The train ride through the mountain passes to Innsbruck is simply breathtaking. Snow-capped mountains are all so beautiful. It makes one feel so small. Sky is gloomy look like drizzle will come anytime yet the rain droplets only add to the beauty of the scenery that we passed. You will be forgiven to suspect that a little riding hood will spring out of the forest and appear next to your carriage. We swear we didn’t expect all these when we were booking the tickets. We didn’t know better. Now we know.
Heaven.
Reached Innsbruck in the afternoon. We took a deep breath at the cold, crisp air. Went to the Tourist Information office. They recommended us to take up Innsbruck Card, which allow free funicular rides to the mountains that flanked the town. Also asked them for any vacancies in the hostel. Only managed to get the vacancies at a hostel further away from town. So we started walking towards the hostel.
We were walking beside the Inn River. It is such a pleasant walk in such a quaint town. Finally we reached the hostel (Youth Hostel Nikolaus Glockenhaus) and saw some familiar faces that we thought we saw in other hostels, including the Venice’s one that we didn’t successfully checked in.
Said hi to everyone and made some really nice friends.
Put down our things and we ventured out to town for dinner. The walk by the river is always so refreshing. The moment we stopped by to look at the map to reorientate ourselves, a young man walked towards us and checked if we require any assistance. We smiled and thanked his kindness.
Lovely town. Lovely people.
Innsbruck is a winter Olympic town. It was a pity that we didn’t travel to the ski jump arena building at Bergisel. According to those backpackers who came back from there, you can actually walk in and take a look. Damn.
Brekkie at this hostel was quite good. There is a TV screen showing you the various temperature and view from each of the mountain top skiing point. After brekkie, we went up to Nordkette (Hafelekar peak) by funicular using our Innsbruck Card. This cable car goes from the city center by way of the Alpine zoo to the Hungerberg (860 meters), to the Seegrube (1905 meters), and the Hafelekar( 2256 meters).
It was freezing.
Everything was silent.
We felt like we were the only two individual around, save for the soaring sounds of some birds flying at high altitude (2256m). I rolled on the snow and took some photos. There was even a free camera for you to take a picture and email to your friend instantly from the top of the mountain. There were not many people around, only a couple more people, but you won’t even notice their presence, cos everyone is quiet. We were enjoying the silence without adding any unnecessary noise to it. We felt like the world has come to a standstill. On one side, you can see the town of Innsbruck so miniscule at the foot of the hill. On the other side, there is the range of mountains and greeneries stretch for miles and miles away. I took a Forrest Gump post on the chair =)
On the way down, the funicular stop at the AlpenZoo. Since the Innsbruck card also cover it, we went in the zoo and take a look before walking down to the town centre. Town centre is MarktPlatz. We went to the famous "Goldenes Dachl" (Golden Roof) at the town centre. Watched the video that show the history of the Golden roof as well.
The next morning was a lovely Sunday. We woke up and decided to go another mountain opposite to the one we went yesterday. Patscherkofelbahnen it is. We chose the two most expensive funicular rides that Innsbruck Card allowed. At 2300 meters, the mountain offers excellent views of Innsbruck.
We couldn’t get out of the cable car station cos everywhere outside is so damn cold. So cold that we could only huddle ourselves in the station while waiting for the weather to brighten up. Everywhere else is too foggy and misty. The mountain has apparently some climbathon going on and not long after, some of the best atheletes made it to the top and the cable car station started to go abuzz. One senior athelete told us that he was already 65, really kudos to his high spirit!
After 2 hours of hibernation inside the station, we decided to venture out. It is not as cold as before. It was still some snows/ice here and there kind of thing. Kids were doing snow fight.
Athletes arrived one by one after the grueling hike and we joined in the crowd to cheer for them.
Took the cable car down and we had lunch at the city square. The pigeons like to share our food so we have to finish our meals quick so that they wont snatch it away.
We have another walk around town square, rather quiet on a Sunday. I went to my beloved model train store and take a look at those trains on display.
Walked back to the hostel along the Inn River. The usual friendly roommates we have already in the room. We chatted and exchanged our experience. There is this guy who took out his scrap book and ask us to write down the translation of rubber duck in our respective native language. Apparently the rubber duck that he hangs behind his bag is his mascot for travel together with his travel partner. We happily wrote the mandarin and Malay version for him.
There is also this Hong Kong guy we spoke to that told us how hard it was for him to enter the UK immigration. The officer took him to a room and kept asking him if there were any people in London that will wait for him in the airport. He was like: Why must I have someone waiting for me in London Airport? Can’t I take train and go to London myself?? What’s the matter?? Apparently they are just trying to find fault with him and looking for opportunity to provoke him and deny him entry. Lucky that he has a friend waiting for him at the arrival hall so the officer let him in.
No comments:
Post a Comment