Around the World: Part Fifteen

To the top of a snow capped mountain 

13.05.2019: Tour Day 7, Country 6, City 3

I woke up as usual, after the Wake-Up Call; got ready for the snow mountain with a thermal layer and woolen socks and woolen cap. We had our breakfast in the hotel; the breakfast area was too small to accommodate two tour groups. Somehow, I managed to grab a seat. I had muffins and apple. Tour members from other group were elaborating their experience on the snow mountain and what precautionary measures are to be taken to avoid a fall or slip on the ice paths. I got to hear this from Sumedha Deshpande. The weather was chilled, and we could feel the cold breezes which swiped us on our way to the bus. All the enthusiastic ladies got into the bus and we were all set to conquer the top. We were heading towards Engelberg, Central Switzerland.

Mount Titlis

Mount Titlis is a snow-clad mountain in the Alps. We reached the venue at 08:30am. We left the bus; all were covered in heavy woolens from head to toe. We got the tickets from Akhilesh, walked up the escalator to the base station cable car queue. The moving cable cars were revolving in the inner belt. We got into the cable car in groups of six and were off to a Frozen Experience.

Base Station à Trubsee à Stand à Mount Titlis Top

The starting journey was as normal as getting lifted from the base station to a higher level, with the view of the snow-covered mountain peak and the ground, diminishing in the size as we moved upwards. There was a tunnel; the area ahead had light snow covering as if God has sprinkled a snow powder on the ground, on the tall pine trees, on the mountains. As we moved ahead, the snow blankets got thicker and there was mist in the air.  There were small benches in the snow ground beneath us. Skiers were enjoying skiing. There was a halt at Trubsee Station; we continued further to Stand Station. For a few minutes, it felt like the fog is eating us; absolute zero visibility of where are we heading to. We left the cable car at Stand and queued up for the Rotair Titlis (rotating cable car). Here again the tickets were scanned, and we boarded the car. Now we could view the snow-clad mountain peaks. The Rotair Titlis took us to the Mount Titlis Top. The wooden building is divided into different levels: there is a Glacier Cave on level 1, level 2 has many souvenirs shops, there is an ice-cream parlor on level 3, level 4 has a photo studio and level 5 is an entry to the open mountain. The Ice Flyer and Cliff Walk were not into operation due credit to the bad weather conditions.

Glacier Cave

The cave, illuminated in dim turquoise light, has a 150m long walkway. The temperature remains -1.5 degree Celsius. Walking on the ice floor was a task, but it was exciting. There was an Igloo illuminated in changing colours of light.

Movenpick Ice cream

Here our taste buds enjoyed the melt-in-the-mouth ice cream treat. Relishing an ice cream in a chilled environment has its own happiness.

The Top

Fans were clicking selfies at Shahrukh-Kajol starrer Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge poster cut-out. The snow ground was open for all to fulfill their dreams of playing in the snow, making igloos and snowman, throwing snow balls, lying on the snow, walking up to the peak and what not.

Done with the Frozen Experience, we returned to the Rotair Titlis, which took us back to Stand station. Here we boarded another cable car and descended to Trubsee for our lunch. The lunch specialty was Burger Bhaji (Swiss version of Pav Bhaji). Having filled our tummies, we boarded a cable car and descended to the Base Station and then departed from Engelberg to Lucerne.

Lion Monument

The monument is a rock relief which commemorate the Swiss Guards who were massacred during the French Revolution.

After visiting the Lion Monument, ladies got into the shop till you drop mode. Many Swiss Souvenirs were bought including the chocolates and knives. Here I chatted with Neeta Deshpande. A fashion show was arranged in the evening. We got back to the hotel to get dressed in our best attire. Many photos were clicked on the background landscapes around the hotel. We got into the bus and reached the venue.

Fashion Show

Veena Patil, a successful entrepreneur in the tourism field, was the guest of honor for the event. She had a talk with all the ladies. There were four Women Special Groups participating in this event. The show started off with the four tour managers walking on the ramp; followed by the ladies. Meanwhile wine and starters were served for the watching and cheering audience. There was a singing competition followed by DJ Dance. Dinner was served and the prizes were distributed. A queen sash, a carry bag and a voucher worth Rs. 1000 was gifted to the winners by Veena Patil. The winners from our group, who bagged the prizes in the crowd of 120 ladies, are:

Creative Queen: Kiran Nagarkar

Culture Queen: Deepti Kulkarni

Dancing Queen: Neha Udeshi

Enthusiasm Queen: Geeta Mhatre

Queen in Green: Suman Bal

Having enjoyed a gala night, we returned to our hotel. We were travelling to another country tomorrow. Finally, the snow dreams were ticked off in the Bucket List. Co-travelers do share our experience of the day in comments below.

Read next: Around the World: Part Sixteen