In spite of knowing that 4 days would be too short for a trip, that too with a drive of about 630kms, we wanted to make this trip to Ehrwald, the Zugspitze Arena of Tirol. We had a long weekend including a bridge holiday on 26th of May. Onward journey was supposed to be around 6.5 hours which ended up in 10.5 hrs due to heavy traffic. Had copied all favourite songs on a SD card, which left us disappointed by not being read. But as usual enjoyed the time chit chatting with kids. It is always  a pleasure to drive on German highways where ever there is not much traffic.We reached Ehrwald around 4pm in the evening. The house was situated in the valley surrounded by mountains, in the Austrian side of Zugspitze mountain. I like mountains as much as i like forests and Oceans. Somehow being in the valley near a mountain gives me the feeling that our problems as well our glory are as small as we are in front of the mountain. Mountains teach me to be strong and humble. Same was the feeling to stand near our holiday home and look at the surroundings.In spite of being 3 storey building, the House looked so tiny.  Our apartment was cozy with nice panoramic views of the surroundings through each window. We had our food and went out to explore the surroundings. We started walking behind the house walking past small beautiful houses of the village and the road lead to a part of mountain Zugspizte.Kids were complaining of leg pain and that we should go back to holiday home. We knew the truth behind the same that TV in the holiday home was more attractive. We tried to hike up a little distance, but as we too were tired, we came back to holiday home after a short walk to have a good night sleep.

Seebensee (26.05.2017):

Today we wanted to start early, visit Ehrwalder Alm and hike upto Seebensee. We got ready by 8:30 and when we reached the cable car station to Ehrwalder Alm, we were among the first ones. Cable car took around 10 mins to reach the Ehrwalder alm and from there we had panoramic view of mountains and of Ehrwald Valley. From Ehrwald, one can walk upto Ehrwalder Alm without using the cable car and we saw some people doing the same. Kids were not happy that we had plans to hike. So, we knew we will not be able to cover whole distance from Ehrwald to Seebensee if we don’t take the cable car to Ehrwalder alm. Initial half an hour was spent in making kids motivated. Its so hard to make a person do something when they are reluctant, that too when we ourselves feel tired. But after a while the elder one started walking ahead and followed the little one. And I walked behind them all taking my time to photograph mountains in all possible angles. We reached a point where we could choose to walk on the well paved path or the one going thro the forest. As we knew the one passing thro the forest was the shortest, we took the same. It was nice to walk in the forest listening to bird chirps, seeing the beauty of sunlight passing through the pine trees. Kids had started enjoying. I don’t know why, whenever we walk through a forest, I like walking alone. Not that I don’t enjoy company of other 3, but I love to be silent and listen to whispers of the trees and chirps of birds and I feel connected with the lives around. Feel bad to ask them not to speak, even if i ask only Harish can keep quiet for a while, not the other 24/7 radio channels as the only time they don’t talk is while they sleep.  In sleep too they talk in dreams. So I just walk few steps behind whenever I want silence.  We did meet few dog owners and children used to walk in the pace of the Dog for a while. That would ease up our task to make them walk bit faster to cover the path. These are the times when we try to tell our children tips for life, like never to give up, to push little more than what our minds tells us the limit is etc. Don’t know how much they understand, but when we talk with patience, they do respond with questions.We reached a point where we felt, we are very near to the lake. We look around and realize, lake is not there yet, but there is still a steep path to cover. Kids were like, oh no. we can not walk anymore. Infact our hearts told us the same too. but we did not say it openly. Luckily met a couple with a dog and that helped to cover the steep path.There was snow on the sides of the road at some places. We made small balls of ice and enjoyed massaging our faces. The weather  was so hot and the ice did refresh us to some extent. After a while we came across a stream with ice cold water. Water was so tasty. We were very near to the lake.Lake was not visible until we reached there. It was so clear and beautiful with reflections of surrounding mountains. Kids immediately wanted to get into the water. We found a bench to place our stuff and have a small picnic.  We took our shoes and socks out and enjoyed the ice cold water of the lake. Kids got fully refreshed soon after getting into the lake. They did not want to return. When we reached, there were already 10-15 people and more started coming as time passed. We enjoyed the view of the surroundings for a while, had fruits and relaxed, while the children were busy trying to catch small fishes in the water and were trying to walk in the ice cold water. I tried to walk in the cold water too, but just in a second came out as it was too cold. It is so strange, if we would have asked them to walk in that ice, I am sure they would have complained about the cold, but as they wanted to do it themselves, they were trying again and again to walk a distance in the water in which I couldn’t stand even 30 seconds. I was thinking, if there is some way to make them interested like this in things which we want them to be interested in. I think it has to come from within, as luring them with something would not work for longer period.

Walking down was easier even though it was not all downhill. Terrain was evenly distributed with ups and downs. Kids were relaxed and with full enthusiasm. More and more People were coming up as we were hiking down. But by the time we reached Ehrwalder alm, I was finding it difficult to walk each step further. We had hot hot pommes frites at the restaurant and due to heat decided to go down to holiday home and rest, even though it was just 2:30pm.In the evening, we wanted to have pizza and went out in the town of Ehrwald. One of the beautiful towns I have ever seen, with picture perfect buildings. Below picture is special for me as exactly here I met the old lady(who seemed like to be in 80s) with the dog. Kids asked her if they can touch the dog. She allowed the same. While kids and Harish went further, I was still photographing. Lady called me and said “I too like taking pictures and I know that there is a special place in the village where you would see the valley and the church between two big trees. That place is just 5 minutes walk from here. Don’t miss that. Also, after the sun sets, mountains turn red and look very beautiful. Hope you have already planned trip to Ehrwalder alm and Seebensee”. I liked her spirit and courtesy to inform. Almost everyone we met in the village smiled and spoke if they had dogs (as kids asked each one of them without any hesitation “can we touch the dog”) I don’t think the following building would have caught my attention a year back. I would love perform here 🙂 Auditorium of my kind.

One of the most beautiful places in switzerland and austria are the graveyards decorated beautifully with flowing plants. The setting sun between the clouds often created torch effect in the valley to light only a part of the picturesque village.

Eibsee (27 May 2017):

Soon after waking up, I looked outside and saw clear sky with clouds in the valley. Like a child went to catch hold of clouds in the village only to realise, it just feels like fog when we go near. Other 3 were enjoying their sleep. And at every time of the day, the mountains looked different in color. Best was in the evenings soon after sunset when the mountains turn almost orange.After going a round through the village with my camera, after coming back I realised, I had woken up on that day with fever and headache due to exhaustion from previous day. But as we were to start our journey back next day morning, did not want to miss a day. And unless I show enthusiasm, others will not take initiative to push me out from resting mood, instead they would relax. So, today I planned trip to Eibsee on the German side of Zugspitze valley. It took around 30 mins to reach the lake. After parking we started walking on the paved path, stopping in between to get into water.

The forest around Eibsee is beautiful with lush green trees. Though we had plan to complete a full round to the lake, by 10:30 we realised we will not be able to due to the exhaustion from previous day and the hot weather on that day. so, we planned to visit Innsbruck and have food at the Indian restaurant. As time went by, my headache was becoming terrible. And when we reached the restaurant, i was literally feeling like vomiting. We asked the restaurant people for tablets. The lady there told us “pls have the food here and drink mango lassi, i promise you immediately your headache will go away”. After having food we drove back to Ehrwald and I sat in the car closing my eyes and in 10 minutes my headache was gone. Evening we went in search of pizza again only to find out that the good italian restaurants were closed for the season and start service only from June 1st. We still had pizza at pizza spencer, which was good enough though  not the best.

28th May 2017:

Today started with hundreds of wishes from loved ones. We had coffee and started around 5:30am to reach home before noon. clouds were starting to raise up through the valley. We took a break to click some pics.Drive was more pleasant as in most places we were the only ones on the road. Kids slept and we kept listening to our favourite songs while I kept on answering WhatsApp messages and thanking all who wished. We reached home by afternoon and thus ended our short trip to Tirol.