Amazing Nature Down Under

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Thankfully the 36 C heat and humidity of yesterday abated for our hike in Lamington National Park at O'Reilly's today. The temperature was still expected to reach 30C, but the mountain and rainforest, made this more comfortable for us to totally enjoy the beauty of the Box Circuit - 14kms. Half a winding, well graded descent and the latter half, gradually winding back up, but with views of a tumbling stream and cascading waterfalls.

The track was narrow, dropping steeply from the edge.

Very old Brushbox tree, one of many along the track.

Rainforest layers

Our lunch view.

Along the ascending trail, we enjoyed many views of the tumbling stream.

The trail passed in front of this Brushbox and then wound behind it, where I took a 2nd photo.

We had to rock hop across the stream several times. This was the view below our final crossing.

This is the view above the crossing.

I spotted the blue Lamington Spiny Crayfish, in the shallow water here.

My favourite waterfall. Here we watched another crayfish 'hike' around the rocks, back into the water. Sadly all my images were blurred.

Back at the O'Reilly's complex we delighted in the spectacular colour of the crimson rosella parrot.

It was wonderful to be back in the Aussie bush. I hope you have enjoyed your visit. I would love to read your comment.

Goodbye Murren

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We  returned from our amazing day's hiking on day 4, at about 4pm. We believed we had experienced all the best Murren could offer. Not true!
Two hours later I was reluctantly preparing to pack my suitcase. Passing a window, the views in the photos below, immediately had me grabbing for the camera, coat, boots and beanie [5C] to dash outside to immerse myself in these breathtaking evening scenes.

An hour later, almost frozen to the bone, I forced myself inside. Some 15 minutes later, the valley was filled with the music of an alpenhorn. Albert had just returned from a day in Interlaken and wanted us to hear this beautiful sound before we left. Albert is an accomplished player and has performed in a number of cities around the world.

A small sample of this lovely sound.

As we turned to go inside sometime after 7pm, fog was filling the valley and drifting upwards as if in farewell.

The following morning, Kitty had organised one of the few taxi's in Murren to take us up to the station. We'd been fine handling our luggage for the descent to Chalet Boebs, but ascending with luggage, would have been a challenge.

We were enjoying a final coffee and cake with Kitty and Albert, when we suddenly realised the taxi was outside waiting. Chalet Boebs accommodation had been perfect, but our interaction with Kitty and Albert, most certainly added to the enjoyment of our stay. So many tales about the area to listen to.

At the station it was a final farewell to the Jungfrau, before the little train transported us to the cable car, to drop us rapidly through the autumn colours of the mountain, down to Lauterbrunnen.

We were able to spot where had made our descent several days previously.  It really had been steep and winding.

Our exit point to the Lauterbrunnen Valley.

Swiss rail is impressive with its punctuality and timetabling. Within 15 mins of exiting the cable car we were enroute to Interlake and onwards to Zurich.

Three hours later we had registered into our hotel and were off exploring this lovely old city. The blue skies had been left in Murren, reminding us just how fortunate we had been with the weather, throughout our complete holiday.

Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and one of the wealthiest in Europe, because of its financial institutions. Our afternoon was spent exploring the old town along the Limmat River, the University and the shoreline of Lake Zurich.

Wood flooring covers a huge expanse in front of the Opera House.

The sheepskins and blankets on offer, don't appear to be encouraging customers to eat al fresco. Perhaps on a sunny day.

Our spirits, at our 5.30 breakfast, were lifted by the delightful personality of our waitress. Perfect English, smiling, joking and efficent. As a result of an exchange between her and Frank, I came back to the table from getting a croissant,  to discover a huge vase of flowers waiting for me. 

It was certainly a sensational holiday.  I am extremely grateful that I could experience so much of 'The Great Outdoors' not down under. I would love to read your comment.

Totally Awesome Murren

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Just how lucky were we? On our final day in Murren, we woke to wonderful, warm sunshine with crystal, clear blue skies. It was difficult to imagine that yesterday's views could get any better, but they did. We were truely blessed. I was speechless most of the morning with the panoramas unfolding before us. Perhaps a little breathless, as we steeply climbed from 1600m to nearly 2000m. 

Today's route on the map has the no 5. [Yes, it is day 4] The route commenced beside the terminus

of the cable car above our chalet, on the edge of Murren.

As we passed the buildings on the left, we observed some metal structures being assembled and tried to imagine their purpose. Not long into the morning, we felt we had the answer, as a helicopter flew overhead and up towards the mountain behind the Schilthorn. Summer was over and preparations were being made for the winter skiing season.

The helicopters passed over numerous times with their metal cargoes. Can you spot this one in the 'V' of the photo? The views from the cable car would be sensational on a day like today.

The steep climbing began almost immediately from Murren, [1638m] as the road wound its way up to Gimmeln [1700m] and Schitalp [1946m].

                 Gimmeln

End of a ski run at Gimmeln.

Our progress was delayed for some time, by a thin piece of rope across the road. We could hear the farmer milking his cows and one by one they left the barn and headed up the lane. We weren't sure when was the best time to continue. Growing impatient, we were about to duck under the rope, when a young bull made his way out quite excitedly. Close shave.

Our timing still wasn't right. As we neared where the farmer's wife was directing them into their field for the day, we had to quicken our pace to get passed the entrance. Once in the field the cows were ecstatic.

Soon after we stopped to chat to a woman, who had driven down from Frankfurt the previous day. She kindly took a photo of us.

The reverse view.

And so we continued climbing. 

And climbing - Schitalp - 1946m

The views back down to the farm and across the valley were stunning.

Finally the elevation flattened for a short distance, before we entered a snowy forest. 

Through a brief gap in the trees, we saw that we were again above Murren. Paragliders were drifting down into the valley.

Next we had to make an icy descent back to the 'bowl' of Suppenalp and Sonnenberg [1836m].                  Here the snow of day 2, was nowhere to be seen.

And of course, once you have gone down, you nearly always have to go up again. The 'white diagonal line' across the far ridge, is where we had made our icy descent.

Soon we had reached our turning back point of day 2. Today's panorama was breathtaking.

The red sign is where we dropped down to make our way to Dorenhubel [1839m].  We were amazed to see hikers above this sign, following a zig zag path down the incredibly steep slope of this peak.  It was also beyond my comprehension that in winter, it is a busy ski slope on a run down to the valley, starting at the Schilthorn.             

      View to the left.

     View to the right.

The trail here, veered away from the valley views. The landscape developed a wildness. The path narrowed, became rougher, rockier and any step ups and step downs, quite irregular. Concentration was required to negotiate them safely. The green fields gave way to natural grasses and heather. Without being spectacular, there was still much to stop the happiness meter from falling.

Flocks of black birds soaring and diving.

Incredible rock walls.

Heather and flannel flower with their autumn beauty.

Dry creek beds with stone sculptures.

A recent runaway boulder.

But the mountains still had their moments of glory. 

From here the trail took us back into the forest, dropping steeply down to trail near Grutsalp. [1486m] This trail would take us back to Murren. Walking back along this now familiar escarpment, we took long, deep breaths of this pure alpine air, to sustain us on the long journey back to Australia.  

What a glorious finale today had been, to complete our travels. The icing on the cake so to speak, of all our incredible experiences of the past weeks. 

We were unbelievably fortunate to have seen the alps covered in snow. In an e-mail from Kitty and Albert, we learnt that the only snow at Christmas was at the Schilthorn level. A disastrous start to the winter sking season.

I would love to read your comment.