Here are some pictures! They’re from the Appenzeller region (known for cheese, cows, and general Swissness) of German-speaking Switzerland. Sorry for the lack of text! This would be the trough of my creativity biorhythm.
But I would just like to mention one thing: cows have now become one of my favorite animals. They’re just so darn cute, not to mention curious and peaceful! One of the best moments of being up there in the mountains was hearing the hundreds of ringing, clanking trichels (cowbells). It truly is a sound from heaven.
Seriously, they’re just awesome!
After about 45 minutes of walking from Wasserauen I finally reached Seealpsee. (Beautiful place with a seemingly redundant name…it translates to Lake-alp-lake if I’m not mistaken.)
Møøøøøøøøøøøøøø…….Hello, ladies!
Leaving the scenic valleys of Seealpsee–I was feeling ambitious that day and decided hike up the mountain to Ebenalp.
I have to come back to discover this valley…it undoubtedly holds some hidden treasures. There was an advertisement for a molke-bath that was quite tempting.
There were some amazing flowers to be found in the forest…
…including this one! I have never seen a flower like this before in my life…anybody knows what it’s called?
Coming out of the forest, one arrives at Altenalp, halfway between Seealpsee and my destination–Ebenalp. Good thing too, I was running out of water! To give you an idea: this was the only building/sign of civilization for about 30 minutes’ of hiking distance in both directions. A bit reminiscent of a space station on the moon (if they had one).
There was a farmer working hard outside. I asked if I could have something to drink, and he invited me inside and showed me the menu. And that was when I discovered the greatness of molke (also known as whey).
I wonder how he got all this stuff up here…I also wonder if he was born/grew up on this farm. I had a bit of trouble communicating in Swiss German, but it was fun. In the end, I bought some homemade Alp cheese off of him. 
And he had a goatpen! This has been a farm animal field day for me.
And speaking of fields: at long last, after three and a half hours of hiking, I reached the top of Ebenalp! I really love this country from the bottom of my heart.
