Interlaken: Tummel falls/Lauterbrunnen

On recommendation from Lili who's been to Switzerland during winter, we took a glass covered train (goldenpass line) from Montreux to Interlaken. It's a scenic route and the glass roof/windows etc were meant to enhance viewing pleasure. The cabin also had posh seats and well carpeted flooring.
The train's booking system appeared strange to me as they charge a booking fee when you choose seats online but if you hold a railpass, the trip is free (meaning only pay booking fee, don't need to pay for the trip itself). So we could just book seats at about 10 dollars each and show them the railpass when we board.
We booked this train twice unintentionally, due to some strange decision from the travel agency in Singapore who sold us the tickets... We are booking a scenic train ride and he had to put us on the aisle and not the window seat (when the train wasn't fully booked yet!!) So we had to do it ourselves online again but fortunately the booking fee they charged was not substantial.
So we happily went up the train to our window seats and realised that the aisle seats the 'friendly travel agent in Singapore' booked for us were marked 'reserved' as well.
As more people were streaming in (most without seat bookings) and had no seats, we nicely told the conductor that the aisle seats were reserved by us too but we'll forgo them. And the conductor had to reply 'Oh you've to sit at your reserved area!' Dunno had to spend how long explaining to her our whole story but she still didn't understand. Anyway, we still sat at our window seats and after some time, the passengers realised that the 'reserved' seats were empty and decided they could sit there. Really can't imagine what will happen if some prankster book the whole cabin then don't turn up..

Nice cabin, scenery. But book it yourself to avoid disappointment

We arrived at Interlaken and this started the best part of the trip :)

Our first stop was the Tummelfalls. A unique waterfall that transients within a cave. Engineers had skilfully crafted outlooks within the cave so that we can enjoy looking at this hidden waterfall which otherwise can only be seen when it exits.

This mine-cart like lift took us to the middle of the mountain from which we could continue ascend on foot to get to the lookout posts

Walk within the caves and you'll chance upon views like those below...

Honestly, the tummelfalls visit was shortlived (the walk was short) and wasn't that spectacular. It was just unique. So since we still had time, we decided to go for an easy trail in preparation for our planned 6-hour hike 2 days later. The trail goes from Murren to Lauterbrunnen. So the planned route is a cable car up to Murren which is about 2km above sea level and then going by foot downwards to Lauterbrunnen. Easy right? Walking downhilll for 1 hour...

The town of Murren was someplace i'll want to spend my retirement if given a chance. The village was quiet but well built up. Houses were lined with meticulously planted flowers and all the residents seem to have super green fingers here. Everybody's flowers were in full bloom.

Wonder how many crows it successfully managed to scare off...

From the town of Murren, we exited to a jungle path that kept going downhill for the whole hour of the trail. Halfway into the trail, we regretted choosing it as our 'suspension' (knees) began to falter with every step. We had to take breaks not because we were out of breath but because out legs were shaking from the repetitive impact.

Some sites along the jungle path. Good for admiring and resting the knees..

Finally seeing the endpoint.

We reached Lauterbrunnen at about 7pm and night was falling. We also just missed a train that goes back to Interlaken West and had to wait for about an hour. Fortunately, there was a small cafe near the station that provided cheap dinner. Forgot the price, but we were really thankful it was there to provide some warmth and economical but palatable pastas while we were waiting for the train.

Thank this cafe for its food and shelter amidst the darkening skies

Our first dinner in Interlaken