Travelog for: The WotWots

Grüezi, Hello and Bonjour,
in our last destination many languages are spoken.
In addition to 7,000 cows and a few locals here is the jetset home.
We were in Gstaad, a small but beautiful village in the Bernese Oberland.



"Last Paradise in a Crazy World". So Hollywood and Broadway star Julie Andrews describes her holiday home Gstaad. Even though his international flair Gstaad has remained alpine genuine. The atmosphere is quiet and discreet. And exactly that appreciate its famous guests from royal families, film, art, sport and business.
Sir Roger Moore once said, "They are less interested in me than for my car."
Richard Burton and Liz Taylor spent their holidays here. Likewise, Gunter Sachs, Bernie Ecclestone, the Thai royal family and many more celebrities.

The little calf at the village well was made by Elizabeth Taylor's daughter.



Many beautiful houses can be seen here. They must be all built in chalet style.









We could not resist and had to try this wooden bathtub.





In the distance we saw a castle-like building - there we needed to go.





With horse-drawn carriage up the hill.



That would have been nice.



We were allowed to test it out,





and had to walk afterwards.

Jasper said, "Movement is expedient for you"

So we started walking and could shortly afterwards admire the 5 * luxury hotel Gstaad Palace.





Amazed, we listened to Jasper when she called us some figures about this hotel.
104 rooms, 26 suites, 2 Tower suites in the hotel towers. 1 Penthouse suite with its own sauna and roof terrace.



5 restaurants, tennis courts and a swimming pool.
And - before you ask: too expensive for us.



Okay, we did not ask - but maybe ...?

Jasper thanked God that the hotel is closed until the beginning of winter season.



We still enjoyed some views and made our way towards the village.















An image with a Capricorn





and brief glimpses to a Ice Hockey Match and already had passed our time in Gstaad.





But don't forget: Liz Taylor was here, Roger Moore was here aaand
The WotWots were here !!

See you

Hi mom,
Today we say goodbye to Jasper.
not by our host, but by "Jasper the moose"
He travels to Wuppertal.











Bye, bye friend. Have a good trip and many exciting adventures.

The WotWots

Hello there,
another foggy day.



Dotty & Spotty Wot

Hi
What a surprise this morning.
The first snow.



The WotWots

Hi mom,
today brought Jasper much greenery.



It was time to make an Advent wreath.



The branches smelled good but it stung.



Bravely we went to work.



We cut the branches and wrapped them with wire to the straw wreath.







The decorating was Jasper's thing.
Does the wreath not look beautiful.



We are all looking forward on the 1st Sunday of Advent.

Many kisses
The WotWots

Hi mom,
today is baking day. We need Christmas cookies.
Jasper has already prepared the different doughs. So it goes fast - she thinks.
Well then, set to work.



We are rolling and forming and cutting out.





Then we put the cookies on sheets and Jasper pushes them into the oven.



It smells wonderful.
With a little icing sugar and jam, they are even better.





Delicious







Bye for now
Dotty & Spotty

Finally,
the Christmas season begins.



Hugs and kisses
The WotWots

Hi mom,
Last weekend we stayed at Jasper's daughter.
On the way home we made a small stopover in Bern and visited on the Parliament square an event called "Every penny counts"



Radio SRF 3 sends each year for a week their program from a glass box and collects donations for a good cause. This year was the motto "Together for young people in need"



Around the clock you can watch the presenters when they welcome VIPs from sports, business and more.
For a small donation can you wish songs or send greetings.
This year more than 4,000,000 Swiss francs have come together.
Later, we strolled through the old streets









and over the Bernese Christmas market.





That's one of the many fountains of the city of Bern. It is called "Kindlifresserbrunnen" (Child Eater Fountain) and dates from the year 1545.



With a creepy feeling in the stomach, we drove home.

The WotWots

Merry Christmas
This year we had a quiet Christmas.



Grandfather gave us some worries. (a surgical intervention)
He is now on the mend.
Tomorrow we will travel for a few days to Jasper's daughter.

Bye for now
The WotWots

Hi Mom,
Holiday on Lake Thun.
Today we made a trip to the Niederhorn, a mountain vis-a-vis of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.
We started in Thun and boarded the paddle steamer "Blüemlisalp"



The Blüemlisalp was built in 1905 in Zurich and was the showpiece of the Lake Thun fleet.
The ship is 60.45 meters long and has a width at 13.15 meters. 800 people can be accommodated on it.
1971 Blüemlisalp should be scrapped. 20 years it lay unused at anchor, waiting for its last trip. The association "Vaporama" enabled, a 2-year renovation and since 1993 the Blüemlisalp is again the favorite of tourists and locals.



So, enough of numbers and data, see for yourself how nice it was.



The ride in the morning had something magical.





We were fascinated by the landscape and also the interior of the vessel amazed us.









In Beatenbucht we left the steamer. Before we boarded the funicular, we could admire the ship in all its beauty.



The funicular took us to Beatenberg. The view during the ride was terrific.





Then we moved into a gondola and arrived after a short ride, the mountain station of the Niederhorn at 1950 meters above sea level.





The view was spectacular, even if only pitiful remnants of snow were to be seen.





























Instead sleigh rides the scooter is used and instead of skiers enjoy themselves the paragliders.



Snow or no snow, no one could spoil our mood and we enjoyed the day to the fullest.





Here we are waiting for the ship to go home.







We had a wonderful day. We wished we could experience everything with you.

Dotty & Spotty

Hello everyone home,

the last hours of the old year we spent loud and funny.





After a delicious dinner, we played, sang and partied until the early morning hours.













We wish all a Happy New Year.

The WotWots

Hi mom,
Today we celebrate our birthday.



Jasper surprised us with a chocolate cake with frosting in blue and pink.







We will have a happy day.







We miss you

The WotWots

Hi mom,
it was so boring today, so we snooped around a bit, and found these things - laboratory glassware !!



Let us explore and invent.

This flask was clearly too big for us. We quickly searched matching sizes.





Then we started our tests series.



All we found in Jaspers cupboards was poured together, heated, distilled and how it all means.
It seethed and sometimes smelled terrible.





The result - you will not believe it - gold.







Unfortunately we have forgotten in the heat of the moment to write down the recipe.

Sorry mom, can't send you a fortune back home.

The WotWots

Hi mom,
finally nice weather again. We did not hesitate long and were on our way to Sigriswil, a small town in the Bernese Oberland.
After train - and bus ride we walked to a known destination called "grave mill". Here you can fish for trout and gold panning. There is a zoo, and barbecues.







Unfortunately was still closed.

But we saw an alpaca breeding.





After a good lunch at the Hotel Bären, we visited the Sigriswiler panoramic bridge.









It is 340 m long and 182 m high and one of the longest and highest pedestrian bridge in Europe.







The views of Lake Thun and the Bernese Alps is breathtaking.





And the view into the canyon makes Jasper trembling knees.







After a last look at the bridge



and the parish church



together with vicarage we were on our way home.



After a long time without the sun we enjoyed this day especially.

XXX
The WotWots