I can't believe it has been nearly 10 years since I was last in Asia. It's good to be back!
Stepping off the plane, the first thing that hit me was the familiar smell. I can't really explain it. It's sort of a sweet, musty, air-conditioned smell - and it's everywhere. The second thing I recall is noticing the elaborate orchid arrangements. The third, and most unexpected, is that everyone speaks English.
It wasn't like I was expecting people to speak Swiss German, but after spending 6 months in a country, where English is not spoken widely, it's a little odd to be halfway around the world and have absolutely no problem communicating.
The good news: Chase slept well on the plane.
The bad news: she was not keen to get another 8 hours of sleep.
And so, for the past two nights, we've spent the hours between 2 am - 5 am quietly playing.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
And Quick Stop In London ...
After Bruges, we headed to London, where we met up with friends (a very special thanks to all for making the trip!), sold the car, and jumped on a plane to Singapore.
Many thanks to the Sunila-Andersons for hosting us!
Renee and Patrick...
John Hall ...
Allison and Addie ...
Christina with Chase ...
Matt ...
Dan and Emily ...
Zack and Sarah (almost there!)...
Mark and Feneulla ...
Renee, Matt, Patty ...
Ryan and Gretchen ...
Felix and Emma (somehow Emerson got away)...
Isaac ...
Elaina and Callia ...
Aunt Ann and cousin Corina ...
And Ben!
Many thanks to the Sunila-Andersons for hosting us!
Renee and Patrick...
John Hall ...
Allison and Addie ...
Christina with Chase ...
Matt ...
Dan and Emily ...
Zack and Sarah (almost there!)...
Mark and Feneulla ...
Renee, Matt, Patty ...
Ryan and Gretchen ...
Felix and Emma (somehow Emerson got away)...
Isaac ...
Elaina and Callia ...
Aunt Ann and cousin Corina ...
And Ben!
Road Trip: Bruges, Belgium
We left Luxemboug early in the day and sped to Bruges, as we heard it was quite lovely. It was in fact, so lovely that we didn't want to leave.
Like Venice, Bruges (Brugge) is filled with small, winding, cobblestone streets, bridges and canals. It is a small town (with a Medieval atmosphere and good waffles) with a population of about 120,000.
The town is believed to have been founded by Vikings in the 9th century. Its name may be related to brygga, a Scandinavian word meaning a mooring place. Bruges prospered as an international port. Two outposts were created at Sluis and Damme when the Zwin began to silt up and the ships could no longer sail to the town. Traders from near and far came to Bruges to buy Flemish cloth, a high-quality woollen material produced in other Flemish cities. The enjoyed its peak as a trading and financial centre in the 13th-14th century, but went into decline in the 15th century with a crisis in the textile industry and the competition of other harbours. By the late 16th century, however, Bruges was the poorest town in Belgium. It was only revived by tourism in the 20th century.
Here's a pic from the main square ...
The Chapel of the Holy Blood (below) contains a relic of great significance to Christians: a flask oft rock crystal believed to contain Christ's blood.
And the place that sells he best art in Bruges. We were so impressed we bought three pieces.
If you decide to go to Bruges, we recommend staying at the Hotel Princenhof - it's a gem of a hotel and very reasonably priced. http://www.prinsenhof.com/
Special thanks to http://belgium.europe-cities.com/bruges/bruges.aspx for providing the historical information about Bruges.
Like Venice, Bruges (Brugge) is filled with small, winding, cobblestone streets, bridges and canals. It is a small town (with a Medieval atmosphere and good waffles) with a population of about 120,000.
The town is believed to have been founded by Vikings in the 9th century. Its name may be related to brygga, a Scandinavian word meaning a mooring place. Bruges prospered as an international port. Two outposts were created at Sluis and Damme when the Zwin began to silt up and the ships could no longer sail to the town. Traders from near and far came to Bruges to buy Flemish cloth, a high-quality woollen material produced in other Flemish cities. The enjoyed its peak as a trading and financial centre in the 13th-14th century, but went into decline in the 15th century with a crisis in the textile industry and the competition of other harbours. By the late 16th century, however, Bruges was the poorest town in Belgium. It was only revived by tourism in the 20th century.
Here's a pic from the main square ...
The Chapel of the Holy Blood (below) contains a relic of great significance to Christians: a flask oft rock crystal believed to contain Christ's blood.
And the place that sells he best art in Bruges. We were so impressed we bought three pieces.
If you decide to go to Bruges, we recommend staying at the Hotel Princenhof - it's a gem of a hotel and very reasonably priced. http://www.prinsenhof.com/
Special thanks to http://belgium.europe-cities.com/bruges/bruges.aspx for providing the historical information about Bruges.
Road Trip: Luxembourg
And so we left Zurich and made our way North, through France, to Luxembourg. We weren't expecting much, so we were pleasantly surprised by the city. Unfortunately, we were there during a holiday, so all the shops and cafes were closed.
The origins and the name of Luxembourg are intrinsically linked with one person. In the year 963, a Count by the name of Siegfried (a Carolingian - a descendant from Charlemagne) acquired a rocky promontory overhanging the valley of the River Alzette from the St. Maximin Abbey in Trier. According to the deed, a small stronghold called "Lucilinburhuc" was situated there. It was there that the name of Luxembourg first appeared in history.
According to legend, Count Siegfried was to be married to Melusina, a mermaid who became a part of European folklore (for those interested in Melusina's story, visit http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/jwss/annotations/possession/melusina.html). Siegfried was present at the very birth of the House of Luxembourg, a dynasty which, during the 14th. Century and the first half of the 15th. Century, was to provide four Emperors to the Empire and four Kings to Bohemia.
Following are some of our pictures.
A lovely square ...
The palace (on the right - there was one guard) ....
The cathedral ...
The gorgeous valley (the city overlooks it) ...
And a quick shot, sans Chase. She was fast asleep ... shhhhh ....
Special thanks to http://www.lcto.lu/html_en/history/index.html for providing me with the history behind Luxembourg.
The origins and the name of Luxembourg are intrinsically linked with one person. In the year 963, a Count by the name of Siegfried (a Carolingian - a descendant from Charlemagne) acquired a rocky promontory overhanging the valley of the River Alzette from the St. Maximin Abbey in Trier. According to the deed, a small stronghold called "Lucilinburhuc" was situated there. It was there that the name of Luxembourg first appeared in history.
According to legend, Count Siegfried was to be married to Melusina, a mermaid who became a part of European folklore (for those interested in Melusina's story, visit http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/jwss/annotations/possession/melusina.html). Siegfried was present at the very birth of the House of Luxembourg, a dynasty which, during the 14th. Century and the first half of the 15th. Century, was to provide four Emperors to the Empire and four Kings to Bohemia.
Following are some of our pictures.
A lovely square ...
The palace (on the right - there was one guard) ....
The cathedral ...
The gorgeous valley (the city overlooks it) ...
And a quick shot, sans Chase. She was fast asleep ... shhhhh ....
Special thanks to http://www.lcto.lu/html_en/history/index.html for providing me with the history behind Luxembourg.
Bye-Bye Tram
Chase absolutely loved the tram in Zurich.
Everytime she saw (or heard) a tram, she would smile, giggle and wave. So we started saying, "bye-bye, tram" everytime the tram went by.
Bye-bye tram! Bye-bye Zurich!
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