This day, we had more programme training! It was a low-key and fun day. Again, throughout the day we reviewed the programme that we would do with the girls and the protocol such as how to cross the street with a large group of girls haha.
We drove in cars to Interlaken and we read through the sites that we will point out while on programme. It was cool when we drove through Aecshi; Aeschi is the town where Our Chalet was almost built. I also learned about the legend of Jungfrau, Monk and Giseler. Jungfrau, Monk and Giseler are three famous mountain peaks in Switzerland. The Monk mountain separates the young maiden (Jungfrau) and the ogre (Giseler).
We parked the cars in the back of a hotel and then proceeded to walk to the chocolate shop. Interlaken is beautiful. As we walked down a main street towards the chocolate shop, the wide streets were lined with various stores, cafes, restaurants (including a Hooters restaurant haha) and hotels. The chocolate shop, Schuh, was right next to a large green park where people parasailing land. The mountains frame Interlaken and behind the park I could see the snowy peaks of Jungfrau, Monk and Giseler. Once we were outside of Schuh, we reviewed how programme would work with the chocolate show. Our chocolate show was not until later so we had a few minutes to explore Interlaken before heading back to the cars.
We drove to the location where we will be taking girls to go white water rafting! The small wooden house had a reception area that was connected to the open yet covered space of the equipment rooms. One of the men working showed us a video of the activities the company offers including white water rafting, canonying, parasailing, bungee jumping, etc. We then got an overview of the preparation procedure for white water rafting and then we left for Trummelbach falls. On programme, a few girls will go white water rafting and the rest of the group will go to Trummelbach falls. All of the volunteers get a chance to go white water rafting once and I am excited to go! I also want to do at least one other activity offered by this company :)
We drove to Lauterbrunnen valley which is a famous valley with 75 waterfalls. As we drove along the rock cliffs, I spotted a few small waterfalls trickling down the grey rock-face dotted with shrubs. We parked near a tourist restaurant nearby the Trummelbach falls. We followed a gravel path surrounded by tall grass to a nice open field nearby a river shielded by tall green trees. We had a picnic lunch in the sun (and shade). The sky was a brilliant blue and above the trees I could see the snowy peak of a distant mountain. I could also see different waterfalls in all directions on the cliffs in the valley.
After a relaxing lunch, we continued on the gravel path nearby the rushing river, through a ticket terminal and then into a large brown elevator. I felt a little nervous because it seemed like a roller coaster though I know it was not. After 30 of us (the vollies, Rhinana, Katie and random people) squished into the large elevator, we started moving at a gradual incline inside the mountain. We had a view of the tracks and rocks on either side as our space-ship like elevator gravitated towards the top.
Once the elevator stopped, we stepped out and back outside onto steps. Now, Trummelbach falls are magnificent and one of the best waterfalls I have been to. Trummelbach falls are a series of 10 waterfalls that are glacially fed by the Jungfrau mountain. Most of the waterfalls are inside of the mountain and near the top. We stepped out near the sixth waterfall (I think?) but followed the rock path with railing support around the mountain to inside of caves carved out inside of the mountain. We climbed up the steps all the way to the tenth waterfall at the very top. The rock cavern tunnels were tall and wide that were lit. The rock steps were slick from the mist of the waterfalls and I could hear the rushing of the falls that roared like a dragon. The steps led up to a small vantage point. I could feel the mist of the water on my face as the waterfall streamed powerfully between glistening black rocks from an unseen source. The water travelled in a river down among the rock to the next waterfall. I walked back down to the ninth waterfall, by far the most impressive of them all. From the smaller enclosure of the tenth waterfall, the ninth waterfall flowed through an open cavern in the mountain. In the cavern, the water dropped the rocks and continued flowing down the mountain. I was above the water so I could see the water dropping down and dropping down the rocks to the next waterfall. This cavern is impressive because multiple rainbows arched over the water and throughout the giant space. When I looked up, there was a crack where I could see the blue sky through.
From there, I walked down and visited the rest of the waterfalls. Though connected, each waterfall is unique and impressive. Another one of my favorite waterfalls there was the corkscrew fall which was thinner and twisted a few times on its way down a sharp drop. After the corkscrew waterfall, I exited the caverns. The rest of the waterfalls were observable outside of the caverns and I followed same path except that I took the time to observe the pure beauty of each fall. I cannot fully describe the beauty of these waterfalls nor can pictures capture them but I had a wonderful time observing the falls. I am also excited because I will have the chance to return to the falls multiple times on programme. I also highly recommend that you come to Switzerland and see them!!
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