10 Days in search of Fondues, Heidi and Keg Parties – Part 7

Climbing up to the Jungfraujoch

Yes its still Day 5. Along the way to Jungfraujoch we have two scenic stops.

Most of the viewing is cliffs of ice and snow, it is so white or an eerie pale blue as the light passes though parts of it. Returning to the train, I reclaim my seat as I look like an elderly person, parents encourage their youngsters to give up their seats or maybe they know I will just sit on them! Young looking Craig misses out so rides the rack and rails in the standing position. At the station of Jungfraujoch we went to the viewing area where unfortunately the husky sled rides and ski runs were not operating (Oh, it must be November and they were getting renovated).

David and Craig at the Jungfraujoch - On the top of Europe. 

Is that Craig's STOP! Yodelling sign?

At the viewing area I tried to create the right atmosphere by playing recordings of people yodelling through my phone. Craig suggested I put the phone somewhere on/in my body. I think he was concerned the phone would get cold though I thought it strange to suggest the place he had, as the phone would definitely not fit. Before Craig tried to show me how it would fit, I turned the phone off and put it in my warm parker pocket.

In the valley we can saw a man walking in this white wilderness. I wondered where his stocks and skis were. Had the Zurich ski thief stuck so far from Zurich?

As we walked down the tunnel to the elevator, I heard yodelling! Imagining a potential outcome, I immediately showed Craig my phone was turned off. As we continued walking, out of the dim light appeared a group of yodellers with the yodelling club flags flying from the backpacks. I waited, wandering if Craig suggest to them how to keep their flags warm.

David at Jungfraujoch. 

Is that colour coordinated hair, beard and scenery?

We took the  elevator to the Sphinx observation terrace at 3573 metres above sea level.  The view from here is breathtaking and there were black birds flying around. They contrasted with the immense whiteness of the area.

Back down by elevator and we walked through the Ice Palace and tried boot skating as the floor was ice.  Onto the Plateau and we were taken by the sensation of it all. Unfortunately, some of our fellow travellers, the tourists I guess, had left their mark by not taking their empty drink containers and food wrappers with them. Fortunately it was the unthinking or insensitive few. Time to return to Interlaken via Kleine Scheidegg as the Human Railway Garmin advised we should take the train to Wengen.

Craig at the Ice Palace - Jungfraujoch. 

Nice Ice Puppy.

At Wengen we disembarked for a leg streaking walk with Dark Toblerone for nourishment. Back to the station after checking out the Ski equipment.

Do a few pieces of Toblerone make it a relief map?

We caught the train to Lauterbrunnen. Here we were too late for a cable car ride so we will save that for next time we are in town. The train for Interlaken arrived out of the darkness and we made our way back to the hotel.

Next time, its still Day 5! Its a long day but its been special. After the hotel, a freshen up we will try retracing Craig’s footsteps but adding the adventure of looking for the Owls at Hooters.