Last days in Zuoz
These marvelous days just go on and on. Now I totally feel delighted not to be working and to have so many free days to take longer trips away from Zuoz. No rush, just pure enjoyment.
Today, another favourite( it is impossible to only have one here!), Maloja to Sils Maria. Silsersee is the longest lake and so I left this walk till I was feeling more energetic after Covid. I rather underestimated it and did end up struggling at times, especially as the day warmed up.
The start of the walk is out-of-this-world. The view down the lake towards Sils on any day is magnificent, but with such perfect weather, fabulous cloud formations and virtually no breeze, this was just breathtaking.
A little further on after a short hike through a wonderfully cool forest, you come to this lovely clearing and little beach. I spent a long time there, not only enjoying the stunning view, but also being entertained by families with dogs venturing into the cool water. Some dogs swam a lot, using their tails as paddles I noted, and others found the huge shoals of tiny fish close to the water's edge more fun.
Half way round there is an open area with pretty little hamlet, Isola, and a very busy restaurant. It was far more pleasant sitting under a tree on my own enjoying my picnic and this panorama..
It struck me as I wandered past the houses how well the materials, the structure of the homes blended with the majestic mountains all around. I have been there so often and yet never really noticed.
What an idyllic sight - children and adults delighting in this wonderful place.
The walk up to the highest point seemed a bit tougher today, but it was hot at midday and there were lots of walkers and bikers on the track. I cannot understand why both are allowed, to be honest, as the track is quite steep and narrow in places.
I found a wonderful seat in the shade with this brilliant view.
Not much further on is the highest point of the track where the views are truly spectacular and the colours almost unbelievable.
Descending to Sils, the view down the valley towards Maloja, along with the golden fields of recently cut grass provides a very restful final stage of the walk.
I would love to have been able to jump into the fountain with this dog. Problem was for the dog that he jumped in on his own, but it took four strong men to lift him out!
One place I had never been to was The Gletscher Garten at Carvaglia. I have gone past so often by train. The advertising says it is a gentle walk suitable for all ages. The access up a steep, slippery slope was certainly not what I would classify as 'easy', but probably approaching via the steps would be much easier.
Not much further on is the highest point of the track where the views are truly spectacular and the colours almost unbelievable.
Descending to Sils, the view down the valley towards Maloja, along with the golden fields of recently cut grass provides a very restful final stage of the walk.
I would love to have been able to jump into the fountain with this dog. Problem was for the dog that he jumped in on his own, but it took four strong men to lift him out!
One place I had never been to was The Gletscher Garten at Carvaglia. I have gone past so often by train. The advertising says it is a gentle walk suitable for all ages. The access up a steep, slippery slope was certainly not what I would classify as 'easy', but probably approaching via the steps would be much easier.
It is a remarkable place, with dozens of deep holes eroded over millions of years by glaciers.
The final newly- built walkway is spectacular and allows you to walk above the raging torrents, as they wind their way through the gorge.
It was another very hot day, so after a lunch by the river in the shade, I climbed aboard the open carriage at the end of the red ttrain. Another item on my bucket list finally achieved. I cannot believe I have not done this before. It was stunning, and the temperature so pleasant - 23 degrees! Certainly not good news for the beautiful glaciers.
From the carriage, it was easier to see how low the water level in Lago Bianco is. It is a very worrying sight.
I sat wondering how this will look when I next return, perhaps in two or three years.
Morteratsch glacier is also receeding unbelievably quickly, and the river flowing from it was probably the fullest I have seen it.
What a marvelous time it has been in the Engadine and Graubunden. I cannot believe I only arrived here four weeks ago! I have done so much. love it here and am thrilled to have had so much time here.
The final newly- built walkway is spectacular and allows you to walk above the raging torrents, as they wind their way through the gorge.
It was another very hot day, so after a lunch by the river in the shade, I climbed aboard the open carriage at the end of the red ttrain. Another item on my bucket list finally achieved. I cannot believe I have not done this before. It was stunning, and the temperature so pleasant - 23 degrees! Certainly not good news for the beautiful glaciers.
From the carriage, it was easier to see how low the water level in Lago Bianco is. It is a very worrying sight.
I sat wondering how this will look when I next return, perhaps in two or three years.
Morteratsch glacier is also receeding unbelievably quickly, and the river flowing from it was probably the fullest I have seen it.
What a marvelous time it has been in the Engadine and Graubunden. I cannot believe I only arrived here four weeks ago! I have done so much. love it here and am thrilled to have had so much time here.
Now comes the sad part of the trip - the Goodbyes. This will certainly be the last time for a while that I am with this group, and we will no longer be welcomed at Restaurant Walther by Nino and Georgio. They are moving to Le Punt next month, after 19 years in Zuoz - 3 years more than my time as coordinator!
This month has been a brilliant time full of extraordinary memories of wonderful people and remarkable places.
Goodbye Zuoz. Till the next time!
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