HIKE 1: THE MEMISES MASSIF
Our first hike, just above Evian, which had sumptuous panoramic views of Lake Geneva, alpine pastures and forests. Fabulous!
Almost there. Laura, Michael and Rypien.
View of Evian and Lake Geneva. Beautiful.
At the Top.
Walking along the top of the Memises.
The Gondola ride down. Rypien decided at the last minute that he didn't like the idea of getting into a rickity gondola, so I had to wrestle/throw him in.
Happy Days.
A LITTLE CULTURE: THE MUSEES D'ART ET D'HISTOIRE, GENEVE
Comprised of seven different sites, the Musees d'Art et d'Histoirse constitues one of the largest museum groups of Switzerland. Conceived with a multidisciplinary approach, the Musees maintain collections in the fields of archaeology, fine arts and applied arts, and bear witness to the history of civilisations from prehistoric to modern times.
Currently the Musees is showcasing an exhibit titled Art and its Markets: Flemish and Dutch painting of the 17th and 18th century. The exhibit has two objectives. On the one hand, it presents a part of the Musees collection that is as important as it is little known: a selection of Flemish and Dutch paintings from the 16th to the 18th centuries. On the other hand, it illustrates a consequential phenomenon that first emerged during this period in the former Low Countries: the rapid expansion of the art market.
Musees d'Art et d'Histoire, Geneve, Entrance
Musees d'Art et d'Histoire, Geneve, Entrance
Musees d'Art et d'Histoire, Geneve, Exterior
Musees d'Art et d'Histoire, Geneve, Exterior
HIKE 2: St. LUC, SWITZERLAND
Located on the sunny eastern slope of the Val d'Anniviers, the town of St. Luc enjoys a majestic panorama. Spectacular scenery, attractive walking country and the ultra modern astronomical observatory will keep boredom at bay.The countryside surrounding St. Luc in the summer months is a veritable paradise for hikers and mountain bikers.
We hiked a great footpath from the town of St. Luc up to the Weisshorn Hotel at 2337m (our lunch spot), constructed at the beginning of the last century by English entrepreneurs, with an expansive view across Val d'Anniviers to the Matterhorn.
The Planet Trail begins below the FXB Observatory and runs opposit the impressive 4000 meter-high peaks of the Valais Alps, at an altitude that stays between 2,200 meters and 2,500 meters.
The Path is 6 km long in total and tells you about the 9 planets in our solar system. Two separate scales are used: 1 meter to 1million kilometers for walking distances and 1cm to 1000km for the diameters of the planets.
About to start the climb.
I had three butterflies land on me that day, it was pretty cool.
Rypien! Best Day Ever!
Amazing Waterfall.
Most of the Hike up was beside this beautiful cascade.
Meadow Trail, Beautiful.
Hiking along the upper meadow trail. Photo courtesy of Laura and Miichael.
Our lunch destination, The Weisshorn Hotel. Guests who stay here have to walk up. No cars allowed.
Lunch with a View. The Val d'Anniviers, with the Dent Blanche on the left and Grimentz in the valley. Photo courtesy of Laura and Michael.
Laura and Michael.
Really nice Swiss gentleman named Peter who was part of our hiking group.
The Daily Specials.
Specialties: Chanterelles. Mmmmmm!
I indulged in the Chanterelle Salade for lunch. Superb!
Dessert: Tarte Myrtilles! Delicious!
The town of St. Luc, where we started from.
Saturn! Our descent was on the Planet Trail, positioned for scale. The Earth and Sun are straight ahead. Pluto is over 4km behind us.
On the Planet Trail, Saturn and the Hotel Weisshorn in the background.
Passing a Swiss farm that sells cheese and butter. This type of pot is used to make cheese.
At the Sun! Earth is a three minute walk back to the left.
Hotel Weisshorn (the speck above the tree line), with the Matterhorn and Dent Blanche on the right.
HIKE 3: ALLINGE, a 10th century Monastery and Castle near Evian
View East from the Monastery/Castle, with the Memise (Hike 1) visible in the distance.
Approaching the Castle.
Approaching the Monastery.
The 10th century Monastery from above.
Sunset on Swiss National Day, August 1st. Photo courtesy of Laura and Michael.
View across Lake Geneva to Lausanne and the Swiss National Day fireworks. Happy Swiss National Day! Photo courtesy of Laura and Michael.
