Tonight and tomorrow we are staying in one of the best places on our trip. As we enjoy the end of our trip, we will be crashing in a very comfortable tent in Balmer’s Tent Village in Interlaken, Switzerland. This was not where we meant to stay – it was a joyful accident. Our friend Aaron had suggested a backpacker’s hostel close by but when we went to make reservations they were full. Many other places in the area were as well (May is right on the verge of peak season so there are lots of travelers like us trying to sneak in before the crowds come for summer). But, this place had a tent for two, so we jumped on it!
As we came into town we found an info booth and asked for a local map and directions. When we told the woman at the info counter that we were staying at the tent village she smiled. ”Oh, you have a walk to go! Or you could take the bus.” We smiled, pointed to our packs and told her we had been sitting on trains all morning and a walk through town was just what we needed.
The village is simple – 20 or so platform tents set up in a square with a common area in the middle (complete with a hot tub that we are hoping to earn the right to use tomorrow after a hike). Each tent has beds, a small table, and blankets to help keep campers cozy as they slumber below the high mountains and cliffs that surround the small town of Interlaken.
We have only been here for a couple of hours but I think we will like it here!