Homage paid to Mont Blanc July 4, 2011
Posted by Senthuran in Travel Log.Tags: Chamonix, Interlaken, Mont Blanc, Senthuran
add a comment
So this past weekend Andy, Mariel and I got a little ambitious. We decided to scale Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe and the Alps in a two-day weekend. Our first challenge: getting there. We had to ride 9 hours worth of trains during which we figured out the Swiss train system is very much superior to that of the French train system. Our second challenge: hiking with all of our stuff (upwards of 40 pounds each). The hostel check time didn’t exactly coincide with our plans so it was up the mountain with our backpacks filled to max capacity plus some more as we had to buy dinner to eat on the trail. The third and final challenge: ascending about 2000 meters of elevation to get pretty close to the glacier. All challenges were met and conquered that day including getting back down the trail to our hostel before nightfall. The views were breathtaking and all the strenuous climbing worth every minute of it. We finished off the day with a hot shower and some good sleep. The next morning we explored the town of Chamonix from where you can access Mont Blanc. Mariel and I agreed we would love to just take jobs in the mountains and enjoy nature everyday. Plans are in the works to be back in the winter =). The scenery and the hikes rival that of Interlaken, Switzerland. I am going to be fair here and call it a draw between Interlaken and Chamonix. Both just gorgeous places for those who love the mountains and who just want to get away from it all! Not for the faint of heart but certainly worth the trip anyway. Stay tuned for more to come from Eurotrip 2011!
The quaint little town of Chamonix set against the backdrop of the stunning French Alps!
Having finally reached the point where I could stretch my arms out and touch the glacier! Yay =)
The three best friends that anyone could have! Fitting end to a difficult but rewarding hike up.
Ahhhhhh the Swiss Alps June 10, 2011
Posted by Senthuran in Travel Log.Tags: hiking, Interlaken, Swiss Alps, Switzerland, waterfall
add a comment
This past weekend (June 2nd -5th) I spent my time in Interlaken,Switzerland. Interlaken,Switzerland is a quaint little town set in the backdrop of the gorgeous Swiss Alps. There were opportunities for lots of pricey outdoor activities such as canyoning, para-gliding and even canyon-swinging. But the hiking was so incredible that one would not feel having lost out on not doing any of the outdoor activities. I managed to do 3 really good hikes with a group of ten people and I enjoyed every minute of it. Coming back toMetz was a sad day in that I simply did not want to leave. The hostel that we spent the nights had a warm and cosy atmosphere from which you could get great rest before beginning the next day’s adventures. I am eagerly looking forward to going back and being able to do another hike up in the Swiss Alps. This trip has been so far the most expensive but it was worth every Frank cent. The Swiss Alps are the outdoor lovers’ dream we were very lucky in that on the days we hiked it was nice and sunny. The day we left it rained but it was fitting and we were thankful the rain held off till then. Currently this trip stands as my most favorite trip this summer and the bar has been set high for the rest of the trips. The question is whether the degree of awesomeness has already peaked or is something better still to come? Stay tuned to find out! So long from France everybody or as they say in French au revoir.
We just got off the train and on our way to the hostel. Downtown Interlaken folks.
Standing along trail in Schinge Platte. 2000 meters elevation.
Lauterbrunnen known as the valley of 72 waterfalls. You can catch a glimpse of one just behind the tree.
One month, one program, and many fantastic experiences! June 9, 2011
Posted by Andy Barrenechea in Travel Log.Tags: france, fun, gtl, hiking, Interlaken, Metz, Paris, Switzerland
add a comment
Bonjour amis! (That’s “hi friends” for those of you not fluent in French)
So, just the other day I received my GT Career Services planner from my parents (because I can’t live without it and of course I left it at home), and was filling in my classes when I realized I’ve been in Europe for a whole month now! Crazy!?!? I arrived a week before classes began at GTL and traveled with my sister throughout Germany, Italy, and France and in the past weeks I’ve added to my repertoire of locations visited in Europe. For the first weekend (a 2-day) I decided to stay local and explore the city of Metz with my good friend, Senthuran. Turns out the decision was a good one because we learned where to reserve trains, figured out the bus system, and even got to see St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Check out some pictures below:
The Cathedral in Metz.
In case you get lost!
For the second weekend (a 3-day) I decided to visit Paris, a close, but yet exciting destination. We initially planned on going to the French Open, but soon found out that tickets had to be bought online (bummer!), but that turned out to be a good thing because we were able to see so much more – Eiffel Tower, Rodin Museum, Amaretto (best gelato in the world), Napoleon’s tomb, Versailles, and the Louvre. Check out some pictures below:
I'm underneath the Eiffel Tower!
Best gelato in the world 
Yeah, we wear ponchos!
And finally, this past weekend (a 4-day) the group decided to go to Interlaken, Switzerland and what a beautiful and exhilarating experience this was! When we arrived we went for a short evening hike just outside the town of Interlaken, the second day we went on a longer hike that culminated in a quaint little town called Murren, and on the third day I went Canyoning, which was the most adrenaline-filled 3 hours of my life!!! No pictures are available from the canyoning experience, so a YouTube video will have to do:
That day ended in a short hike to one of the lakes on either side of Interlaken and relaxing in a hot tub at Balmers (our hostel), so all in all an awesome trip! Check out some pictures below:
Lots of places to see!
Check out the vista!
There's snow!
Stay posted for more experiences, people, videos, and photos!!!
Au revoir,
Andy
Right Time June 28, 2010
Posted by eranmordel in Travel Log.Tags: adventure, bavaria, europe, gtl, Interlaken
add a comment
Time is a magnificent, harsh, significant, and for better or for worse, indelible, thing. Time at Georgia Tech Lorraine is odd, and even six weeks into the program, I can still not put any parameters on it. No week, no day, no class, no weekend, no meal, no night, no language, and no sort of structure are the same in any two days.
At 8:15 AM on Tuesday in Metz, France, GTL awakens for the week. Either groggy from overnight trains, late to class from missed trains, or simply tired from a weekend unfathomable anywhere else, students fill the lounge (I typically play chess or ping pong there), computer lab, and classrooms. Lunch is on a cafeteria meal plan (daily selection of French cheese), and dinner is either [attempted to be] cooked or simply purchased. And, no less than a few hours back into Metz, the next weekend is already begun being planned. The rest of the week is indulged in late night booking/reserving, mingling with French students, or studying (“T-square.com” (the official GT class website), “Cheaptickets.com,” “Hostelworld.com,” Google entries searching “adventure in Europe” or a rendition of that, and Facebook [obviously] are the tabs that open on the internet browsers).
But, my weekdays in Metz, France, simply cannot keep up with the weekends.
Drumfest 2010 June 24, 2010
Posted by Emi Leonard in Travel Log.Tags: Badge of Awesomeness, Interlaken, Switzerland, Tambouren und Pfeiferfest
1 comment so far
- The beautiful Swiss landscapes
This past weekend I went to Interlaken, Switzerland with Lexie, AJ and Dylan. We had a wonderful time canyoning and seeing the beautiful scenery, but the best time we had was completely spontaneous and unexpected.
It all began when we kept spotting people rather strangely dressed. It reminded me of Colonial Williamsburg. These people were often in brightly-colored and old-timey clothing, carrying drums and travelling in large groups. We constantly found ourselves wondering who these people were and why they had so many drums.
We were leaving a restaurant late Saturday night when suddenly (more…)
