Interlaken Local Customs

This is actually more a curiosity than a tradition or cultural thing.
Cows are certainly important in the economic life of Switzerland and they are very much present in the local landscape. By the way, here cows are not only seen but also heard, because of the cow-bells which, I assure you, are noisy enough. Anyway the noise has its advantages, because face-to-face meetings with cows are never unexpected, as you can hear them approaching.
Cows are one of the symbols of Switzerland so it is rather common to find them represented in embroidered towels, carved in wood, on mugs, on table-mats and on t-shirts. However I was taken by surprise when I saw the house decoration I am showing you in my picture.

After our high flying tandem paragliding adventure, Sue and I walked over to an area we had seen from our aerial vantage point. As we sat down and grabbed a pretzel and something refreshing to drink we enjoyed watching these children play some type of board game we were unfamiliar with.

If anybody who read this tip knows what they were playing please let me know so I can post it here and give you the credit for letting me know what it was they were playing.

At one point the boy got mad (probably being beaten by his sister) and roundly kicked one of the pieces a good distance.

On Donna in India's VT page, she mentioned the high numbers of Indian visitors to Interlaken because it's used a lot as a setting in Bollywood movies. Before I ever reached Interlaken I had clear evidence of this as a huge commotion marked the train's stop at Bern. An Indian family of several generations, boarded the train for Interlaken and I have never in my life seen so much luggage. This was reminiscent of the Grand Tour of Europe that people used to indulge in before securty and baggage restrictions got in the way. You probably think I'm exaggerating but have a look at the photo. In addition to what they brought to their seats, ALL this luggage stacked at the end of the carriage, belonged to this family. Fancy bringing that on a Ryan Air Flight ?

Forget about stereotypes and cliches, Swiss systems and people actually are as efficient as you have heard. Over and over again I was blown away by the wonders of the transport system. Trains and buses which arrive ON TIME. Connecting buses always waiting when you get off the train. Especially helpful to the English speaking traveller are the announcements before trains arrive, telling you which part of the platform to stand on, depending on which type of ticket you hold. My favourite example of this streamlining of schedules is the return trip from Gimmelwald to Interlaken.

7.00: Cable car to Stechelberg

7.10: Bus from Stechelberg to Lauterbrunnen

7.30: Train from Lauterbrunnen to Interlaken

7.55: Arrive at Interlaken Ost

To somebody fresh from the vagaries of the Irish transport system, this efficency was all the more amazing and it makes travelling a pleasure. Well done Switzerland !

The photo below shows a tiny exception but as we all know exceptions prove the rule

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Taste the local with(out) moderation ;-)

As I know some VTer's get their BeerMaster since ages, I am happy to announce that the Jungfrau water is also used to produce a great local beverage under the label RugenBräu since 1866.

The tasting list is not so long, so try it and enjoy it:
- Export Bier (Lager) - 4.8%
Noch einen Schluck! (=One more please!)
- Spezial Bier - 5.2% my special favorite ;-)
Noch einen Schluck!
- Spezial Bier Dunkel - 5.2%
Noch einen Schluck!
- Alpenperle - 4.8%
Noch einen Schluck!
- Zwickel Bier - 4.8%
Noch einen Schluck!
- Mountain Twister - 1.5% mix between beer and apple/pear juice
Noch einen Schluck!
- Jungfrau Wasser - 0%
Go Sleep!!!

The Swiss are very proud of thier heritage and as a neutral country they can indulge in it as much as they like without fear of upsetting some minority or other, however they are also a very unoffensive lot, who could be upset by the walking of the cows through the town.

The Swiss architecture is so unique and stands on its own. The wood is warm and welcoming, and the buildings very doll-housey in style. Very nice I think, very holiday-ish :) Our hotel wasnt like this at all unfortunately...next time we come to Interlaken we will opt to stay in a Swiss chalet B&B rather, to experience something different.

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For all fans of Sherlok Holmes

25 km east of Interlaken - in Meiringen - there are lots of special activities for Sherlock-Holmes-Fans :
Every year there are several "pilgrimages" of Sherlock-Holmes-societies from places all over the world and they come to Meiringen in their costumes, visiting all the important places in that area.
See the pics, that I saw in a window at the station of Reichbachfall-funicular.
In Hotel du Sauvage you may attend a 4-course-menu and have to solve a murder-mystery togeather with other guests and some actors.
Learn more about Sherlock Holmes at :
The Sherlock-Holmes-Society in London
and you may click here in order to see another Sherlock Holmes museum in Switzerland, close to Geneve
The Sherlock-Holmes-Museum in Lucens