Unfortunately, with all such great trips, it had to come to an end at some point. It was time to come back to face reality - almost.

The day started with a great breakfast buffet at our nice hotel (Hotel Phoenix - major compliments to the managers and desk people). As we prepared to catch the train down the canyon to the VISP station for connections, we received word of a rockslide on the tracks (other places have tornados, earthquakes, floods, etc. - the Alps have rockslides and avalanches). As usual, the Swiss are efficient and can handle this stuff. Busses showed up and headed down packed with passengers and luggage (not always on the same bus). With typical Swiss efficiency, by the time Pierre was ready to catch a later train, the slide had been cleared and everything was back to normal.

At the Visp station, we went our separate ways. It was really fun waiting by the track for my train considering it was around 35 deg C (95 deg F) in the shade. Add all the pavement and cement in the station - I went through a lot of water as I waited.

The train came on time as expected and off I went for an overnight stay in Zurich. There was no way to catch a flight back to Toronto that day so I had arranged for a direct flight early the next morning out of Zurich.

The main train station in Zurich is huge. It took me a while to figure out how to escape the station. While hot there was lots of shade so that was manageable. To get to my hotel I had the challenge to cross some interesting traffic areas which took me a while to figure out but I made it.

I had picked a ‘reasonably priced’ hotel for my stay near Old Town, figuring I would like to wander a bit and explore that evening. Old Town Zurich is supposed to be a fun place with shops, restaurants, bars, cool architecture, etc.

On the way to my hotel (Hotel St. Josef), I discovered that Zurich has sidewalks that are for bicycles only - no pedestrians. Unfortunately, by the time I realized I was on such a walkway without a bike, I had passed by stairs that would have gotten me up to the level of my hotel. And crossing the traffic on the street to the pedestrian sidewalk on the other side - wasn’t going to happen with the traffic. So I put on my best oblivious tourist face and walked up the slope with my luggage while keeping an eye out for bicycles (both directions) so that I could get out of their way. Keep in mind it was plain hot during all of this.

I walked into the entrance of my hotel to find a lot of construction and painting. I ended up going into their attached restaurant to find someone to check me in. They were very nice and apologized for the remodeling. I got to my room and - air conditioning!!! Time to shower, dry off, and then find some clean clothes. Plus a nap (who knew that one would be so tiring after such a great week of hiking!)

I looked at restaurant choices - too many (I hate making such choices) so I ended up just eating at the hotel on their patio (yes, in the heat - their indoor part of the restaurant was open to the outside so it was both hot and with no airflow). I had my iPad with me so I enjoyed my meal while reading. Not too many people there but again, it was very hot.

To close out yet another great adventure, the next morning I checked out, found my way back to the train station (very easy this time - I had learned the prior day quite well), and caught my train to the airport (very short and inexpensive ride).

I had booked a direct flight with Air Canada back to Toronto and had splurged for business class. At the airport, I explored a bit and then enjoyed the lounge. And once on the flight, I had a nice recliner cubicle-style seat. Just over 9 hours later watching some movies, looking at photos, and having nice naps, I was home!