The planned excursion for today was a trip up the Gramaialm, in a tractor-trailor outfit called the Huttopia Express, and, while some - a majority, I think - planned to walk back, many of us chose to ride on a vintage coach called the Nostalgiebus.
We had to catch the 09:10 bus to get to Pertisau on time, which meant we were about an hour too early, but there was a coffee-shop so we sat there and the SW and the other Chaletian who is staying in Maurach both had coffee - I had only fairly recently finished my breakfast coffee, and didn't want anything. Eventually the others turned up - two of our number had hired electric bikes to go up to that and a couple of other alms! We were asked to buy our tickets in the sports shop rather than from the driver, which was a huge bonus as it meant we could pay by card rather than having to fork out cash.
It was a slightly dull ride up to the alm, as we couldn't really see out of the trailer. I was in the back trailer, which the driver had recommended those of us who were "less sporty" use - the SW, needless to say, went in the front trailer, which was rather higher. When we arrived, many people decided to go on the 20-minute hike to see a waterfall; I didn't go, but sat and drank apple juice with some friends, and took a variety of photos. There was a helicopter which, we discovered, was pulling up a dead cow from a field, and I later saw it being carried on a forklift or similar in front of a tractor into the farmyard.
Our crowd gradually returned from their various walks, and we had lunch at the restaurant at the top of the alm; the SW and I both chose the Tirolean "Grostli", which was a mixture of onions, bacon and fried potatoes topped with a fried egg, with cabbage salad on the side. And very good it was, too, even though I couldn't finish half of my potatoes. We washed it down with beer.
The bus was due to leave at 13:30, and the walkers were going to wait until it had safely gone before they set off. I enjoyed the bus far more than the trailer - I sat near the front and we could see out of the front windows, although I didn't take any photos. The bus dropped us near the Karwendelbahn, and I eventually got a bus from there back to Maurach. I'd meant to go for a swim, but sadly, my insides decided to confirm my suspicion that they really can't cope with pickled cabbage any more.... Grrr! So I just flopped and read most of the afternoon. Either that or too many restaurant meals in too few days.... And another one tomorrow at Mayrhofen.
No comments:
Post a Comment