Continued...
When the train did arrive, it was not what I was expecting at all! It had about 5 short, square carriages, which just had one bench seat in them and a few handgrips hanging from the ceiling. Most of the people getting on were fully outfitted for skiing or snowboarding, and we felt like we must look really silly going all the way up the mountain just to have a look lol!
The train started off underground, then crossed the river, then went underground again.
Then it started getting steep, and by the time we came out from underground again, the carriages were all on different levels! It was quite cool to see.
We had to get off a third of the way up, and get into an aerial cable car. There were lots of cars parked around too, I suppose skiers who skipped the train part. We took in the views as we transferred to the cable car station.
I was surprised to see that it was just one big cable car with standing room only, and we all had to squish on together. Again, it was mainly skiers and snowboarders, and it was quite squishy! I didnt get any photos from this part of the trip up. Before long we were coming into the next station, and had to transfer again to another big cable car. This one wasnt nearly as squishy because a lot of the skiers and snowboarders got off.
When we got off the cable car, we headed straight for the viewing area. I will always feel very grateful that it such clear weather for us that day, and we got to see such amazing views.
We were surprised to see some crazy people on skis and snowboards just taking off from there, where there was no marked ski run or anything. We even saw someone heading off around the side of the mountain! They sure are crazy over there!
We gingerly made our way to the top in the snow and ice, and over to the other side, where I had heard that there were more amazing views. We werent disappointed.
We walked through virgin snow where we sunk to our calves, then gingerly made our way back down to the station. I was the biggest wuss ever, completely terrified of losing my footing and sliding all the way down the mountain, and refused to let go of the handrail lol! Back on a relatively safe, flat bit of land, we stood and watched the crazy people skiing down the mountain.
We thought it was time for a bit more sustenance, so we made our way to the eatery. It was very small, cozy, and full of smokers! It didnt really have anything on the menu we liked the sound of anyway, so we decided to give it a miss. We caught the cable car back down to the second station, and found a cafeteria style eatery there that was much more our style, and smoke-free! Mum and I both had goulash soup, which was yummy but very salty.
There were heaps of people seated at the tables outside, and on some deck chairs scattered around the viewing area, and we wondered what on earth would convince people to sit out in the cold like that! A few more days into our trip, we would find out lol!
We had a bit of an explore while we were there, and watched the toddler skiers for a bit.
Then it was time to continue our return journey, or we wouldnt have time to get to the zoo. The cable car was nice and empty on the way back down, so I got some photos of this part of the trip.
Then we transferred to the cable train, and got off at the AlpenZoo station. We didnt realise it was such a long way down to ground level from the station, and took the stairs. By the time we got down we were all getting a bit dizzy lol!
Continued in next post...
Having said that, getting around Europe on a train was much easier and more comfortable 
But we all enjoyed just wandering around taking it all in.looking forward to reading more... you did write a lot already... when did you come back home? On Monday?
Definitely have to spend more time there next time.
I *may* have been convinced to try out the section where the toddlers were 
