The Hölloch is the biggest cave system in Europe and the 3rd largest in the world, about 195 km. Apparently, the cave was discovered around 1875 and has been explored intermittently over the past 125 years. Only a tiny section (about 1 km) has been wired for electricity and opened to visitors, which I believe was the route we took.
Unlike the limestone cave in Baar, we need a guide in order to enter into this cave. There's a 1.5 to 2-hr (where 30% comprises of the enthusiastic guide's narration) or a 2-day "bivouac expedition" where you could stay bunk in the cave for a night. It's advisable to book in advance and phone ahead before the visit in case tours are cancelled due to high water levels. We were quite lucky that we could tag along with the students who were there on an excursion since we didn't t make any prior arrangement. As the guide speaks only German, he was kind enough to allow us to tag along and charged us Sf 16 each instead of Sf 20. So nice of him :)
This is where the expedition will start.
This is what happens when you have an overly enthusiastic guide ;p
Ah Kin feeling worried about how she's going to tahan the cold temperature in the cave with just her berms and a thin jacket...
Getting ready.The younger kid helping the older one to put on the helmet. So Cute!
This photo tells it all...
Fortunately, Uncle Tan managed to borrow a red jacket from the guide. I look machiam like a fireman now...if not for this extra layer, I may be one 'monument' for future visitors...frozen Ah Kin.
The guide helping to light up the acetylene lamps which tend to get extinguished quite often. It was rather fun seeing them carrying these lamps as it somewhat reminds me of the show "Harry Potter" :) We tried putting our hands close to one of the students' lamps to see if it emits any heat. 
You could see the stalagmites, stalactites, deep gorges, rock formations, ‘glacial mills’ and fossilizations in this cave.
As we enter the cave, all of us were fascinated with the vapor and started puffing vigorously haha ;D
The guide looks cool using the acetylene headlamp. It can be rather dangerous if not handled properly but it serves as a good detector for poisonous gases as the flame would change colour in the presence of other gases that could be poisonous.
The foreman and the "kar-kias" ;p
We were thinking that this guide must have been very old, but he still looks strong and fit (given the numerous stairs and elevations he had to take in the cave). Without doubt, his diaphragm is definitely functioning very well :)
Imagine that these are created by the enormous forces of waters.
Fortunately the trek wasn't longer than 2 hours for my hands and feet were already numbed towards the end of the trek and Uncle Tan was also beginning to feel the chill. And hey, I survived!I suppose the highlight was when we had to pass by a super windy entrance in order to reach to the other side of the cave. The wind was so strong that I was almost blown away if not for the guide's catch. He was good ya and when we had to pass by that passage again in order to get out, I was more confident for I know he will have a good grip of me :) It was amazing that only that tiny passage had such strong winds and each time after we crossed over to the other side, the guide has to block it with wooden planks. For safety reasons, I guess.
After the trek, I was sapped of my energy (and I believe my fats as well). The guys suggested driving up to the mountains to take a look. They are just intrigued at how the mountain dwellers managed to get themselves down. Now we know why the Swiss yodel :)
So here we are, halfway up the mountain and eating the cakes we've bought from Muotathal. 
It was sooo sedap that even Mr Sim's glasses wanna take a bite ;)
Mrs Sim was aware of the camera @ work so we couldn't catch her in much action this time ;p I was too busy laughing so only managed to capture some shots which were quite 'mild' ;p
This was how we managed to cut the cakes without any forks or knives :p 
The roads were pretty narrow and if there is an oncoming vehicle, either of the cars would have to find a space at the side to stop and allow the other vehicle to move on. So it was a slow and careful drive up which tested Mr Sim's driving skills as it was a manual car and it was an ascending journey.
It was drizzling before it started to get heavier when we try to take some photos here. Well, you could only catch such a scene with clouds on rainy days. 
Ms Sui is so '小女人' beside her hubby :> 
Up, close and personal with the cows.
And by chance, we saw the 2 mountain goats seeking shelter from the rain. 
Goat 1: Is this fella gonna fight with us for this shelter? Goat 2: Nay, he looks crazy to be happy standing in the rain, smiling.
It was a pity that the weather wasn't sunny but hey, we wouldn't have seen the goats and the rainbow if not for the rain :)
Heading back home after a long day...it was an exciting trip...and unforgettable in many ways =) I suppose after this trip I won't nag at Uncle Tan to self-drive in Switzerland anymore as it was really not that easy, especially since he hasn't driven for eons. Good thing we had a steady driver...and ok lah, a conscientious navigator ;p
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