A PHOTOGRAPHIC ESSAY - ZWEISIMMEN: A FEW OF MY FAVORITE SPOTS

A PHOTOGRAPHIC ESSAY - ZWEISIMMEN TRAIN STATION

ZWEISIMMEN - ON THE WAY BACK

My trip to Zweisimmen continued and finished...

Well, here I am posting my final batch of pictures related to my one day trip to Zweisimmen (post 1, post 2, post 3, post 4 & post 5). I am so glad that you have been following me through this series of posts dedicated to the Bernese Oberland...

After having roamed the Zweisimmen area for most of the day it was time for us to catch our train (MOB/GoldenPass line) for our 2 hour journey back to Montreux. With a heavy heart we left that little paradize. We really wanted to stay longer in that charming, peaceful and soul-uplifting place!

Anyhow, we had to go back home so we bravely got on the train and sat patiently in the air-conditioned and comfortably furnished passenger compartment. Then, the train started to move, climb up on the side of the Rinderberg mountain and head out of the Simmental Valley in the direction of Gstaad, Château d'Oex, Montbovon and Montreux.

So, for the next two hours we went through three magnificent cantons (Bern, Fribourg - Haute Gruyère - and Vaud - Pays d'Enhaut), many fabulous places and villages (Obersimmental, Pays d'Enhaut - Saaneenland, Montreux region). Ecstatic!

As the landscapes are stunning and the views out of the window are breathtaking, I took a few shots while sitting in the train. Thankfully they turned out great, so I hope you'll enjoy them.

ZWEISIMMEN - BEAUTY IN NATURE

My trip to Zweisimmen continued...

Well, as I had taken tons of pictures in Zweisimmen (post 1, post 2, post 3 & post 4) I still have lots of photographs to process and share. When I go somewhere it is impossible for me not to use my camera every 2 minutes!

Going on a trip with me can be very tiring as I will stop and look through the lense of my camera most of the time. I am conscient that it can be a very annoying habit, but I really can't help it. I cannot miss an opportunity to take a great shot or capture an interesting atmosphere. It has nearly become my second nature...

During my end of year high-school trip to Greece I remember being and mocked by the other kids because I could not stay neutral or be blasé in front of the scenes I saw through the window. With much passion, I marveled at every landscape that unfolded in front of me. I didn't sleep like everybody else as I wanted to see everything and not miss anything. That is how I am and who I am. I can't help it!

I am always in search of beauty and need to feed on it. That is the reason why I see things in such a poetic way, feel the energies that a place carries and the aura that a site emits. I have a natural sensitivity for that kind of stuff and it shows (I hope) in my photographic creations.

To be continued next week....

ZWEISIMMEN - A CLOSER LOOK

My trip to Zweisimmen continued...

When I am on trips, I usually like to have a global appreciation of the place I am visiting, but I also like to look into the details. I always search for the little or hidden things that might not be visible at first glimpse...

I like to say that my camera is an eye-opener. Taking pictures forces you to be more attentive and not lazy. In order to take interesting pictures you have to continuously be on the search for a good subject to photograph. In that way, your eyes tend to scan everything as if you were an eagle and not miss anything.

Being the happy owner of a camera, I am constently developing my flair and have now a very photographic vision. When I go out I always appreciate landscapes and views depending on their photogeny. I have a lense in my brain.

Well, while walking through Zweisimmen (post 1, post 2 & post 3) that's exactly what I did. I dissecated piece of land, corner, building, etc... and found a few jewels that are very representative of Berner Oberland. So, enjoy!

To be continued next week....

ZWEISIMMEN - ALONG THE SIMME RIVERS

My trip to Zweisimmen continued...

After having crossed the quaint village of Zweisimmen, we thought that it would be great if we walked along the Little Simme and the (big) Simme rivers (both rivers meet in Zweisimmen).

This health trail is very easy and so pleasurable. It invites the walkers and mountainbikers to marvel at the magnificent Simmental farmhouses and spectacular landscapes worthy of a Bollywood film (did you know that they are filmed in the Swiss Alps?). It is impossible to be insensible in front of so much beauty!

We enjoyed every minute of our little walk (2km), let the pure air of the mountain clean our lungs, drank gallons ice-cold water from the farm fountains that we found on our path and got sunburnt (ouch!). The scenery was so stunning and we were so blessed by the weather that I could not stop taking pictures.

To be continued next week....

ZWEISIMMEN - HOUSES

My trip to Zweisimmen continued...

After our wonderful picnic in the cemetery, we thought that it would be a good idea to go for a walk around the place. So, we went back down into the village and headed toward the two Simme (Little Simme & Simme) rivers (hence the name Zweisimmen = two Simme).

Walking through Zweisimmen, one discovers many beautiful old (sometimes 150 years old or more) traditional Bernese Oberland chalets. With their imposing size, harmonious lines, dark weatherworn timber wood, pretty paintings (not all of them have paintings) and gorgeous carvings, they are real eye-catchers. Such awesome houses situated in a dreamlike environment offer an even more picture perfect vision!

Zweisimmen is an wonderful place for a family or couple holiday anytime of the year. It is the ideal location to explore the countryside, to go for long walks all around the region and to relax. This place is so quiet, the air is pure, the people are very charming and the landscapes are simply mindblowing. You can't ask for more.

As a child, I have spent many many summers and autums in Zweisimmen. We always stayed in an rustic chalet owned by two cattle farmers. We lived in the very minimalist yet cosy 3 room appartment on the second floor (see third picture/the chalet on the side of the hill). I really loved the veranda with the unobstucted view on the Rinderberg mountain, the atmospheric dimlit rooms, the creaking floors, the soothing sound of cowbells and of the fountain as well as the exhalirating smell of the fresh mountain air. Great memories.

To be continued next week....