Switzerland Day Twelve - Last Day in Zurich

Today is our last day in Switzerland, we fly home early tomorrow. Even though we have had a good time here I think all of us are ready to leave. Today started off like all our days in Zurich, cold and rainy. Our morning was slow as we debated what to do. 

I am still feeling under the weather so James and Camille took the kids to Confiserie Sprungli, a famous Swiss sweet shop. They enjoyed and brought home many delicious delicacies including an incredibly rich chocolate truffle cake. 

After they returned home James and I took the kids out to an indoor play place. In Lauterbrunnen they were able to run around in the field and at the playground but they have been much more cooped up in Zurich and they needed a chance to play. 

The place we found is called Trampolino and it was amazing. The entrance halls are lined with beautiful murals of Disney characters, apparently they are less concerned with copyright infringement here. But it was even more awesome inside. The first thing we saw was a huge cone stretching up almost to the ceiling. Rope tunnels led to it but some children scrambled right up. 

Trampolino

Will slides down the cone

Christian loved the slide

Jon on a tall bouncy trampoline

Will and Jon prepare to fire

 Immediately behind that was a giant inflatable trampoline that you could climb. The boys had a hard time with it until they ditched their socks. (another difference between American play places!) There was also a large climbing structure, bouncy slide, and lots of trampolines. 

Trampolino play area

Jon on the trampolines

Christian tumbles

Boys on the bumper cars

Will prepares to crash

Everywhere we turned there was a new attraction for the kids. We didn't go on the small ferris wheel but the boys loved the swings and enjoyed the bumper cars. The cone was the biggest draw though and the boys kept trying to climb it. Jon did it first but before we left all of them were climbing like little monkeys right to the top.

My boys on the swings

Will on the swing

Christian climbs to the top

Jon is almost there

Jon slides down

By the time the boys wore themselves out we were all pretty hungry. The skies had cleared up so after we went back to pick up Camille we were able to all walk down the street to a local restaurant called the Schnitzelhaus. Pretty much all they had was schnitzel but there were at least two dozen different types all of which you could get as chicken, pork, or veal. 

We weren't sure what the boys would like so James and I ordered three different meals along with side dishes and we split them between the five of us. The schnitzel was fantastic and there was one that was covered in a mushroom gravy that was absolutely heavenly. The boys enjoyed it all too (except for the mushrooms) so it was the perfect meal to end our trip.

Now it is late and I still have a lot of packing to do. I don't know when our next trip will be but I do know that we will have to come back and visit Switzerland!

Goodnight!

Switzerland Days Ten and Eleven - Rheinfall

Day 10 - I am very sick. My throat, head, and nose feel terrible and I am exhausted. James and Camille took the boys out to go shopping in Zurich and left me home to try ad get some rest. I was glad to stay home although even with a full day off I am not feeling much better.

It is raining today and I have no pictures. James and Camille went shopping in Zurich but because of the rain they weren't able to get any pictures either. The kids had a good time though and spent a good part of the afternoon in a giant toy store which had a two story slide. Will finally spent his souvenir money on a Lego set.

The rest of the family had lunch out but we ordered in for dinner. James picked up Thai food for him and his mom and ordered Dominos for the rest of us. It was nice to be able to eat at home since I still wasn't up for going out. But while James was picking up the food Jon, Christian and I played one of our new games. They have a lot of card and board games here and we have already bought three new ones. I hope we get a chance to play more before we leave.

Day 11 - Rheinfall

I am slowly starting to feel better. I couldn't sleep in my bed last night because I kept choking so instead I found myself sitting up at 4am on the most uncomfortable couch ever. I was able to get a little sleep here and now the cold seems to have moved to my chest so hopefully I can sleep in a bed tonight. I would really love to be better before I get onto the plane!

After a slow start this morning we packed into the car and headed over to the town of Schaffhausen and the Rheinfall. Rheinfall is advertised as the largest waterfall in Europe but I'm not sure if that is true. It certainly isn't as tall as the falls in the Alps, although it is a wide and fast moving waterfall. It was an impressive sight to see.

Rheinfall

We started at the top of the falls at a little castle. From there Will, Jon, and I took a path down to the water while James, Camille, and Christian took a glass elevator. The falls are pretty short but the water rushes down with an impressive speed and volume. We all enjoyed the view.

Why were there cows at the waterfall?

Jon and Christian on cows

Jon on the path to the falls

At the castle entrance to the falls

Glass elevator

Christian at the Rheinfall

After the falls the boys played for a bit on a small playground while James and Camille visited the gift shop. Then we headed over to Schaffhausen for lunch and a bit more shopping. Lunch was delicious and we were all stuffed by the time we left the restaurant. Camille left the wheelchair behind today and has been walking everywhere. Her leg is still bothering her but I am impressed that she is able to do so much walking. 

At the Rheinfall playground

Christian at the playground

Grandma and the boys in Schaffhausen

Playing with a water fountain

After two hours of shopping we were ready for dessert at a cafe. I think the cafes here are Camille's favorite things. And I have to admit, they are excellent! We all enjoyed delicious hot chocolate, ice cream, and meringue and even though we shared our desserts it was still too much for us to finish.  

Will sips his white hot chocolate

Will and Jon share dessert

It was still pretty early when we decided to head for home and Schaffhausen is less than an hour away. But even though I am getting better I am still sick and all my energy is gone. Now the boys are cuddled on the couch freshly showered and in their pjs. Their show is almost over and it is time to put them to bed. I am torn between playing a game with James tonight or going to bed but I think that bed might win. I need the sleep!

Goodnight!

Switzerland Day Nine - Lucerne

I am sick. I woke up with a sore throat and as the day has gone on it progressed to a full blown cold. This may be a short post because I think I have a fever now as well.

We were very efficient last night and this morning with our packing and it wasn't long before we were on our way. I was a little sad to leave Lauterbrunnen but very happy with all the things we were able to see and do. We didn't have to be in Zurich until the evening so we had planned to stop in Lucerne for lunch and a little shopping.

Last morning in Lucerne

Lucerne is another lakeside city surrounded by beautiful mountains. Switzerland has so many of those! Not that I'm complaining, it would be hard to get tired of such scenery. 

The river in the middle of Lucerne

A sailboat on Lake Lucerne

Lucerne swans

We parked near the water and the first thing that we did was rent a little pontoon boat. Of course as soon as we left the shore the boys were clamoring to drive it. The boat goes very slowly which they found a little frustrating but it was still a lot of fun. Jon drove first and did donuts in the water. Christian was a crazy driver, going erratically from side to side and honking the horn. I'm glad there are many years before he starts to drive a car!

Starting out on the boat

Christian drives while Will relaxes

Christian driving

Jon behind the wheel

Grandma drives the boat

James enjoys the ride

We all took turns driving the boat and we all had fun going out. Even creeping along we managed to get pretty far out before we had to turn back. The ride back to the dock was a bit more bumpy since we were heading into the wind. Camille was worried about some of the spray that came into the boat so James went to the front and jumped at the right moment causing a wave of water to come in. It drained quickly out the back but the screams of Camille and Christian were only an encouragement to James.

Will drives the boat

Don't let Daddy drive the boat!

Jon wants another turn to steer

Shadows and sun on the hill

Crazy Christian

"Look, Mom! No hands!"

We were rather windblown and a little damp when we arrived back at the dock and by this time we were all hungry. We walked the cobblestones streets until we found a cute little restaurant which turned out to have excellent food. Will and I shared a tender steak and Christian ordered spaghetti napoli for the millionth time.

Jon isn't sure about the flowers they decorated his plate with

After lunch we took a walk around the city. There are many buildings here with colorful scenes painted on them and many statues. We took a walk across a wooden covered bridge and peered into a stunning cathedral before stopping at a cafe for dessert. This is where I started to feel really awful. But the cake and ice cream were excellent, the best I've had here. 

Covered bridge

Grandma and the boys

A Jesuit church in Lucerne

The inside of the church

We still had more time before we were due in Zurich so we wandered the streets some more and did a little shopping. James bought a book for the boys about how to take care of their Swiss Army knives and what kind of things you can make with them. Jon is very excited to try some of them out.

A totem fountain

The town had colorful buildings

Finally we arrived at our flat in Zurich. It is cute although a little difficult. But I will have to say more about it tomorrow since I need to go to bed and get some rest.
Goodnight!