We are now living in a postcard

Appenzell, it is more Swiss than Switzerland. How can that be? well other areas have the mountains, glaciers, lakes, but this area has the iconic postcards.  It is like around every corner there are cows, green grass, a mountain range in the background and someone playing
an alphorn.

We started the morning at Schwellbrunn and were able to catch the start of the small and very local bi-annual festival.  It had all the Swiss draw cards, flowers from window ledges, pork sausage and a mini beer hall with brass band. 

We stayed and listened to the band, had a Caffe Crema (white coffee) and felt a little out of place.  All others were drinking the local beer and it was only just after 10am.  After ordering one of the wait staff come over and introduced her self, we were able to have a welcoming conversation with her about the festival. She had many (polite) questions for us too, where we were from, where we were staying where we are going. I think we made her day and will be her point of conversation to others for some time.

Next was a ride up to Mount Santis, the highest mountain in the area at 2502 meters.

We picked one of the worst days for this adventure but the brunch booking we had was only available on a Sunday.  Once we arrived at the top it was sure a disappointment, The view had been enclosed by cloud.

The brunch was ok, but again slightly disappointing. not a recommendation.

Next stop was the Jakobsbad Toboggan run at the base of Jakobsbad-Kronberg Cableway. This is included in the Appenzell Card, a card with many offers that is given to people staying in the area three nights or more. 

This is 450 meters up, and 1000 meters down with a max speed of 41km/h, we both went on it and, it is best to see the video.

After the ride we boarded the Jakobsbad-Kronberg Cableway another free ticket thanks to the card and headed for Mt Kronberg.

This was much more interesting, from the top we could see many cows grazing and doing what they do best, make milk.  From the top we could see over Bodensee (lake) and beyond into Germany.

 Up at the top of the mountain it was only 11 degrees, and with bursts of sun difficulty was had taking a selfie.

The afternoon was taken up with an attempt to find an open supermarket, fail, no supermarkets are open on Sundays in Switzerland. These are the interesting things we learn on our travels. In the end it forced to go to the BP Petrol station to buy things, like butter (4.99 swiss francs for 50 grams), bread, milk, soft drink, cheese, ham, and Italian red wine. We asked the lovely girl about the shops being closed and she replied"'everything is closed on Sundays in Switzerland". She was amused when we told her about how the Australian consumer now expects 24hr a day, everything.

Tomorrow, let's make some cheese.