Allmanalp Via Fratta

The climb, to end all climbs.

Well for me anyway.

Yesterday for my day off, I went with Kike, and Stefan to go climbing Allmanalp

The Klettersteg is what it is better known as, but anyway you are climbing aproximatly 638m on a cliff face, with a waterfall. The path has cables, and everything to keep you secure if you fall, and ladders and bridges for you to walk on. So not a typical climb, but it was good.

It took us about 2.5 hours to climb the whole thing, with water raining down on us in places, and it had rained in the morning, so the trail was wet and muddy. With the pegs soaked with water and mud, I'm surprised no one slipped.

I managed to take a few photos on and during the climb.

We finished at about 1730 hours and the last cable car down the mountain is at 1700, so after a long climb we had to walk the steep path down the mountain.

Right now, I am sitting on the couch, on a bright sunny, warm day, on Duty (so I am not allowed to leave the centre). This weekend is the Kanderlodge Opening Party, so as today and tomorrow would possibly be busy Pip and I made a deal to help eachother out, as her duty is tomorrow.

We are expecting alot of VIP's from the World Bureau, Old Staff, and the general public. With almost no vacancy in the Chalet. So it was the right thing to do.

Today so far has been pretty busy in kitchen, and a few calls to help with guests but so far nothing I can't handle.

Tonight is staff night out, and it is swimming and Ice Cream at Dessies. I can't go which is unfortunate because of all the good looking europeans, and Commonwealthers (if you catch my drift).

It will all be good though.

I had better wrap this up and get back to work soon.

I'll attach photos of the Via Fratta.

Upper Hut

Last night we had our grand Upper Hut Opening party!

I was placed on Program yeasterday so I went up to the hut to clean and get things ready for the party. We decided to make a day of it; packed lunches, barbaque dinner (mmm First BBQ since I got here and I was cooking, needless to say IT WAS DELICIOUS AND AMAZING).

It was a good thing that we decided to mak a day of it, because there was so much to do! Lynsey and I were left to finish it up while the program people went back for a meeting and more supplies, and we work straight from 0900 hours till 1930 hours to get everything ready with bedding and party food.

The party was great, snacks, drinks, knot tying, etc. lol

And most of the staff stayed at the hut. Me included.

And this morning in order to be back to the centre for thought for the day, and breakfast we all woke at 0600 and Pip and I and few others hiked down the mountain, through 2 mountain vallies, and back to the centre at 0640 arriving home an hour later.

The Centre has Upper hut badges to prove that you slept at 1890m ( I think I might just get one)

With this I am trying to get back into the blog, and start writting about it after it happens, and more frequent posts, please harrass me if I start slipping again!!

View from the Day time

Evening Time

Morning (0630 hours)

My Genéve Adventure

Genéve= Geneva

On Wednesday May 13, I trained it down to Geneva, which is approximatly a 3.5 hour journey. The Swiss country was georgous, lushus forrests, with the Alps mixed in there.
Once arriving in Geneva it was a like a different country. The language changed, the people were still very nice, and the city was still made out of brick and stone, and very old unique arcitecture. I had booked a room in a hostel because of the long train ride I wanted a good chance to look around, and experience the city.
I visited the Red Cross, Red Cresent Society Musuem, walked around the outside of the United Nations Building (which used to be the League of Nations Building) because I couldn't find where the tour entrance was. I'll find it next time. Walked around the Old City, The Flower Clock, many parks, around the University, and so on. I was planning on going to visit a local bar/pub. Although most likely a dance club, however I was exhausted from all the travelling that I was in bed asleep by 2100hours (which really sucked).
In Geneva I saw my first Swiss Starbucks (wouldn't have gone in however I promised Robbie a mug, so Robbie if your reading, I got you a nice Swiss national Starbucks mug. To be mailed home so I can make room for other things).

Work wise I have been doing alot of work with Grounds and Maintenence trying to get the campsite ready for summer and the new guest laundry set up and painted. I worked with the Dutch Work Party, who came to help out for a week. Kanderlodge has finally become a place you can live in, with out the construction dust everywhere (we had about the equivilant of 2 delivery trucks, with trailers (about 1 1/2 semi's) of Ikea furniture delivered and ready to be put together. Which now everyone is getting really stressed, and telling us that we have to work late, we have to spend 1 hour cleaning a window to make it look nice, we have to start early on our lunch break. We have been ahead of the game ever since we started, and now there are just so many projects going on and not enough man power, where we are volunteers and getting worked like should getting a salary.

Anyways... moving on

Earlier tonight a bunch of the staff (myself) included went to see Angles & Demons in Bern. The movie was really good, and very creative. The movies (for the most part... play in english but have German and French (Swiss official languages) subtitles)
Any way I have the day off today, yes today (it is 0100 hours that I am writing this) so today, I have no idea what I am going to do. But I shall come up with something!

Nights in Thun

As the sunsets the party begins!

Tonight myself and bunch of others went to Thun (T-Une) for late night shopping. Thun is such a beautiful city, with old buildings, a castle, amazing night life, etc...
This was my second trip to Thun, I went last thursday aswell, didn't buy anything but it was amazing.

Since last post a while ago, I should catch you all up on whats been going on. There is approximatly 5 weeks before Spring '09 season comes to a close :'( We had a bunch of amazing blokes from New Castle come join us and help in Kanderlodge for a week. Sitting with them in the evenings was just a riot, I would barely understand what they were saying, and they fought over almost everything!
The Spanish Work Party has left us, but not before teaching us a few new AWESOME games! And breaking a few hearts upon their departure.
Staff Night Out this week was organized by myself and Felipe, BR (recption manager). We invited the Our Chalet girls over for a chocolate fondue, and pub quiz, along with some games. It was all fun, and a great time had by all. BTW I lost my fruit 3 times so 3 lucky girls got kissed by yours truly!!

Guest wise, we have had a slow week or so, not alot of guests, well we did have Stephan (DE) a pinkie. His girlfriend and friend came for a weekend, aswell as Lynsey's (UK) family then same weekend.

Other then that we have played Football (really soccer but the UK's are forcing me to say football) and gone to the pub, my day off is this saturday and I think I might go back to Thun for the day. Then in 2 weeks time Pip, myself and a few others are planning on going to Geneva for a day or two. That will be amazing, so I will deffinatly report back on that trip.

Work wise, I have been in Kanderlodge for the last 3 days with a day or 2 of house or catering thrown in there, tomorrow is Grounds/campsite, we'll see how that goes.

On May 1st we have had a bunch of new Long Term Staff start getting ready for Summer, with a bunch more starting May 15. They are coming from Canada, South Africa, Denmark.

For after KISC my travel Itenery looks like, Paris June 14-19, Amsterdam June 19-23, possibly train to Germany for a day or two near Frankfurt, or Barvaria. Fly/train to Rome for 4/5 days, train to Venice for an overnight, train to Zurich to meet my plane come home :( :'(