It’s an easy morning for us, up, gym, packed, onto the airport for our morning flight to Zurich. 

At the Zurich airport, we easily grab our train tickets and catch the train to the main station, then transfer to the express train to Chur.  We had originally booked a car, but after conferring with Gaby, decided it was best for us to just take the train to meet them since a car would just be a waste, sitting in the car park the entire time.  So, easy train ride through the beautiful Alps it is!

Gaby and Sigis are there to meet us at the station for our long awaited reunion – it is so lovely to be together again!  After a lovely lunch Gaby has prepared at their home, we waste no time heading off into the mountains for the first hike of our visit.  Up into the highlands above Flims we go, straight up, off road!  The boys goof around with Sigis offering Ed an arm to help him up the hill, meanwhile Gaby and I are behind, chatting away as always!

We finally reach the trail, the Senda Romontscha – the Romansh Trail, named for the language of the region – where we walk for a bit with the wonderful views down to Flims and out to the mountains all around us.

Reaching the end of this section of trail, we walk through a sweet little village with old log cabins and homes, then back on the trail down through more gorgeous scenery, chatting and catching up with each other the entire time.

After our lovely hike, we head back into Domat/Ems to check into our Airbnb – the old Stiva Calanda– previously a local restaurant now converted into an apartment.  Fabulous idea for an apartment – and done extraordinarily well.  The kitchen area is where the old bar was located, with the original Calanda sign still there. The booths around the walls that once had tables, are now a seating area.  The bedroom in the back dining area, and the bathroom converted from the original restrooms at the rear.  Just lovely.

Except – um, no air conditioning. Even though this listing said A/C as well. Sigh.  Fortunately, it is on the street level of an all concrete block building which holds the coolness and keeps out most of the heat.  We shall see this evening.

After quick run to the Coop right across the street and then freshening up, we are out the door an on our way to Iris and Gianni’s house for a lovely dinner on the patio overlooking the fields.  The twins are so grown up!  We have a wonderful time with everyone – missing Dominic very much though, as he is at attending a camp this week.  Hopefully we will see him again on our next trip!

Great conversations, fantastic food – an absolutely perfect evening in Bonaduz and Domat/Ems.