A family send off

August 26, 2010. Zurich Airport

Hi all,
I had a wonderful Swiss family send off, I rode the train back yesterday to my friend Christian's house, near the airport in Winterthur. Christian and his lovely wife Christina invited me to Christian's parents house for dinner. Peter and Sonja served a marvelous dinner, and of course Peter had me "try" some of the local wines. What a wonderful send off for an amazing trip to Switzerland. Thank you so much Kunzi's!!

Well I had many wonderful experiences in this beautiful country. Switzerland is small in size but huge in beauty and friendships.

Bye all

-Bill

Avenches - Aventicum, the Roman Swiss region Capitol

Hi all, August 24, 2010

I'm in Avenches, a small village in northern Switzerland. Although a small village today, Avenches was once an impressive Roman Capitol city. Marcus Aurelus was here, (see gold bust picture) For a small country village they have an incredible Roman Museum, a remaining theatre and arena. They use the arena today for music concerts.
I also visited Murten and Fribourg, also towns with amazing old city to walk through.

My last day tomorrow, this has been an incredible trip. Put Switzerland on your list of European countries to visit!

Yours in travel, Bill

From Cheese to Chocolate

August 23, 2010

Hi all, well the rain got me again, but everything here is beautifully green, wonder why?
I was going to hike from cheese factory to chocolate factory, but rain made me take the trains instead. Note the tasting room in the chocolate factory..like a kid in a candy shop, and all free..I pigged out on chocolate. :)

The town of Gruyeres nearby is a beautiful city, topped off with a medieval castle.
Met Tom from Seattle, fellow senior hiker and solo traveller. We are both doing the "youth" hostel circuit.
Tomorrow it's on to northern Switz, more French-Swiss country. It,s been fun surviving in 3 languages here.

-Bill

Vinyards in Lavaux region Switzerland, - World Heritage Site

Chateau de Chillion, Montreux Switzerland

South Switzerland

Guess you gotta ask

Hi all, now to catch up. I'm in a pedestrian only plaza in Lausanne, along Lake Leman. It's free WiFi in several plazas here. It's Sunday, everything is dead, the Swiss all stay home today, what a concept. Now to catch up. August 18, decided to head for Bern the capital of Switzerland to run from the rain. Spent a nice day here, visited the parliament building and an inside tour of their congress. Two "states" or cantons still vote by a show of hands! And representatives all are part time, that way they stay close to the people and issues..nice.
Escaped from Bern on the 19th heading down to Pontresina, bikers heaven..you got that blog.
After two great days hiking in Lower Engadine area, took a long train ride across the country west to Montreux. Am staying here as a base to visit, the World Heritage site vinyards of Lavaux. Amazing steep hills of grape vinyards over looking the lake. Pictures to follow. Here is a shot of the clock tower in Bern.
Trip going well, will send more pictures, hey tell the story. :)

-Bill

Trithithth

Bill, you must do it!

August 19
Hi all, I finally got wifi, at a Starbucks no less, in Vevey..more on that later. Escaped the rain by heading south to Pontresina, after nice stay in Bern. Pontresina is hikers and Mt bikers heaven. Got two hikes in, note this photo, Diavolezzi. Two merging glaciers. On an earlier hike I met Ivan the Russian hiker, he said about Diavolezzi "Bill, you must do it" boy was Ivan right, a hike up the peak of Mt Pers and what a view!!! Sure beats Mission Trails. :)

Got to run to catch a train, more later today

-Bill