Huefingen, 01.10.2011 Going south
We've been waiting for this trip for quite a long time... after years of spending vacations at tropical Asian beaches we wanted to show the kids the heart of Europe - the mountains of Switzerland and Northern Italy. Our first stop was the black forest where we visited Sigrid, that we haven't met since at least eight years. It felt so good to reconnect!
Luzern, 02.10.2011 Switzerland
Just take a look at the following pictures. Exactly the kind of landscape we missed the most while living in Shanghai!
Fiesch, 03.10.2011 Hiking around the Eggishorn
Exactly the kind of outdoor activity we missed the most! It was a challenge to keep on walking motivating the kids the whole day long, but we were so happy in the evening we finally made it to the next station. The sky was as blue as it could be and the path had a lot to offer. We were just shocked how far environmental pollution is spreading, the glaciers were all covered in black, even though no city was visible from above.
Genua, 04.10.2011 Metropolis
We wanted to keep a little spontaneity and decided on spending a day in Genua. Apart from horrible traffic we had a great time, especially while strolling through the narrow alleys and eating and enjoying the best of Italian food.
Levanto, 05.10.2011 Beach
We were REALLY lucky with the weather, and spent two afternoons at the beach. But after hiking our way from Monterosso to Vernazza it was well deserved for Mia and Moritz to take a swim in the october ocean.
Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, 07.10.2011 Wind grotto
What an amazing sight! We took a two-hours-walk through a huge flowstone cave, met a bear skeleton and realized how slow time can pass by.
Azzano, 08.10.2011 Hiking the Apuani Alps
In August 2002, we visited Azzano because a couple of my most beloved fellow students took a sculpting course with Michel and Frieder. Of course, Tobi remembered the hiking path we fell in love with then, and we walked again, in autumn instead of summer, accompanied by two kids, and enjoyed the great view on the marble cutting, the Apuani Alps and the ocean!
San Quirico in Collina, 09.10.2011 Finally: Tuscany
We rented an appartment for a week to explore Tuscany, and it was quite a festivity, the medieval towns as well as the small villages and the countryside. And the best: we did not have to board a plane to come here, and we took the night train home. We hope to be back!
Bergisch Gladbach, 30.10.2011 Luka
Lukas christening was the perfect occasion to better get to know Liams (and Sonjas) Irish family, and Mia and Moritz spent a couple of days in Kassel, enjoying that as well. Autumn has been beautiful so far, warm and sunny, and is compensating us for the comparatively cool summer.
