Glacier Express from Zermatt to Disentis

Took a ride on the world's slowest express train from Zematt to Dementis. The one of a kind Glacier Express - acclaimed indisputably as one of the most beautiful stretches of railway in the world. The train itself is a showpiece- air-conditioned panorama coaches gliding gently through the sharply-aromatic mountain forests and still mountain pastures.

The different sounds that emanate from the train is caused by the train passing over one of the 291 bridges. In the course of the journey, we went into the Alps through a tunnel in the mountains, a journey of 15 minutes over 15.4 km of a U-shaped tunnel linking us from Oberwald to Andermatt, over an altitude change of about 1000m. This is the longest tunnel in the Swiss Rail Network.

The panaramic design of the cabins were available for the first time this summer of 2009. Through the panoramic windows, there was always the beauty of nature cradling you, all over, 360 degeess all round. We were in the first class wagon.

There were waterfalls, raging rivers under bridges, rolling plains with sheep, farmsteads on farmlands on slopes peppered with cluster of trees. Mountain-landscapes were "one of a kind". The route involved passing through the Rhone Valley, the Groms and into the Furka basis tunnel before reaching Andermatt and the renowned Oberalp Pass through glacier landscapes. At the highest part of our journey, we were surrounded with ice fields slowly melting into streams cascading over uneven terrain and these were what made the numerous waterfalls as we reached the valleys.

For the records, there are other facts about the trip. The highest bridge the train rolls over is 45 meters high over the river. There were 33 tunnels. There are sections of the railroad where the gradient does not allow the engine to pull has to be supplemented by cogwheel. These total to 31.9 km of cogwheel section.

We were fortunate to be on this train, as it had been attached with the restaurant car on its final year of her 50 years of service. The car was basically wooden in construction and the fabric of the seats was visibly evident of their 50 years of distinguished service. It is a matronly car warm in feel and exudes an air of respect. A simple lunch in the dining car was a memorable experience. Lunch took the appearance of a romantic dinner each time the train passes through the darkness of a tunnel. The lunch was reasonably priced and cheaper than some of the city cafe we ate in. We had Goulash soup which was really good as it came with generous chunks of meat and vegetables and was quite filling.

Our destination was Desentis, which was what our schedule for trips allowed for. A picturesque little town, Desentis is the largest Romansh-speaking community in Switzerland.

The village is dominated by the monastery and the church with its double spires which date as far back as 1683. The monastery of St. Martin, founded in the 8th century, is one of the oldest Benedictine monasteries in Europe. The Baroque collegiate church, dating from 1712, with its two onion-domed towers and rich stucco work and painted ceilings is one of the most important sacred buildings in Grisons. The church hall was a magnificent sight. Paintings depicting events in the bible were found on the ceiling and walls and these complement the bright golden ornate designs on the columns and the altars.