Victoria Peak, Man Mo & The Star Ferry

Views of Hong Kong from Victoria Peak

It’s nearly 10am before we leave the apartment headed for Victoria Peak. So much for my daily schedule. Though I shouldn’t be too hard on us, we’re all exhausted after the Thursday night flight and did quite well to get through our arrival and first afternoon in Hong Kong relatively unscathed.… Read the rest

Swan Lake

The night’s program

Add ballet to Tchaikovsky and what do you get?  Well, actually, there are a couple but by far the most famous is Swan Lake.  The story is based on the fairytale where the beautiful princess, Odette, is cursed by an evil sorcerer.… Read the rest

Walking Zürich – The Limmat

The Limmat from Münsterbrücke by night

By far the best way to see a city is to walk it. Particularly the compact old towns of Europe.  Not everyone has the ability, stamina or perhaps enthusiasm for this endeavor, walking from dawn till dusk (and often into the night as well).  … Read the rest

Walking Zürich – Rathaus & Hochschulen

Susanna-Gossweiler-Platz

By far the best way to see a city is to walk it.  Particularly the compact old towns of Europe. Today I am walking the Rathaus & Hochschulen. Not everyone has the ability, stamina or perhaps enthusiasm for this endeavor, walking from dawn till dusk (and often into the night as well).  … Read the rest

Walking Zürich – Lindenhof & the City

Lindenhof and the Limmat-Club Zürich

By far the best way to see a city is to walk it.  Particularly the compact old towns of Europe.  Today I’m walking Lindenhof & the City. Not everyone has the ability, stamina or perhaps enthusiasm for this endeavor, walking from dawn till dusk (and often into the night as well).… Read the rest

Walking Zürich – Zürichsee

The Limmat from near the Haubtbahnhof

By far the best way to see a city is to walk it.  Particularly the compact old towns of Europe.  Today I’m walking the Zürichsee. Not everyone has the ability, stamina or perhaps enthusiasm for this endeavor, walking from dawn till dusk (and often into the night as well).… Read the rest

Lake Zürich & Rapperswil

Lake Zürich from Grossmünster

I board the boat for Rapperswil with an expectation of a lake Zürich cruise and the vague promise of a Schloss (castle) at the end.  It’s not like me.  Usually I have my days planned to the ‘n’th degree but, apart from today being an unexpected bonus, I think I’m mellowing a little in my holiday expectations.… Read the rest

Grossmünster

Grossmünster

Originally a monastery, Grossmünster (gross = large or great and münster = minster or cathedral) is arguably the heart of old town Zürich. Construction began on this site in 1100 but there are two legends woven into the founding of this historic cathedral.… Read the rest

Wismar

Wismar’s Market Square with the Alte Schwede (1380)

Another Hanseatic gem. Wismar’s sky line is dominated by a trifecta of Gothic medieval architecture – St Maria’s, St Nikolai’s and St George’s. My heart beats faster at the thought of these divine churches although these are not the only splendid notable facades in Wismar.… Read the rest

Schloß Schwerin

Schloß Schwerin

If fairytales were to have a birthplace it must be Schwerin. Even from a distance, just laying eyes on their impossibly beautiful castle makes me feel like a princess, or at least, like the world is full of hope and beauty.… Read the rest