Grindelwald and Geneva

On our last morning in Interlaken, we rode a train to the ski resort town of Grindelwald. The train followed the path we had driven on the day before on the mopeds, and then went up further to the base of some mountains. We didn’t have too much time to spend there, but were able to follow some paths and hike a ways outside of the town. The views were beautiful. Grindelwald is the starting point for climbing the north face of the Eiger, so we were surrounded by some pretty impressive mountains. 

There were some really cool views of Lake Geneva covered in fog on our train ride:

  
After catching the train back to Interlaken, we stopped by the hostel to grab our stuff and then caught another train to Geneva. We had plans to stay with Ellen’s cousin, who is working in Geneva and lives right across the border in France. He met us near the train station and we made our way back to his apartment. After settling in, we headed out to a delicious Indian meal with him and his roommates. After traveling for a week, it was nice to stay in a more homey place. The next day we explored Geneva a little, but it was sort of a rainy and miserable day so we cut our visit a little short. That day Ellen's aunt and uncle had arrived for a visit, and that night they made us all a delicious dinner at the apartment. It was a great, relaxing last night to our trip. The next day, Saturday, was a very long day of travel. We took a bus to the Geneva airport, flew from Geneva to London and had over a four hour layover in the Gatwick airport, then flew to Dublin. Right as we got off the plane in Dublin, we ran into another group of six people from our program returning from their trip and were all very excited to see each other. After taking a three-hour bus ride from Dublin to Galway, then the drive from Galway to Spiddal, we finally arrived back at the cottage late Saturday night. 


Overall our break was so much fun, and I am so happy I got to visit the places I did with the people I was with. 


But now it's good to be home. 

The Moped Adventure

After our hike on Wednesday morning, we headed to the train station to meet Brady, Joe, and Billy, three of the guys from our program who were staying in a different town in Switzerland and coming to Interlaken for the day. After some brief confusion (there are two train stations in Interlaken and they arrived at the one across town from where we were and couldn't get ahold of us for awile), we reunited and talked about our plan for the afternoon. As we were walking through town, we passed a place that rented out ATVs and mopeds. That caught Brady and Billy's eye, but us girls weren't too sure about it. But after talking to the rental guy, who said we could double up and each pay half price and described the scenic road that led out of town and towards the mountains, we were convinced. After a quick practice drive, our group of eight people and four mopeds hit the road. 

Kelly and Brady leading the way

I don't think I stopped smiling during our entire two hour ride. The setting was absolutely beautiful, driving through this valley between snow-covered mountains, colorful trees, misty cold air, green fields, little chalet houses, cows wearing actual jingling cowbells, babbling streams, waterfalls flowing down the rock cliffs- it was perfect, an unforgettable experience that I was lucky enough to share with some great people. 

At one point Billy, who I was riding with, said something like "Can you believe we're here, as part of our semester of school?!" It really was sort of mind-boggling, thinking about how we were just mopeding through Switzerland on some random Wednesday afternoon in November. We are so, so lucky to be having these experiences. 

Interlaken

Tuesday was a very full day of travel. We woke up in Brussels, rode the metro to the train station, took the train to the airport, flew to the Geneva airport, and then took a three hour train ride from Geneva to Interlaken, Switzerland. Our time in Interlaken was short, but so wonderful. 

It is one of my favorite places I have ever been.  

Our first evening there was just spent walking around the main town area (it's not a very big place) and watching the sun set behind the mountains. The air was cold and so fresh-smelling!

On Wednesday morning, we woke up and took a hike on a hill near our hostel. 

The view from the top of the hill. 

Balmer's, the hostel we stayed at. So cute. 

That day was the most gorgeous day of the trip, and I knew we were in for a great afternoon.

Bruges

Last Monday, our final full day in Belgium, we took a day trip to Bruges. It was just an hour-long train ride away from Brussels. 

We spent the afternoon walking around the small town, which surrounds pretty canals. 

The fall leaves were beautiful. The leaves don't really change color too much in Ireland, so this past week was our first glimpse of traditional fall leaves. 

Our relaxing afternoon in Bruges was the perfect end to our time in Belgium. 

Brussels

Hello!! I am back home in Ireland after an amazing ten day break. After traveling to Dublin last Thursday and spending the night there, we caught a plane to Brussels, Belgium early Friday morning. It was the most beautiful take-off I have every seen from a plane. The sun was just rising as we flew over the coast of Ireland, and the combination of the ocean, green fields, rising sun, and clouds was incredible. Everything went smoothly, and after arriving at the Brussels airport, taking a 45 minute bus ride into the city, and figuring out the metro system, we made it to our hostel in the early afternoon. The rest of that first day was just spent walking around and exploring the city. 

  

We were lucky to have a lot of time in Belgium, so we weren't rushed to see anything. The weather was also incredible the entire week- just one perfect fall day after another. It was such a great change from Ireland. Although it was still sort of chilly, seeing the sun every day made such a difference, and it was perfect weather for walking around outside all day. It was also really different and nice just being the five of us (Me, Ellen, Bethany, Kelly, and Katy), since on all of our other trips we have been with our whole group of 29. 

Saturday and Sunday were spent seeing the sights of Brussels, which included the beautiful and unique architecture, a few churches, some pretty parks, an outdoor market, stands selling fresh waffles, and MANY chocolate shops. Between Belgium and Switzerland, which are both known for their chocolate, I think it was the most chocolate I have ever consumed in one week. But they are known for their chocolate for a reason, and it was indeed delicious. 

The first of many waffles. 

We only got lost a few times...

The beautiful square, the Grand Place

 

The Atomium, a structure built for the 1958 Expo that we went inside of. There are escalators in those connecting tubes. 

The Grand Place at night. 

Brussels was a cool city I'm glad I got to visit. Check back soon for posts about the rest of the places we went!