Trip to Switzerland ~ Day Five

Wednesday - 1 July, 2009

A new day with a new plan. The plan for the day was to go to Burgerbad, which is 81km away from Interlaken.

Everything you've heard about Switzerland is true and every photo you've seen about the spectacular scenery does not do it justice. This photo was taken while we were on our way to Burgerbad. You do not have to be a professional photographer as every shot is a picture perfect postcard shot.

Our first stop was the Blausee Nature Park. The entrance fee was sFr5 per person.

This deep blue lake with crystal clear water is certainly the main attraction. It's located in an approximately 20-hectare nature park. You can go on a boat ride too. It's free of charge but you are welcomed to tip the rower.

It is also an alpine trout breeding farm and there are restaurants where the trouts are served fresh from the water.

Picnic and campfire sites in the park.

There's even a children's playground there!

Alright, it's time to continue with our journey to Burgerbad. After paying sFr20 at a toll, we couldn't proceed anymore due to the red lights. 10 minutes had passed and passengers from other cars behind ours started to get down from their cars. Some had even turned off their engines. We didn't understand what was going on and the only signboard we could see was this:

Any idea what that is?

We then realised that we had reached the train ferry terminal of the Lötschberg Tunnel, a 14.6 km (9.1 mi) long railway tunnel which cuts through the Alps of Switzerland. I was told to drive my car onto the train and we had to remain in the car during the whole journey.

Driving on the train.....excitedly....

Cool, eh?

Alright guys.....heading into the tunnel.....

It was really dark inside the tunnel and our car was the only one that had the lights on because Shawn Eamon was afraid of being in the dark.

Getting out of the tunnel.....It took us about 20 minutes to get through the tunnel.

The roads leading to Burgerbad (731m or 2,398ft) are much trickier than those on the Grimsel and Furka Passes. That was why it took us nearly 2 hours to reach the Burgerbad, which is only 81km away from our base, Interlaken!

Since Shawn Eamon likes to play with water, Burgerbad was always on my mind while planning the trip. It's the largest Alpine thermal resort in Europe. There are no less than 10 pools of warm water with varying temperatures. We went for various underwater massages at the indoor thermal swimming pool before venturing to the outdoor pools and let ourselves be massaged by the various water torrents and jacuzzies. Awesome!!!!!! We paid sFr20 for a 3-hour pass which I thought was enough. Again, Shawn Eamon went for free.

The Alps are your background view while lounging in the outdoor pools. Now this is what you call a vacation!!!

Dinner for the day was home-cooked spaghetti....thanks to mum, of course! Well, another wonderful day had passed....