A Tour of Mont Blanc, (sort of) June 23, 2006 to July 11, 2006 (continued)

Friday (6/30)

Rest day. No hikes.  The weather was clear so the group decided to take the cable car up to Hellbronner Point where one can get an up close and personal look at Mont Blanc.  Had lunch of regional appetizers in town.  Lasagna dinner was at a restaurant where everyone was busy watching the world cup. 

Saturday (7/1)

Decided to forgo the rest of the hikes.  Visited nearby town of Entreves and explored Courmayeur looking for historic buildings.


Scene from Entreves

Would have liked to have gone to the art gallery and alpine museum but both were closed.  Had a pizza of artichokes, mushrooms, sausage  and proscuitto for lunch.  The big fortress at Bard was too far away to visit as the bus ride would have taken a couple of hours each way and I was supposed to meet the group in Courmayeur for ice cream at 3 pm.  Most of the group (except for three die-hards) were happy to cheat and take a bus to the next campsite spot one valley over.  The tents had to all face one direction because of the high winds that occur in the valley.  There were a lot of pesky flies. The winds never did come.

Sunday (7/2)

Tonight's campsite would not accessible by public transport. The guides suggest that I go back to Chamonix to hang out with the Switzerland high trails tour group which would be camping there.  Caught the first bus out at 9 am  and got to travel through the Mont Blanc Tunnel (12 minutes at 60kpm).  The 7.25 mile tunnel was begun in 1957 and took eight years to complete. It runs beneath the mountain between Courmayeur and Chamonix.

Mont Blanc Tunnel - note the bus driver's trinkets

Mark (Tom's boss) picked me up at the train/bus station and dropped me off at the campsite in La Praz.  Checked out the free internet at the campsite and then walked back to town and wandered around a bit.  Took the light rail to Mer de Glace where they cut a tunnel into the glacier, put in a walkway, colored lights and some ice sculptures.  One can have their picture taken with a St. Bernard for 10 francs. 

The high trails group was very friendly.  A lady from Dublin treated me to a beer.

Monday (7/3)

Camp awakes with the sounds of helicopters. Took off with a couple of the guys to walk to Chamonix. They pace me so I get to Chamonix in 20 minutes instead of 40.  Took the train to get back to my tour group  Unfortunately, there was an accident so everyone had to get off the train and wait for a bus to take us the rest of the way. We had to wait about an hour and there was a midget woman would would yell in French at every bus that passed by demanding it should stop and take us. This was rather entertaining. 

I notice that the bus drivers decorate their dashboards.  The lady driver who took me to the campsite had silk poppies and sunflowers festooning her area.   Eventually arrived at the campsite near Les Contamines which seems to be popular despite the lack of scenery.  I was supposed to hike out to meet the group but it began to rain so decided against it. Happily the rain let up before everyone had to setup their tents. Evening brought more rain. Played a card game of "Chase the Ace" by candlelight.

Tuesday (7/4)

It's a rest day for the group.  Most of the group went to Les Contamines for the day or took the nearby cable car up the mountain.   I walked the trail behind the campsite to see the Roman Bridge, the natural bridge, the little church and waterfalls. It was an easy 3 km hike with lots of rewards. 

Our intrepid group of adventurers

Wednesday (7/5)

I had company today as 3 women were not hiking.  One had scratched her cornea while the other two were having leg issues.  Enjoyed a walk in the park with art at a local town noted for its hot springs spa.  We joined the main group by taking the rack and pinon train (circa 1905) up the mountain to Bellevue point. 

Wildflowers at Bellevue

Everyone had just enough time for ice cream and beer before the threatening rain forced everyone to grab the cable car down to Les Houches.  The tents were put up in record time as it was starting to rain and hail. Happily dinner was at a restaurant.

Rain clouds at Les Houche

Thursday (7/6)

Half the group decided to not to take the high trail today.  It looked like rain clouds were hugging the tops of the mountains so there would be no views.  It's only a 2 hour walk to Chamonix along the Petit Balcon.  We stop in Chamonix for chocolate. 

Interesting mailbox

Friday (7/7)

It's a drippy morning with no hiking.  Five of the group took the train back to the last town to go to the Decatulon Quecha store to buy camping and hiking gear at hugely discounted prices.  I had already spent my wad on the lightweight clothes on day two so decided to just hang out in Chamonix.

Sunset view from Campsite at La Praz

Saturday (7/8) 8.15 am - everyone's back on the bus to Geneva.  Weather was clear and sunny just to tease everyone into wanting to stay another day.

Aug du Midi

Mont Blanc

Ran into the British couple I met two weeks ago on the train.  The Youth Hostel's sign states its fully booked but was still able to get a bed.  My new dorm mates are ladies from India and Egypt.  

The youth hostel is behind the President Wilson building (the one with the flags)

Weather was a little cooler.  Sat by the lake for half an hour and then walked to old town.  Visited the cathedral where Calvin preached and spent time in the underground archaeological museum.  Took the 145 steps up the tower to check out the view of the city.   Had dinner of lamb stew at the hostel for $10.

Sunday (7/9)

Up at 7am.  Visited the Natural History Musuem which was highly recommended by the Egyptian lady.  The exhibits were quite nice and the glass protection was on a slant so there was no glare.  Also visited the Art and Science Museum.  There was a sign on the top floor that stated the area would be closed when the summer temperature was too hot.  Happily, it was not too hot this day. Had dinner of fried goat cheese salad then caught a wind chamber music concert at the Eglise St. Germain Catholic Church.  Ligeti's "Zehn Stucke pour Quintet a Vent" 1968 had folks plugging their ears.

Jeddo rainbow

Monday (7/10)

Last day.  Walked in the parks along the north side of town. 

Local art

A view of Mont Blanc from the Botanical Gardens

Antique light bulbs

The Museum of the History of Science was open.  Most museums are closed on Monday.  The museum was housed in a old mansion and had interesting displays of scientific equipment from the past 200 years.  The Botanical Gardens had also been highly recommended and had a few live animals such as deer and goats along with ducks, swans, parakeets and peacocks.  

A not so graceful swan

Political art?

Felt too lazy to visit the nearby United Nations Headquarters.  Back to hostel at 3 pm to pick up my backpack and hoof it over to the train station.  My British Airways flight was delayed by 2 hrs so ended up getting into London at midnight which made it too late to catch the hotel bus.  Had to get a cab which cost a small fortune to get to the Comfort Inn.  Flight out in the morning was uneventful except that my checked bags didn't arrive with me in Miami.   The usual bumpy landing prompted applause from the passengers. British Airways delivered my bags by 11:20 pm the next day and all ends well.