Off again! Around a week ago we closed up and left home once again to depart for the second stage of the journey. We drove down to Fort Lauderdale from which our flight left the following day. After 8 hours in the air, we landed in Geneva, Switzerland. For six hours we slept in the airport (taking up more than one chair each) until we left again and landed in France. We drove up to the French Alps where we were renting a small, cozy cabin, and the next day the Stroms and Chuck joined us (playing quite a good joke on the way-no person with lederhosens ever looked better than Uncle Scott did when he arrived).
Then we began to sightsee. First, we went to Mont Blanc in Chamonix. A gondola carried us to the very top where you could stand in a completely glass area called the void. When you looked down it looked as if you were levitating over the top of Mont Blanc.
Next, we went to Annasi. A beautiful little town with a gorgeous lake, and an interesting bird exhibit.
For me, the place that followed was the best out of all the sights we have been to thus far. Chillon Castle. An entire castle built in the 1100's on a rock island on a lake. One could imagine being there with the bustling people and attacking soldiers. So very interesting!
We also went to a few more towns and moved to a hotel overlooking Lauterbrunnen ( Uncle Scott's and Aunt Kelly's honeymoon town in Switzerland.) This was one of the most gorgeous sights overlooking the snowy mountains and quaint valley. The Trummelbach Falls was also breathtaking. It was amazingly powerful, and in order to see it we went to the middle of a mountain, deep in solid rock.
Visiting the prison camp of Dakeua in Germany was very interesting and yet horrible. 44,000 were packed tightly into barracks made for only 6,000. The Eagle's Nest, Hitler's part time residence and bunker was quite amazing as well.
On a happier note, we were able to see Neuschwanstein castle. Quite impressive; yet it was much different than Chillon castle. It felt more like a Disney movie than the middle ages (which is by no stretch a bad thing).
Yesterday, the Stroms and Chuck left for home, and we must thank Uncle Scott for being a wonderful tour guide and the rest for being a fun company.