Switzerland - Xmas 2005/06

Since Ka's move to Australia we have tried to spend every second Xmas in Switzerland with her family. Christmas 2005 was the first time we could do this as a married couple and with K officially part of the family.


Due to our different holidays, Ka flew over first and caught up with her extended family and friends, then K met her in Switzerland after flying through England to catch up with his family.

Ka arriving back at Zurich airport and home again for Xmas.

Ka's house under snow for the winter. It was a very cold winter with heaps of snow.

Ka taking a walk around a frozen lake with her brother and sister.

Meanwhile K had flown to England to visit Blackpool and his family.

In Piccadilly Circus, London.

K in his home town of Blackpool. With his cousin on the Blackpool Prom, and with his other cousins and cousin in law after an intense game of ten pin bowling.

After a quick visit to England K headed to Zurich to meet up with Ka.

Our first plan for Switzerland together was to head off and do some skiing in Davos.

Waiting for the train up to the alps, Ka and her sister. The weather was not too good the first day as it snowed and snowed but then it cleared up to perfect ski weather.

The town of Davos - the place to ski - and the house we stayed in while there. It doesn't get much better than this!

K and Ka - ski legends carving up the slopes.

Taking a break from the slopes to have some lunch and a few drinks.

We had a great time skiing but with Christmas fast approaching we headed back to Mannedorf to have a family Xmas with Ka's family.

K, Ka and her parents, sister, brothers and sister in law.

A traditional Xmas with a real Christmas tree and candles, and setting the table for dinner.

This is the life, relaxing after Xmas in the outdoor heated spa. This is what holidays are all about.

After Christmas we had a few days to look around Zurich before our next trip. Zurich was still lovely but it was cold!!

Water frozen in the fountain outside Zurich train station.

The narrow streets in the old part of town, and looking out towards the Gross Munster in Zurich.

The tram lines along Bahnhof Str - the richest shopping street in Zurich, and winding through the streets and snow of Zurich.

Cow art over hanging the streets of Zurich.

Our next stop was Germany to visit K's grandparents in Umkirch.

Waiting for the train at Mannedorf train station, and catching the ICE train from Zurich to Freiburg.

K's grandparent's house in the town of Umkirch.

From Umkirch we took a day trip into France to the town of Strassburg.

Strassburg, a beautiful town and a magnificent cathederal in the middle of town. This was the coldest day of our trip - overcast, sleeting and a freezing cold wind.

The weather proved too much for K's Brazillian grandmother so we sought some warmth and shelter inside a coffee shop.

On the train leaving Germany back to Zurich and New Years.

Our New Years plans were to celebrate and stay near St Moritz with some school friends of Ka's who had recently got married. This friend was Ka's bridesmaid in Switzerland and Australia.

Stopping at a service centre for lunch, and getting out to admire the mountain scenery on the way to Silvaplana.

The town of Silvaplana where we stayed, and our apartment.

Happy New Year!! Seeing in 2006.

New Years Day, walking to St Moritz through the woods, and the town of St Moritz.


Another day , another trip. Being on holidays is all about touring and our next stop was Appenzell a very Swiss town.

Driving through the winter , and the town centre of Appenzell.

Then it was back to Zurich for some more relaxation as our trip neared an end.

Zurich on a beautiful winter's day. It was still cold but the sun was out and it looked a picture.

Keeping up a fine tradition, having some pints at the Noble Dubliner our favourite pub in Zurich where we have had many a drink over the years.

Leaving Zurich via Swiss airlines. The plane was sprayed with hot water causing a cloud of steam as they de-iced the wing. It was minus 6 degrees when we left at night.

Flying over Brisbane as we descended to land. It was a beautiful summer morning and already 29 degrees at 8 o'clock in the morning.

Arriving back home and getting the luggage out of the limo.

It was a wonderful Christmas and a fantastic 6 week holiday... and we will do it all again in two years!