Montreux-Bern-Interlaken-Lucerne

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Bags out by 7:15am, breakfast began at 7am and departure at 8am. It wasn't that far to drive today, but we had some long stops. We  had an hour long pee break in Bern. The bus let us all off in upper town and Stephane led us to the clock tower where he pointed out our path to where we'd meet the bus across the river by the bears' pit in 45 minutes. It was a quick pass through but it was a charming and attractive town. We also walked by Einstein's house. For lunch, we drove on to Interlaken. We were back in view of the big Alps. I think we left the French part of Switzerland. We had 2 hours here. The bus dropped us at one of the train stations and Stephane led us about half way to all the areas of interest where he pointed out what was where and when to be back at the drop off point. It is still unseasonably hot here and I think a number of folks found today to be too much walking. Stephane never really explained how far people would have to walk or if they had other options though. We chose to go straight ahead and watch parasailers land in the prairie and eat at Schuh while doing it. It was a pleasant choice. We shopped some on the way back to the bus with Laderach winning the Swiss chocolates prize among us. Stephane walked in to find only the 4 of us and 2 employees in the shop. He asked how we figured out to come here since he intentionally didn't tell us about it because it is his favorite. In good news, he bought several different chocolates to share on the bus. Around 2:30 or3:30 pm we stopped in Giswill where Stephane and about 30 of the bus passengers left for an optional excursion. Here Stephane pointed out three big Alps peaks, the Jungfrau, Monch and Eiger. We drove on crossing the dramatic Brunig Pass on the way to the Grande Hotel Europe in Lucerne for our last 2 nights of the tour. Stepane warned us before he left the bus that we weren't going to like this hotel. He was right. It isn't as bad as the Romantik, but it is probably hotter. In good news, we learned that the hotel would provide us each with a public transit pass so we don't have to walk very far. That is more useful to us than pool or spa passes that have gone unclaimed and unused at a couple of hotels. Carol's bag was pilfered between this morning and luggage delivery this afternooon. The outside pocket on her suitcase was completely unzipped and it was emptied. She doesn't think she lost anything of real value. Since Stephane was not on the bus when we arrived in Lucerne, we missed our included city highlights orientation tour. We suspect it would have consisted of narration as we drove by on the bus, so we probably didn't miss much. The Lion Monument was described as a visit. Clay says that is why Stephane changed the farewell dinner meet time by 15 minutes so he could take us on the bus tomorrow night. The bus unloaded us and all the luggage about 4:30pm and then drove back over the Brunig Pass to pick up the excursionists and again to bring them to Lucerne. Since Carol got back around 6:30pm and had afternoon snacks while out, she skipped dinner. Mom & Clay & I took the 6 & 8 buses over and back 4 stops to eat at the Rathaus Brauerei. It was really good. Clay got a beer and brats with potato salad and Mom & I both opted for big soft pretzel sandwiches. We all really liked what we had. Mom finally got an apple spritzer which was weird, but bonus had ice cubes. I finally had a Swiss wine and it wasn't great. It was still a really good and reasonably priced meal in a beautiful setting. We saw the sun setting and a nearly full moon rising over Lake Lucerne. We all gave Stephane our flights today on the bus so now the end really is in sight.

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