We got up very early to catch a train up to Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe. The view from the train on the way up was pretty incredible, looking through valleys and up towards the frozen peaks. The train was partially pulled along by cog drive in the steep parts, and it got pretty steep! The last leg was a tunnel through the mountain, which was actually pretty disappointing because you couldn't se anything. The facility at Jungfraujoch itself is pretty well set up, but as we were on the first train it was pretty empty. We walked inside a glacier, where they had carved out some tunnels and ice sculptures. We also went out and stood on the top of said glacier, but the 40km/h wind and -11°C temperatures made it slightly less enjoyable. Visibility was only fifty metres or so at the top of the mountain, which was also pretty disappointing as we had read lots about how it is supposed to be an unmissable European experience. We left feeling a little ripped off, as the train was very expensive, but I guess there's not much anyone can do about it. The views on the way down were even better than on the way up, and because it was later in the day we saw a lot more skiers. This place challenges everything you think of when you think "ski resort". You can literally ski down the mountain the second you step off the train – there are no platforms as such. Each station has about a dozen lifts and even more runs snaking in every direction. There are people everywhere – three trains go up at a time, every half an hour to hour, and they are always packed. Some of the chairlifts look like they go for kilometres. Most of all, it seems like you can ski just about anywhere. There are runs sort of marked out, but there is just a big white blanket of snow (especially further up the mountain) where it feels like anything would be possible. There were even a few medium-sized groups of sledders, reminding us of our excellent experience last night.
When we got back we were tired and hungry, and still feeling quite hollow and angry at getting so little at the top of the mountain. Keeley slept most of the afternoon and I went for a walk to the lake to the west of Interlaken. The track is pretty muddy and slushy, but closer to the lake itself it's quite pretty. There were lots of birdwatchers out, and the sun was quite warm as it was a cloudless day. The view of the mountains from there was pretty special, and the water in the lake is a magnificent blue and crystal clear close up. There is a small 13th-century castle/storehouse there that originally protected the shipping route through the Alps when it was controlled by the Germans. It is pretty cool to see, and in fairly good condition considering its age. Nearby there is a nice golf course and a lakeside town (Neuhaus) that would be very popular in summer I think.
Unfortunately, we also missed out on a make-and-taste session at a local Swiss chocolatier as a big group had booked it out. This was pretty sad, but we figure it is something we'll get a chance to do in Belgium so it's not too bad.
Tomorrow we are on an 18-hour bus ride from Bern to Barcelona. It is a long haul, but hopefully we only have this and the ride between Paris and Copenhagen that will be that long and uncomfortable.
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