Boshi looking very relaxed at home as we pack and still happy at Brisbane airport - little did he know he would have to sit in a plane for the next 21 hours (27 after our Dubai delay!!)
Dubai International Airport. Our 2 hr change over became a 6 hour delay as fog stopped all flights in or out. Boshi took the opportunity to sleep.
Back on board and flying our last leg to Zurich, and finally arriving in Switzerland.
In Ka's home town of Mannedorf in Switzerland, and Boshi going for a stroll with his Grandmother in front of Ka's family home.
Boshi's first look at snow in the hills around Ka's home - he seemed to like it and didn't mind the cold at all.
Wrapped up and waiting for the bus to the train station for a trip into Zurich.
The local train at Zurich main station and K and Koboshi on Bahnhof Strasse, the main shopping street of Zurich.
The streets of Zurich.
The world's longest banana bus - Zurich.
Week Two - Skiing in Davos
Two views of the house we stay in while skiing in Davos - this was our third visit here.
The Swiss town of Davos - simply the best place to ski in Europe!!
The weather was great, the snow was perfect and no crowds so up the Jacobshorn we went.
Ka and her sister A at the top of the mountain and K deciding which trail to take.
K powering down the mountain and K and Ka on the lift back up to the top for another go.
At the end of the day we had to walk through town to get home. Once Boshi came to meet us on his sled but usually he waited at home with his grandmother and waved from the window when he saw us.
Sledding around the tracks near our house and Koboshi sitting in a snow bank. Despite being a tropical Aussie and never seeing snow before Koboshi took to the cold like a champion and seemed to like it.
All good things must come to an end. Here is our final sunset in Davos and our car packed the next morning for the drive back to Mannedorf.
The last day of the week we went to the nearby town of Rapperswil. It was freezing (-4 degrees) and no-one was out but us tourists.
Walking through the (empty) streets of town.
Rapperswil Castle.
Looking down onto the tops of the houses from the castle wall and walking around the bottom of the castle wall by the lake.
Week Three - Christmas 2007 and French Switzerland
It was another cold morning with frost on the plants and Ka, her dad and K went in search of a Christmas tree. In Switzerland you have a real tree which you go and cut down.
Once the tree was picked Ka cut it down and then she and her dad carried it to the car.
Taking the tree to Ka's house.
The tree decorated and ready for Santa and our Xmas dinner with Ka's family.
Koboshi meeting his two cousins (Ka's eldest brother's children), and opening his Xmas presents.
Ka and Koboshi and Koboshi's great grandfather.
After Xmas K and A hit the trains for a day tour and headed for the French speaking part of Switzerland.
First stop was the Castle of Chillon just outside Montreaux on the Lake of Geneva.
Then back on the train to travel to Geneva via Lusanne.
The famous fountain in Geneva spurting out of the lake.
The United Nations building, and ....
... the Red Cross Headquarters and Museum.
And then a 3 and a bit hour trip back to Zurich enjoying the restaurant car on the train.
On the last day of the week we headed up the Uetliberg to find some sun after 7 days of fog and grey skies in Zurich.
Unfortunately it was no better up here.
The Uetliberg train which takes you to the top of Zurich.
Week Four - New Years, Germany and a Touch of France
Leading up to New Years Koboshi shows off his walking skills around the streets of Mannedorf and outside of the church K and Ka got married in.
News Years Eve with Ka's mum and dad.
Koboshi loves animals and went to feed the ducks on the Lake of Zurich - note the snow in the hills; it was cold!
Reluctantly we left the ducks and went home to prepare for a roadtrip to Germany to meet K's grandmother (Koboshi's great-grandmother).
On the way to Germany we stopped in Basel to see the Dreiländereck - the point where the borders of Germany, France and Switzerland meet - we walked around the monument and through three countries!
Back on the road and crossing the border by car from Switzerland into Germany.
K's grandmother's house in Freiburg, Germany and waiting for the tram into town.
The town of Freiburg.
Saying goodbye after a very happy visit.
Travelling on the autobahns, Koboshi loves road trips.
A quick side trip into France on the way back to Switzerland.
The freeway back to Switzerland.
The Swiss border town of Basel, K's first visit to Switzerland was here 20 years ago.
Heading back home to Zurich after a great road trip - only 87 more kilometres to go!
Week Five - Family and Tourist Stuff
After New Years Ka's whole family headed up the Uetliberg to the restaurant at the top of Zurich for an all you can eat buffet brunch. Outside we all posed for a family photo.
Next we went on a sightseeing spree. Firstly the Matterhorn and Glacier Express. We were up to catch the 5:13 train and spent the next 13 hours travelling around Switzerland.
The travel crew and the very magnificent Matterhorn in Zermatt where we caught the Glacier Express.
The Glacier Express at Zermatt Station and settling into our seats in the panoramic wagons for the 5 hour trip across the Alps.
Ka somewhere at the top of the mountains looking out at the snowy landscape.
Next, as Koboshi missed out on the Glacier Express trip, we decided to head to a nearby ski resort and let him visit the snow again.
On the gondola ride to the top.
Koboshi didn't mind the snow but was much more impressed with the playground slide.
Our final daytrip was to Lucerne a must (and sometimes only) stop for all Contikki tours. Most bus tourists who have "done Switzerland" have really only done Lucerne. But it is a beautiful town in the heart of Switzerland.
Driving through the snow over the mountains from Mannedorf to Lucerne.
Lucerne's two famous landmarks: the Lion Monument and the old wooden bridge.
Ka and Koboshi looking out over the Lake of Lucerne across at the mountains.
Driving home through the hills and looking down over the Lake of Zurich across to Mannedorf.
The sunset over the Lake of Zurich.
After 5 weeks our trip to Switzerland is almost at an end. Three more days and we will fly to Dubai and continue our holiday.
Week Six - Goodbye Zurich, hello Brisbane via Dubai
Saying farewell at Zurich Airport - a very sad time.
On the plane Zurich to Dubai - Boshi didn't like this 6 hour flight and screamed most of the way... but we finally reached Dubai.
The first day we did a walking tour around our hotel and the old part of town.
The streets of Dubai - Ka and Boshi near a mosque and K in front of the clock roundabout near our hotel.
Looking at the gold market, Ka liked what she saw!
Dubai City Hall (we think).
It was a long day of walking and once back at the hotel Boshi was ready for bed.
The next day we had enough of walking and hired a limo to take us to the more outlying attractions.
First stop was the beach.
The next stop were the shopping malls - they were magnificent. One was made up to reflect different civilizations of the world - here we are in China - and in the other you can ski.
The world's only 7 star hotel - only $4000 a night for the cheap rooms!!
The new monorail in front of what will be the world's tallest building.
Ka and Boshi near the old part of town and the wind towers, and the traditional dhows on the creek.
After three nights in Dubai it was time to leave for the flight back home.
Boshi on the 15 hour flight home trying to see if we are near Brisbane... are we there yet?
And finally back home trying to unpack 6 weeks worth of clothes, gifts and souveniers.
Lets do it again in two years!!!
