Third day at Swiss

10- 10- 08

The morning of 10th at Interlaken dawned to a cloudy weather. Getting out of the Verandah in the 4th floor of Oberland hotel facing the Jungfrajoch peak at 3453m ( 13 to 14teen thousand ft.) ,it gave us a bleak outlook for the day. This was the day we had planned our excursion to the peak a 21/2 hr journey one way by train. Very soon it started raining adding to our misgivings. We initially thought of skipping the entire programme and got ready by 8.00 a.m for the inhouse breakfast. By now we were ready what to expect for the breakfast and how to pick up from the assorted spread out. It was first juice( multi juices), most of it so fresh with out sugar it was slightly bitter for Indian taste. Then multi cereal with milk and multi breads (Rye,plain, spherical etc.) with cheese, butter honey etc. Then multi fruits canned and fresh. There was clear sign stating no take always which was a deterrent to our idea of picking some cheese and butter for lunch. There were a lot of Indians too in the dining space. Very gradually the Indian presence is felt.

Taking our breakfast we felt the weather clearing. Further enquiry in the reception gave us confidence to take up the excursion to Jungfrajoch. Soon we rushed to the room in the 4th floor picked our essentials for the journey, the railway pass, camera, water , food for the way, note pads and started a brisk walk to Interlaken east ( about 15teen minutes along a huge park on one side and array of shops on other side) we reached the station.

The unique experience of the day started then. From Interlaken east it takes about 21/2 hrs to reach the lap of Alpine glaciers and the highest peak of the Alps Jungfraujoch. We have to change twice the train after an hr of brisk run. The changes in the train is to accommodate smaller trains suitable for the steep climb along the mountains.

At Interlaken we were at a height of 1860 ft. By the time we reached Luternrunner we had climbed 2612 ft that is about 800ft quite effortlessly in 40 minutes. From Lauterbrunner at 2612 ft we had to do a straight climb to Kleine Scheidegg at 6762 ft that is about 4000ft climb in a stiff gradient. It took an hrs time when we were passing through some spectacular scenery. The huge Alps rocky face along with some most beautiful pristine valleys were spreading in fornt of us like a unbelievable picture postcard.
From Kliene scheidegg at 6762 ft we changed train again to navigate to the peak Jungfrajoch at 1133 ft. It is real stupendous. Imagine you are on a train ride to Everest peak. It was an experience similar to that. At 5000ft climb from the last station to the peak is a unbelievable Engineering marvel of the world. I think every citizen of the world should see to appreciate human ingenuity and effort can achieve the impossible. Our job was to look out of the windows and marvel natures work.

At Jungfrojach – Europes highest railway station) we were right into the glacier from where all the mighty rivers flow down.
At the peak we had some more surprises waiting for us. As soon as we enter the place, the top of the Alps from the railway station there is a well laid out Cafeteria where people can buy food and eat comfortably. There is also an Indian joint called Bollywood restaurant where they were serving buffet lunch for27 F (ie) more than Rs1000/ per plate. We decided to skip the Indian food for one thing it may sit heavily for further movement and also we didn’t want to shell down lots of money for food. We then went to continental restaurant and had croissant ( a kind of bread), cakes and 2 cup of hot tea. We found half the tourist out there are Indians that explains the Indian restaurant at such ht.
After eats we went to the magnificent Ice palace. They have carved pathways like tunnels right into a glacier with lighting and enough space for people to move around. Further all along sculptures made of Ice like polar bear, Igloo and other huge figures are etched and kept. It was quite an exciting experience to walk through the ice caves right through the glaciers.
Next adventure out there was going through a speed lift to a height of a peak called Monch at 13,500 ft. The place is called spinz observatory. Coming out of the lift gives us the feeling we are on top of all the alpine ranges. From there we can come out in the open galleries around and get the feel of the icy wind surrounded very closely by the snow capped mountain peaks. The glacier in front of us was Aletsch.

Next is an opening to glacier where many walk along and a lot of skiing was also taking place. We just got the feel of it and returned. I guess we should go more properly protected for the adventure and we were under prepared.

All this moving around the peaks and glaciers took about 21/2 hrs and we rushed back to catch the 2.30 p.m train. The fare for this roundabout trip back to Interlaken east is 155 francs( About Rs.6000) But the Euro pass will half the amount to 50%. Again the back journey took about 3 hrs along the mountainous trail changing trains etc. Landing in Interlaken east again a brisk 15teen minutes back to Interlaken west and on to hotel Oberland by 6.00 p.m.

It was then the entire days activity caught up in our system. After a bit of rest and refreshing bath we went for our ready to eat dinner of Bisibela bath, Bhindi fry , dal fry + yogurt and bananas brought from the super market near by. The tariff for the hotel oberland for twin bed – 3 star fesility is 230F ( Rs. 10,000)