In Wonderland: Experience Switzerland

I'm sure that there is no limit for what can be written about Switzerland, and I'm sure it's probably all been said. So, I think that my opening paragraph will be this:

The country is a jewel box of a world where time stands still and you can begin your escape into a rich visual and sensory feast: Glaciers, mountain peaks, lush forests and terraced vineyards. Nature lets the imagination run riot here, and you can wander from old stone villages nestled in vineyards, through fruit tree orchards and onto paths that zigzag up mountains in a way that makes them look deceptively effortless from below.

I feel that the very best way to get a feel for Switzerland, (if you haven't been) and start to understand it's history and culture is to experience Swiss wine.

Swiss Vineyards in Valais

You can do this in a lot of locations in the country, but if you want to experience the best, head to the Canton of Valais. It's the largest wine making region in the country and is the soul of the 'old country'. How old? Well, it is only here where the last substantial populations of wild grape vines (now virtually extinct in Europe) survive in a few isolated valleys outside the city of Martigny.

This place is special.

And it just so happens we were lucky enough to be 'stranded' here for a few days due to a few unfortunate circumstances:

• Dahlia was sick again

• Kelly was very sick, and needed quick access to medical services

• The truck had (what we thought was) a break in its front suspension

• We couldn't drive to our AirBnB due to the broken truck (non refundable apartment)

Stolling down from the castle to the wine caves in Saillon

Yes, I am so very thankful for Swiss wine! And to our Swiss friends who took such good care of us to lighten our spirits! Without them, their kindness, and unwavering joy for life, I'm sure that I would have sat in the hotel and had a little cry. (Well, to be honest, I did that anyway. But I'm sure it would have been more of a meltdown without Jasmine & Loris taking such wonderful care of us)

Narcissi In Bloom

While Kelly got both himself and the 4Runner to the 'doctor' I was invited to join Jasmine & Loris on a hike up into the hillside of the Montreux Riviera. I most literally ran to catch a train from Martigny to Les Avants (the doors for the train were closing as I purchased my ticket!!!) where I met up with my friends to get my butt kicked by a mountain.

We hiked for hours. Through farms, forests, a Swiss Luxury Car rally (yeah, that part was a little strange), waterfalls, deep mountain canyons, and meadows of rare, and protected, Narcissi in bloom!

It was exactly what my soul needed. ♥

Les Caves Ouvert des Vins du Valais (Translation - "Welcome to WINE HEAVEN!")

So...back to wine.

The next day,

• Kelly was on 4 antibiotics

• It was confirmed that the truck was safe to drive (for now)

• Dahlia's UIT was sorting itself out on her own medication

• Our AirBnB host let us re-book the apartment for January 2020 at no extra charge

• And the hotel let us stay at a super reduced rate and bumped us up into a king-sized suite!

With so many positives happening, we accepted the invitation to join Jasmine and Loris at Les Caves Ouvert des Vins du Valais (or read this more so that Kelly was the designated driver, and I got to enjoy some of the best wine of my life with the happiest couple on the planet!!) Video below in French...just replace the dude with me - but speaking terrible french - and it absolutely sums up the experience!

The wines were incredible. The landscape was unreal. The people were so happy. It was hot, and the coolness of the wine caves was unreal in the summer heat. The dogs even got into the spirit of the day!

Any stress that was left melted away and we found ourselves rejuvenated, smiling, and grateful for everything happening for a reason.

Merci beaucoup Suisse!!!