Weekend with Bern

June 29, 2014

 

Graphic Warning:  This next post contains very graphic and scenic, ridiculously beautiful photographs.  If you aren’t already green with envy, you will be now.  Please refrain from screaming and using obscenities - just remember you too can become an unemployed and homeless bum. 

 

Omar and I above the town of Speiz and Lake Thun - getting ready for a sailing adventure.

 

Not quite as spacious as Tropicbird, but just as fun!   That’s Stefanie from my yoga class!

 

Bern, an UNESCO site, is in the center of Switzerland and allows for quick day trips to neighboring cantons.

 

Bern still has bear pits and three well looked after bears, as the area was known for bears.  Thankfully bear-baiting is long outlawed and there is a new enclosure - not just a pit.

 

Try cuddling with this guy in the night!

 

We visited the Einstein Museum and his house, as he lived in the city for many a year.

 

Omar, Michelle, Stefanie and I headed to Interlaken and Murren for a day of hiking in the Swiss Alps.

 

Wild flowers everywhere!!!

 

It really looks just like how you imagine it.

 

Picnic time with a view of Eiger Peak.  The clouds parted just for us!

 

Omar and I went to the Barry exhibit to learn about St. Bernard dogs which are from an abbey here is the Alps.  Barry, as seen here, is known to have saved 40 people lost or stuck in the snow of the Alps during his life.

 

Here is the abbey of St. Bernard, where travelers are still given a bed and a warm meal or two.

 

Omar and I hiked from Neiderhorn, high above Lake Thun to Haberkorn for a fantastic day of alpine meadows and views of the peak Eiger, The Virgin and The Monk. 

To Gebenstorf and Beyond

Since my cousin Nicole is so gracious at not only hosting us, but also playing tour guide, our visit in Switzerland has revolved around her house as home base. Here are some of the fun activities we have done in Switzerland.

Gebenstorf is a small village where my cousin lives. It is surrounded by a river, forest, and is just plain beautiful all around.

After exploring Gebenstorf we set off to Lenzburg Castle. The castle is now a museum and depict how people used to live right down to the kitchen. I guess medieval times were not vegan.

Here is some of the art in the castle. I have never seen such sickly looking angels before. I guess medieval times were not known for great healthcare either.

After the castle we went to the Frey Chocolate Factory. Not only did we get to eat unlimited amounts of chocolate we got to make our very own custom chocolate bars. 

We went to Zurich. It's a beautiful city that has decided that the giant crane in the picture is art and erected it solely for decorative purposes. I’m serious. I’m guessing people of Zurich would love the artsy Oakland docks. 

The Zurich skyline is definitely different from other places we have visited.

We took a ride around Zurich lake just so I could take this picture.

Here is a Zurich window that caught my fancy. The Swiss love their striped window shutters.

Here we are celebrating the world cup at FIFA headquarters!

After Zurich we went to Solothurn. A cute, medieval city better described in Alison’s post.

With amazing baroque churches Solothurn saved me a trip to Italy!

Now here is a version of Lady Justice I had not seen before. 

What good is a medieval city without a moat and perimeter wall?

Zurich to Solothurn

 June 26, 2014

 

From Zurich to Solothurn, we have been having a blast exploring the historic towns of Switzerland with good friends and family.  There is so much to see and do here . . . when we are not stuffing our faces with chocolate and fresh bread and cheese or vegan pate.  

 

Omar and I spent a day wandering around Zurich with our friend Michelle from my yoga course. 

Zurich Town Hall or the Rathaus as they say here

 

We took a lovely 1.5 hour boat tour around the Lake of Zurich.   Lots of celebs with houses … I mean mansions on the lake.

 

happy, happy, joy, joy

 

O and I visited the FIFA head quarters in Zurich.  From their new building and botanical gardens you can clearly see they are hurting financially.

 

Past World Cups

 

Present World Cup

 

Omar and I splurged on a meal out at Hiltl - the oldest vegetarian restaurant in the world. Heaven.

 

The historical town of Solothurn - first built in 15 - 25 AD - sooo just a little older than America

 

Solothurn was the 11th Canton in Switzerland.

 

There are 11 churches and chapels here.

 

And 11 fountains . . .

 

...and 11 towers.

 

And one Jesus who clearly work outs.

Peter, Nicole’s husband, and Omar watching Switzerland play in a public viewing. 

 

The thermal baths of Baden are closed for construction, so the city has kindly set up a free foot soak till they reopen.  Much obliged!

Birthday celebrations in Munich

We arrived in Switzerland to meet my cousin Nicole and she quickly whisked us away to Munich to meet my other cousin. Since it was my birthday weekend they treated me to a brewery tour, a trip to the BMW museum and even a birthday cake. It was a great celebration.

For my birthday we went on a brewery tour in Munich. We started at Augustiner, the oldest brewery in Munich that has been brewing beer since 1328. 

 Next we headed over to Paulaner Brauhaus where we got a tour of the brewery. I am a fan of Paulaner, but the stuff available at the brewhouse is top notch and not sold at BevMo. 

Here we are getting an explanation on how beer is made by our guide and a brew master in training. Ali found brewing incredibly exciting!

Who says breweries cannot be artsy?

Our last stop was at the HofBrauhaus. There we learned it's the royal brewery of Bavaria and was the beer first served at Oktoberfest. We also arrived to find a bunch of guys in traditional German outfits making music with whips.

Want a giant pretzel with your giant beer? Sure why not, and with a smile as well.

The celebrations continued with home made cake and yummy food.

I got to spend some quality family time playing with my second cousin.

Next we went to the BMW Museum, where Ali is demonstrating the latest and greatest qualities of BMW’s new turbocharged engine.

Ali's next car is probably going to be a Mini!

The BMW campus has uber awesome architecture.

The museum had incredible bikes. I would totally ride one of these!

We saw everything from giant aircraft engines to little scooter ones.

BMW's concept car - futuristic electric vehicles that are highly recyclable.

How about getting this gas saver model?  Eat your heart out Smart Car.

Here is a view of the BMW campus from the Olympic Park Tower - free ride for the birthday boy!

Our last day as we departed Munich, heading back to Switzerland, we visited Kloster Andechs. It is a Benedictine monastery whose biggest business is a microbrewery.

While mass was in session at the monastery the beer was flowing at the beer garden with live music and giant pretzels. I got down to business with a yummy dopple bock dunkel! Yum! What a  great birthday weekend!