The bus...
The Heidebloem bus, our home away from home. It was very spacious, very comfortable and immaculately clean. Having the fridge stocked with cold drinks is a stroke of genius. Paul from the Netherlands was our bus driver. We couldn't have been in more capable hands. Lets face it, most of Europe towns and villages were not designed with a 48 seat bus in mind. The way Paul handled that bus, there was never a moment of unease, even during some precarious situations.
As we were leaving the Swiss Alps on our way to Burgundy, Paul suggested that rather than take the freeway all the way, perhaps we would like to do one alpine pass. I not sure everyone was still awake at that stage, but those of us who were agreed wholeheartedly. Best decision we made. It was the most exhilarating ride. The scenery was out off this world. The bus was winding its way down this mountain on the narrowest of roads, the view of the shear drop out the window had the heart pounding. It was raining, grey skies, perfect conditions for such a drive.
As we rounded the next corner there in front of us was another bus. These roads are not designed for one bus, let alone two. It was like a Mexican standoff. As we were the bus descending down the hill, we could hardly reverse uphill around a corner. Therefore it was up to the other bus to reverse away from the corner. In order to do that he had get out of his bus and inform the two cars that were now behind him, of his intentions. The cars slowly reversed first, followed by the other bus. Then we were able to slowly make our way around the corner, passing so close to the other bus, we are talking inches. then past the two cars whose occupants faces were petrified. Then on our way as if nothing had ever happened. Brilliant!
Fun times on the bus