Cycling

Hi All,
Wednesday morning we rented bikes to do the obstacle trail in the woods (picture 1). It is slightly over 3k with some tough obstacles. Next week we want to do it again with pictures this time. In the evening we had dinner with my family.

The next morning we went back with the girls (picture 2). This time we did the off-road trail, 20k while the girls did the 10k. It was challenging with some steep parts.

In the evening we drove to the countryside to have dinner with another great family (picture 3). The kids had a lot of fun and we drove back very late. Phil

New Week

Hello Everyone,

I came back from the mountain Monday afternoon. A couple of hours later, we visited some friends who have a nice patio with a breathtaking view on the lake. We had a good time (picture 1).

Next we had dinner with another family in a restaurant on a hill with huge playground and farm animals. From there we can also see the Mont Blanc (picture 2), the tallest mountain in Europe at 4810 m (over 15000 ft).

On Tuesday we got up early to have a healthy jog in the woods outside Lausanne. After that we drove to Vevey to have lunch with my grandmother (picture 3) who is still doing well for her age despite problems with her eyes. The children enjoyed it very much (picture 4).
Phil

Weekend in the Mountains

Hello,
On Saturday we walked downtown Lausanne. In the afternoon I left to drive to Leukerbad, in the mountains about 90 minutes away. The rest of the family stayed in the city for the weekend. Sunday morning I did a 51/2-hour hike. The weather was great, I saw several wild animals from the Alps, one that look like a mountain goat (picture 1) and another like a big prairie dog (picture 2) that lives in burrows.

I ended up on the top of a mountain that was 3000 m tall (about 9000 ft, picture 3).

Late afternoon I went to the thermal bath to relax with a great view of the surrounding mountains from the outside pools (picture 4).

Phil

Thursday, One More Day in Paris

Hi Again,

We were supposed to drive back today but we decided to stay one more day because we don't get to come often and our hotel is nice. First, we went to the Palace of Luxemburg, which is close to downtown. It has a great public park where people can go to relax (picture 1).

Next, we went to the Champs-Elysee and the presidential palace nearby (picture 2). As we walked by we saw a small crowd with paparazzi taking pictures. We learned that Paris Hilton, her sister, and Nicole Richie were shopping in a small "boutique" across the street. We watched them as they exited back to their limousines and drove off.

Then, we drove to the hill of Montmatre on the northern side of the town. There we visited the Basilica of Sacre Coeur with its white dom. From the hill we have a good view over the city (picture 3). We had dinner in a small, typical restaurant.
On Friday we hit the road back to Switzerland in a little less than 6 hours. The weather was still great, we had an awesome time in Paris.
Phil

Wednesday, Bastille Day

Hello,
That day we started with a tour of Versaille (picture 1), the palace that Louis XIV made famous for its magnificence. To our greatest surprised we came across a couple of dear friends from Amiens, who had along a family from Tulsa.

In the evening we all met in Paris, across the Eiffel Tower on the Trocadero, to watch the fireworks (picture 2) with the huge crowd that had gathered for the occasion. It was really special to be in Paris for the ceremonies.

Phil

Tuesday in Paris

Hello,

On Tuesday we went back to Paris, our hotel was on the suburb. We visited Notre Dame, the cathedral (picture 1) and walked to the Louvre with its pyramid (picture 2). We did not go inside because it was closed that day, in the summer there are way too many people anyway.

After that we drove along the Seine River where we saw the replica of the Statue of Liberty on the Pont de Grenelle.

Phil

France

Hello chris here,
Our france trip went really well. Besides the occasional delay which is normal on long travels i did enjoy it. Going back to Amiens to visit friends was nice everything went according to plan. While on our way to Belgium i got to see something few people ever get to experience, LE TOUR DE FRANCE! Definitely one of the coolest things i have ever seen and one of the neatest things ever. It truly is a one in a lifetime experience that i encourage everyone to go witness. Caught a jersey and i will never forget id like to go again and again! Belgium though we didnt stay there was neat i have never been there however Bruxelles was a very cool city very big! Luxembourg i enjoyed because i got to see my family that i practically never get to see and some ive even never seen. Then PARIS! i liked paris alot saw everything you could possibly see in paris the sights, a mime, a fake statue it was all wonderful. Plus because i was there i know pretty much where everything is located so for a future visit;) overall it went better then expected i was very tired but in the end it was pretty good and i cannot wait to go back and visit! last 3 weeks in Switzerland should be fun as well!