Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 11 & 12th--Beautiful Bern

The flip side of Interlaken would be Bern.  Where Interlaken was mainly relatively new construction, Bern is filled with wonderful, old and stately buildings.  There were hidden gems revealed at every corner.  The enjoyment squares when we realize that tourists/tourons (thank you Carol) are few and far between.

We take the train at 9:05 to Bern, enjoying the first class carriage where we spread out and relax. The ride is mellow as breathtaking scenery passes to the appropriate harmonies of Enya.

We walk out of the station and find that our hotel is a 7 minute walk away.  Our room is not ready so we store our bags and head, where else, but to Starbucks, where we have the first strong internet in 4 days, as well as a Vente Latte...which is also strong, zer gut!  Unfortunately, the weather is cloudy and cool, but the rain holds off and it is very mild.  With our raincoats on, we are nice and comfortable.

We walk through the city enjoying the stately charms of buildings and churches, vistas of tile covered roofs, river views, and the warm feeling that the world is back in balance.  We have a delicious dinner at a restaurant close to the hotel, but once again gag at the outrageous prices.  The only way to avoid spending $80 + is to dine at Mickey D's and the cost could still hit $30 or better if you decide to super size that Cheese Royale.

View from the hotel window

Bern is famous for it's fountains, created throughout the city's history

The bear logo is everywhere--it is the city's symbol

Another fountain

Another claim to fame....this huge clock which has great movement and chime at the hour and half hour

Berg the bear and the bear

You guessed it....another fountain

Spire of St. Michaels--Under construction

Inside a singer and players were practicing......lovely

We found a viewpoint (remember this view...it will come up again later)  and looked down on the river below.

Tiled roofs and one of the major bridges.  The tan platform below the bridge is the restaurant we ate at the following day.

Church number two for the day....Church of Peter and Paul, Mary was no where to be found

We rise Tuesday morning and find sunshine and mild temps are just outside the door.  After our breakfast buffet we head out in search of adventure.  Kat has totally digested the city map and knows where to head and how to get there.  We pass by a farmers market, wonderful old neighborhoods, startling vistas and lots of interesting folk, some fellow tourists as well as locals.  Interestingly, we note that at times, there was a Jewish contingent because of engravings on some walls.

Farmer's market in the square in front of the Parliament building

Switzerland has some of the most delicious bread

There were lots of flowers for sale

And hanging in every window

A view across the city rooftops

Panorama across the city

I thought I'd go into the casino and do some gambling......I felt lucky

Not so lucky.....this casino is a music hall

Yup, a fountain

Hebrew letters above a door, anybody able to translate out there?

You guessed it.....

Most buildings were fronted with passages to protect pedestrians from drivers

Crossing the Aayre to go to the bear pit.

We make our way across a long bridge across the river Aare (pronounced "are'-ay") to observe 3 bears in an enclosed woodsy habitat.  The bear is the symbol of Bern and this locale draws the most tourists of any other attraction - about 100, which is about our limit.  We have a brew and snack at the local brewery and then head down to the river for a walk which in a lot of ways will long live as a warm memory.  We stroll up the fast moving Aare, enjoying the sun, sound of the water, bikers, joggers, and families doing what locals do on a summer day.

There really IS a bear there.....sleeping on the log

There is a brewery with home made unfiltered beer.......yumm!

The view from our table.  There were lots of little sparrows in the bushes. 

We took a path down to the river.  

As we walked we started to see familiar landmarks that we had previously seen from the overlook.

St. Michaels.  In front is the park and plaza.....our previous viewpoint

We had fun on the path

The long dam in front of the viewpoint.  We stood and took pictures from the wall under the green roofed dome.

The other side of the Parliament building

We had spotted a restaurant on Monday, while looking down on the river,  that sits on piers above the confluence of the river Aare and a dam that that it flows over.  We sit out on the deck, with the sound of thundering water and the vibration of the waters meeting, with the sun on our face and feel the warmth and satisfaction from just being alive, We are so fortunate and privileged to be in the midst of this journey.

Me and my Scwepps Bitter Lemon.  Note the Golden Retriever behind me, dogs are welcome in restaurants.

After going back uphill with the help of a funicular, and finding our way through a park to the town synagouge

At the top of the funicular, we spy the Alps

Fountain and sculpture in a park dedicated to postmen around the world

We found the Synogoge

The market in our front yard

Kat's yummy dinner

Durst plaque....they spelled it wrong

I have to say as a personal note that I had been to Bern before but I can now say that I have been to Bern and truly experienced Bern, and we like it!