Zermatt

June 7th, 2008

There are trains to Zermatt almost every hour, but you have to change from the main line to the regional train at Visp. My Swiss Rail Pass was activated today, the tickets were likely to be free (actually I have already paid) from now on. There are several day amounts of rail pass and I believe that one will suite you. After you have got one, write your name on and get on the trains, no reservation is needed except the Glacier Express. The price for the Glacier Express reservation is about 15 franc. Even the rail pass let you get on trains for free, however the pass does not apply to all routes, for some routes you may have to pay half and etc.

About two ours later from Geneva we arrived at Visp, changed the platform and waited for 13 mins for a regional train. The tracks of the regional trains were obviously smaller than the main line ones. The train took us up into the mountain, went along the left and the right of the cliffs randomly. Villages, water falls and a river were beautifully located in the scene as they decorated the valley. I hardly stop looking out of the window.

The train stopped at several stations before terminated at Zermatt. Petrol cars were not allowed to be used here. Small electric cars were replaced instead. At the station, several small electric cars from the hotels in the area were waiting to carry their guests. Even the police cars were small as if they did not have to chase anyone. Walking to the accommodation, I had to walk pass the town centre and crossed a river with very very clear water in it. My accommodation was located up on a hill. It was an old wooden building, but the staffs were friendly.

After leaving all the belongings locked in the provided locker, we rushed to the Gornergrat train station in the town centre. The train took us almost 45 degree up to the mountains. Zermatt looked smaller and smaller, the air was cool and could be felt when the train stopped and the doors were opened by the driver. I could even feel the change of air pressure in my ears. As the train went up higher, the visibility was lower due to the fog. At the top, the station was fully white with snow as high as my knees and I could not even look farther than 10 metres because of the fog. Matterhorn was supposed to be seen at this point but the weather did not provide. By walking up a slope a little church, a mall and a restaurant could be found, but they would be opened in summer.

We were back in the town centre in the evening. The town looked pretty much quieter. People packed in bars and restaurants. Japanese menu could be surprisingly found in restaurants here as they are one of the major tourists.

The shadow of the mountains dim the light from the sun very quickly. The sky is very blue. I could smell the breeze and hear the river flow below my room. Warm lights from street lamps and houses glittered the town. Time seemed to be stopped here in the valley where Zermatt is located.

We had free breakfast from the hostel then we checked out and went to the train station. The red train was waiting on platform 4. With panoramic windows, the white crosses as on the swiss flag between coaches, here the standing of the Glacier Express.