Friday in Switzerland was too windy for the train to go up the mountain to Jungfrau, the top of Europe. In the past, they had actually had one of these trains blown off the tracks in high winds. So we tubed some and hoped for the best on Saturday.
Saturday was our last day, so we caught the 6:30 AM train up with the workers. 2.5 hours later we up the mountain after a couple of observation post stops along the way. The Jungfraujoch is not at the top of Jungfrau, it is between two taller mountains. From there, they have multiple observation posts where you can look at the mountains and glacier. The top observation post, the sphinx, is a few hundred yards higher up through an elevator. The whole compound is basically drilled out caves and buildings attached to the cliff. Some of the outside observation areas were very chilly, but the glacier area was protected.
If you go in the summer, they run dog sleds out on the glacier. They also let you sled on the glacier. But not in December...
One of the more interesting sights was the ice palace, a cave drilled into the glacier with various ice carvings. It was really interesting to walk through a glacier.
On the down side, I had altitude sickness. I felt weak the whole time we were there and my heart started racing at the end. I guess it isn't a good Christmas present unless it almost kills you. After we got down, everything was fine. I have felt bad at altitude before in Colorado, but not this bad.
We made it home later that day. The next day, we picked up my brother Paul who is here for about a week for New Years.
Rugen Bräu - Local brew from near Interlaken. Not bad.
Bodingtons - British, one of my favorites.
Leffe - Belgium beer, very tasty.
