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Is that snow I see?

Writer's picture: Deborah KadeDeborah Kade

Is that snow I see? Yes, there is snow on Schynige Platte and the surrounding mountains this morning. Even the Niesen's top was covered.




Since it is supposed to rain again today, I decided to hop on the train to Cailler to buy the bags of hot chocolate and baking chocolate I need to purchase. I'm starting to fill up the empty suitcases. Also, it is too heavy to carry the hot chocolate and the chocolate bars at the same time. 


I took the train from Interlaken West to Bern. Changed trains in Bern for one that terminates at the Cailler chocolate factory. It was even the Cailler Chocolat Express Train. It is a beautiful new train.




On the train to Bern, I sat by a gentleman who is in charge of the flight operations at the Meiringen Air Base. I told him when I was at Ballenberg the other day the cows didn't even move their heads when the planes take off. Guess the cows are used to it. He laughed. He was headed to Paris to pick up a plane. We had such an interesting conversation! We ended up talking about South Korea and the hospitality of the people. Now, I really want to go to Korea. 


"Meiringen Air Base Command is responsible for the permanent operational readiness of the Air Force."


"Meiringen Air Base, also known as the Unterbach Military Airfield, is located near the hamlet of Unterbach and the town of Meiringen. It is one of three main airbases of the Swiss Air Force."


"The airfield is situated in the steep-sided alpine valley of the Aare River, with its single runway parallel to the river. It is flanked to the north by the main road to Meiringen, the river, and the Brünig Rail Line. To the south, taxiways connect the airfield to aircraft caverns built within the valley side."


"The airfield of Meiringen is still important for the Swiss Air Force. With the closure of Sion Air Base in 2016, it will be one of only three fighter bases, along with Payerne Air Base and Emmen Air Base. It is the home base to two fighter squadrons, militia Squadron 8 "Destructors", equipped with the Northrop F-5E Tiger, and Berufsfliegerkorps (professional) Fliegerstaffel 11, equipped with the F/A-18 Hornet."


"Meiringen Air Base started operations on December 1, 1941.The base played an important role in the 1946 C-53 Skytrooper crash on the Gauli Glacier: the rescue operation was launched and coordinated by the Meiringen air base. The rescue of persons on a glacier with airplanes had never been done before. After World War II, an aircraft cavern was built in Meiringen. In the 1970's, the construction of another cavern tunnel was started for the A-7G Corsair II, but because the A-7G was not bought, this construction was completed as an ammunition storage cavern. With the introduction of the F/A-18 Hornet the aircraft cavern was rebuilt again and received another tunnel so the aircraft can go straight in and out at the same time. In the inside, maneuvering without crane is now possible."


"In 2004, militia Squadron 8 "Destructors", equipped with the F-5E Tiger, moved to Meiringen from Buochs Airport. In 2007, professional Fliegerstaffel 11 (Fighter Squadron 11) "Tigers", equipped with the F/A-18, moved from Dübendorf Air Base."


"Most of its 200 employees work in Meiringen, while some are stationed at Bern Belp airport. They use the latest technology to meet their daily challenges, working precisely and to the highest standards on the front line and contributing significantly to Switzerland's security by managing flight operations, maintaining the extensive infrastructure and monitoring the airspace. In addition, the air base employs 30 apprentices, training as polymechanics, automotive technicians and operational maintenance engineers."


"Fighter Squadron 11, one of the three Swiss Air Force F/A-18 Hornet squadrons, is an important pillar of Switzerland’s air defence. Since January 2006, Fighter Squadron 11 has been flying its daily missions from its home base at Meiringen in the Bernese Oberland, while the two other F/A-18 squadrons operate from Payerne in Western Switzerland."


"During their refresher courses, the conscript organisation Air Base Command 13 works closely with the full-time professionals at the Meiringen Air Base Command to maintain air base operations.

Skyguide, the provider of air navigation services throughout Switzerland, is responsible for air traffic control."


In 2023, a private inn overlooking the air base was raided by the authorities on suspicions of harboring a Chinese intelligence operation.


I'm on the Cailler train from Bern. I see the name of the stop at the Cailler factory has been changed from Broc Fabrique to Broc Chocolaterie. Happy to have a train that goes direct without having to change in Bulle. 


Strange to see storks still around Fribourg as I thought they had started their migration already. Of course, I wasn't fast enough to capture a picture. 


Usually, when we travel to this part of Switzerland it is raining. It was nice to see a little break in the clouds. 


The train station in Bulle is completed. I love that I can go all the way to Broc without having to change trains in Bulle.


The countryside from Fribourg to Bulle consists of rolling hills and wide open pastures for either grazing cows, for hay, or cow corn.










The Nespresso factory is in Romont as well as in Avenches. There is a military base around here in Romont, too. They even have a street sign that says tank crossing. We have seen a tank go by one year. 




The cows' milk from this region is likely to be used in the production of Gruyère cheese or in the Cailler factory.







So many kinds of chocolate to choose from and chocolate related items to buy.

























Cailler and Kambly, the biscuit (cookie) maker, have collaborated together. Delicious combination!!


Surprised to see the After Eight mints.


After my shopping, I had time to enjoy a hot chocolate made with dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate.


The dark chocolate is quite darker than the milk.



Wow! The dark chocolate taste is quite intense!!!  It was delicious but I prefer the milk chocolate. I was surprised to learn they only sell the milk hot chocolate powder. Love the whipped cream and chocolate powder added on top. It was served with a bite of chocmel chocolate, which is milk chocolate and bits of honey. It has become a favorite of mine. Love the crunchiness of the honey bits. 


Cailler milk chocolate is made from fresh milk from La Gruyère. The chocolates are certified palm oil free, from sustainable Cocoa Plan plantations and made with fresh Swiss IP milk from the Gruyère region. 


There are three new flavors for the bars: caramel, cookies and cream,  and pralinato. I have no idea how each tastes. 


I saw Patrick teaching the "chocolate champions" class where you produce your own chocolate bar. You personalize your own creation with a chocolate piping bag. Then, you learn the art of tempering. You even get to keep your own mold. This class doesn't interest me. I wanted to take the gourmand baking class, but they aren't offering it this month. 




Sometimes you just have to try something different to eat. At Città Vecchia, Michael and I normally order the Rusticana pizza, but we decided to try something different.


Started with a mixed salad (lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, corn, red cabbage, and beets)


I enjoyed my dish of fettuccine with a pistachio pesto topped with burrata ( Italian cow's milk cheese made from mozzarella and cream. The outer casing is solid cheese, while the inside contains stracciatella and clotted cream, giving it an unusual, soft texture). 


Michael had the veal piccata Milanese with saffron risotto and green beans. The veal was so soft and the bread coating was thin.


For dessert we shared a panna cotta with a warm berry sauce. Panna cotta means “cooked cream” in Italy, and that's essentially what the base is: heated heavy cream (often with a little half-and-half or whole milk) set with powdered gelatin and flavored with vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste.


Another day comes to a close.

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