Travelog for: Aiviq

Hi mommy,
Today I said goodbye to a good friend. Dotti Scotti set out on her way home.
I gave her a big hug and wished a safe journey.





I will miss the little wild cat.

I miss you too.
Kisses

Aiviq

Hi ,
Sunday morning , and again we had to get up early. This time led us to our trip to Ticino - the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. To get to the Ticino, we took the train through the Gotthard tunnel.



The railway tunnel is 15003 meters long and consists of a single , twin-track tube. Construction began in the fall of 1872. The puncture was made on 29 February 1880 and on 22 May 1882 the tunnel was inaugurated. On the north side was not much snow







but when we left the tunnel , we saw amounts of snow.



Crazy winter.

Place names such as : Airolo, Quinto , Faido , Biasca and Osogna made ​​us curious. And then we got out - in Bellinzona , the capital of the canton of Ticino.



The city is famous for its three castles ( Castel Grande , Montebello, Sasso Corbaro ) that have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2000.
From the station square we made our way into the old town.



We reached the Piazza Collegiata



and admired the great church of San Collegiata.



Passing beautiful homes



and the Palazzo Civico (City Hall),



we reached the stairs that led us to the Castel Grande.



A wonderful view.









The castle is located on a mighty rock ridge above the old town. We strolled through the huge castle and expected every moment  knights and dragons.







We climbed the Murata (city walls), which also belongs to the Unesco World Heritage site.



It seems as if one can traverse half Bellinzona on the Murata , as long it is.









We took the Salita Castel Grande to return to the city. On our way we saw the Federal Criminal Court.



A few alleys further we came to probably the oldest church in Bellinzona - San Biagio . The facade is decorated with an image of St. Christopher.







The lunch we had earned.



After this break we were on our way to the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie . It is one of the most valuable Churches in Ticino and emerged at the end of the 15th Century.



This richly frescoed building was severely damaged in a fire on January 1, 1996 and had to be carefully restored. Unfortunately we could not visit the interior, the church was closed.
Little surprised we went on and came to the Piazza Indipendenza ( Independence Square ) with the obelisk.



From there we climbed hundreds of stairs -



they carry the picturesque name Salita al Castello di Montebello - the second castle. Pretty exhausted and breathless we read the World Heritage Panel



and then explored the castle.







Our effort was rewarded with a splendid view.



I could even see the Lago Maggiore.



We explored the old well





and marveled at the drawbridge.



The third castle we saw only from afar. No more stairs.



Tired but happy we were on our way home. You can imagine that we all slept well.

That's it for today, see you soon.
Love you
Aiviq

Hi mommy,
Hanne is back from her vacation in Florida.



She was allowed to accompany Jasper's daughter on her honeymoon.



I am a little jealous, but Hanne brought us gifts and a new friend - Mani, the Manatee.







With all the delicacies we celebrated a welcome back party.





Hugs
Aiviq

Hi mommy,
Today, we sat together, listening Hannes vacation experiences and nibbled the last biscuits.



Something was strange. We felt observed.



Suddenly we heard a fluttering and a small bat landed in the biscuit pot.





Stoker called the little Batman and is our new guest.
We welcomed him warmly in Switzerland and shared our biscuits with him.



He's so funny - I like him.



Yours
Aiviq

Hi mommy,
once again bad weather. It's exasperating.
Jasper made us "good mood muffins"







and after a few bottles of Sour Apple, we had to laugh a lot.







On weekend, we make another trip - the weather prospects are good.
The destination is a secret. We only know the city name starts with "M".
We all are soooo curious.

Hugs
Aiviq

Saluti a tutti di famiglia
you wonder why I speak Italian? Jasper promised us for this weekend a trip to a city that starts with " M".
We started early and ended up in - Milano ( Milan )



From the station



we walked to the Castello di Sforzaresco.



The Castello is home to the largest museum complex in Milan with nine museums and art galleries. Michelangelo's last sculpture - the Pieta Rondanini, and Leonardo da Vinci's " Codex Trivulzianus " a collection of valuable manuscripts are exhibited here. Unfortunately photograph is strictly prohibited.
So we went on and came to the Arco della Pace - a triumphal arch in Piazza Sempione.



He should remember the European peace of 1815.



A few streets away, we saw the "new Milan". On the old Fairgrounds - Fiera Milano City - built diligently.





The new district will be called "CityLife Milano".



On our way we saw this posh house entrance.





It belongs to the "Casa di riposo by musici " a retirement home for musicians. It was founded by Giuseppe Verdi who lived here and is buried here.



Directly in front of the house is his monument.



The Piazza Piemonte and the Theatro Nazional.



By typical Milanese streets





we came to the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie.







It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and on one of these walls - we do not know which - painted Leonardo da Vinci his famous painting "The Last Supper".
And again, we were not lucky to photograph a famous work of art. We were not even near him. Because of the large number of visitors tickets are limited. And yes, you're right - they were sold out  No exception, not even for ToyVoyager.

A bit grumpy we looked at the building from the outside





and found in a small tranquil courtyard our good mood again.



We went on



and came to the Palazzo Litta, a magnificent palace which is now used by the railway administration.



We passed a small memorial service for the victims in Ukraine, and held in for a moment.



A magnificent monument - I do not remember the name.







A work of art.



Then we reached the famous Opera House - the Scala. I had somehow imagined more glorious.





This is the statue of Leonardo da Vinci in Piazza Scala.





The entrance



to the magnificent shopping mall " Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II ".







All well-known brands can be found in this cross-shaped passage.
When we left the Galleria, an imposing sight showed us.



The Cathedral of Milan.



Huge (in terms of area, the third largest church in the world) and beautiful he is on the Piazza del Duomo.



We were not the only ones who enjoyed this wonderful day here.



Amo Milano e ti amo mamma.
Ciao ea presto.
I love Milan and I love you mama.
Bye and see you soon.
Aiviq

Hi mommy,
yesterday we had a farewell party for Hanne and Laika.
With a big cake





and other goodies we celebrated our friendship.





We had a lot of fun.





After some time it was said goodbye.
With a big group hug and many good wishes we sent our friends on the trip.







Bye bye friends -



and bye bye mommy!
Aiviq

Hello home,
Today, we welcomed a new TV.



His name is Nuru he is from Madrid and he is a camel. No, I do not scoff - he really is a camel, a very nice camel.



He brought a beautiful card, fridge magnet for Jasper and his stamp collection.



Imagine - he has a passport.



We were very impressed.

Then we played hide and seak between Jasper's herb pots.



It was fun - and how we smell;-))

Keep your fingers crossed that the weather is nice tomorrow. Then we take a walk to our little river.

Enjoy your day.
Aiviq

Hi mommy,
the weather was wonderful and so we took a walk to a small river called Thur.



On our way we saw really old apple trees



and an apiary.



We approached very carefully - nobody wanted to be stung.

Some flowers were seen.



Here is our romantic river Thur.



( Thur is a 131 km (81 mi ) long river in north- eastern Switzerland. Its source is near the mountain Santis , in the south -east of the canton of St. Gallen. It flows into the river Rhine on the border with Germany south of Schaffhausen.)







We found frog spawn. Looks like some frogs.



Oh, oh looks like many, many frogs.



On our way we found many beautiful places.







A short rest on soft moss.



Many , many greetings
Aiviq