The time was nearly 5 pm when we reached the train station. The crowds was no longer there, I think probably because it's near the closing time, which is 6 pm. Also, the last return train from the other end is 6.30 pm.
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We were really hesitated, not sure if we could make a round trip in just a 1.5 hour time. Anyway, we think it would still worth to take the train ride though we might not have enough time to complete the program. So, we decided to go.
Don't know how many times our car ran through this road?
The Mer de Glace train station.
Leaving the centre of Chamonix, the Montenvers rack and pinion railway will take the tourists to reach the foot of the Mer de Glace (1913 m) in just 20 minutes in total comfort. The view of one of the biggest glaciers of the Alps is a must !
It takes about 20 min to climb up the 1000 m height difference.
Unlike the cable car, telecabin or gondola, train is a train, it provides seats to the passengers in total comfort. Yes.
The track zigzags up the mountainside through pine trees, tunnels carved into the rock and some viaducts. The mountainside changes, larch appears as a harbinger of the high mountain landscape.
saw many waterfalls along the mountain side too.
One last bend and the we arrived at our destination : at the foot of the famous Mer de Glace, at an altitude of 1913 m.
On arriving at the station at Montenvers that overlooks the final tongue of the glacier, and Grandes Jorasses in the background.
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Mer de Glace is the biggest glacier in France with a surface area of 40 kmsq and a length of 7 km. So called by the English who were the first to admire it because of the ripples covering its surface, this glacier is constantly being studied, measured and observed, because it is living evidence of the climate change of our age.
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The glacier is as much as 120 m thick in the center. But, its thickness has reduced by 3 to 4 m per year since 1988. It is easy to realise how fragile is the natural world surrounding us.
A small cable-car allows visitors to descend about 300m from the train station onto the Mer de Glace glacier where we can enter a man made ice grotto.
The cable car doesn't take us straight to the ice grotto, but we still need to go down a stairway of 350 steps, which of course we must climb to get back after visiting the cave. Looking at the steep stairway, I doubted if I was fit enough to climb back in 30 minutes later.
To be honest, I was really worried if I could made it back to the top after that.
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Then I remember the worst physical challenge I had had in Grand Canyon back in 10 years ago....
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I have no problem to walk down to the secluded valley in Grand Canyon on the first day, but I had great difficulties to walk up to the surface on the next day. In summary, the estimated completion time is only 4 hours, but I had taken more than 10 hours for it.
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Upon the completion of 3/4 of the walk journey, basically, I reached to the point where any ants can crawl faster than me. Precisely, for every 10-20 steps I moved, I have to take a 1-2 min break. Many 60 or 70 years old folks who walked pass me, saw my pathetic condition, then patted my shoulders. I should have felt very ashame of myself, but the only thought I had had at that time was to end this blardy-endless-walk fast. It was the first time in my life to realize that every small step I've made can be so significant-important to reach the end point.
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This experience had served as the most valuable and important reference in me. Every time when I face a physical challenge, I would ask myself this : If I could make it back to the top of Grand Canyon, why can't I this time?
Of course, now then my age is catching up. Maybe I can't use it as a valid comparison soon.
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But, this one, it's peanut if compare to Grand Canyon's walk, ok. So, I convinced myself that I would make it back like eating a piece of cake. After I pacified my mind in this way, I didn't feel that particular worried anymore. Quite Ah-Q spirit.
The ice cave, carved out each year of the very heart of the glacier.
This ice cave is called HE GROTTE DE LA MER DE GLACE. Inside the temperature is around -2 to -5C. Due to the movement of the glacier (about 70m every year), the cave is carved anew each year and the work takes only 3 months. This has been happening since 1946.
The closer we get to the grotto, the more respect I feel to this gigantic glacier.
At first glance, the glacier layer still look thick and solid...
but not really...In fact, the glacier is melting fast. Seriously, we shouldn't take it for granted anymore. Can't even tell for sure if it will still be here several years in the future.
Time was nearly 6pm by then, we just got to wrap up fast before everything was closed in another 30 minutes time.
Hewn from the very bowels of the glacier, the magic blue color of the inside walls and the "ice furniture" are an attraction, but not really extraordinary.
I don't know which wires of him had crossed suddenly? The time I turned my head to look for him, I saw him licking the ice. He said he just wanted to taste the taste of this ice (rolled eyes).
This ice cave is very man-made type, nothing looks natural. Also, there is no problem with walking on the ice, because the ground of the cave is carpeted.
but the changing of lights make it looks very mysterious though.
Inside the cave there are ice sculptures that represent pieces of furniture, but nothing too fascinating about the sculptures.
I wonder why all of the sculptures are furtniture? What about castle?
Yes, the changing of lights make this cave beautiful.
Influenced by the movie "Ice Age 1, 2, 3", the boys are very enthusiastic to look for little primitive creatures trapped in the ice. Well, we do see some little dots inside the ice, but hard to tell what it is?
Vincent pointed at this black dot and said it was an insert. I made no comment, just let he think whatever it is.
Inside the cave, we saw a St. Bernard dog (nick name "Beethoven) sat there to wait for any tourist who is interested to take photo with him. I think many tourists would be interested if only its master will let him do it for free lo.
Within 15-20 minutes, we walked out from the cave.
Looking up, I took several deep breath again. We got to climb up there in 15 minutes like that.
Ok, I can do it, I can do it. (If Beethoven can do it every day, why can't I?)
I felt so short of air when I finally climbed back at 6.30 pm sharp! Yeah, it was peanut. I can still do it when I turn 50 or 60 or 70 later.
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Anyhow, the queue in front of the station was super long. The train was also moving up and down in such a slow pace, so it's no surprise that we waited for 1 hour before we could squeeze inside the train.
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Before we drove back to the hotel, we stopped by a Chinese restaurant and took away some fried rice, fried noddle, fried vegie. Vincent kept saying the fried rice is super delicious. I think that's because he hasn't been eating any rice for 4 days already lo...
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Day 3 was such an intensive day to all of us. Again, we slept like 4 dead pigs...even William snored like thunders didn't bother me a bit.
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