Heidiland

Tried to blog for our last night in Maienfeld, but the internet connection at this B&B kind of sucks. So, I am typing this just on the computer and will upload it as soon as I can. (So the below was written last night and "tomorrow" now means "today")

First - I don't know if we mentioned that we got to see them getting some cows ready to bring up in the hillsat Lauterbrunnan. They told us that it is usually done in May but they had such a hard winter that they did itin June this year. It was pretty cool - I know it is just a cattle drive, but knowing about cows and Switzerlandand seeing the difference between Montana and Switzerland was pretty cool. They lined the cows up and washed them.They were milk cows - but they washed every part of the cow (Mom and Aunt Tym are sure they didn't do this in theBig Hole or it would have been there jobs). They then put the bells on the cows - just like in the pictures. Someof the cowhands/herders were in traditional outfits. They led them through the village up the mountain. The soundwas pretty cool with all the cowbells and dogs. Michelle pointed out that although others were taking pictures it was only the Montana girls that stayed right in with the cows when they were moving them so that we could getgood pictures!

Our second day (really first and only full day) in Maienfeld was great. Jackie and I were pretty disgruntledlast night, so were predisposed to have a bad time. Everyone else was really positive and I hope wedidn't drive them too nuts with our irritation! The rooms are nice, but the whole place is kind of weirdwith offices and people working all over - we kind of feel like we are intruding. It has a feeling ofsomething illicit going on in the back rooms...I'm trying to convince everyone it is drugs or prositution...Mom and Tami think they work for some kind of golfing firm - so, you can see how differently ourminds work :)

We tried to find something to do last night and this town, while quite pretty, is really kind of different.The main place to get tourist information is in a souvineer shop - which was closed until this morning.Then when they did open they had about 3 brochures, all about basically the same thing. We then decidedto just find some place to eat and then try to get to the spa in Bad Ragaz. The first restaurant we lookedat was Peter and Heidi's Restaurant...in their logo Heidi was pretty tarted up with a belly button ringand Peter looked about 15 and was learing at her. Aunt Judi wasn't about to eat there! We had walkedby a place on the way to our B&B that had people sitting outside and looked fun. The sign indicated it was a restaurant. When we sat in the gtarden the waitress didn't speak English but was able to convey thatthey were not really a restaurant - they had snacks and sandwiches. I said I wanted more than a sandwhich so we asked where else we could eat. She sent us to the Heidiland Hotel.

It was a really different place! Kind of situated in an industrial park and they only served snacks too- this time the choice was pizza or pasta. We decided to stay there and got a couple pizzas (which, we have already had a couple times...the pizza here is really quite good). The woman at the desk spokeEnglish and did have a couple of brochures in English. Michele went to use the restroom and came backto tell us that there was a machine down there that sold a few personal items...some of which shehad never seen before, but could figure out their use. Of course, we sent someone down with a camera! We were concerned that this Heidiland is the adults only version!

By then we decided we couldn't go to Bad Ragaz because you pay $26 for 2 hours and it was lessthan 2 hours before it closed. So, we all just kind of did our own thing. Oh, I forgot, when westopped by the B&B at one point, they were having a private party in the courtyard with speakers andkaraoke...this went on until 10 - which wasn't too inviting since we were relegated to the back enterance.

This morning we got up and went to the souvineer shop to get info. Thought about a horse and buggy ridebut the price kept going up so we finally decided against it. We went to Heidi's Village...the Moms/Auntsin a taxi, the rest of us walking. It really was a nice walk, but it had to be close to 90 outside andit is humid so I was not a happy camper about 10 minutes into the walk. I just kept thinking I can'tbelieve I'm walking in this heat up to such a cheesy tourist trap. Of course, Tami remained positive andjust kept telling us it was just a little further. It was gorgeous when we got up there...but Jackie, Linda and I joined the Moma in getting taxis for the ride back. I really wish I had video taped it. They just whip around this narrow little street - that is a 2 way street but really only fits one car -and there is no sidewalk for the pedestrians - Michele said that a couple times she found herself plasteredup against a wall so she didn't get run over. And, the only thing I saw that made any of them slowdown was farm equipment. At one point today we saw a line of about 6 cars have to back up down a narrow street to let a tractor coming the other way get through.

We then went to the Therma Spa at Tamino Resort. That was an incredible experience. It was $26 for the 2 hours and well worth it. They had indoor and outdoor pools/hot tubs. They had lounge seats with bubbles, fountains that ran onto you, bubbles to stand on for your feet, a shallow pool where you laydown with bubbles and sound therapy, but the best was a swirly pool area - it was a circular area wherethe jets were designed that when you got into it they pushed you around in the circle - it was pretty cool. When you were doneyou got this nice heated sheet thing to wrap up in.

It was a pefrect day until Mom slipped coming down the stairs. She says she is OK, but her hip and legare pretty bruised up and she has a cut oh one ankle.

We then came back to Maienfield for dinner at Schloss Brandis - an old castle that is a wonderful restaurant.Linda and Aunt Judi had decided to get us reservations there. The restaurant was beautiful! We were a littleunderdressed - but didn't feel too bad about that. The staff was wonderful and the food was incredible. And, of course, the local wine wasn't too shabby! We had 4 or 5 bottles of wine...one costing $70 per bottle. We had a good variety of food - which we all loved, but want to let Reed know that the food and servicewe got at The Keep was better (especially the Creme Brulee). It ended up being a $1000 bill - but we had sucha great time we all felt it was worth it. Guess today was our "high class" day - considering theworld class spa and the high end restaurant.

Tomorrow we head off to Lucerne - our last stop of the trip. We spend two nights there. Will try to writeone more blog about Lucerne before we leave. We have added a few more pictures.

Oh - we haven't mentioned the beds....they all have big comfy quilts with duvet covers and are folded upon your bed like a little feather mattress...and the pillows are big and fluffy and folded some funky wayon your bed.