Impressions of Switzerland

 

23rd July -Interlaken-Jungfraujoch

We got up early for the excursion to Jungfraujoch.We took a train to Interlaken Ost first . From here we took another train to Lauterbrunen. There we changed the train again to cog-wheel train to a place Kl. Scheidegg. The cog wheels prevent the train from slipping down when climbing up the slopes. Again a change at Kl. Scheidegg to a train that took us to the Top of Europe - JungfrauJoch. Changing trains so many times was tedious and especially because there was no reservation for these trains. So we had to literally run for seats. The views on our way up were very nice. Jungfraujoch is 3454 mtrs/ 11,333 ft, the highest railway station in Europe. Here there is an observation deck - closed as well as open. Being a sunny day sweaters weren't really necessary. Although what was really required were sun glasses - more than direct sunlight the reflected light from the snow was harsh on eyes. This even gave Sandeep and myself a headache. From the observation deck one can the Junfrau, Monch and Eiger peaks. There is snow all year round in this region. From the observation deck on the glacier below we could see people enjoying fun activities. With Aai- Baba tired and finding a little difficulty breathing due to height , only Sandeep and myself decided to go down to the glacier. We went through a tunnel in the mountain ...it was quite chill inside and we suddenly felt the need for jackets and gloves. Once out of tunnel and we started feeling hot. Once on the glacier we saw aski and snowboard park. There was a snow disk ride just as the one at Mt. Titlis. The one thing new here was a husky dog sledge ride. Unfortunately we couldn't take it as it was closed for the day.Maybe next time :) I felt disappointed for I had missed it for a second time the first being in Jukkasjarvi , Sweden. There was another fun ride called Tyrolienne. It is was something like a T- shaped stick on which one stands just for sake of support. The T-stick slides down a wire from a slope. We hardly saw all these things and decided to get back to observation deck coz the reflected light from the snow was really getting troublesome. We came back and went to see the Ice Palace.It was nothing as compared to Ice Hotel in Sweden but we went nevertheless to get an idea what it was for Sandeep was seeing it for first time. Back to deck to pick up Aai- Baba, then we started back on our return journey to Interlaken. This time we took the route Jungfraujoch- Kl. Scheidegg - Grindelwald - Interlaken Ost. Thus we completed a full circle through the mountains. The return journey was nice but we were all dozing all the way so were most of people. Dinner that night was at same Indian restaurant as before and that night we slept like logs.