured everyone would be buying theirs at the main entrance. It was a smart idea as I was right. There was a very long queue. After hopping from one cable car to another, using all the various networks of transport it takes to climb a mountain (without any real effort haha) I was at the top. One this I must point out again is the views. There is nothing like being thousands of feet above ground, travelling through the Swiss Alps. The final leg of transport is a super shiny 'rotar' thingy. Basically a cool spherical ski lift that rotates 360 degrees to give you a full view of some of the highest snow covered points of the mountain edge. This was one of the highlights of the entire journey. I would have paid just to ride this! The Titlis complex was packed, seemingly with only Desi people as I only actually saw one other Westerner. Of course this made no difference to me (apart from their frivolous singing haha) as I find people from Asia tend to be super friendly and only added to my amazing and humorous experience.

I spent my time walking about the snow, visiting igloos, charging my camera battery (as the thing did not last and I only had one with me), sledging, on the Titlis Ice Flyer- which I would highly recommend as it takes you to another amazing and less dense part of the mountain peak where the free sledging and snow sports takes place- and walking across the Titlis Cliff Walk. 

All of which was sooooooo incredible and you can watch on my vlog below! ;D



Diary Entry about Mt. Titlis;

Today I have decided to visit beautiful Mt. Titlis and I am currently on the train. Oh wow, the train does 'request stops' haha! It's 10:30am and the scenery alone is enough to make your hairs stand on end! Incredible.

I thought those train views were amazing... oh my gosh! I'm currently sat on the fourth floor of the Mt. Titlis complex, charging my camera battery as it died! :D Rookie error. The 'rotar' thing that takes you up the mountain is an experience I can't put into words. It is incredible, being surrounded by all that snow and then your ears pop but it's not actually too cold! It is crazy busy here and I'm hoping that all this waiting around will allow it to clear out a bit. The South Asians are here in full force haha!

I'm feeling really proud of myself for coming on this trip, purely because I am alone and it takes a little nudge to really get going for stuff like this. My First Solo Trip. In all honesty, I couldn't of picked a better place. I do miss the company of having Vinny here with me but it is an amazing experience all the same.

After around 4 hours on the peak of Mt. Titlis (with no gloves haha!) I began my decent back to Engelberg where I would be catching the next train to Luzern. I hadn't decided where I would head next but it was beginning to get late. The next diary entry was written the day after and explains what exactly I got up to as by the time I got home, I was knackered and in need of sleep...

Diary entry about my experience after I left Mt. Titlis;

So I'm going to talk about the remainder of my day after I left Mt. Titlis... as it was a weird one. So I got back to Luzern and tried my best to make it up Mt. Pilatus, but I realised it was simply too late. I then remembered Mt. Rigi was still an option and at least it would be quiet right? I hopped aboard a boat from Luzern Pier and asked for advice about reaching the peak of Rigi from one of the boatmen. At first he said as it was late I would probably have to get a taxi home, back to Luzern if I were to go up Mt. Rigi now, so I decided to stay on the boat anyway for a round trip on Lake Luzern. Just as were were approaching Vitzanau (the stop to catch the cogwheel train up Mt. Rigi), the lovely boatman guy came and found me, explaining that there was a way home if I id decide to go up, but not by boat, by bus then train. This of course made no difference for me and so I thanked him, hopped off the boat and onto the cogwheel train. After about 30 minutes on the train, I was at the top of Mt. Rigi! I didn't get to do any hiking or wandering though as I had literally 10 minutes on the peak; Rigi Kulm. I was gutted but happy I had the chance to go up. If I had loads of money I would have loved to visit the spa up there... but hey ho, next time maybe. There was zero wind yet one side was covered in snow- the Alps of course and then the other was a view of Lake Luzern and it's neighbour. Truly spectacular in every way!
As I only had 10 minutes I was quick, I took my pictures, breathed in the fresh mountain air and then legged it back to the train. I just made it back in time for the last cogwheel train going back down the mountain to Vitzanau. Only a few stops after a had board the train (Rigi Kulm) a handsome man was waiting to get on. He was quite clearly a traveller- hate to judge but he had the look haha- and as I was the only other person on the small train, he came and sat adjacent to me. Straight away we began to chat. Luckily he wasn't one of the pretentious bastards you can't wait to get rid of, but rather some company I was really enjoying. He was the spiritual type (I knew this as he wouldn't stop going on about nature and the elements and trees and living in a commune with six other families (cult? haha I'm kidding!). I wanted to point out that communes like such could very quickly become in-bread... but I thought better of it and continued to listen. I found out that he too was travelling to Luzern to stay at a friends place, so we agreed to make our way there together. Once off the train, we stopped to take in a little scenery and then made our way to the bus stop. At this point I was thinking how thankful I was to have bumped into this guy as I probably would have struggled to find the bus stop by myself! There was an Austrian guy that we got into conversation with while waiting, but once the bus turned up, he sat away from us and I thought to myself, 'probably couldn't handle the nature talk haha'. On the bus, conversation of the beautiful lake popped up and I said how I had wanted to swim in it at some point while I was visiting. He replied, 'shall we go?' I relied like, 'what, now?!' After a moments thought I said, 'Okaaaaaay!' That was that, after waiting for the right stop to swim at on the bus we got up and got off. Just before we did the guy got up to ask the driver when the next bus was due and what time the trains finished. Apparently there was just 2 buses left and the trains were running till late. Perfect. We were off... we walked down to a nice spot on the lake, perfect to swim in. Oh, did I mention this guy had grown up in Luzern? So he knew the surrounding area pretty well. We found a cool bench, then stripped down to our underwear then jumped straight in! Well he jumped straight in... I took a little more time haha. It was lovely... icy cold but the good kind- if you know what I mean :P. It was the kind of swim that made you feel completely brand new. I was surrounded by beauty everywhere I looked. Clean, natural and rejuvenating. The two of us bobbed about int the lake for around 15 minutes then jumped back out (that was done with haste haha). We dried off then sat on the bench bed shape thingy and continued to chat. 'What is your name? I didn't ask...' asked the guy. 'I'm Capres, and you?' He replied, 'I'm Ali!'
Chilling and chatting, time past and once mostly dry we came onto the conversation of music and instruments. Ali brought out his harmonica and began to play a tune. The tune reminded me of a ceremony I had once attended that I really did not enjoy and I began to have some bad feelings in my gut- the feeling was mild though and I figured it was nothing to worry about. The tune went on and on then Ali reached into his backpack whilst still playing, pulled out a shaker and then shook it along to the tune of the harmonica. This uneasy tune went on for about 10 minutes and as he finished it I noticed the bus approaching in the distance. I said we should really get going and grabbed my bits together. Looking towards Ali he appeared to be stalling for God knows what reason. I began walking towards the bus stop and shouted, 'quick, it's coming now!' Looking over to him still just standing on the bench, he replied, 'I think it's turning around and coming back again,' but we had been sat for ages now and it was dark. I I of course wanted to get home at this point so I then launched myself into a light sprint as I decided I was not going to miss that bus! Luckily, the kind driver saw me running and stopped for me on the road side. I hopped on and looking back there was no sign of Ali. Before I knew it the doors slammed shut in my face, snapping me out of my adrenaline filled confusion and into reality. The whole bus journey to the station- a whole 25 minutes later- I was sat worrying about the following things:

1. Was the bus really just going to turn around and pick him up as he had said... making me look like a scared fool?
2.Why, if the bus doesn't turn around was he trying to make us miss the bus? It was probably the last one!
3. Did I just escape a predator?
4. He knows the hostel I'm staying at... shit!!!
5. I hope he does get home OK.

Once I got to the station I was convinced another bus was going to pull up and he'd be on it, or worse... he would be standing there waiting for me, but neither of these things happened. I sat for 20 long minutes waiting for the train back to Luzern to arrive. Eventually it did, with no sign of Ali. I was ok and I didn't have to face him or figure out a way to ditch him incase he wanted to hang out again. Yay. There was also pretty much no trains after my one showing on the notice board... maybe two at most but I don't recall either of them heading into Luzern. Imagine if I hadn't got on the bus. I don't have nearly enough money to be catching cabs anywhere and I had no idea really where I was. Thank goodness I just got on that bus!

So yes, that's what got me a little shook up to say the least but all was well and good and a part of me is still convinced till today that that was the last bus to get home to Luzern. I bought myself a Hotdog for 4 CHF as it was all I could afford to eat haha, and munched it all the way back to the hostel. Once inside the room I was greeted by two sleeping beauties accompanying me in the dorm room. Another joined us slightly later that night and to bed I went.

I am a very open and bubbly person, I love to make friends. Often I can be slightly naive but this doesn't mean everyone that talks to you is a predator. Till today I don't know if Ali had positive or negative intentions and I try to see the best in any situation. I got to swim in the lake and I probably wouldn't have if I hadn't met him and I hadn't been harmed in any way. I didn't let it spoil my trip and I woke up the following day feeling happy and content. The trick is to take everything in your stride as you have to expect the unexpected when travelling... especially solo! 

Peace&Love,
Willow

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My First Solo Trip: Part One of the Swiss Adventure- The First night in Luzern

Switzerland was a destination I had wanted to visit ever since I had studied Frankenstein in my A Level English Literature class. Mary Shelley apparently wrote the novel over a cheeky weekend trip to Lake Geneva. Tripping on Opium she created a masterpiece... and I thought I would do the same! Haha kidding. So originally I had wanted to visit Geneva and explore this interesting and seemingly mythical area until I actually booked our flight...

Lake Luzern

The day Brexit's Article 50 came into play Ryanair held a sale, of course, and reduced air fares around Europe to as low as £2,99 each way. No, I am not kidding!! I spent ages procrastination over whether I should buy these super cheap fares as I didn't really have the time to be flying somewhere the following week (when the fares were for). Eventually, I came across £7,99 fares to Basel, Switzerland and yes I think it goes without saying, I booked them! Perrrrfect! Little did I know... Switzerland is pretty much on par with London expenses wise, if not worse.

One day I will return and stay at this super expensive hotel!

So here you find me sat, in my university library typing away as yes... I am back from Switzerland! I was right... although I paid £16 for my return flights, I definitely made up for it in spending money. I spent the entity of my trip in central Switzerland; Luzern and used it as a base to travel around the country. Oh and I must say thank goodness I had a Swiss Pass as oh my gosh, travel (and everything else) is 100% more expensive than London. However, this was probably the only set back of the entire journey as Switzerland is truly an amazing country and I do feel honored to have scraped the surface. I do hope to go back one day... not in the next year haha. Possibly the next two or three years so I can save up and really go all out and explore the beauty even further, delve deeper into the mountainous regions and actually ride the glacier express (I was going to but just didn't have enough time!) I kept a fairly detailed diary throughout the journey as well as a vlog (with some great footage!!) and as it was my first solo trip... there was of course some hiccups along the road but... all is well! So here you have it... my 4 day Swiss Adventure.

The cheese spread (I think) has my name haha!

My first day was mainly spent travelling. I landed in the North at the Euroairport in which a humorous sign lay before me. I had the option to proceed to Switzerland, or continue on to Germany or France as the airport sat on the border of all three!
After deciding to head to Switzerland as planned- although Germany and France were rather tempting, I proceeded through to buy my 4 day Swiss Pass. Online there is a lot of debate about whether the pass is in actual fact worth it and I did have a hard time trying to decide whether to buy it or not, so here is a link to a fellow post about WHY my SWISS PASS WAS worth the money I spent on it. If you want to skip the post, all I can say is if, at all anything, it saves you a lot of stress! Once purchased, I headed to the bus stop for the shuttle that would whizz me into the centre of Basel, right in front of the bahnhof (train station!). After snapping up some pictures and enjoying the surprisingly hot weather (29 degrees  Celcius people!!!) I hopped on the train to Luzern, where I would be based.

Basel Train Station

Luzern was just beautiful. My first impressions of the mini city; in love! I couldn't get over how beautiful it was. It really was beautiful. I understood the hype, instantly, about why this was the best place to stay whilst visiting Switzerland. I made my way to the hostel I was staying at; Lion Lodge Lucerne- a clean, friendly place with an extremely convenient location, being a mere 5 minute walk from the famous Lion monument- by bus, directly from the bahnhof and arrived 4 or 5 stops later. Check in was easy and quick and to my surprise I had the room to myself for the first night!

Lion Lodge Lucerne

Notes from my diary
So aside from the drama that is contracted into my life, I had a really lovely evening. After settling in at the hostel I headed out to get a feel of the little city. I have to admit, arriving here I really didn't expect it to be so big. It sounds silly yes, but it's true. I was expecting a little town like place with small quaint features and whilst this place has these things... it is most definitely a small city with oh so much to offer! Already I am in love. One thing I don't get is how on Earth people that move here make the decision of where exactly they will live. It is beyond me as there is so so much to see, so so much to do and just so so much natural beauty everywhere. Don't they just fall in love with it all?! I am also super happy I stayed in the hostel as it  is great. There are lots of friendly faces (travellers and staff), it is very clean and well the location is just perfect. So yes, I haven't really done much apart from wander around looking for food. I saw some of the 'classic sites' such as the famous bridge thingy that was covered in knats, so I didn't dare walk across. I took a lot of pictures and attempted at my vlogging, oh and eat a 14.10CHF Burger King meal! Oh my! 

The most famous bridge in Switzerland haha! 'Kapellbrucke' or 'Chapel Bridge'

My first day and night in Switzerland was not just about experiencing a new country, it was my first ever solo trip. Waking up the next morning was a reminder that I could do anything my heart desired. I just had to be confident in myself and stay positive...





Peace&Love,
Willow

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SWISS PASS- Worth the Dollar?

A common question that pops up when one visits Switzerland is: Shall I purchase a Swiss Pass?
My answer usually would be YES... as it really is worth it. However this does mostly depend on what you plan on getting up to throughout the duration of your stay. If like me you are on a budget trip to Switzerland, (yes it can happen) then I would recommend carefully planning what you wish to do whilst there along with the costs whether it be entrance fees, gondola rides, bus or boat tickets or simply a train ride. It all adds up and that is exactly why it needs to be taken into consideration if you are concerned about getting your money's worth. If you aren't too concerned then save yourself the stress and just buy one haha! It will definitely save you hassle and you can use it to get in for free to museums and galleries across the country. 

On a tram in Basel

The Youth (16-26) Swiss Pass for 2nd class use cost me 221CHF for 4 days. A full price list can be found here: https://www.swiss-pass.ch/swiss-pass/
This allowed me free access to all the museums and art galleries I visited as well as free use of the entire transport system (bus, boat trains and trams) and the entire journey up Mt. Rigi. It discounted my return journey up & back down Mt. Titlis by 50%, that being from Titlis Valley to the top of Mt. Titlis by gondola and revolving cable car. Usually this would of cost me 92CHF bust instead it cost me 47CHF. It also would of included (for free) journeys up Mt. Pilatus and various other destinations and attractions across Switzerland, including the Glacier express!!! but sadly I didn't plan carefully enough. The fact is the Swiss transport system is fast, efficient and what some call a work of art and for it to maintain customer satisfaction they have to charge unsatisfactory ticket prices. If I were to add up the cost of everything, the Swiss Pass most definitely done me justice.

There are other options for freedom of movement in Switzerland, but with slightly different regulations, such as the Tell Pass (for travel exclusively around central Switzerland) or the Swiss Half Fare Card. Check out these links below which take you to various passes dependent on the region you wish to explore and do your research!

Best of the best: http://www.myswissalps.com/

https://www.swiss-pass.ch/
http://www.tellpass.ch/en/
http://www.regionalpass-berneroberland.ch/en 
https://www.jungfrau.ch/shop/en/tickets/bergbahn/angebote/jungfraujoch-top-of-europe/jungfrau-travel-pass-3-days
http://erlebniscard.ch/index.php/en/
https://www.swissrailways.com/en/products/regionalalpspass
https://www.graubuenden.ch/en/


Here is a rough version of my itinerary... it went a little something like this;
(Every time I use transport I will put it in Green to indicate how frequent my use was)

WED 17th MAY
Land in Basel Euro Airport
Bus to Basel Town Center
Chill in town center
Train from Basel to Luzern
Bus from Luzern station to Luzern Hostel
Walk back into town & have a wander
Bus back to hostel 
Settle for the night & Sleep!

THURS 18th MAY
Awake nice and early & breakfast!
Bus to Luzern train station
Train from Luzern to Engelberg 
Bus from Engelberg station to the base of Mt. Titlis (Titlis valley station)
Gondola from Titlis Valley up to Trübsee 
Gondola from Trübsee up to Stand
Revolving Cable Car from Stand up to Titlis
Enjoy the top of Mt. Titlis for around 4 hours & lunch!
Revolving Cable Car from Titlis down to Stand
Gondola from Stand down to Trübsee 
Gondola from Trübsee down to Titlis Valley
Scenic walk through the meadows from Titlis Valley back to Engelberg train station
Train from Engelberg to Luzern
Decide what to do next...
Boat from Luzern to Vitznau (originally was going to be a round trip but then realised if I went up to the top of Mt. Rigi I could make it back in time for the last cogwheel train down to Vitznau)
Cogwheel train up to Rigi Kulm (the top!)
Spent around 15 minutes at the top enjoying the view and taking pictures
Cogwheel train back down to Vitznau
Met a friendly traveler on his way to Luzern, we went to catch the bus together and soon decided to hop off and take a dip in the lake!
Swimming in Lake Luzern & relaxing under the moonlight (watch my vlog about this)
Bus to a random train station, praying I hadn't missed the last train
Train back to Luzern
Grabbed some food
Bus back to Luzern hostel
Sleep!

FRI 19th MAY
Awake early-ish & breakfast!
Walk to the Lion monument and get lost- of course- spend some time taking pics
Walk into town stopping at sights and taking pics
Bus from one part of town to the station
Decide to catch the later train and check out the Luzern Art Museum
Grab some Lunch
Train to Interlaken Ost (planning on going up Mt. Schilthorn but the rain was too heavy)
Train from Interlaken Ost to Bern (no rain yay!)
Tram from Bern station into Bern town center
Spend the afternoon exploring Bern, shopping & taking pictures
Tram around the city (went a little further a field)
Dinner at a nice restaurant
Tram back to the station
Train from Bern to Luzern
Bus from Luzern station to Luzern hostel
Chilled at the hostel then get ready to head back out
Bus to the town center
Walk around and eventually find Max's bar!
Spend the evening making friends, drinking and having fun
Walk back to the hostel as the buses are finished (long walk)
Sleep!

SAT 20th MAY
Awake bright and early for check out & Breakfast
Bus to the town center
One last wander around Luzern
Train from Luzern to Basel
Tram from Basel train station to Basel city center
Spend the afternoon wandering around Basel & lunch!
Tram to Basel Art Gallery 
Tram back to the train station
Bus from the train station to the Euro Airport
Fly back to London!

Peace&Love,
Willow

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