Paris had set the perfect tone for our European journey, and with hearts full of excitement, we looked ahead to our next stop – Interlaken, nestled in the heart of Switzerland
Euro Rail
We had a morning train at 8:18am from Gare de Lyon station; a TGV Lyria train from Paris to Geneva. It was going to be our first experience on a Euro train, and we were both excited and anxious. Anxious because we had no clue about the formalities in the station. Turned out to be a smooth experience though.
We reached the station 30 minutes before the departure, and just roamed around the station waiting for the announcement. The platform number for the train was displayed only 20 minutes prior to the departure. So, it was like a guessing game for everyone waiting in the station. Once the platform number was displayed, we were allowed entry through the gates and into the train.
On boarding the coach, we found a place to stow away our luggage, and went to our seats. The train started on time and picked up a maximum speed of about 294 km/hr. It covered a distance of around 540 kms between Paris and Geneva in just over 3 hours.
Due to some technical issues on the tracks in between, our journey got delayed by 30 minutes. They gave constant updates, which kept everyone informed about the problem on the track. We were in no hurry and enjoyed the ride. That gave us time to go and check out the cafeteria and have a coffee in between. 😀
(Pictures of Cafeteria)
Swiss Trains
Once we got down at Geneva, it took us a while to figure out how to change platforms to catch our next train. We had got a Swiss Pass made for 6 days, which allowed us unlimited rides on trains, buses, trams and boats across Switzerland. So, from Geneva onwards, we could get on to any train.
I had downloaded the SBB app, which gave real-time information on Swiss trains, their timings and also the platform numbers. There were multiple train options and several routes to reach another city. The best option for us was to take a train from Geneva to Bern, which took us about 2 hours, and then another from Bern to Interlaken, which took another 1 hour.
The best part was that all the platforms in the stations had a ramp walk which allowed people to carry their luggage easily. We had become a pro by then in changing trains at the stations. 😀
What I loved most about these trains was that it was relatively empty and you could sit anywhere you wanted. Coming from India, where most of our trains run at full capacity, getting to choose seats and change seats is such a luxury. 😀
The journey throughout was so scenic and it took us through picturesque villages, lakes, valleys and mountains. The journey on the train itself was like some kind of a dream.
Interlaken
We reached Interlaken West station at 3:30pm and then walked to the hotel from there. The air and the atmosphere were so ethereal that all our senses felt alive and we were completely reveling in it. Everything about this place was out of a fairy book. Am sure I have not seen any other place like Switzerland in my life. <3
Interlaken, the place that we reached, means “between lakes”, and is surrounded by Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. This beautiful town is nestled between these lakes, overlooking the majestic Alps, with Jungfrau standing magnificently in front.
What hit us the most in Interlaken was the number of Indian people around. I guess Yash Chopra has made this place so hugely popular with his movies that the maximum tourists here were Indians. So, we felt at home. 😀
The landscape, the pure greenery, the sweet air, beautiful boutique shops around, everything in Interlaken was out of the world. We went out for a stroll, had a gelato ice-cream in the cold, saw the statue of Yash Chopra, and strolled around and inside the Hohematte Park, which is a huge ground in the middle of the city. All the paragliders descend on this vast open park. Just to sit there on the bench, soaking in all the beauty, felt like heaven.
(Pictures of Interlaken)
It was so beautiful to witness the sunset in the mountains, which gave such a nice hue to the place. The orange glow in one of the pics above is actually the light from the setting sun.
Trekking through the villages
The next day was my husband’s birthday and I had planned a list of places that I wanted to take him to. One of my close friends had suggested that we cover Lauterbrunnen and Wengen, as she had gone hiking there a couple of years back, and was completely in awe of those places.
Though Switzerland is well-known for Jungfrau and Mount Titlis, our itinerary did not include either. I am not a big fan of ice or snow and rather preferred greener and calmer environment. What we, or rather I, wanted to do was to explore the villages. My travel companion did not complain, and agreed later that it was his best birthday ever. 😀
Lauterbrunnen and Trummelbach Falls
Our day started off by taking a train to Lauterbrunnen. On reaching there, we took a bus to Trummelbach falls.
Trummelbach is the world’s only glacier waterfall, which is inside the mountains, and can be accessed via lift, steps, and paths. There are about 10 waterfalls inside the mountains, and each one was worth hiking. This waterfall alone drains out about 20,000 liters of water per second. That’s so unbelievable, right?
(Trummelbach Falls)
As soon as we got down from there, we saw a lot of senior citizens with a series of small MG cars. It was such a cool sight.
Wengen
Our next stop was Wengen. We took the bus back from Trummelbach to Lauterbrunnen Station and then caught a cogwheel train from there to Wengen. The cogwheel train goes on the steep mountain slopes, and is again one of its kind.
It took us through valleys and farms and reached Wengen in about 15 minutes. Once we reached Wengen, we felt that we were completely alone in the vast green-land. Amazing setting to sing the song “Main aur Meree Tanhayee aksar yeh baatein karte hain”. We could just get lost in the beautiful serene green space.
We walked through the village, with beautiful houses and lovely flowering pots outside. We must have walked for about 2 hours, taking breaks in between, just for sitting on the pavements, and watching some kids play.
We started to realize that no amount of photos or videos could do justice to this place. What we were seeing and experiencing had to be absorbed in our hearts, to be taken out and seen whenever we wanted to.
(Pictures of Wengen Village)
Grindelwald
From Wengen, our next stop was Grindelwald, which required changing a few trains again. Changing of trains in Swiss is really easy, and the journeys go like a breeze.
It was time for lunch, and as we wondered what to eat, a restaurant selling Samosas caught our eye. We were craving for some Indian food by then and ordered a plate of Samosas, Fried Rice and Chai. Once our hunger was satisfied, it was time to satisfy our soul. 🙂
We started a 3-km downward trek to a gorge glacier in Grindelwald. It was an amazing walk. We put on some old Mohammed Rafi songs on the phone and walked quietly. Suhaana Safar aur yeh mausaum haseen. Hamein dhar hai hum kho na jaaye kaheen. 🙂
We crossed some farms, where cows were grazing around. The bells tinkling on their necks was so soothing to hear. I really wanted to stay there and not come back to our real lives.
Brienz
We took a bus back from the Gorge to the Grindelwald Station and changed trains to reach Brienz. It was the city after which the lake was named.
As soon as we reached Brienz, all the passengers got down and were seen running. That made us curious and we joined the race as well. 😀
There was a ferry standing and we saw that everyone was getting on to it. We were so happy to find out that the ferry ride was also covered in our Swiss pass. What else could anyone ask for? We did not even care to check where the ferry was going, and just got on to it for the ride. Greedy for adventure always. 😀
Luckily for us, the ferry was going to Interlaken and it was the last ride for the day. While the train took 15 minutes, this water-route would take 1 hour. It was the most amazing 1 hour on water for us. The serene lake, the beauty around, small patches of huts in the distance, the setting sun, the hues of the skies, the mountains in the backdrop, everything felt like a dream.
(Photos of Lake Brienz)
On reaching back Interlaken, we got down at the OST (OST means East), and walked back to the hotel, shopping for some souvenirs in between. It was one of the most blissful days of my life.
In Interlaken, I felt that everything else had taken a back-seat. We felt as if we were floating, so mesmerized by the beauty around us that the food became an afterthought. We became one with the nature and the memory of that oneness soothes my senses and calms my nerves even now.
I think this was the hardest blog for me to write, as I struggled to capture the beauty of this place with just words and photos. Truly, it’s something that must be experienced firsthand.
Continue with me on my journey through my next blog on Lucerne.
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