Isht GOOD!

Everyone has their happy place.  For me, it has always revolved around being by water. It is calming and provides me a sense of serenity.  

Carl assumed that when we had to cancel a location that I would choose to cancel the yodel trip. If most people had to choose between Lake Como, one of the most sought after Italian getaways, or a yodel trip in the mountains they would probably choose the former. 

I don't know if it is because I am now very spoiled and get to see lakes everyday or because I truly wanted a Swiss experience but I felt certain that we had to see Berner Oberland. I honestly have been like a kid waiting for Christmas day.  

After A LOT of apologizing and sweet talking, we convinced both hotels to rearrange our travels.  

The tents at the festival

Jack met a little lady. Her mom was from the U.S. and is now living in Interlaken!

I really enjoyed Lake Como and thought the area was beautiful. However, you may have been able to tell from the lack of enthusiasm in my last blog entry that it wasn't my all time favorite location.  

An alphorn

Interlaken and Murren (the areas of Berner Oberland that we visited) EXCEEDED all expectations.  You literally got off the train in Interaken, and walked onto the set of Swiss film.  Granted I had the yodel festival, costumes and such that added to this but the area is breathtaking.  From the snow covered alps to the chalets, it is stunning.

Upon arriving, we got our all inclusive yodeling festival pass (a must-have), figured out how to get to Murren, and started a walk into downtown Interlaken.  

Of course, we had to stop for beer and a brat!

Rick Steves, the travel guru, made Interlaken sound very commercialized.  It really is beautiful but just does not offer the same views as areas like Murren.  Interlaken has something for everyone.  From the local Swiss paraphernalia shop to Hooters to Gucci, you can find it in Interlaken! Okay, I guess it is a little commercialized:)  

Can you believe there is really a Hooters in Interlaken?

Gucci on your left and Ferragamo on your right

After about three hours of walking around, we decided to hit the hill and head up to our hotel.  It takes an hour each way, from the tram in Interlaken to a cable car to a cogwheel train to get up to Murren.  Each step of the way, you see more beautiful views.  You are so high up that your ears pop the whole way up and down, which was problematic for Jack.  He did get use to it by the second day. 

On the cable car

View from the train

Our hotel was this little place called Hotel Alpina.  Upon arrival, Edela welcomed us with open arms and yelled out "The Freeemans have arrived."  I asked her how did you know it was us, "Awhhh....you'll have the one with the babeee. We have the crib all set up!" I am not doing the accent justice but believe me it is the most precious Swiss accent that makes you smile and warms your heart. 

Our room was on the top floor, and had a great balcony overlooking the mountains.  Although the hotel was only a two star accommodation hotel, I chose it because it literally hangs on the side of the mountain with stunning views.  One of the most fascinating things about being this high in the air is that clouds literally come into your balcony.  You have perfect visibility one minute, and then five minutes later you can see nothing.

View (or lack thereof) from our room

The clouds starting to move away

Blue skies!

Jack and I walked around Murren while Carl studied.  It is such a neat little town. Now, there are NO major stores in Murren with the exception of a small grocery.  Almost all of the restaurants are in the hotels, and it is CAR FREE city which makes it fun to walk without concern.

Chalets in Murren

The homes were so neat, and each one was unique.  There all had spectacular views of the alps.

View from Murren

For dinner, we went to the only restaurant in Murren not associated with a hotel.  It was a great little place.  Carl had the special which was calves liver and I had lamb. Both were served with these hash browns.  Now, I know most of you are thinking this is gross but it was delicious.  

The restaurant

Happy at the bar!

Everything in Switzerland has the theme of these dancing cows. You can see them on  Jack's dinner placemat.  Of course, Sophie joined us too!

After dinner, we went back to our hotel and had dessert at the little bar.  We got a bowl of chocolate ice cream. Jack is eyeing the ice cream like this is ALL mine!

Carl missed Jack's mouth and got his face.  Jack was quite upset at his father!!!

Jack slept well and is ready for a day at the festival...yodel here I come!

Playing with his spoon!

After the hour trip down, we finally made it back to Interlaken. Things were in full swing!  

I finally got the cow connection.  They are everywhere.  On the way down,  you could literally reach out and touch them.  Also, the Swiss have the COOLEST cow bells.  I almost got one for George

A yodeler just arriving!

The Swiss know how to throw a party, and better than that they know how to make everyone feel at home in their country.  

Carl and his new best friend who showed him the best bier at the festival!

Carl loved that it had this metal hinge cap

Our super healthy meal of bratwurst, beer, bread and french fries...carb heaven!

Next to me, a full band of accordions set up and began playing...Jack slept through the whole thing

The accordion band...they kept saying Isht good (meaning the song they just played sounded good to them) and would nod at one another. 

The Swiss pride was contagious!  It doesn't hurt that the beer was brewing and the alcohol content seems to be a little higher per bottle.  There were people there from all over the world.  You should have seen the people from China grabbing Swiss flags and posing at every sight....Things got out of control when they started asking for pics with the yodelers!!! 

Carl didn't bring a jacket to Switzerland.  He decided the "Swiss Team" jacket was most appropriate. He is wearing it with pride!!!

Obviously, I shouldn't make too much fun of my husband as Jack and I were in full swing.  

Happy Swiss baby!!!  He is obviously become accustomed to his life here.

Jack riding through the streets with his new hat.  We were literally stopped by 30 people about Jack and his hat!

Ahh the beer was flowing and everyone was having a good time.

Eichof has copied Budweiser's theme

Lots of kegs

After lunch, we followed the music to the Interlaken casino.  This is where all of the yodeling contests were taking place.  Most of the music we heard was of yodeling groups.  We wanted to hear the individual contest but couldn't find the correct venue (there were multiple buildings of yodelers).  However, on every street corner, yodelers, alphorn players and flag throwers would gather and start to yodel, play and throw the Swiss flag. It was really neat!

The alphorns just stopped in the middle of the street to play. Sometimes they would even play random American tunes!

Swiss flag in mid air

Jack and Carl about to walk over to the yodel contest hall

The casino

Jack wanted to join in with the yodelers while they contended for the medal.  They would yodel and he would start to sing AGHHHHH...Needless to say, I had to leave the hall and sit in the closet to listen!

Finally, we are out of the closet and into the sun!

For those of you still reading on, I have saved (what I think) is the best for last.  The Berner Oberland mountains (aka the Swiss Alps) are known for their beauty.  To end our trip, we decided to go higher than Murren and really explore the area.  We took the funicular train up from Murren on the Allmenhubel.  I tried to get pictures of all of these modes of transportation but Carl and I jumped off (holding Jack) to get a pic and the first train started rolling away with the stroller so we vowed not to do that again!

I digress... We reached the top of the mountain, and began the "children's walk" down the hill.  Now, some of you may know, Carl and I hiked cinque terre two years ago.  This was some very rough terrain but had stunning views.  Honestly, we were both in much better shape back then.  We start walking down the hill, and realize this is just TOO easy.  So Carl looks at me and says, we need to go up.  Now, the Schilthorn is four and a half hours away.  We settled on a two hour hike.  It was well worth it, and allowed for the most stunning sights I have ever seen.

Carl walking back down the mountain

You can't but stop and stare

Carl's claim to fame is that we made it above all of the trees (meaning that we were above where any tree would grow).  Here are some pics of the sights.

SO happy with Dad!

The clouds would come in and out so quickly.  One minute you would think there was just cloud and then a new mountain would pop out!

At one point on our hike, Carl broke out singing the melodies from the Sound of Music.  Seriously, you really thought you were there with them!

Back with the trees

Getting off the funicular train

Waiting to get on the funicular at bottom of hill

The day started off cloudy but ended nicely!

The "Swiss Team" jacket came in handy!

After our hike, we were famished.  As we began our walk down, we stumbled upon this great little restaurant.  It had wonderful views and great hearty pasta.

At the restaurant

View from the restaurant

Carl is looking at the mountain that he just conquered above

Still a long way back down the mountain

We had a beautiful view welcoming us down the mountain to Murren

We got back to Interlaken just in time to say goodbye to all of the yodelers and head back to Zurich.  I hope all of you one day visit this beautiful area.  Let me know if you want me to book you with us for the next Swiss National Yodel festival in 2014!!!