Best of Switzerland in 8 days - Day 1

 Prologue.

We had set out on a long trip of a total of 28 days. In the past 20 days of the trip, we moved through Russia, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and France. It was a wonderful trip so far. All our other members had limited leave and they returned home from Paris. We, two free birds, me and my wife, had our plans to continue with our travel and spend about 8 days in Switzerland.

Good Bye France

See you soon

A journey that took us to Switzerland.

We reached Paris Gere du Nord (Paris North Station) for our late morning TGV Lyria (French High-Speed Train) for our 412-kilometre journey from Paris to Basel. This journey takes just over 3 hours for this long distance. Taking this train around 1000 hrs, enjoying our journey with a spic and span and very comfortable train where expect for seeing the speed on their digital display, we could never feel that the train was moving so fast, we reached Basel SBB (Main Station) around 1300 hrs.

Our first encounter with Swiss Landscape

Look at the Sky, So clear. It's a Picture Postcard

A Village

Reaching Interlaken.

Once alighted, we went to Ticket Counter and bought our 8 days Swiss Rail Pass which becomes virtually free of cost travel on all modes of transports like Bus, Boats, some hill ropeways, etc. Swiss Rail Passes are available for various durations and combinations.

Taking our swiss rail passes, we found our train to Interlaken OST (Ostern = Eastern) station. It is a two-hour journey. The train was definitely not a TGV but except for speed, it had everything else, the comfort, the ambience and to add to that, now we have a beautiful Switzerland landscape to give us company.

Local Train. Basel - Interlaken

Once we reached Interlaken Ost (East) station, the first thing we did was to scan for a food store, etc. What pleasantly surprised us was, right on Interlaken Ost station, there is a “Coop” store where you get most of the provision and then there was one bigger “Coop” store right opposite this store (which remained open for fewer hours compared to their store on the station).

 Having familiarised ourself with the surrounding, we waited for our B&B host who was kind enough to offer us a pick up from the station. We reached our B & B, freshened up, got ourselves a cup of tea and straightway we set out for Interlaken city centre. And how did we travel? Stepped out of our accommodation, walked about 200 m and took a bus to Interlaken OST. The logic was, why waste time in the room when you can step out go to Interlaken town and have a good time.

What did we do for this day?

Interlaken is a small city though there are many villages around which technically form part of Interlaken town. Getting down at Interlaken East stop, we were very impressed to see a big youth hostel right next to the station. What a nice thing to help young restless traveller stay right next to the railway station unlike some cities where hostels are far from the centre (similarly we found a youth hostel very close to Cologne station in Germany). There are some shops adjoining the station and Coop Departmental store is just opposite the station. The town centre starts almost at the station. It is spread between Interlaken Ost and Interlaken West stations, which are just one and a half kilometre away.

Visit Harder Kulm Mountain Peak.

The street is reasonably wide, full of hotels and restaurants and there are beautiful flower beds and beautiful buildings. But our focus was somewhere else. Right next to Interlaken Ost station, a short walk away which includes a bridge crossing over the river “Aare” that connects lake Brienz and Lake Thun, we arrived at Harder Kulm Funicular Station called “Harder Bahn”. 

Bridge on River Aare

See the Train in the background

One of my Few photographs

Interlaken in the background, The riverside

The funicular is sort of a lift or railcar which moves on an incline which takes us to the peak which is 1300 odd metre high.

Funicular in Operation, Going up

This 100 years old Funicular system took us to Harder Kulm Station in about 10 minutes. Since we had Swiss Rail Passes, we got a 25% discount on tickets. A short 10 minutes walk took us to Harder Kulm peak where an overhanging viewing platform called “Two Lakes Bridge” gives the visitors a panoramic view of Interlaken and its surroundings and has a Panoramic restaurant. Harder Kulm Two Lakes Bridge allows us to view not only both the lakes but also gives us a chance to view not one, not two but three famous mountain peaks of the region, Jungfrau, Eiger and Monch.

View of Lake Brienz

Climbing to Harder Kulm

Resting Point

Stunning Shadow Play

Two Lakes Bridge - Lake Thun in the background

Lake Thun

Raclette - A famous Swiss Dish - Melted Cheese with Jacketed Potatoes

Look at the peaks depicted on the plate and not at the soiled plate

Been there - Seen That

After enjoying great views from the viewing platform and having some snacks, we took the funicular back to Interlaken and strolled through the market. Interestingly there is a lane in the city centre where there are a good number of (eight or ten) Indian (they call themselves so but they could well be run by Pakistanis or Bangladeshis) where India including Jain food is available. There are some more Indian restaurants available in Interlaken but they are spread out a bit.

Enjoying "Höhematte".

Interlaken city centre has a main road called Höheweg (highway). Situated on this street is a huge Field called Höhematte meaning Höhe = High and Matte = Mountain Medows. It’s a lush green plain field of about 35 Acres where one can spend a good time viewing the Swiss Alps, enjoy the numerous Paragliders landing and also have a picnic. We also spent considerable time enjoying the beauty of the Swiss Alps, Paragliders landing and the rich flower beds along the length of this field. There are Paragliding Companies on this field and close by with whom one can fix up a piloted Paragliding trip.

Many Colours in a Small Frame

Flower Beds to Hohematte side - Hoheweg (High way (Street)) is in the background

The High Mountain Grazing Ground (Hohematte)

Another view

Vibrant, Both

Illuminated Mountains

Maan Nahi Bhara

My Official Fashion Model

Paragliders in Flight

Strolling on "Höheweg".

Did you know, Interlaken has a statue of an Indian Film Producer? It has legendary Indian (our own) music director Yash Chopra’s statue which is nearby but on the other side of Hoheweg. Very close to Yash Chopra Statue there is a flower-decked Fountain exists. Switzerland has honoured Yash Chopra for his special love for Swiss locations for his movies.

Handicraft Shop

Goat Statue

Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel, a 150 years old hotel -  High Street

Another Historical hotel, Hotel Royal St George - beautiful building

Street view I

Street View 2

Höheweg is a fully commercial area with numerous shops and hotels. There are many Indian Restaurants also around this street. It was fun to stroll on this street. By the time we were done with Höheweg, it was around 7 pm in the evening. We were virtually on the move throughout the day. We took a bus back to our B & B. Once we were back, it was relaxation, dinner. Thereafter we called it a day.