This week now officially marks the end of our third month living in Geneva, Switzerland. It’s unbelievable how time flies!
In just three short months I’ve managed to sniff my way through Lucerne and the Jungrau region. I’ve accompanied Natalie and Jason around the lake, on the lake and sometimes, in the lake, to visit towns such as Lausanne, Montreux, Evian, Yvoire, and of course, Etoy and St. Prex. I’ve also dug endlessly in Gryon with my new friends Vicki and Eliot and let’s not forget the discovery, digging and swimming I’ve been able to do right in my comfortable and familiar home of Geneva.
We’ve even hit up some towns deep in France, including big ones like Paris and smaller ones like Chamonix and Annecy.
Since I enjoy my DDC so much Jason and Natalie have also been able to sneak away to far away places such as Sicily and to not so far away places, like London.
In what is becoming a trend of travel during our time here in Switzerland, Natalie and Jason did not disappoint in this week 12. At the end of this week, we ventured into Davos, Switzerland, which is on the other side of the country. I will get into the wonderful time we had there in a moment, but I should first quickly recap our week (which, was pleasantly uneventful and thankfully didn’t involve houseguests.)
Since the weather was finally cooling down and Natalie didn’t feel the need for me to go into the lake every single day (I have a different opinion, of course), we made our way back to Twilight Park after a short hiatus.
I enjoy Twilight Park and can generally keep myself entertained, but, on this particular outing, one of the main reasons for my existence was skirting along the treetops in this hauntingly, peaceful park. It was, you guessed it, the squirrel!
I could hardly believe it, but sure enough those furry and fast creatures were taunting me once again. I did my best to scale the trees in hopes of catching one and even jumped onto a couple of logs, to get myself further up the tree. I didn’t succeed in cornering any of the squirrels; however, I am convinced that if I keep practicing and keep rolling in a lot of stinky stuff (which hides my scent), one day I’ll be able to sneak up on those elusive little creatures and bring home a gift to Jason and Natalie.
(One day I'll get a squirrel - it's all about persistence...and figuring out how to climb trees)
Besides chasing squirrels, I went to DDC, Jason worked and went to London for a night and Natalie ran and baked – the usual activities of Horwath Swiss daily life.
The baked treat Natalie experimented with this week was the Zuger Kirschtorte. The Zuger Kirschtorte is a type of cherry-flavored cake originating in Zug, Switzerland, which is in the German part of the country.
The Zuger Kirschtorte consists of a base layer of Japonaise (a meringue disk containing powdered almond that has been baked until it is dry and crispy); the second layer is a cherry-flavored buttercream; the cake, which is the next layer, is a Genoise sponge that has been well-soaked in a Kirsch liqueur. The cake is then topped with more cherry buttercream, and finally, another Japonaise disk is placed on top. The cake is then completely frosted with a very thin layer of the cherry buttercream, toasted almonds are pressed to the sides and a healthy dusting of powdered sugar decorates the top.
In concept, it should be a fabulous cake – It is moist, with just enough crispy and crunchy from the Japonaise and the nuts, and it is just sweet enough, thanks to some tempering from the generous layer of delicate Genoise as the largest component.
Natalie decided to try this dessert, as her chef from pastry school had asked her about it. We would also be heading to Davos over the weekend, which is in the German part of Switzerland, and Natalie thought it would be interesting to make a version at home and then try one made at a bakery.
Natalie’s version of the Zuger Kirschtorte did not turn out all that bad for her first attempt; however, it was a little too sweet, since Natalie cooked a bit too much alcohol out of the Kirsch syrup and you, therefore, didn’t get much of the Kirsch ‘bite’ in the cake. Also, her buttercream layers were a bit heavy on the buttercream (if there is such a thing as too much buttercream). Lastly, Natalie could’ve baked the meringue a bit longer, which would’ve increased the crispy factor.
(Natalie's Zuger Kirschtorte!)
When Natalie and Jason tried this dessert in Davos, it met all the expectations Natalie had and then some. Natalie will try this dessert again soon and her goal next time will be to create that perfectly balanced cake she and Jason devoured in Davos.
(Zuger Kirschtorte from a bakery in Davos)
The end of the week finally rolled around and our weekend adventure to Davos began with a 5 hour train ride on Friday afternoon. Since Davos is all the way on the other side of Switzerland, it is not an insignificant effort to get there from Geneva. Two stops later in Zurich and Landquart, we finally arrived in Davos at around 9pm.
We arrived in the twilight of the day; however, this did not prevent my senses from kicking into action. All around me I could smell fresh alpine air, the forest lurking nearby and somewhere just a bit up the hill from the train station, I could smell sausages.
Sure enough, we all walked up the hill from the train station and entered into a lively village where there was an evening festival well underway. I weaved my way through all the partygoers and quickly found myself staring up at a sausage and hamburger stand, where the most fragrant sausages I’ve ever smelled were being cooked to juicy perfection. Natalie and Jason both had beef sausages that were reminiscent of Polish Kielbasa and I got all to myself two (yes, two!) hamburger patties. Of course, I also had to try the sausage. Natalie and Jason grudgingly obliged and gave me a couple of bites.
Natalie and Jason washed all this down with a frothy German beer and we then slowly made our way through the crowd towards our hotel.
The only way to reach our hotel, the Hotel Schatzalp, was by a funicular train. This hotel was at the top of a mountain and it was too far to walk, especially late in the evening with luggage and a belly full of food. Also, you can’t really drive up there – and we couldn’t if we could anyway, since we trained in from Geneva!
A funicular train is essentially one that goes straight up the hill and needless to say, when I saw the train and the mountain it was going to scale, I was a bit apprehensive. However, once I boarded the little train and started climbing the mountain, all fear was pushed aside and I was exhilarated as the little train ascended towards the starry sky.
(Checking out this funicular train that would take us to the Hotel Schatzalp)
We reached our hotel, which had a vintage antique feel and checked in. Afterwards, Natalie and Jason had a cold cuts plate prepared by the kitchen and then we all headed to our comfortable room for a cool and peaceful night’s sleep.
(Do you see me? I was hanging out under the table hoping for bits of Natalie and Jason's coldcuts)
The next morning, we were up bright and early and a beautiful day in Davos was awaiting us. The hotel was nice enough to let me eat my bowl of kibble on the ground next to Natalie and Jason while they enjoyed their European continental breakfast of bread, cheese, meat, pastries, fruit and yogurt.
After a hearty breakfast, we walked through the hotel grounds and discovered Jason’s dream garden! All over the peaceful grounds were inviting patches of grass, gravel paths, and herbs and plants in interesting pots, which were showcased on logs, rocks and tree stumps.
One part of the garden had about 15 different varieties of sage resting on wooden pedestals overlooking the beautiful mountains, another section included strawberries planted inside a hollowed out tree stump and in the center of the garden was a beautiful fountain surrounded by greenery and rocks.
(Here is the thyme collection and me sniffing the thyme collection)
(Jason standing in the middle of his dream garden!)
(The view of the mountains from the front of our hotel - in the pots is the sage collection)
We all meandered through the grounds for a while and then found a hiking trail that would take us back down to the town of Davos. I wanted to take the funicular back to town since I had so much fun the night before; however, Natalie and Jason really wanted to get me out for a walk and discover a new trail.
Sure enough, the trail down from the hotel was magical. The rays of morning sunlight streamed through the tall trees onto the gravel trail, which made for a refreshingly cool walk. Little treasures met us along the way, including the random appearance of a gnome statue and the not so random appearance of live squirrels. And the sounds of nature at its best, surrounding us as we descended for a couple of miles into town, made for one of my best mornings yet in our new country.
(Jason and I walking along the beautiful trail down from the hotel)
(Natalie and I posing with the gnome)
Once in town, Natalie and Jason ate Zuger Kirschtorte and I sniffed my new environment. Natalie and Jason also discovered a delightful little coffeehouse where they enjoyed fresh squeezed juice and espresso.
Later that day, we all got back on the train again. I was obviously curious where we were going next and Jason informed me that we were dropping Natalie off in Klosters, which is the neighboring town to Davos. I was really confused why Natalie was going somewhere Jason and I weren’t, but I quickly learned that Natalie was going to Klosters, because this was the starting point for her half-marathon!
(The view of the Davos clock tower which is near the train station!)
(On the train to Klosters with all the runners!)
Natalie loves to run and participate in running races. This half-marathon, called the ‘K21’ (for 21 kilometers), is part of the Swiss Alpine Marathon series. The Swiss Alpine Marathon holds 7 races over the course of this one weekend. There’s a 78 kilometer run (no thank you), two marathons, the half-marathon run, a half-marathon walk, an 11 kilometer run, and a small fun run designed for children.
Jason and I dropped Natalie off and Natalie’s run started promptly at 2:05pm at the Klosters bridge and at approximately 3000 feet above sea level! During the extremely hilly race, Natalie climbed 1,600 feet in the first 8 miles until she leveled out at around 4,500 feet for the remainder of the run. Natalie ran on trails, through the forest, across bridges, over train tracks, and along a lake until she finally finished 2 hours and 29 minutes later in the lively Davos stadium.
(The start of the race in Klosters)
(The race finish line!)
After the exhilarating run, Natalie, Jason and I headed over to a ‘biergarten’ where Natalie and Jason had two large Hefeweisen-type beers.
We finally made it back to that exciting funicular and since it was still daylight, I got to experience the magnificent view from the train for the first time.
(The view of Davos from the funicular)
(This is a view of the funicular track itself - this picture was taken as we were on the funicular climbing up the hill!)
We reached our vintage hotel, cleaned up, rested a bit and headed back down the hill (this time on the train) to a tasty cheese fondue dinner at a nearby restaurant called Pot au Feu.
(The clock in the hallway of our hotel - if this doesn't scream vintage, then I don't know what does!)
Natalie and Jason’s dinner consisted of the Swiss-German style fondue, which is primarily a mix of Emmentaler and Gruyere. It was, overall, a delicious dinner and after a long day of exploring, running, eating and drinking, we were all ready for another good night of sleep.
(I loved the fluffy down comforters at our hotel and, as usual, I was the last out of bed every morning)
The next day, which actually happened to be Switzerland's Independence Day, we lounged around town, went to that delicious café we found the day prior for a leisurely breakfast and headed out of my new favorite town at around 1pm, along with what seemed like every single other visitor to Davos! The train was packed all the way to Landquart. I was shoved between luggage and Jason and Natalie were sitting on the luggage I was shoved in between!
(Taking a few moments to get some sun while Natalie and Jason were enjoying breakfast)
(The treats Jason picked up for the train ride home - these were vanilla cake with a cream filling and were decorated in honor of Switzerland's Independence Day!)
(Squeezed between luggage on the train - this was not a lot of fun)
In Landquart, we didn’t want to deal with the crowds heading towards Zurich, so, we decided on taking a round-a-bout way home. Four trains and ten hours later, and with stomaches full of rosti after a stop in Andermatt, we finally got home to Geneva.
(Delicious Rosti, with bubbling cheese on top, and beers in Andermatt!)
I was glad to be on solid ground (i.e., not moving), but at the same time I already missed the surreal town of Davos.
Another adventure down, and many more to go - life as a Swiss dog, I can’t complain.
Paws,
Sabrina
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