ZERMATT

Our Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn service contorted as we twisted and turned from Visp to Zermatt. Through tunnels and alongside craggy mountain waterfalls and rockfalls.  A recently dislodged granite rock larger than a #4 route tram was close enough to touch.  Superb!  As was my first gulp of Zermatt air.  Breathtaking!  I would pay big money to relive that experience.  You step out of your stuffy train into ambrosia.

I like Zermatt.  It's singular purpose - the Matterhorn's ascent - draws climbers, skiers, walkers and stickybeaks like us who just want to see that remarkable mountain.  It draws you along drystone walls and well maintained pavements ever closer to a better view.  Skiers catch the chairlifts up nearby mountain slopes and schuss down in the shadow of nature's glory.

I also like Zermatt Bier, the perfect companion to a fat barbecued weisswurst mit mustard.  A trip to Coop supermarket for vittels was memorable with a checkout chick required to confirm our maturity before we could purchase our grog.  Our hotel balcony adjacent to the Gornergrat railway was a top spot to snack and catch up on a few more emails and postcards. Our hotel made a great first impression by welcoming us with a Toblerone chocolate on our pillows.

Like baguettes in France, every visitor to Zermatt should sport a pair of walking stocks to indicate you are seriously heading somewhere treacherous.  Real climbers have backpacks trailing rope, helmets and a pickaxe.  Residents and visitors get about the village via bicycle, scooter, skateboard and the unique Zermatt taxis.  These electric battery powered crates buzz about delivering guests and luggage to their hotels tag undt nacht!. Our accommodation close to the bahnhof negated their service.

Although it costs over $100@ to catch the Gornergrat Bahn to the top of the mountains, it is the only way to appreciate the enormous splendour of The Matterhorn and The Alps.  We were fortunate to take the trip on a superb early Autumn day with clear views of the Matterhorn from a number of angles.  Our trip from go to whoa was just under two hours and a highlight of our holidays.  The Gornergrat cog railway with its panoramic views of waterfalls and the valley below is a bloody engineering marvel!  Just prior to our departure for Interlaken a goods engine carrying a shiny yellow snow making machine tracked into the terminal.