The Glacier Express
0530 I slept better. By keeping the bathroom window open I think I managed to make it a bit cooler. Plus keeping my feet out of the quilt stopped me from getting too warm. Of course, today I need to be up and out, so here I am awake early again. Never mind.
0545 Coffee time. I activate my rail pass for today. Works first time. These passes are very easy to use.
0550 Time to pack. Then I can relax.
0630 Bags 95% packed. I need to stop worrying that it will take a long time. Roughly 30 min now.
Feeling a little off this morning. Might just need some breakfast. Or it might be travel anxiety.
It’s another lovely day outside. 11 degrees and clear.
0700 Breakfast. I go for the power bowl of oats, chia seeds and berries. I’m the only one here again.
Looking out of the dining room window I see one of the small electric vehicles buzzing around. Zermatt is a car-free town, but there are still plenty of the small utility vehicles, mini taxis and mini buses to look out for.
0730 Back in my room. I have a little bit of time to finish packing and chill a bit to manage this anxiety.
0745 I pop out for a short stroll.
Feeling super self conscious today will need to psyche myself out of it.
0810 Check out.
0822 I get to the station and can board straight away. It’s fancy! Nice to be able to settle and cool down. The concierge takes care of my luggage. That’s nice. Glad I got on early so I could take some photos before there were people.
0852 Depart.
The train gently tilts.
All the rivers look milky. I assume this is quartz? I look it up. It’s due to minerals including pyrite.
0952 Glass of champagne? Why not?
First hour is very similar to landscape around Zermatt. I can feel we have reduced altitude because my ears popped.
I’m sitting among a family of 5 Americans. Odd energy. I’d almost prefer someone chatty. When they arrived the father sat down without any acknowledgement. I know I’m pretty reserved but I would at least smile or say hello if there was already someone sitting. .
At Brig I am offered the opportunity to change seats because another double seat is now empty. I take it since that means I’ll be on my own. Less awkward than trying to avoid the family who are still acting a bit weird. Or maybe it’s me.
The new seat is facing forward which means it’s sunnier. Not so good for photos but much better for getting a panoramic view. And I feel much more relaxed here.
Lovely traveling friends Jo and Jenna from UK sitting opposite. Chat a little bit. Jo is traveling to Costa Rica in December to celebrate brother’s 50th birthday! Different dates but what a coincidence.
1434 At Chur the train doubles back. As I have a double seat all to myself I can change to stay facing forward.
Ended up chatting to Jo and Jenna on and off for the trip. Made it nicer. And we swapped sides for photo ops every now and then.
1636 Arrive St. Moritz.
Note: due to “technical difficulties” the photos are not necessarily in sequence.
The entire journey, food and service was exceptional. Don’t regret the expense at all.
I check Google for instructions to walk to the hotel. It’s not really clear and I veer off course. After correcting myself I find an even easier way to get to the lake. But then I see the climb to the hotel! Argh! One criteria for my hotels is walking distance from train station but this incline is going to hurt. At least it will be easy when I leave!
1700 I get to the hotel and check in. My room is nice. The largest I’ve stayed in so far. It has an awesome lake view and a window that fully opens. Finally I can sleep well.
The weather is patchy cloud and 17 degrees. Lovely.
I suspect the hotel is actually a little bit out of the main town but that’s fine by me. Being on the lake and close to walks is more important.
1800 After a shower and change I head downstairs and outside to explore a little. I don’t think I’ll be having dinner tonight. I’ve been eating and drinking all day.
Although German still seems to be the dominant language, Italian seems to have replaced French as the secondary language.
1844 I walk a short way around. It’s a big lake. I look forward to walking properly another day.
I have picked up some information from the hotel about walks and I spend time planning possible activities.
I took over 400 photos on my phone, though many are throwaways due to obstructions, poor light or reflections. I don’t think any will do justice to the actual views but they will provide a suitable record and memento of the journey. The journey was one of those cases where the experience can’t really be captured.
2000 Time for a special cooper family video call.
2130 I should go to bed. The room is nice and cool and I think I will nod off quickly even though there is a family in a nearby room making huge amount of noise (having fun).