Sunday, November 8, 2015

THE MARVELLOUS SUBTERRANEAN WATERFALLS (Part--I)


Engelberg Town
Engelberg town










  In the morning we could see the picturesque landscape of Engelberg, an international tourist resort with many hotels, shops and mountain sports training centers. We saw people paragliding accompanied by coaches in mid-air, hovering like birds above us. The pure climate, freshwater from mountain springs made this town a favourite destination for establishment of  spas and for enjoying Swiss delicacies. People here speak Swiss-German, a variation of German language, and can understand English also. People come here to enjoy sports like hiking, mountain climbing, bike-riding, sailing, skiing and swimming. This town is located at an altitude of 3,350 feet above sea-level surrounded by Alpine mountains. Because of its beautiful landscape abound with green valleys, mountain lakes and fresh air, this place is appropriately named "Engelberg" or "The Mountain of Angels." 

Inner View
 
Engelberg Church

            







Scenic View

Tunnel way
    










This town is well-connected to nearby cities like Luzern and Stansted by rail. Many hotels were established here during 1872 and 1874 by families of Cattani, Hess and Odermatt, pioneers of tourism. Because of its enchanting scenic spots, many Indian films were shot here. Another tourist attraction is the snow-covered peaks of mountains like Mt.Titlis. In 1967 Titlis Cable Car connection was opened here. In this town the Engelberg Abbey is a very ancient institution founded in 1122 by Conrad, Count of Seldenbiuren. During French Revolution many precious volumes of the abbey's library were burnt down. The abbey was re-built in Baroque style later. The abbey was given many privileges by kings and Bishops. This abbey founded a Fine Arts School for painters and writers. This abbey also maintains a cheese shop, a florist's shop, blacksmith's store and a well-equipped library. Even now nearly thirty monks stay here to run the institution.

  On our way to Trummelbach we took a short stroll through the park and streets of Engelberg. The beauty of this town lies in the fact that the place is not cut off from natural scenic surroundings. Wherever you go, you have a picturesque view of hills and green slopes with dotted with tiny cottages and herds of cattle. A serene and pure climate seems to get into every pore of your body. Some people were seen enjoying Swiss ice-cream while others were seen buying Swiss souvenirs from the vendors on the pavement. The photo cards and miniature figurines of Swiss cowbells and animals seem to attract everyone's attention.
 
Road from Zurich to Interlaken

Tunnel highway

 

    


Swiss Landscape Picture Card
Swiss Souvenirs
      











Lake Sarnen

                               
Interlaken











 Our bus passed through many tunnels and came across many lakes. The Swiss engineers are experts in construction of tunnels through mountainous terrain and in construction of ghat roads and rope-ways. The wide tunnels with bright illumination reveals the perfect workmanship and consummate skills of these dedicated architects. The distance from Engelberg to Interlaken is nearly one hundred miles and it took nearly two hours for us to reach that place. On the way we saw  Sarnen Lake with crystal-clear water mirroring blue skies. Interlaken is a tourist resort situated between two lakes namely Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. The Aare river flows between these two lakes. Mountains like Jungfrau (13,642 feet), Monch (13,474 feet) and Eiger (13,020 feet) are near the vicinity of this Swiss town. Hence many tourists come here to enjoy mountaineering, skiing, paragliding, boat riding etc. In 1890 the Berner Oberland Railway connected Interlaken with other tourist destinations like Lauterbrunen and Grindelwald.The nearestrailway station to Trummelbach waterfalls is Lauterbrunnen. But we went directly to the Trummelbach falls which is sixteen kilometers from Interlaken. 

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    9th November, 2015                                           SOMASESHU GUTALA

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