What happened today was totally unexpected.
So we went on the Motorway towards the Italy-Swiss border and on the way we saw Lake Como, which was absolutely beautiful under the gleaming sun light. Some tourmates even ask "what is the name of the town??" i was late in taking out my camera and zap the very town that i stayed in last time. Reached the border in 45 mins. Everything seemed so smooth, we should be able to reach Interlaken by 5pm. Then i have to think of something to do there.
Since everyone agreed to lunch at Lugano for 3 hours, we stopped at Lugano and Francisco will pick us up at 2pm. I took a few of pics of mum and aunt at the garden and head str8 to the Train Station to bring them up to Mount Salvatore. Mr.Chai and Mrs Chai followed us, for some reasons, and they gotto see something that the others never have a chance to see. The tickets cost 20 SF per person and once we reached, the train left punctually at 1130pm. Mr.Chai was still asking me where does the lake of Lugano extend to, and i smiled. As the train climbed up the hill, it becomes clear to him what is he actual shape of the lake, how does the town merged harmoniously with the lake and how is it feel to be on the top of Mount Salvatore. It needs no explanation, as shown by their smiles. Everybody was quiet and peaceful, in the serene cold air. Silence was the best you do have at Mount Salvatore. Since everyone was in good spirit, i brought them up the hill a little bit to the church and see some panaromic views. We took quite some photos.
Rushed down to the town, it started to drizzled. Mum and aunt start to panic but actually drizzle is all it is going to be at most. We had a simple lunch at the Bar (cheaper) and walked around. Turn out that the exchange rate at the supermarket where my aunt bought the fruits is better than what i managed to bargain at KL. Aunt bought some cherries and blueberries, which we didnt appreciate much...until later.
So Francisco turned up at 2pm and we start to head on to the Motorway to Interlaken. I started to get a bit suspicious when i see no entry sign at the Motorway and cars started to be diverted to other directions. But the 2 stupid police still wave us through, so we thought it is ok to move on. Actually the sign board already clearly shows the no entry sign, but in German. So we drove on until we reach BP station, just before the Gotthard Tunnel at 330pm. Winnie told us Interlaken is within reach in 1.5 hours time and it is better to go toilet now.
Indeed the unfortunate has happened. The BP station staff told us that this Motorway has been closed because there were rocks fell from the mountain and damaged a car, killed 2. So the Motorway has been officially closed.
Winnie frantically called HQ to get direction, only to realise that the other Motorway will add another 10 hours of journey, passing through many other countries. Last option offerred. Go through Brig by circumventing Switzerland, via Italy. But we have a problem. Francisco had drove for nearly 7 hours and he can only drive for another 5 hours, according to regulation. So the company arrange for another bus to meet us at Brig, where Francisco will stay tonight.
We hurried u turn back and head towards Locarno. From Locarno, The GPS and the map shows there is a small short cut worth trying, to go to Brig. We tried, and that prove to be a mistake. The road is so narrow, that the long coach can hardly pass through. Our heart sank when we saw the 18bt limit ahead. Which means we cant go ahead but to u turn back to Locarno. Francisco was very angry but no choice, u turn back to Locarno and head towards SS34 followed by SS33. We circumveted Lake Maggiorre, winding through the narrow mountain road, with overhanging rocks on top sometimes. Some bridges are so narrow that only one vehicle can pass through at any one time, and they call it Motorway. I cringe when Francisco looked at the map cos he probably not that familiar with the small road. Finally we reached the Simplon Pass.
It was quite good scenery at Simplon Pass. We saw farmers looking after the goats and we passed by many houses that are empty. Wonder what are they for. The tunnels are long and suffocating, can smell the exhaust filtering into the bus. And we passed through many tall bridges too. This road is as winding and interesting as it promised. We saw Post-bus stand along the way. If not because of this detour, I would have taken the Post-bus and ride along this route to understand how does the country side of Switz look like. So lay back.
Finally we reached Brig at 830pm, when the sun just about to set. The whole town is quiet, virtaully unaware that we have come, all shops closed, and not much street lights. The train station is just right at the center of the town. We came down of the bus and guess what, i forgot to take down my camera!!! And i need it for tomorrow Interlaken tour. Winnie was definitely not happy on hearing this, but she still obliged to take it back from Francisco's bus which is parked some distance away. I was totally sorry. Guess because i was too tired. Dinner at 9pm was by far the latest, but the hot food served by the hotel was fantastic. Just that our stomach a bit upside down to appreciate the good food.
Boarded another bus, the good news is this driver, though speak only German, is a local Swiss driver. He drove much faster than Francisco and whizz through all the towns like no other people's business. You can see that at the countryside, people sleep early and the whole town as quiet. At about 1110pm, we reached the train station Goppenstein. At here, it is too dangerous to ask the bus to go through the mountain to Interlaken. The bus will board the train instead. Yes. The whole bus. And the train will transport the bus through the tunnel to Kanderstag. It is so narrow and yet the bus managed to squeeze through inside the carriages, by turning the mirror nearer to the bus. We clapped and cheered his driving skills.
The song "why does it always rain on me?" was played at the right time by the radio, as it was drizzling outside. I can faintly recognise the lakes outside the window, in the dark. Guess we finally got near to the destination. Reached Interlaken at 1240pm finally. Thus ended an unusual saga in Switz.
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