MONDAY 2nd JULY 2012

LUCERNE 2

Still raining a bit this morning, with low heavy clouds. A real b***** as today we doing a Lake cruise and then a cable car ride up to the Stanserhorn.
Once on the bus we drove a short distance to a wharf on Lake Lucerne and boarded a nice launch that took us on a lovely cruise along the Lake to Sanstedt. Although it was still raining a bit and the cloud was right down on the surrounding mountains it was very calm and peaceful.
The coach met us as we got off the boat and took us to a cable railway heading up Mount Stanserhorn, which was a bit like the one in Hong Kong only not as steep. We split into two groups and the single little car took half up while we waited for the other car to come down! Our turn came and we were hauled up passed some little farms with their tiny herds of Brown Swiss cows (complete with massive cow bells) and their lovely little post card like mountain houses!
The rail finished about half way up, where it had been replaced by a magnificent new suspended cable car! It had only been open for three days and was the bees knees of cable cars, the cabin having an open deck on the roof where you could stand!
Mumsie went inside the cabin, but with a few others I went onto the deck and put up with the light rain just to get the best views!
Just bloody awesome is the only way I can describe the all to short ascent to the top! We passed through the line of heavy cloud and into sunshine again - the rain stopping as well - and once we got off the cable car we snapped off dozens of photos, and then a few of us walked up the very steep path to the summit of the Stanserhorn, all thousand three hundred and something metres of it! It was freezing cold up there and the air was very thin making it hard to get your breath, so we only stayed a minute before coming down and seeking warmth in the shop and kiosk!
Many of the surrounding peaks were so high they had a fair bit of snow on them despite it being the middle of summer, and we found out later that the cable car only operates for about eight months of the year because the amount of snow!
Thankfully because the whole thing was so new there were hardly any people there and we basically had the place to ourselves. We had plenty of time before our return so we had an early lunch while waiting and when our turn came we reversed the journey down to the base again.
The rain had started again on our descent and once back in Lucerne we spent some time wandering the shops and sights before returning to the hotel for a rest and a chance to freshen up before dinner in the hotel. Very noticeable were the high prices of everything in the shops! Naturally watch shops ruled the streets, but all brands were extremely expensive - many were over ten grand!!!! Clothes etc were also very dear, as was food and drink!
Over our meal we all were in awe of the great morning we had experienced - most definitely the highlight of our tour.