Travelog for: Laika

Hi mom,
Despite all good intentions Jasper is stressed. So much to do at work. Some employees already have a vacation and another has her leg broken because of the black ice in the last days.
That's why I looked around a bit by myself.



I discovered some interesting things.

















Love you
Laika

Hi mommy,
our calendar told us, today is Christmas Eve.





Jasper has bought us a small tree that we decorated. The fairy lights gave us a bit of effort,



but together we have made it. With the red balls and golden ribbons it looks beautiful.





Pride of place was the little angel.



In memory of Cherry Lola's mom Kate.

And now we wait impatiently for what is to come.







First we will eat delicious - with Jasper's dad and her brother - who come to visit.
And then we hope to have many gifts.





All my loved ones at home - I wish you a wonderful, peaceful Christmas.





Big hugs and a thousand kisses
Laika

Hi mommy,
This morning we opened our gifts.





I got a red collar with a small bell.





Hope you also got a wonderful gift.
With lots of love
Laika

Happy New year!
the last days of the old year were not so funny. Host dad had a few days to the hospital to re-adjust his diabetes. Even our trip to St. Moritz has been deleted. Here it was raining, but in the mountains was so much snow that the rail lines were closed due to avalanche danger. Pity but perhaps arises later an opportunity to go there. I would like to play in the snow, unfortunately, it is at the moment much too warm.
Yesterday I was looking forward on dinner. Jaspers family eats traditional cheese fondue on New Years Eve. Yummy!





We all helped with the preparation . I cut the bread into small pieces.



I had to look that every piece has a crust.



The piece of bread then holds better on the fondue fork. If you lose it during stirring in the cheese, you have to drink a brandy.
And then we had to stir, stir, stir until the cheese was melted.









In between, we have set the table.





And then we enjoyed a creamy, seductive fragrant fondue and a glass of white wine.









Unfortunately the rain prevented the fireworks. Nevertheless we had a lovely evening.

All the best for the new year - love you
Laika

Hi mommy,
Today we made a trip to Lucerne. Lucerne is a city in north-central Switzerland, in the German-speaking portion of that country. Lucerne is the capital of the Canton of Lucerne and the capital of the district of the same name. With a population of about 76,200 people, Lucerne is the most populous city in Central Switzerland, and a nexus of transportation, telecommunications, and government of this region.
Due to its location on the shore of Lake Lucerne (der Vierwaldstättersee), within sight of Mount Pilatus and Rigi in the Swiss Alps, Lucerne has long been a destination for tourists.
Early in the morning we boarded the train







and two hours later we reached Lucerne.



On the way we even saw a bit of snow - a rarity in this winter.



Arriving in Lucerne we strengthened ourselves first with croissant and cappuccino and studied the map .





Then we started our tour.

The first thing we saw was the famous Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge) and Wasserturm (Water Tower) .

Bridge: constructed in the first half of the 14th century as a part of the city fortifications. Named after nearby St.Peters chapel.
Watertower: this octagonal over 34 meters high(111.5 ft.) tower was built ca. 1300 as a part of the city wall. Used as archives, treasury, prison and torture chamber. Lucerne's trademark and the most photographed monument in Switzerland.









Along the river Reuss we walked further and saw gulls and swans that were fighting over bread.







Beautiful houses lined our way to Nadelwehr (Needle Dam).










Built in 1859/1860 following the clever style developed by Poiree, the Needle Dam is a unique attraction in terms of both technology and history. From 2009-2011 the facility was renovated and the city's flood protaction was improved. Even today, the level of Lake Lucerne is regulated by hand through the removal and placement of the so-called needles (wooden posts).





The next attraction was the Spreuerbrücke (Mill Bridge) .



The bridge was completed in 1408 as a part of the city fortification. Between 1626 and 1635 Kaspar Mellinger added 67 paintings that represent the "Dance of Death". Called the Spreuerbrücke because chaffs of weat were thrown in the river.









Then we had to climb stairs - many many stairs took us to Museggmauer .



Museggmauer (Musegg wall):  part of the rampart walls built in 1386. Wall almost entirely intact.
8 towers still standing, three are open to the public - Schirmer, Zyt and Männli. The oldest city clock, built by Hans Luter in 1535 is on Zyt tower. This clock is privileged to chime every hour one minute before all the other clocks in the city.





From here you have a wonderful view over the whole city and the lake in good weather. As you can see we did not have great weather, foggy and cold it was .



Lots of stairs later we admired beautifully painted houses that border the old city scenic places .





Goethe was here.







On the opposite shore we saw the Jesuit Church .



Then we treated ourselves to a lunch break .



The next building, which we admired, was the Town Hall (from the back, we will see even from the front).



It was built between 1602 and 1606 by Anton Isenmann in Italian Renaissance style with a Bern farmhouse roof for weather purposes. The open arcades facing the Reuss still serve today as a weekly marketplace.
The Fritschi restaurant on the Sternenplatz, painted with carnival motifs.



The Fritschi is a famous Lucerne carnival figure. And - Luzern + Fasnacht: a madhouse.

Then we reached the lake.



In good weather you can see from here the Alps with the local mountains Pilatus and Rigi.
We strolled a bit along the bank and then went to the Hofkirche (Hofchurch).





Main cathedral for the city population and religious centre St.Leodegar and Mauritius. Benedectine Monastery founded here in the 8th century. Fire destroyed church in 1633. Rebuilt 1645. Is the most important Renaissance church building in Switzerland.

Next, we visited the Löwendenkmal (Lion Monument).





"The dying Lion of Lucerne" is one of the world's most famous monuments. It was hewn out of natural rock in memory of the heroic death of the Swiss mercenaries at the Tuilleries in 1792. Globetrotter Mark Twain described the Lion of Lucern as " the saddest and most moving piece of rock in the world".
Once again a short distance along the lake (it was still foggy and cold),





passing this funny house,



and we reached the Kapellbrücke again.



We crossed the bridge



and saw this time the town hall from the front.



This is the Seebrücke (Seabridge).



Under it, the Reuss flows into the Lake Lucerne.

On passing Culture and Congress Centre,



we reached the station.



We said goodbye to Lucerne and were on our way home.







Tired, but happy and enriched by many impressions we fell into bed.
I hope you like my pictures from Lucerne.

Kisses
Laika

Hi mommy,
Today I said goodbye to a good friend. Dotti Scotti set out on her way home.
I gave her a big hug and wished a safe journey.





I will miss her.

I miss you too.

Kisses
Laika

Hi ,
Sunday morning , and again we had to get up early. This time led us our trip to Ticino - the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. To get to the Ticino, we took the train through the Gotthard tunnel.



The railway tunnel is 15003 meters long and consists of a single , twin-track tube. Construction began in the fall of 1872. The puncture was made on 29 February 1880 and on 22 May 1882 the tunnel was inaugurated. On the north side was not much snow









but when we left the tunnel , we saw amounts of snow.





Crazy winter.

Place names such as : Airolo, Quinto , Faido , Biasca and Osogna made us curious. And then we got out - in Bellinzona , the capital of the canton of Ticino.



The city is famous for its three castles ( Castel Grande , Montebello, Sasso Corbaro ) that have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2000.
From the station square we made our way into the old town.



We reached the Piazza Collegiata



and admired the great church of San Collegiata.



Passing beautiful homes



and the Palazzo Civico (City Hall),



we reached the stairs that led us to the Castel Grande.



A wonderful view.









The castle is located on a mighty rock ridge above the old town. We strolled through the huge castle and expected every moment  knights and dragons.







We climbed the Murata (city walls), which also belongs to the Unesco World Heritage site.



It seems as if one can traverse half Bellinzona on the Murata , as long it is.









We took the Salita Castel Grande to return to the city. On our way we saw the Federal Criminal Court.



A few alleys further we came to probably the oldest church in Bellinzona - San Biagio . The facade is decorated with an image of St. Christopher.







The lunch we had earned.



After this break we were on our way to the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. It is one of the most valuable Churches in Ticino and emerged at the end of the 15th Century.



This richly frescoed building was severely damaged in a fire on January 1, 1996 and had to be carefully restored. Unfortunately we could not visit the interior, the church was closed.
Little surprised we went on and came to the Piazza Indipendenza ( Independence Square ) with the obelisk.



From there we climbed hundreds of stairs -



they carry the picturesque name Salita al Castello di Montebello - the second castle. Pretty exhausted and breathless we read the World Heritage Panel



and then explored the castle.







Our effort was rewarded with a splendid view.



I could even see the Lago Maggiore.



We explored the old well





and marveled at the drawbridge.



The third castle we saw only from afar. No more stairs.



Tired but happy we were on our way home. You can imagine that we all slept well.

That's it for today, see you soon.
Love you
Laika

Hi mommy,
Hanne is back from her vacation in Florida.



She was allowed to accompany Jasper's daughter on her honeymoon.



I was a bit little jealous, but Hanne brought us gifts and a new friend - Mani, the Manatee.







With all the delicacies we celebrated a welcome back party.









Hugs
Laika

Hi mommy,
Today, we sat together, listening Hannes vacation experiences and nibbled the last biscuits.



Something was strange. We felt observed.



Suddenly we heard a fluttering and a small bat landed in the biscuit pot.









Stoker called the little Batman and is our new guest.
We welcomed him warmly in Switzerland and shared our biscuits with him.



He's so funny - I like him.



Yours
Laika

Hi mom,
been a few days since I reported the last time. Jasper was very busy - a presentation at a textile fair had to be prepared.
But today was time. We wanted a walk in the snow - so we had to take the car first. Here is no snow - lousy winter. Jasper is frustrated. She loves winter.
So we went to Alt St. Johann and walked a while along the Thur.









The Thur is here still small



and in winter the cross country ski trail runs along the shore.



We watched a bit of cross-country skiers - they were not very fast.





Suddenly I had an urgent need.



On an old stone wall we rested a bit. It was warm - 15 degrees.



Then we had to decide - we take what way? Not so easy.



We walked straight on and came to the valley station of the Iltiosbahn.



This funicular takes you to 1339 meters above sea level.

On our way we saw this sign.



Did I tell you that Simon Ammann grew up in Alt St. Johann ?

This glass tent is an apres ski bar. Unfortunately, she was not yet open.



So we were on our way home. Tonight we look at ski jumping on television. Let's see who wins.

That's it for today.

Bye, bye
Laika

Hi mommy,
once again bad weather. It's exasperating.
Jasper made us "good mood muffins"







and after a few bottles of Sour Apple, we had to laugh a lot.











On weekend, we make another trip - the weather prospects are good.
The destination is a secret. We only know the city name starts with "M".
We all are soooo curious.

Hugs
Laika

Hi mom,
I have a confession to make. You can twist and turn as you like: I stole.



In my defense: I had terrible hunger. Really terrible hunger, my stomach growled and from the kitchen came a tantalizing scent - meat.



For a short moment I forgot my good upbringing and it was already
happen.

















Host father and host brother were not amused. They had to share the last steak.
But I'm sure - I've heard Jasper laugh.



I was ashamed a bit and made the dishes. As compensation.
The steak was good, really good.

Yours
Laika

Saluti a tutti di famiglia
you wonder why I speak Italian? Jasper promised us for this weekend a trip to a city that starts with "M".
We started early and ended up in - Milano ( Milan )



From the station



we walked to the Castello di Sforzaresco.



The Castello is home to the largest museum complex in Milan with nine museums and art galleries. Michelangelo's last sculpture - the Pieta Rondanini, and Leonardo da Vinci's " Codex Trivulzianus " a collection of valuable manuscripts are exhibited here. Unfortunately photograph is strictly prohibited.
So we went on and came to the Arco della Pace - a triumphal arch in Piazza Sempione.



He should remember the European peace of 1815.



A few streets away , we saw the "new Milan". On the old Fairgrounds - Fiera Milano City - built diligently.





The new district will be called "CityLife Milano".



On our way we saw this posh house entrance.





It belongs to the "Casa di riposo by musici" a retirement home for musicians. It was founded by Giuseppe Verdi who lived here and is buried here.



Directly in front of the house is his monument.



The Piazza Piemonte and the Theatro Nazional.



By typical Milanese streets





we came to the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie.







It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of these walls - we do not know which - painted Leonardo da Vinci his famous painting "The Last Supper".
And again, we were not lucky to photograph a famous work of art. We were not even near him. Because of the large number of visitors tickets are limited. And yes, you're right - they were sold out. No exception, not even for ToyVoyager.
A bit grumpy we looked at the building from the outside





and found in a small tranquil courtyard our good mood again.



We went on



and came to the Palazzo Litta, a magnificent palace which is now used by the railway administration.



We passed a small memorial service for the victims in Ukraine, and held in for a moment.



A magnificent monument - I do not remember for whom.







A work of art.



Then we reached the famous Opera House - the Scala. I had somehow imagined more glorious.





This is the statue of Leonardo da Vinci in Piazza Scala.





The entrance





to the magnificent shopping mall "Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II".







All well-known brands can be found in this cross-shaped passage.
When we left the Galleria, an imposing sight showed us.



The Cathedral of Milan.



Huge ( in terms of area , the third largest church in the world) and beautiful he is on the Piazza del Duomo.



We were not the only ones who enjoyed this wonderful day here.



Amo Milano e ti amo mamma.
Ciao ea presto.
I love Milan and I love you mama.
Bye and see you soon.
Laika

Hi mommy,
yesterday we had a farewell party for Hanne and me.
With a big cake







and other goodies we celebrated our friendship.



We had a lot of fun.





After some time it was said goodbye.
With a big group hug and many good wishes sent us our friends on the trip.

















I climbed into my jacket and made ​​myself comfortable.





Bye bye friends -



and bye bye mommy!
See you in Austria.
Laika
Jasper sends you greetings - she's a bit sad that I'm leaving. I was a cherished guest, she will miss me - she says.

Hey

Today I was allowed to go to work with my hostmum. I helped her a lot in the office.