Switzerland's Turquoise Pearl Blausee

I finally set foot on that enchanting country that adorns everyone’s dreams—Switzerland. When I received a visa rejection three years ago, I could never have imagined that just two years later, the doors to this dream would open for me. It turns out that life is made up of what happens to us while we are making plans... While we struggle with the sadness of not obtaining what we desire, we miss the even more beautiful “reunion” that fate has reserved for us.

Thus, my Swiss adventure began precisely like this. At the very moment my hopes seemed to be fading, I was granted the opportunity through the Erasmus program to turn into reality the dream that had adorned my imagination—the place whose photos I had scrolled through on social media, silently wondering, “Will this ever be mine?” I saw many places, but today I want to tell you about the one that moved me the most: Blausee.

Blausee Map (Photo: Emine Nur Erdem)

The Harmony of Green and Blue

Let us begin with the journey... Long before reaching Blausee, I had already fallen in love with Switzerland. As I traveled along the roads, gazing at the charming mountain huts and cows grazing in the alpine meadows, each shade of green warmed my heart and guided me to this perfect place. The road itself revealed with striking clarity the magnificent order created by the sky and earth—the love affair between blue and green. Yet, no matter how travelers described it, they remained unaware that their words would fall short of capturing this landscape.

The Turquoise in the Heart of the Forest

At the end of this delightful journey, we arrived at Blausee. Upon entering, I did not know where to look. If I raised my eyes to the sky, I saw a breathtaking panorama of towering trees reaching toward the heavens; if I turned forward, I found myself facing a majestic forest path... And then, the famous lake appeared before me.

Each step I took deepened my wonder. When I first saw the lake, I could not believe my eyes—its color was an impossibly clear, magical turquoise... As I moved closer to the water to better admire it, I noticed enormous trout gliding beneath the surface. The largest trout I had ever seen were swimming in this natural wonder, hidden among mountains taller than skyscrapers.

The Italian Rower and the Legend of Tears

On the lake, guided tours were offered in special boats with glass bottoms. An Italian gentleman rowed our boat with oars, serving as our guide. His ability to speak many languages and his sincere efforts to converse with each tourist in their own tongue, coupled with his warm smile, were utterly charming. In that moment, Blausee became, in my eyes, a point where people from distant lands united in shared awe.

The Italian Rowing Guide and Tourists (Photo: Emine Nur Erdem)

During this tour, I also heard the poignant and romantic legend associated with the lake. According to the tale, a young woman with blue eyes lost her beloved and wept so bitterly by the lakeside that the lake’s unique color was formed from her tears. To honor this sorrowful story, a statue of a weeping woman had been placed at the lake’s bottom. Thanks to the crystal-clear water, this statue was clearly visible from the glass bottom of the boat—its very embodiment. I did not wish to leave this lake, which had become even more mysterious through this romance.

The Depiction of the Weeping Woman Beneath the Lake (Photo: Emine Nur Erdem)

Meditation in the Details of the Universe

After the lake, we walked toward a trail that led past a roaring waterfall, offering views that bore witness to Switzerland’s untouched nature.

I deeply love nature photography, especially discovering the subtle details of the natural world—a bee, a butterfly, a leaf... Capturing these delicate elements of creation makes me feel truly “present” in this world. Along the trail, I focused intently on countless details, striving to imprint them in both my memory and my camera. The sound of flowing water accompanied me, and I felt profoundly one with nature. Perhaps nature is the most beautiful sanctuary for humans to return to themselves.

A Surprise Encounter and Gratitude

At the end of our walk, we were greeted by a delightful surprise: alpacas! (At first sight, I called them llamas, but these gentle creatures turned out to be alpacas). They looked so beautiful and innocent amid the wilderness...

After gazing at them for a long time, I raised my head toward the distant, mist-covered mountains. I was but a single point in this vast world. I took a deep breath and, reflecting on how the landscape before me surpassed even the most beautiful images I had imagined, I offered heartfelt thanks. This journey had become an unforgettable memory etched forever in my mind.

A Lovely Alpaca Grazing at Blausee (Photo: Emine Nur Erdem)

And there are many more...