Day 05: Bregenz to Chapella

That sinking feeling...

Waking with the advent of dawn as you generally do when camping (unless indulging in a few too many the night before) all seemed as it should be, that was until alighting from the tent it was soon apparent that someone had been into the unlocked car during the night. 

Having left items such as cameras, GPS, laptop, passports, phones and cold hard cash in the car, what started as a slight curiosity as to why the front passenger door wasn't shut properly progressed rather quickly to that of sheer panic as it became obvious that all the other doors were also ajar and that just about every single item within the vehicle had been opened and moved about. 

Rifling through everything, the only items that could be found to be missing included all of the loose change from the centre console, and one cigarette from a carton of 200... the phones, camera, and GPS unit all remained sitting on the front passenger seat and the cash was fortunately still 'hidden' in a pocket of the laptop bag.... Phew....

Not sure what happened, whether our cat burglar was disturbed by someone (perhaps my snoring startled him?) but in any case I was very much a relief and a clear warning to us to be more careful in future.

Bregenz

After recovering from the initial shock, the morning progressed far more leisurely with breakfast bought from the campground shop after a morning walk down to the lake. The weather was perfect, which was a nice change from the past overcast and wet days, and all looked promising. Shortly after breakfast we headed out of town, planning to stop prior to departing Bregenz entirely to do a bit more shopping for a few other items needed to complete the camping kit. 

Heading south out of town in the general direction of Liechtenstein, we stopped at what the GPS called a 'Marketplatz' to look for some bedding for the tent. Yes, that is right, bedding. No sleeping bags required, just sheets and blankets. Whilst it has gotten a little cool overnight in Bregenz, we had sufficed with clothes and the thermal insulation liner for 'cold weather' purchased as an accessory for the tent in preparation for Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia and Mongolia both this trip and in the future.

Wandering somewhat aimlessly around the Marketplatz looking for a 'blanket shop' we were fortunate after checking out a camping / sports equipment shop to be put in the right direction. The place we were directed to fit the bill nicely with sheets, blankets and towels all available at discount prices. We got what we needed, and then had lunch in the town square. 'Austrian' specialties were on the menu, I had calf liver and Gerle had a local variation on a veal schnitzel .

Enjoying the early sunrise at Lake Constance.

Me, recovering from post thievery heart palpitations. 

Lunch at the Marketplatz.

Despite encouragement, the non-driver opted for an iced tea rather than some local vino.

Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein wasn't too far way, and basically en route in the direction of intended travel, so we planned to stop in for a quick look to add another flag to the trip and just to say that we'd been there. After setting the GPS to take us to Vaduz, we drove for about another hour through Austria before quickly passing through Switzerland (where they don't miss you with a minimum 12 month road vignette for 35 euros) and into Vaduz. Above the town we could see a castle, and thought that it might be a good place to check out and also to view the town from. After driving up, and parking quite some distance away, we walked down the hill only to find that it was a private residence, and closed to the public... d'oh!

Anyway, back into town, we did some grocery shopping in preparation for our first 'real' camping where we should be properly setup. Found a little supermarket, and we were both again impressed (and grateful for) the variety of items that one usually has not even laid eyes on in Mongolia before. The Liechties (what do you call someone from Liechtenstein) seem pretty normal in their tastes, but have a penchant for some weird eggs.

Local beers, wines and other bevvies were pertained in preparation for a relaxing night in the campground, which from online at least seemed a little wild in contrast to the typical European 'camping' experience.

Prior to realising 'No Entry'...

This was not the only variety of technicolor eggs available in Liechtenstein.

Chapella

Chapella is a small village about 5 - 10 kilometres from the well known resort town of St. Moritz, set in a steep valley surrounded by evergreen forest. The drive from Vaduz to Chapella whilst taking quite a bit longer than expected due to the endless small villages and road work en route was nonetheless a relaxing and scenic drive. 

Along the way we drove up and over the Julier Pass (2284m, yes that is higher than Australia's tallest peak, Mount Kosciuszko) where we saw our first 'summer snow'. Hopefully at the 3000 - 4000m + sections of the journey through Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan the snow isn't quite so prevalent - though it appeared to be quickly melting here at +20 degrees Celsius outside.

Arriving to the campsite at about 7pm, we had again missed the staff working and hence proceeded down to the river to setup camp. Gladly, the campsite was  fairly empty, with most residents choosing to setup in one major congregation around the ablution facilities and hence we were able to setup rather privately adjacent to the river. The river itself wasn't large, but flowing swiftly with clear water, tinged slightly with the minerals one often sees in glacial lakes. The water was freezing!

After setting up the tent, including the newly acquired bedding, we sat down to a great dinner of cold cuts, cheeses and breads accompanied with beers, wines and cider of the region. Fantastic stuff, really relaxing after a day that almost started disastrously. After dinner, we spent a bit of time down at the river, with Gerle able to master the art of skipping stones, before bedding down in what was now a nice warm tent.

The Landcruiser continued to look a little out of place in Europe... many strange looks from pedestrians!

Swiss countryside. Beautiful!

One of several lakes / dams that we passed by.

The view from the car whilst executing a '9 point turn' on the dam wall...

The view inside the car whilst executing the '9 point turn' on the dam wall...

The first summer snow we encountered.

The view from atop Julier Pass.

Yep, we were there.

Down from Julier Pass, on the way to the camp site.

Setting up the boudoir with new linens.

Looks cozy. Note the colour scheme was a joint effort balanced with 'sale prices'.

Our first 'real' camping... still in a camping park.

We didn't have too much company though.

For the first time since arriving, it started to get a little chilly.

Liechtenstein beer was pretty nice.

Cheers. Pre-mixed shooters.

The fridge, working well. 

The evening's refreshments.

The Kelly Kettle, test firing.

1.6L of water boiled in under 5 minutes, on pinecones and wet twigs. Nice.