16-Apr-2011 Jungfraojoch "Top of Europe", The Swiss Mountain Experience

We had breakfast , checked out from Beau-site Hotel, then, drove to Grindelwald again.  For just CHF6.00, got a parking next to the station, that was good for 24 hours.  We bought a ticket to go to Jungfraojoch or what they called as 'Top of Europe'.  Were we really on top of Europe???

Highlights:

The train stopped at Kleine Scheidegg (2061m/6760 ft).   The place is at the foot of the Eiger North Wall.     It was a pity, we're running out of time.  Otherwise, we would have spent more time at Kleine Scheidegg to play and have fun.  Then, we transferred to another platform and took the train going up to Jungfraojoch. 

The train stopped on the following stations, giving passengers a time to get off and for around 5 minutes each time - to view the glaciers from the enclosed viewing platforms.

Eigergletscher (2320m/7612ft),

Eigerwand (2865m/9400 ft),

Esimeer (3160m/10368ft)

The last stop ..... JUNGFRAOJOCH "Top of Europe" (3454m/11333ft).  We had underestimated the height… We felt slight difficulty in breathing after getting off the train.   Felt like our oxygen level had dropped a bit at the top… Temperature was around -7^oC... Not too bad.  Good that we came here when winter is almost over.

Mon had to sit down for a minute feeling dizzy but was able to regain his energy after drinking some water.  Justin was also not feeling well, and kept on asking if we could already take the train back.  I felt a bit of dizziness but not for long.  My big problem was my stomach... I had indigestion... had to run to the loo and boom! (Oops pardon me!) ... I shouldn't really have said it, should I?  Lucky I have a medicine with me.  Then Mon said, my fault, "I gave you coffee in the morning."  

Anyway, we managed to get over all these hassles as usual. 

We went to Ice Palace... entered a room carved with Ice… the walls, the floors, the ceiling, the hallways... feelin' like you're entering through an ice cave.  Well, i could say, it  was a cave... Later on, you'll see a collection of ice sculptures.  I could slide with my running shoes even without wheels.  Really cool! 

We went further up to the  Sphynx Terrace (3571 m).    I read a brochure later on saying that  we can see breathtaking views of France, Germany, and Italy from the Spyhnx... Hmmm, I should have paid attention.  

I saw in the TV inside the train, an area with lots of activities - snow disc and snow tube... also another one similar to flying fox ... and many more...  We missed this one... There's always next time...in other place maybe.  I promised Justin that Spyhnx would be the last one as he was really dying to come back...    

 It was worth a visit even for just a few hours.  Took the train down, enjoyed the views of the alpine mountains and back to the car.

The time had come where we had to say goodbye to Interlaken… we’ll surely miss this place.  We stopped over at McDonalds at Thun and headed to Geneva.


More Photos:
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