Travelog for: Rachel

Hi mom,
A few days ago told us Nili from her fun with the little red cheese.
We also wanted to have fun.
So procured Nili cheese - enough for all.







Everyone took what he wanted and had fun with it.









Later we ate the cheese - yummy.



See you soon
Rachel

Hi mom,
since weeks we are trapped under a gray blanket of high fog.
From morning to evening - always gray.
Sun's from 1000 m. So we go to the mountains.
Taking the chair lift we head to Wolzenalp at 1130 m above sea level.



On the high plateau Rietbach a beautiful upland moor with springy soft peat soil waiting for us.







Of course, no flowers and herbs grow more now, but the autumn-colored trees and the mild sunrays put us into euphoria.









Jasper has a lot to do to keep us on the prescribed routes.





In summer there is a barefoot trail through the marsh.



We imagined, what we would look like after such a barefoot fun.
Out of sheer laughter we were toppled by a hair in the brown broth.





Up here, the air was so clear





we could even see the Säntis.





Some friendly cows looked at us interested.



Then the sun slowly disappeared behind the mountains,











and we headed for home.







What a wonderful day.
Rachel

Allegra (so welcomes you in the Engadine)

we started on Tuesday morning for a trip to Graubünden.



By train we went to Thusis. (Thusis and the Rhaetian Railway are UNESCO World Heritage Site)





There we were up in a yellow Postbus which brought us to the Rhine Gorge "Viamala".



Viamala or Via Mala (Which in Romansh literally means "bad path") is an ancient and notorious section of a path along the Hinterrhein River between Zillis-Reischen and Thusis in the Canton of Grisons. This narrow gorge was the most serious obstacle on the approach to two mountain passes: the Splügen and the San Bernardino.



Even the ancient Romans used this way.



28,000 years needed the Rhine to dig so deeply into the rocks.
The traces of water can be seen everywhere.



321 steps took us to the gorge and we marveled at the power of water.







This white foundling does not come from this region and nobody knows when and how he got here.



(from the bottom only a few pictures without TV's. It was too dark and the one-handed flash images are blurred.)

















High water level



Here the Viamala seen from the Wildener bridge.







Then we started to go on the "Via Spluga" a cultural and historical hiking trail back to Thusis.





After an hour of back and forth, we came to a real challenge for Jasper.
We - or better Jasper had to cross the Rhine Gorge.



The Traversina web is actually a hanging staircase. 57 m long it hangs about 50 meters above the abyss. 176 stages to overcome a height difference of 22m.



10 minutes to change your mind, then Jasper took heart and started walking.





With trembling knees but proud to have managed it we made a short break.



As the legs obeyed again, we hiked on.





















Shortly before Thusis we saw the castle Raetien.



This trail is really adventurous.



Then we saw Thusis.



At the station we were waiting along with a "nice lady" for our train home.





That was an adventure!
Rachel

Hi mom,
we were on Lake Thun and visited Jasper's daughter.
On Friday, we enjoyed the sun during a walk to Oberhofen.
In the distance we saw the fresh snow Bernese Alps with the famous Three - Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.





Then the first look at Schloss Oberhofen.



Along the way, we were looking forward to autumnal trees.



Oberhofen Castle - unfortunately they had annual holidays.



Too bad, but quickly our attention was drawn to a film crew.
The Swiss Television filmed a documentary on the Swiss dialect singer Polo Hofer, who lives in Oberhofen.



We walked on





and enjoyed the afternoon and the beautiful view.













Then we discovered a monument to Sir Winston Churchill.
Winston Churchill stayed from 23 August to 20 September 1946 in Switzerland. His vision of a new, united Europe attracted attention worldwide.



Unfortunately it was too cold to swim - the water of Lake Thun is so clear and clean.



We marveled at the vineyard in its autumnal splendor



and as the sun slowly sank behind the mountains, we headed for home.



Tomorrow we will make a trip to ...
Jasper says anything, it should be a surprise.

Rachel

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
Rachel was 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.

Rachel

Hello there,

another foggy day.



Rachel

Hi
What a surprise this morning.
The first snow.



Rachel

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
Rachel

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
Rachel

Finally,
the Christmas season begins.



Hugs and kisses
Rachel

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.

Rachel

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
Rachel

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. I wished I could experience everything with you.

Rachel

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.











I wish all a Happy New Year.

Rachel