Yesterday was our last full day before we are off for Europe. I'm so excited inside to actually know I'll take some time and relax given that I won't have my laptop with me for the first time. We went out to dinner as we didn't really want to have anything left over in the fridge before our departure. The guys in the restaurant told us they had visited Switzerland. We were amazed and made some good conversation out of it in the executive suite.
We did a bit of shopping yesterday and Patrick was successful in finding what he wanted clothing wise. I of course wasn't too successful finding anything, but it all made up for it by the end of the day.
We decided to take a look at the local Chapters bookstore to see if we could find a book to take with us. To my surprise as I was walking to the travel photography section, I stopped dead in my tracks when I came upon Travel Photography. Almost French grabbed my arm and pulled me in. I'm loving what I have read so far as it seems to be a story about my life as well. I guess I'll let you know how things go once I get back from Switzerland. But to me the travel book will be a success if I am almost done by the time we land.
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Traveling to Switzerland
Well, it's our final day before we fly to Switzerland. I'm so excited as my mind races about all of the thoughts of my trip, making sure I'm not forgetting anything. See our Switzerland Trip Itenerary.
As I have been speaking with some of my friends, they all keep telling me that I should be some type of travel expert or another Rick Steves. I have to admit, I'd love to solely be traveling the world for my life but as long as it is a hobby of mine, I guess I really don't mind.
I've been working on learning more about my camera and am proud of some of the new photos I've taken recently.
Rick Steves book is by far one of my favorites when I travel. I'll be bringing that along with Lonely Planet's Walking Switzerland as it is one of my all time favorite hiking books with lots of good information on where to hike.
As I have been speaking with some of my friends, they all keep telling me that I should be some type of travel expert or another Rick Steves. I have to admit, I'd love to solely be traveling the world for my life but as long as it is a hobby of mine, I guess I really don't mind.
I've been working on learning more about my camera and am proud of some of the new photos I've taken recently.
Rick Steves book is by far one of my favorites when I travel. I'll be bringing that along with Lonely Planet's Walking Switzerland as it is one of my all time favorite hiking books with lots of good information on where to hike.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Flying Through the Countryside
Now with the help of the bike "The flyer", which is an electronic bike, you can easily tredge through the Swiss countryside. Tours have been created so that people who want an easy ride can tour through the Emmental Region located in the caton of Bern.
The route includes a map, lists stations where the bikes can be hired, and restaurants where the batteries can be recharged or exchanged. I'd say this is quite a cool activity for the family.
In fact, there are a few destinations to visit.
1. Why not go see the Einstein Exhibit in Bern. This is definitely a must see especially since Einstein is only on exhibit for a year.
2. Check out the new hall of art work by Paul Klee. This Bern Exhbit boasts unique architecture and is touted as a must see if you are in Bern.
3. Check out the town of Saint Ursanne where Medival Festival took place, located in the Swiss Jura.
4. Don't miss out on the Incredible views of the Montreux Oberland Train which takes you from the Montreux mainstation potentially to Interlaken in a 2.5 hour journey. Make sure you jump on the Golden Pass line which will give you stunning views you will never forget.
By the way - Biking in Switzerland is very easy, especially since there are official bike paths throughout all of Switzerland. Enjoy the countryside without having to worry about the traffic
The route includes a map, lists stations where the bikes can be hired, and restaurants where the batteries can be recharged or exchanged. I'd say this is quite a cool activity for the family.
In fact, there are a few destinations to visit.
1. Why not go see the Einstein Exhibit in Bern. This is definitely a must see especially since Einstein is only on exhibit for a year.
2. Check out the new hall of art work by Paul Klee. This Bern Exhbit boasts unique architecture and is touted as a must see if you are in Bern.
3. Check out the town of Saint Ursanne where Medival Festival took place, located in the Swiss Jura.
4. Don't miss out on the Incredible views of the Montreux Oberland Train which takes you from the Montreux mainstation potentially to Interlaken in a 2.5 hour journey. Make sure you jump on the Golden Pass line which will give you stunning views you will never forget.
By the way - Biking in Switzerland is very easy, especially since there are official bike paths throughout all of Switzerland. Enjoy the countryside without having to worry about the traffic
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Photographing the Dalai Lama
Most people know who the Dalai Lama is, but very few actually get the priveledge to do more than have a small glimpse of him.
One Swiss Photographer, Manuel Bauer, has gotten the priveledge to photograph the Dalai for for 4 years. The Dalai Lama is visiting Switzerland to deliver Buddhist teachings from August 5-12 at Zurich’s Hallenstadion. Hmm - We will be there during this time. I guess it will be worth our time to see if we can get a glimpse of him. Here's another link to check out more pics and information on the Dalai Lama.
One Swiss Photographer, Manuel Bauer, has gotten the priveledge to photograph the Dalai for for 4 years. The Dalai Lama is visiting Switzerland to deliver Buddhist teachings from August 5-12 at Zurich’s Hallenstadion. Hmm - We will be there during this time. I guess it will be worth our time to see if we can get a glimpse of him. Here's another link to check out more pics and information on the Dalai Lama.
Monday, August 01, 2005
Swiss National Day
As I sit here on a Stat Holiday in Canada, I'm thinking about how fun it is to celebrate Swiss National Day in Switzerland.
August 1
Since the end of the nineteenth century, the first of August has been celebrated as National Day. On this date, the three cantons of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden, who constituted the birth around which presentday Switzerland existed over the next 500 years.
The Men from these three cantons "at the beginning of the month of August" swore eternal allegiance to one another, promising mutual help and assistance. The alliance was formed against the Habsburgs of Austria Royalty, who at this time were trying to strengthen their position in the area leading to the Gotthard Pass.
August 1st is celebrated exclusively in the communities. A radio and tv broadcast was made by the President Schmid. In tourist communities such as around Lake Leman fireworks can be seen abundantly. Bonfires, mainly on hills or elevated ground, recall the expulsion of foreign baliffsin the fourteenth century. Children carrying lighted paper lanterns walk through the streets at night. Public and private buildings are decorated with national, cantonal, and community flags, and the bakers bake bread rolls with a little Swiss flag on them.
A special kind of celebration takes place at the Rhine Falls at Neuhausen with a magnificent fireworks display also attracts throngs of spectators. The cascading water, rushing among the rocks before majestically descending 75 feet to the Rhine below, provides an impressive natural backdrop for the ceremonies.
August 1
Since the end of the nineteenth century, the first of August has been celebrated as National Day. On this date, the three cantons of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden, who constituted the birth around which presentday Switzerland existed over the next 500 years.
The Men from these three cantons "at the beginning of the month of August" swore eternal allegiance to one another, promising mutual help and assistance. The alliance was formed against the Habsburgs of Austria Royalty, who at this time were trying to strengthen their position in the area leading to the Gotthard Pass.
August 1st is celebrated exclusively in the communities. A radio and tv broadcast was made by the President Schmid. In tourist communities such as around Lake Leman fireworks can be seen abundantly. Bonfires, mainly on hills or elevated ground, recall the expulsion of foreign baliffsin the fourteenth century. Children carrying lighted paper lanterns walk through the streets at night. Public and private buildings are decorated with national, cantonal, and community flags, and the bakers bake bread rolls with a little Swiss flag on them.
A special kind of celebration takes place at the Rhine Falls at Neuhausen with a magnificent fireworks display also attracts throngs of spectators. The cascading water, rushing among the rocks before majestically descending 75 feet to the Rhine below, provides an impressive natural backdrop for the ceremonies.
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