Grüezi Switzerland!

Swiss Francs (CHF)

Switzerland is the only European country we visited that did not use Euros. Quoting our tour guide: "Swiss are known for being neutral so  they have retained their currency and have no alliances which seems to have worked well for them as they were not affected during the war". So as we entered Switzerland, we had a stopover to withdraw francs. This is also our first encounter with paid toilets dispensing vouchers.  The paid toilets requires coins so we had to buy something first with our withdrawn money to get change. We decided to buy a bar of Toblerone chocolate so it will help for us to acclimatize. I didn't know at that time that the tickets dispensed were vouchers (I thought they were just receipts) so we weren't able to use it to buy at the shops.

 

[caption id="attachment_707" align="aligncenter" width="671"] Swiss Francs, toilet vouchers and Toblerone[/caption]

Swiss Youth Hostel

We arrived here late in the afternoon from Paris. There was no planned itinerary for the day so we just relaxed in our room. We loved our window view. However, we got the room with the bunk beds and the sink/toilet/shower are separated into different rooms which is kind of a hassle. We were provided a big bowl of beef stroganoff, salad and gelato for dinner. Then, we just strolled outside to walk off our full dinner. The hostel is very near the Interlaken square which has a train station, bus station, grocery and convenience shops. Upon return to the hotel, we initiated our Project Fridge by buying postcards and stamps at the reception.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500"] View from our Swiss Hostel room[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_708" align="aligncenter" width="501"] Dinner[/caption]

Jungfrau Top of Europe

This is an optional excursion offered by Expat Explore. It costs CHF160 each which includes the 2.5 hour train ticket to and from Jungfraujoch with passport/certificate, brochure and discount shop coupon. Although it's highly priced, we decided to avail this because it is better to go there with a group and there might not be a chance to go there at some other time unlike cheaper options (like Interlaken guided tour). Other options were pricier as it involved extreme sports. Sky diving is still in the bucket list though. :D

Interlaken Square

After the excursion, we decided to check out the shops and ended up buying some chocolates and lip gloss. (Our lips were chapped from the cold and I can't believe both of us haven't thought of packing this essential!)

 

Laterne

As fondue originated from Switzerland, we asked our hostel receptionist for a place where to try it. She mentioned that there were some places in the city center but recommended a nearer one which is this, about two blocks from the hostel. Later on, I regretted this decision as the fondue is expensive and is not really my taste. Bottomline: Fondue is just bread dipped in melted cheese and is not appropriate as dinner. Also, we weren't able to use the vouchers provided by the hostel receptionist which provides free bus rides for tourists. Our laziness to learn Swiss transport costs us. On our way back to the hostel,we just took in the scenery by taking pictures.

The following day, after breakfast, we dropped off our postcards at the reception and had some last minute picture taking with the landscape, then took off to Italy.