Day 8: Make Way for Prince Ali
Food of the Day
Eilles chocolate
Toblerone
Fondue
Practicalities
Cities: Füssen
Lindau
Ballenberg
Interlaken
Lauterbrunnen
Weather: Sunny Morning
Overcast Afternoon
Rainy
Hotel: Oberland
Sights: Lindau
Ballenberg Open Air Museum
Interlaken
Touring with Rick Steves
So what’s it really like touring with Rick Steves? Well, for one thing, Rick cannot walk through destinations listed in his books without being recognized, so there’s always the element of “Oh look it’s Rick Steves,” the surreptitious photography, the direct requests for photos with Rick, and the asking for travel advice.
By the middle of the tour our group had gotten used to having Rick around and were well past this stage ourselves, but some of our members had also grown accustomed to taking pictures of Rick with random requestors who wandered up.
At other times, it was much like being in a Rick Steves television show instead of just watching one. You’re seeing the same sights and hearing Rick talk about them, and sometimes saying exactly what he said about it on the corresponding show. (No complaints on that score; I like Rick’s television shows.)
Everyone in all the hotels was really nice, helpful, and accommodating. Maybe they are always that way, but I suspect being conscious that we were part of Rick’s group didn’t hurt.
If you are feeling envious, I would not want you to imagine that we were spending all our time hanging out with Rick, though. It was a My Way tour, and some days we didn’t see Rick or Trish at all.
Overall, I would have to say it was fun, and we’ll always remember it.
Today's plan calls for breakfast and then a group photo outside our hotel before we walk over to meet the bus.
Our wonderful group in a photo taken by Trish Feaster
By 8:30 we are rolling out of Füssen on our way to Switzerland. Today the road is flat and straight for once, and Trish takes the opportunity to suggest DJ Party Party. Those who want to participate pick a song from a phone or other device, come up to the front of the bus, let Trish attach the device to the bus's entertainment system and introduce the song and say what it means to us. Here's our group's play list:
This is a great way to get to know our fellow tour members, and I really wish the whole group had participated. (Retroactive note: Pokemon GO was released in the early days of this tour and became a huge sensation while we were there, and now seven months later as I write this its moment is long gone. Funny how quickly some things pass.)
At 10 we take a break in Lindau and see Lake Constance (see above). It's a fun town to wander through. We use the facilities in the train station and pick up sandwiches, pretzels, and drinks for lunch. Bill and I find an Eilles chocolate store and purchase some fresh chocolate for dessert. We first found Eilles chocolate at a Christmas market in Berlin, and I remember the name because it was so good and had some unusual flavors. On that first occasion we had ginger chocolate. This time we opt for mango.
Lindau
Back on the bus we cross into Switzerland and talk about how different countries pay for their roads. Italy uses tolls. Germany opts for taxes, and the Swiss have a vignette you purchase to use the highways. Trish passes around some toblerone chocolate for everyone to try. Rick announces a stop at the Ballenberg Open Air Folk Museum as it is looking like rain.
At Ballenberg we scatter and spread out through the park. It's huge and divided into areas corresponding to different regions of the country. And the rain starts as we walk through, so rain gear is necessary. Two hours is not nearly enough to see the whole park, but Bill and I enjoy every minute we have. There's a garden of medicinal plants, homes from various eras and regions, barns with cow bells, a store, a blacksmith, cheese making and much more.
Ballenberg Map
Wine Cask; we posted this photo on Facebook, and a friend asked me to bring home the cask. The museum responded that it would be difficult as they had to hire two coopers to move it! It was a fun social media moment.
Members of our group feeding chickens
Bill and a very Swiss-looking building
After Ballenberg we make a quick stop in Interlaken, both to see it and to get Swiss francs. Switzerland is our only non-euro country on this tour. And we finally arrive at Hotel Oberland in Lauterbrunnen by 7:30 in time for a dinner of fondue which we unwisely take outside at an umbrella-less table. When the heavens open we are obliged to scurry for cover. Fortunately some other members of our group are at a table with an umbrella and willing to share!
Interlaken
View from our room in Hotel Oberland
Lake Constance from Lindau