Lucerne Trip - Day 2

Today we purchased tickets for a trip that took us across Lake Lucerne and up Mt Pilatus by all means of transport!

First leg was on the lovely steamer 'Unterwalden', constructed in 1902. We all loved the massive engines working steadily and the windows to the paddle wheels. Although we had top deck access James was more interested in being down with the machinery. It was 90 minutes of glorious alpine scenery and photo opportunities! We thought the retraction of the mast and funnel to go under the bridge was truly unique and quite funny! It was an act practised many times by the crew with inches to spare.

The steamer left us at Alpnachstad where we boarded the steepest cogwheel railway in the world. And yes, it felt like we were going straight up! On the 30 minute trip we saw mountain goats and heard the bells of cows on the hillsides. Arriving at the top of Mt Pilatus, at 7000 feet high it was quite cool, only 12 or so degrees.

We ate lunch in the Hotel Pilatus-Kulm but were itching to get out and walk. The legend of Pilatus has a friendly dragon as its hero so off we went searching for him. There were plenty of caves and tunnels inside the mountain where one would expect a fire-breathing dragon to hide but despite our efforts we never saw him. The views were worth the climb, and the summer wildflowers were plentiful along the steep paths. Just lovely and awe-inspiring.

We stayed up top for about 3 hours then boarded the 'aerial cableway' (big gondola) back down the mountain. Half way down we got off at Fräkmüntegg and tackled Switzerland's longest summer toboggan run, all 1.3km's of it! It was quite a ride and James had a great time, although they blamed the high-pitched shrieking on me! [Martin: James and I went first. Setting off I couldn't help but enjoy the high banking turns at speed. Before long I had the sled up on two wheels and about to tip on the apex of a curve. Holding on to James with one had I slid off the back and had to force myself and the sled back upright - all at speed. Nice recovery! And I have the friction burns on my knee and forearm to remember it by!]

Back onto a smaller 'panoramic' gondola and down to Kriens to catch the Number 1 bus back to Luzern. Along the way we had met a Dutch/Canadian couple, Greg & Miriam, and their 4 year old daughter Sara. They were fun and we had some good conversatio before heading down the mountain together. We had a recommended local Swiss restaurant - 'Le Dezaley' - booked so invited them all for dinner.

Far from being an old-style traditional restaurant it was a modern and stylish place to eat. We had cheese fondue, bread and wine and ate until we were soooo full! James and Sara ate hardly anything, so engrossed were they in each other's company. They were very well behaved given the hour and the days activities. Dinner over, we said goodbye and we three once again walked about in the evening warmth and eventually wound our way back to our hotel. James had no problem with going to bed, and we followed soon after. Martini's preceding of course!

Photos are here.