Day 3: 3,000 Glaciers, Round 2 in Lake Geneva, and Macaroons in Montreux

We woke up to beautiful, hot weather and clear skies for our excursion.  Remembering the success of Alyeska Ski Resort in Alaska where we played on snow and had lunch on the mountain, we planned another similar day for the kids in Switzerland.  It required buses and trains that were packed with people all doing the same thing.

We passed Aigle Castle on the way up the mountain: first build in the 12th century but only trace archeological remains were found, and rebuilt in the 13th century.  It is now a vine and wine museum.

Packed and smelly house!

Our first views off the gondola.

We talked for an hour with a pair of Aussies, who taught us some chants, chatted up surf, and asked us about our entire Switzerland itinerary. They snapped a few family photos for us.

We could clearly see Mont Blanc and Matterhorn, two of the 24 peaks you can see from here.

Zac made friends connecting about World Cup with so many people on this trip.

Glacier 3000 is the first suspension bridge connecting two peaks in the world.

Lunch on the peak!

We boarded onto the slowest chairlift of all time to make it over to the snow and glacier activities on the mountain.

Sledding in shorts!

Cartwheel on a glacier!

Walking 6km on the glacier to more vistas.

We had to hurry back to the lifts to make it back for our bus and train.  Owen was crushed that our plans to ride the Alpine coaster were axed, but it had not been working when we could ride and the lines were so long.  In exchange, I promised to buy him new fishing line and a few lures when we got back to make it up to him.

We tried to figure out a way to hike to this waterfall and still make a bus but it was a no go.  Pictures from a distance instead!

Dinner in Montreux that night was a delicious pizza place.  Zac ordered a poke bowl and ate the rice and fish only.

Brady ordered a seafood risotto and we all had fun trying various sea creatures, including octopus, giant shrimp, squid, scallops, lobster, the works!

On the way back, we cooled off after our very sweaty dining experience.  We almost watched the sun set while we swam.

Montreux has an annual Jazz festival held in July along Lake Geneva and we felt like we were part of all the action.  Bands everywhere, extra visitors to the city, boutique booths, and musical notes drawn on sidewalks.

After we dropped off Zac, we went to explore the festival, find Freddy Mercury, enjoy the ambiance, and of course get gelato and the MOST incredible macaroons.

Freddie Mercury statue.  Kate has watched "Michael" five times but I cannot get her interested in Bohemian Rhapsody!

The construction started early the next day!  This AirB&B did warn us about possible noises only during the day from "nearby construction."  It sounded like we were going to get hammered through the roof at 7am.

Other issues....I mean, no curb for the water?  So funny to have his clothes get soaked after Owen was in the shower for just minutes.

Locks from the inside, on the 3rd floor.  YIKES!