Santis is a the highest peak in the eastern Swiss Alps and on clear days you can see six countries from the top (blah!). So on the only weekend that I got while in Switzerland, I cajoled my colleague to visit this place as it was close to where we were staying in Buchs.
Two buses later we saw oursleves at the base of the peak. A very filling lunch later we saw oursleves in the cable car that was to take us up the peak. This was my first time in a cable car and the view from the car was fun - several pagdandees, grooves of pine trees and clear blu skies on one side and snow covered alpine peak on the other.
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| From Santis |
Several times we were surrounded by clouds - finally I was in clouds and it felt wonderful. For the record this is how you feel - you would see clouds coming along and you'd assume it is mist. Then there would be a breeze and you will suddenly be in this haze across which you cant see anything and you feel an icy chill. There are miniscule water droplets that settle down on you and you feel hazed and dazed. And then its gone with the same suddenness that it engulfed you, leaving you squinting at the sudden bright light! This happened several times especially on the peak itself.
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| From Santis |
The peak has been modified to house several sun-bathing decks, a souvnir shop and this very swiss restaurant prceriously perched on the slope, almost hanging in the air!
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| From Santis |
| From Santis |
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| From Santis |
The establishment has done a great thing of setting up banisters made of ropes, steel rods etc. that one can hold and do some basic hiking across the mountains. I did it myself - scaled a peak opposite the Santis.
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| From Santis |
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| From Santis |
My first peak:
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| From Santis |
There were many climbing enthusiasts who were doing the real stuff - hiking with all the paraphernalia. It seems they practise here to do the real stuff up the Himalayas.
The Santis has a weather monitoring tower made up of fibre. Next to it the old wooden, and historic structure from an era gone by. The two edifices stand next to each other - one old and now just a piece of history, the other towering, magnificent and vastly useful.
Having spent a few hours up in this air, the trip back to plains was quick. And oh, I forgot to mention the very sumptuous desserts - smacking, finger licking fantastilicious desserts. Pity I dont remember the names any longer!
You can click the slideshow below to see the complete set of pictures!
2 comments:
Dude.. u r living in paradise.. believe me.. even i had never thot that paradise was a short two bus rides away.. but it seems like it is..
That was while I was in Switzerland. Now It will take more than a bus ride.
But I get the point.
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