Interlaken, Switzerland.

Updated: Oct 17, 2022

There were a series of detours from Neuchâtel to Interlaken in Switzerland.

As we entered the German speaking area on Wednesday, we were met with the most powerful waterfall in Europe, the Rhine Falls or Rheinfall.

This was followed by Stein am Rhein, a medieval town renowned for its buildings with painted façades.

Dinner was in Burg Hohenklingen or a Middle Ages castle on a hilltop overlooking Stein am Rhein.

Appetiser to pique our interest in the German inspired menu was a curated salmon dish.

Entrée was a Staaner Bouillabaisse or stong saffron vegetable soup with trout and whitefish, accompanied by garlic crostini and Rouille sauce.

Main course was Wienerschnitzel or veal schnitzel garnished with lemon and cranberries, served with seasonal vegetables and fries.

Dessert was miniatures of Toblerone mousse and caramel pudding.

After staying the night in nearby Eschenz, we passed through Switzerland's capital city Bern on Thursday.

Here, a fitting purchase was made.

Balmain.

The Swiss watch of French couturier Pierre Balmain, representing high elegance.

Rose gold bracelet and midnight blue face with sapphire crystal.

Following an overnight stay in Bern and in transit to Interlaken on Friday, we visited Spiez, a picturesque town on the shore of Lake Thun.

On arrival at Interlaken we checked into our chalet accommodation Residence Jungfrau.

As it was cold and rainy in this mountainous destination between the two lakes Thun and Brienz, we took the postcard photo.

And walked briskly to rustic restaurant Bären for a glass of wine and hearty meal.

Entrée was Bouillon mit Ei or clear broth with egg and Hobelkäse mit Brot or rolled cheese with bread.

Main course was Rösti mit Bratwurst und Zwiebelsauce or hash brown with grilled sausage and onion gravy.

Dessert was Apfelkuchen or housemade apple pie with all the trimmings.

There was much anticipation on Saturday around reaching the dizzy heights of Jungfraujoch, otherwise known as the Top of Europe, a glacier saddle in the Bernese Alps that is 3,463 metres above sea level.

While this may conjure up images of thrill seekers climbing a summit, it should be noted that Jungfraujoch is a largely enclosed observatory accessible by gondola and train.

This was not the top.

This was still not the top.

As much as this may seem like the top. It was not.

Given the low visibility weather conditions at Jungfraujoch of -2 degrees, wind blown snow and fog, it appeared as stark white akin to the blank space below.