Wednesday, Sept 25. Like every day we enjoyed a delicious breakfast and at 10 am we drove down to the Station with the thought in mind to conquer the highest tourist attraction in Europe, the Jungfraujoch.
Normally a train ticket to the top cost 172 franks, but ours was included in the Bahnpass we bought last Sunday. This and the incredible beautiful weather made our decision easy to hop on the train that climbs up to the Kleine Scheidegg where we had to change train.
From here on the train climes the entire way to the top in a tunnel build in to the rocks of Eiger and Monch mountain with 2 lookout stops. The lookouts are securely enclosed with enforced glass, because there over 1000 meter drops to the bottom. On each stop all the tourist have exactly 5 minutes to enjoy the view and take pictures before the train continues.
The train stopped in one of the outlooks
The first outlook in the middle of the Eiger Nordwand
a vertical drop of over 1000 meter.
Grindelwald in the back ground
Lookout #2 , The Aletch glacier, the longest ice stream in the alps.
The train station on top is also under ground, because here we have eternal snow.
after 1 hour and 15 minutes since we left Kleine Scheidegg, we arrived. Only a few yards away you find yourself in the Berghaus, with restaurant and shops. Also from here starts the tour through out tunnels to the Sphinx, Alpine Sensation and Eispalast. First we decided to go to the Sphinx. A modern elevator brings us up into the building.
I was here at least 6 times in my life but never was affected by the thin air before. This time I really felt wobbly and had to breath hard and it took a long time before I got used to it. I must be getting old, ha,ha. It is also worth mentioning that lot of days during the year you can see absolutely noting, because the entire mountain is in the clouds. Lucky us, today we could see all the way to Germany.
Layout plan
The Sphinx
Tony and Amy arrived at 3571 meters
Thin air is no problem for the young people,
Tony, Amy and Donna!
In the front you see the Mannlichen, in the valley is Interlaken and
all the way in the back is Germany
Impressive rock, The Monch
Out of breath, but an amazing view.
Just like a postcard.
Donna trying to be romantic or holding on because she is not fond of heights.
Another look of the Aletch Gletcher, the long ice stream.
We went back down the elevator and continue on to the Ice Palast. This is actually inside the Eiger Gletcher, a tunnel with some larger rooms for ice carvings, a ice bar and secret passage ways. Even the floor is pure ice and you have to walk very careful. Again very impressive!
Eispalast
Ready for the adventure, Tony and me
In my mind, all Ice figures definitely need a touch up!
I made a lot of Ice sculpture in my life and I believe this ones
are worn out after a long season
It was still beautiful
At the Ice Bar, Donna and Amy
Definitely a secret passage way, look over his shoulder!
Not for claustrophobic people.
After a long way through modernized tunnels with motorized walkways we went to the so called Alpine Sensation. Here they show the history of the Jungfrau with the tunnel building and include several wood carvings in the raw. with wood they found wile building the railway.
Alpine Sensation
A mountain goat
A Cow with a Swatch Watch, Ha.
Beautiful snow glob
Donna loves the Edelweiss decoration
Going through all this tunnel there are several exits to go outside. there are lots more attractions, like a simple stroll , sledding or skiing in eternal snow, etc, etc.
After all this we hit the restaurant for some beverage and took the next train down. at the Kleine Scheidegg restaurant we decided to have a meal, we guessed right, it was sensational.
Swiss roesti with fresh veggie and melted Gruyere
Giant meat cutting board with Hobel Kaese, pears and sunflower seeds.
Back to the Restaurant Grund we went from here and then home. I was grateful having the car to drive up the 300 meters to the house and I think everybody else was too.
We ended the day with our usual Bacardi and coke and some Chocolate Stangeli as a snack!
What a great day again, Amy and Donna
At this hour Bacardi taste good!
Day 6 coming soon.
PS: A comment would be nice once in a while, then I know somebody is enjoying this too.
Always makes me laugh to see us together. Great pictures and I have enjoyed from Day 1 until now. I know it takes a lot of time to do this and I look forward to it everytime something new goes up.
ReplyDeleteTony