We could not have travelled to a more different locale in the same country than from Cannes to Chamonix. Wow!
Beaches to mountains. Trés chíc to sound of music chic. Delicate crepes to hearty fondue and bourginon. Hot cloudless skies to cool, fresh, cloudy air.
We traveled about 13 hours yesterday to get here. After two trains, a street fair in Switzerland, a missed bus, another train and finally a bus we made it to gorgeous Chamonix. (Even though we couldn't tell, as it was about 11:30 pm and pitch black out.)
The trip was a bit indirect, as it was the best we could do with no car. We really did route thru Geneve, Switzerland. We had a hour delay and it was dinner so we hopped out of the train station and, voíla- Kevin finds a street fair! It was an international fair- where each booth served food from different countries and as far as we could tell the food was made in each person's own kitchen. Crazy. Also, they served beer in cups with a deposit so they could recycle. Kev got dissed by the beer tent guy not once, but twice for not having francs, only euros.
When we finally got to Chamonix, Kev was all hot and bothered to catch the end of the England-Italy match as it was in the 79th minute with no score. Luckily his beer sniffing nose was in excellent form and he found us a bar with a tv. I was thankful that dcfs was not around. Beer drinking and soccer watching with a tired kid probably wouldn't have won us parents of the year.
The hotel we booked last minute was described as old world comfort with rustic bathrooms in a fantastic location with spectacular views. Dead on in all accounts. I think old world charm means Lucy and Ricky beds. Rustic bathrooms mean Hand held shower head with no curtain. Ahh. Here is the view from my bed.
And the view of the glacier and Mont Blanc from the balcony.
Chamonix is the sight of the first winter Olympics in 1924. Crazy skiing here through late May. The thing to do us take a gondola up the mountain, look at the glaciers and ice caves and hike down. However the weather must cooperate. We woke up to serious clouds and a bit of rain, so no climbing today.
Walking around the quaint village today- eating, drinking, shopping and a ton of picture taking on Darby's part.
Our hotel.
The climbing office.
Darby's monton du chocolat.
Macaroons.
Waterfall coming down from the mountains.
The river cutting thru the center of the village.
My napping spot in the sun.
Laffe with lunch
Tartiflette and blueberry pie for lunch.
We have done a complete u-turn from Cannes. Not too sad about it, either.
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