Monday Aug 14, 2006
Intertlaken-Jungfraujoch-Trummelbach
We had put the alarm for 6:30 AM but by the time we woke up it was already 7:00 AM. We then started getting ready as quickly as possible. We had our breakfast and then left quickly for station. This time we needed to purchase the tickets.
At counter we again checked the timing for next train to Grindelwald and asked for 2 tickets for Jungfraujoch. The next train was at 8:20 AM and it was already 8:15 AM by that time. We were in hurry and were waiting impatiently for the tickets. PP gave his credit card to settle the bill but the machine at that counter was not working. So, she sent us to another counter for our bill’s settlement. Even at second counter the lady tried the credit card 2 times but again there seemed to be some problem. We thought that we would miss our train. Luckily 3rd time the card worked and we ran towards the platform 2B for our train to Grindelwald.
At platform 2B, we boarded the first coach we could catch and settled there. The train left platform exactly on time and we were again in the lap of nature. There stood huge magnificent mountains in front of us covered with snow and we were telling them to wait and that we would soon be there to meet them. By the time we reached Grindelwald it was 8:54 AM.
From Grindelwald we had to catch another train for Kleine Scheidegg; our starting point for Jungfraujoch. The next train started soon after 9 AM. With every move we were gaining height and we were getting closer to top of Europe. PP was amazed to see the railway track especially designed to withstand the steep of the path. We reached Kleine Scheidegg at around 9:36 AM.
Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
At Kleine Scheidegg station we could see many groups of people; all from different countries, different languages but with same destination; Jungfraujoch. All were suitably dressed to face glacier and were well equiped with tourist information document in their native language. We boarded Jungfrau Railway for Jungfraujoch. Luckily we got window seats. At around 9:45 AM we started our thrilling ascent to the Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe.
We all were thrilled when our journey to Jungfraujoch started. The Alpine range that was at far distance earlier now appeared to be much closer. We were at foot of the mountain range and by every move getting closer to them. It appeared to us that we were moving towards Heaven. We were wondering how the railway is going to move through permanent glaciers. But soon we realized that the train would be going through tunnel instead of open area to cover its journey. Just before entering tunnel train stopped for around 5 mins for us to have a view of world before reaching Jungfraujoch. The mountain nearby was covered with permanent snow. We all took snaps of the mountain with snow and then our journey started through tunnel.
The train operator started a film of Jungfraujoch history as soon as our journey through tunnel started. The film exhibited the details of first person who reached the place, how he decided to put a railway track there and how he turned his dreams into reality. There is a small hut on top of Jungfraujoch; the film showed that the hut was build somewhere else and then put there by the help of helicopter. It was really amazing to build such a track through tunnels till Top of Europe.
The train stopped inbetween twice at Eigerwand (2865m, 9400ft) and Eismeer (3160m, 10368ft). That was a small area inside the mountain. 2-3 windows were drilled through the mountain to have an outside view. The windows were covered with thick glass sheet to protect the place from outside wind and snow. We could see the difference in nature there. All the surrounding mountains were covered with snow and ice glaciers. That was our first ever experience with ice glaciers. The place was surrounded with ice and the mountain slope was very steep. We wanted to touch the glacier but couldn’t do so because of thick glass sheet in-between us. We started anticipating what all things we would be seeing up on Top of Europe and again started our journey for Jungfraujoch.
This time on train the film gave us the information of the place Jungfraujoch. The film informed us about various sightseeing points, shopping area and different restaurants in that place and how we could reach them through tunnel. We finally reached highlight of every Switzerland trip, Jungfraujoch at around 10:37 AM. As we get down from the train, a stream of chilled air passed through us. The place was 3454m (11333ft) above sea level and this could be felt from the air around us. This was the highest altitude railway station in Europe. In railway station we saw a cupboard with medical sign on it. The cupboard was having oxygen supply, blankets etc. They were well prepared for any emergencies.
We all were thrilled when our journey to Jungfraujoch started. The Alpine range that was at far distance earlier now appeared to be much closer. We were at foot of the mountain range and by every move getting closer to them. It appeared to us that we were moving towards Heaven. We were wondering how the railway is going to move through permanent glaciers. But soon we realized that the train would be going through tunnel instead of open area to cover its journey. Just before entering tunnel train stopped for around 5 mins for us to have a view of world before reaching Jungfraujoch. The mountain nearby was covered with permanent snow. We all took snaps of the mountain with snow and then our journey started through tunnel.
The train operator started a film of Jungfraujoch history as soon as our journey through tunnel started. The film exhibited the details of first person who reached the place, how he decided to put a railway track there and how he turned his dreams into reality. There is a small hut on top of Jungfraujoch; the film showed that the hut was build somewhere else and then put there by the help of helicopter. It was really amazing to build such a track through tunnels till Top of Europe.
The train stopped inbetween twice at Eigerwand (2865m, 9400ft) and Eismeer (3160m, 10368ft). That was a small area inside the mountain. 2-3 windows were drilled through the mountain to have an outside view. The windows were covered with thick glass sheet to protect the place from outside wind and snow. We could see the difference in nature there. All the surrounding mountains were covered with snow and ice glaciers. That was our first ever experience with ice glaciers. The place was surrounded with ice and the mountain slope was very steep. We wanted to touch the glacier but couldn’t do so because of thick glass sheet in-between us. We started anticipating what all things we would be seeing up on Top of Europe and again started our journey for Jungfraujoch.
This time on train the film gave us the information of the place Jungfraujoch. The film informed us about various sightseeing points, shopping area and different restaurants in that place and how we could reach them through tunnel. We finally reached highlight of every Switzerland trip, Jungfraujoch at around 10:37 AM. As we get down from the train, a stream of chilled air passed through us. The place was 3454m (11333ft) above sea level and this could be felt from the air around us. This was the highest altitude railway station in Europe. In railway station we saw a cupboard with medical sign on it. The cupboard was having oxygen supply, blankets etc. They were well prepared for any emergencies.
Ice Palace
As we came out of the Jungfrau Railway station, there was a lift for Ice Palace and Ice Gateway. So, we decided to start with Ice Palace. We boarded the lift along with other companions and started ascend to Ice Palace. When we came out of the lift we were altogether in a different world. Everywhere it was ice. The walls, the ceiling, everything was of ice. There was a warning sign at the start saying floor slippery as even the pathway was of ice. We then started walking cautiously in a cave of ice.
As we went little inside the cave we were surprised to see beautiful sculptures carved from ice. There were polar bear, penguins, birds, seal fish and toys all made from ice. We were amazed by this unique experience and took many photographs to keep this moment with us forever. We asked for favor from our fellow companions and took our pictures together with ice Eskimos especially set up there for personal photography and we returned their favor by taking their photographs with their family.
As we went little inside the cave we were surprised to see beautiful sculptures carved from ice. There were polar bear, penguins, birds, seal fish and toys all made from ice. We were amazed by this unique experience and took many photographs to keep this moment with us forever. We asked for favor from our fellow companions and took our pictures together with ice Eskimos especially set up there for personal photography and we returned their favor by taking their photographs with their family.
Ice Gateway
After Ice Palace we followed the sign post for Ice Gateway. Ice gateway was the point from where we could go out to face the exceptional beauty of nature. It was snowing very heavily when we came out from Ice Gateway. We were not even able to see anything around the place. As and when the clouds were floating we could see that the place was at the top and at one side there was the steep slope while at the other side there was large open area covered with snow. Because of heavy snow the open area was sealed at that time. Otherwise also no one would have dared to go in that area in that weather as it would be impossible to guess whether there would be solid ice or soft snow below your steps.
At first I was little afraid to go ahead in that area as there were strong wind outside and it was snowing very heavily. But then I thought that it would be a waste of our trip if even after reaching this point we couldn’t enjoy this mood of nature. So, we packed ourselves again and went outside. It was an unforgettable moment for us as we were out in the Ice and were facing snow and strong wind. It was chilling yet fun to be in that location at that weather. It was a fascinating world of perennial snow and ice amidst majestic mountain peaks. Seeing the slope, mountains and weather around I thought it’s next to impossible to climb such a mountain and reach that place without train. Hats-off to the team who managed to reach there on their own.
After coming inside we sat there for a while, regained our strength and warmth and then started for our next point. We then strolled inside the tunnel for a while to check the path for our next point; Sphinx.
At first I was little afraid to go ahead in that area as there were strong wind outside and it was snowing very heavily. But then I thought that it would be a waste of our trip if even after reaching this point we couldn’t enjoy this mood of nature. So, we packed ourselves again and went outside. It was an unforgettable moment for us as we were out in the Ice and were facing snow and strong wind. It was chilling yet fun to be in that location at that weather. It was a fascinating world of perennial snow and ice amidst majestic mountain peaks. Seeing the slope, mountains and weather around I thought it’s next to impossible to climb such a mountain and reach that place without train. Hats-off to the team who managed to reach there on their own.
After coming inside we sat there for a while, regained our strength and warmth and then started for our next point. We then strolled inside the tunnel for a while to check the path for our next point; Sphinx.
Sphinx
We found another lift on the way for Sphinx. The height of Sphinx Observation terrace from that point was 108 m and the lift covered the distance with a speed of 6.3 m/s. The Sphinx observation terrace was the highest point in Jungfraujoch that could be reached through connected tunnels or lift and it was 3571m (11, 782 ft) above sea level. From Sphinx we could see the untouched Alpine wonder world. There were mountains covered with snow all around challenging everyone to dare and climb them in that weather. This place also offers breathtaking views of France, Germany and Italy but due to bad weather we were deprived from this opportunity.
Exit to Glacier
Near the bottom of Sphinx lift there was a way to Glacier. From there, the tourist could reach the glacier and do strolling and skiing in eternal snow. That place also offered sports like dog sledging and snow disk run. But since it was snowing heavily and I also started felling dizziness because of air pressure we avoided the place.
We then strolled through the shopping area and looked the place around. We saw a short movie again on Jungfraujoch history in a small multivision there and then went to check on our options for Lunch. There was an Indian restaurant there by the name of Bollywood but since we were not in the mood to have something heavy we simply checked that restaurant and then left to have something else. I finally decided to have vegetable sandwich and PP ordered soup and French-fries for himself.
During Lunch we had a chat with another Indian couple who were sharing table with us. They were from Delhi. We shared our good and bad experiences with each other about Switzerland. They were also staying in Interlaken but was having longer plan in Switzerland. After lunch we then left for Hauptbahnhof to leave the wonder land. The next train from Jungfraujoch started at 1:45 PM and we continued our journey keeping this unforgettable excursion to Jungfraujoch in our heart for ever. The arrival on the roof of Europe was truly a unique experience!
We reached Kleine Scheidegg after around half an hour again following the unique track inside the tunnel. From there we took another train to Lauterbrunnen. We could see small huts on the mountains, buffalos grazing grass near the track and quite and calm river at the foot of the mountain. We relaxed and enjoyed the beauty outside.
Our next point was Trummelbach near Lauterbrunnen which was a unique water fall inside the mountain.
Trummelbach
We could hear the roaring of water falls as soon as we get off from the bus. The place is famous as it is the only glacier-waterfalls in Europe, which is inside the mountain and still accessible. The 10 glacier water falls inside the mountain made accessible by tunnel-lift and illuminated. The Trummelbach alone drains the mighty glacier defiles of Eiger (3970m), Monk (4099m), and Jungfrau (4158m) and carries 20,200 tons of boulder detritus per year. Its drainage area is 24 sq km, half of it covered by snow and glaciers. Up to 20, 000 litres of water per second.
We took the tickets and then started our trip through tunnel lift. It was a special lift drilled inside the mountain. It was not straight but inclined to an angle. The lift took us up in the mountain from where we had to start our exploration on our own. We then went little higher inside the mountain following stairs through tunnel and explored the unique water fall. The place was well illuminated with bulbs. The water was falling with very high pressure and the impact could be seen on the rocks around the fall. With the passage of time the fall had changed the shape of the rocks as per their movement. We then followed the water fall downwards through stairs and explored it from different view points.
We were tired by the time we reached bus stop. We waited around 15 mins for the bus back to Lauterbrunnen from where we took another train for Interlaken Ost and within 20 mins we were in Interlaken.
At Interlaken station we first checked the train timings for Bern for next day and then left for our Hotel. We both were too tired by our day’s activities so we relaxed for a while at hotel, had shower and then left again to stroll in city. We again went towards the open ground near our hotel and Casino Kursaal. After around 15-20 mins of strolling we came back to hotel to have our dinner. After dinner we again came out to enjoy the city at night. We walked around 15-20 mins. The shops were almost closed by that time. On the way we saw one musical band group who was performing in front of a shop. We didn’t get to know what the occasion was but we enjoyed the performance for a while and then came back to our hotel.
It was a tiring day for us and we slept as soon as we get into the bed.
We were tired by the time we reached bus stop. We waited around 15 mins for the bus back to Lauterbrunnen from where we took another train for Interlaken Ost and within 20 mins we were in Interlaken.
At Interlaken station we first checked the train timings for Bern for next day and then left for our Hotel. We both were too tired by our day’s activities so we relaxed for a while at hotel, had shower and then left again to stroll in city. We again went towards the open ground near our hotel and Casino Kursaal. After around 15-20 mins of strolling we came back to hotel to have our dinner. After dinner we again came out to enjoy the city at night. We walked around 15-20 mins. The shops were almost closed by that time. On the way we saw one musical band group who was performing in front of a shop. We didn’t get to know what the occasion was but we enjoyed the performance for a while and then came back to our hotel.
It was a tiring day for us and we slept as soon as we get into the bed.
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