Day 2 : Floods Dictate our Plan
The original plan today was to pickup the Rental car near the train station and head out to Zermatt.
I had booked a Mini Cooper S convertible through Sixt a good month and a half ago for a reasonable cost. Thanks to our light luggage this car fit our use perfectly and I expected good weather throughout. Well, we lucked out on the car at least. I had booked an S but the alloted car was clearly a JCW (For those of us familiar with Minis, JCW runs a higher tune of the B48 and is much quicker) for no extra charge. It seemed to be a fresh example with under 5000 kms on the odo.
That was great but the weather was not on our side. It was pouring since the moment I drove the car out of the rental parking and luckily the softtop was well sealed and insulated. So we were off to.....Zermatt ?
But the very previous day I got the news that village of Zermatt has been flooded and all ways into there have been cutoff including Rail. I was constantly in touch with the Hotel owner for confirming the status and by 12 noon it was confirmed the situation isn't improving any further and there was no way we could stay there. It was another big problem to get a refund of a non refundable booking of a hotel but seeing the weather I was able to do it by invoking a Force Majeure.
Parked at a rest area we decided what could be done with effectively a free day with nothing planned. Though I was constantly distracted by 2 of the best Wagons currently on sale
The Town of Montreux was nearby but we planned to visit that in better weather on the last day. At this moment I was thankful that I selected the add-on for Cross border travel while renting the car. This allowed us to expand our search to Include France and Italy as well. We zeroed in on the valley of Chamonix-Mont Blanc that , yes serves as the gateway to Mont Blanc, the highest Peak in the Alps.
The drive to Chamonix got more interesting as we got closer, the winding mountain roads were a treat to drive on, and the Mini was spot on as usual with its tight handling and more than enough power at all times.
As we Reached Chamonix after a couple of hours, the weather was still quite grim with constant drizzle and winds. We were disappointed to learn this had forced an early closure of the cable car service. Not to be fazed by this, we looked on what else can be done around here ?
Being a petrolhead, the choice was obvious, drive through the Mont Blanc tunnel ! to get a slice of Italian Pizza
This 11km long engineering masterpiece opened in 1965, connecting the Town of Chamonix in france to Courmayeur in Italy. It passes right under the summit of the peak, about 8000 feet under it. It was involved in a tragic fire incident in 1999, but reopened 3 years later with improved safety protocols. The road upto the tunnel was even more impressive with multiple hairpins.
Driving through the tunnel involves a hefty 65 EUR , worth it for the experience and the time saved. Yes I was able to drive through the tunnel with the top down (This was really the first time I was put it down since getting the car). It was a surreal experience to start the the day in Switzerland, enter the French alps and drive through the tunnel to reach Italy for Lunch. Courmayeur welcomed us with breathtaking views of the Alps.
The weather this side of mont blanc was better for the time being and gave us a chance to step out. Parked the car in the underground park in the town centre and headed out for some Pizza. We were late for lunch at most places but eventually a found a place that was open.
The Parking had some italian competition
and some Chinese-British imposters
Drove back through the tunnel and stopped near the French portal , for a photo with this Flame Sculpture. The flame symbolizes their indomitable spirit and unwavering determination in conquering nature's challenges.
Entered switzerland back again and descending down the alps , we chanced upon another beatiful rainbow and I just had to stop and capture it.
Looked for a good hotel nearby on our route towards the Interlaken region and we decide to stay in the city of Bern.