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Looking out into the lagoon that is Lake Annecy
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Sunday 19th April, 2015
Weary and sluggish after a long journey from Colmar, we were relieved that our hostel was just a short walk away. As we dragged ourselves through the uninspiring town square, hardly paying attention to our surroundings, my boyfriend, Jack and I agreed that Annecy looked nothing like we imagined. Feeling a bit disengaged and lost in our own thoughts, we continued walking. However, as we turned the corner onto the street where our hostel was located, we were suddenly greeted by a sight we had both been longing for; the Alps. Frozen in admiration of the misty mountains and their enchanting allure, it was clear to both of us that there was no need for debate—we were definitely staying for another night... |
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| What the week ahead looks like from a hostel's perspective│Colourful & nostalgic scraps decorating the walls, Annecy Hostel |
We stayed at
Annecy Hostel for two nights, the first hostel where we made backpacker friends, but there wasn’t too much time for chit-chat or sharing stories of travel and wanderlust because, a
s soon as Jack and I arrived, we were eager to chuck our backpacks, skip the shower, and head out to explore.
Wandering through Annecy with no particular destination in mind, we found ourselves in the Old Town, a charming and cosy atmosphere, cobbled streets, and pastel-coloured houses. I was thrilled to soak in every detail of this picturesque town, but as the sun began to set and our stomachs started to growl, we decided to resist the lure of the Alps until tomorrow.
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| Enjoying some food a few glasses of wine |
Sunscreen? Check. Picnic? Check. A plan for the day ahead? Not a chance.
Jack and I were brimming with excitement to leave the hostel and embrace the outdoors, with only a loose plan to simply ‘go with the flow.’ The sun was shining, the air was refreshing, and the day felt perfect right from the start. I strolled leisurely along the canal, savouring every little detail of this historic French town. As the sunlight brightened up the surroundings, the town appeared even more alive than the day before.
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| The Old Town, Annecy |
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| Looking back at the beauty of Annecy |
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| Looking out at the Alps, Lake Annecy |
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| Nature & Magic, Lake Annecy |
As we reached the edge of the town, a large lake unfolded before us, stretching for miles. Walking alongside the crystal-clear blue and green water, I felt utterly mesmerised. The day couldn’t have been more perfect; a refreshing sense of calm enveloped me.
I can’t quite remember if Jack and I talked about a specific destination; it felt as though we instinctively understood our route, as if our bodies were communicating telepathically, seamlessly woven to follow the wind's lead. We wandered aimlessly, guided solely by our instincts. Occasionally, we paused to share the moment, but today, words were unnecessary. The tranquillity was euphoric. Nature intertwined with the lives of the locals and illuminated our journey, revealing an abundance of beautiful sights on either side.
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| Walking with nature, Lake Annecy |
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| Early beer on the lake |
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| Picnic on the beach, Lake Annecy |
I had lost all sense of time since leaving the hostel that morning. I couldn’t even remember when we decided it was time to take a break or eat. It felt like I had been floating alongside the lake all day, with the water and the wind gently guiding me on my journey. Time had no hold on us today; we were in no rush and had no destination in mind.
Jack and I found a perfect spot to sit down for a picnic. It was so perfect that I drifted off to sleep without even realising it, only to wake up a moment later, momentarily disoriented. As I sat up, a wave of gratitude washed over me. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to be in this moment, embraced by the bright, blue canvas above, feeling completely at one with everything around me.
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| Beautiful backdrop, Lake Annecy |
The walk back was just as delightful, with the late afternoon sun feeling even warmer than it did earlier that day. Occasionally, we paused to appreciate the gentle lapping of the waves and the colours that reflected the personality of nature around us. It was my favourite day so far, and we were only on the seventh day of our trip.
That evening, we gathered at the hostel with our new backpacker friends, whipping up a pasta dinner, sharing a bottle of wine, and attempting to ‘learn’ some French as well as discussing the latest season of Game of Thrones and bonding over a mix of both spot-on and terrible impressions of some of the show's most memorable characters. It was a great time, but after a bottle of wine, it was time to bid goodnight to Annecy and say farewell to our new companions. The next day promised a new adventure in
Austria, and I couldn’t wait. From one side of the Alps to another... Here we come!
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