Wellington

On my first day I spent the afternoon at the warf area. I rented a bike, found a beach and took a dive in the ocean.

I did some people watching I am noticing how relaxed and casual everyone is. It like a beach town next to a commercial district. It also reminds me of Cape Town in South Africa.

Here are a couple photos of the water. I have taken to my 'au naturelle' side as a result of minimal packing space for hair products, roller brush, hair dryer, makeup etc....scary, I know...

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Facts

Traveling time to Wellington, New Zealand from Zurich: 36 hours

Time change: 18 hours ahead of Ontario and 12 hours ahead of Europe

Weather: Its summer here and 22*C!!!

Luggage: everything I need for my 3 month stay is packed in the photo attached. I am marveled with how I pulled it off....

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So now what......

Thank-you for sharing in my European journey!

Today I leave for New Zealand and will arrive 2 days from now. I am not looking to the 26+ hour flight from London UK to Auckland....but it will all be worth it.

On Monday I start a 25 day Kiwi Experience tour then I will be making my way to Marlborough. I will be be helping with the wine production at Kim Crawford winery. 

I am leaving my computer behind in Zurich and blogging will be difficult. Therefore I will become even more obsessed with finding wifi hotspots so I can use my blackberry!

Solden, Austria

Quote during my time of skiing: "do something that scares you every day".....

I got that of a lululemon shopping bag. 

Before I went to Austria you could have asked if I ski and I would have said 'I have tried it a number of times and can manage to get down a hill with some degree of ability'. I have changed my mind. I can NOT ski! I was terrified at times.  I had a couple of lessons, didn't break any bones and I can also say "I have skied a glacier in the alps of Austria!".

The reason I went to Austria is I was invited to join a group of 4 people from Waterloo who were skiing in Italy the week before. I am SO glad that I did it:) I tried something new that is certainly 'Bucket List' material and I understand that Solden has the best Apres Ski party in Europe. Yeah, it was pretty good....

  I am not going to be rushing off to buy ski's just yet, but it is a sport that I would do again just for the scenery. I have never felt so close to the mountains, 

completely surrounded by them.....jaw dropping, beautiful. 

At the ski rental shop.

During my lesson - my instructor hid my poles!

Views from the Glacier!

Part of the group, L to R: Paul, Me, Gaby, Bob.
Not shown is Brian who is taking the photo

There are bars and restaurants scattered all around the 
mountains in between the ski runs.
We had spectacular sunny, warm weather. We ate lunch outside in the alps everyday!

This is the coolest chick in all of Austria. Meet Kathatrina.
Her and some friends rented an RV last year and toured British Columbia and Alberta.
She is a bartender at one of the mountain bars and has made it like 
a little shrine to Canada.
You can see the I love Banff sticker just on the left.
She also helped with keeping me hydrated with water etc....:)

Day in Davos, Switzerland

Here are some photos from my day in Davos. 

In my previous blog I talked about the hike I did and the sledging. 

This Swiss Hotel entrance caught my eye

One of the gorgeous views from my hairpin hike

The gentleman that took this photo happened to be from Collingwood!
This is the sledge that I rented. There is a better view of one just behind me on the left.

View of the top of Rinerhorn Mountain.

Starting point of the sledge run.

The sun came out for a few hours and it was so warm at the top of the hill.
These loungers were way to inviting to pass up a chance to take in some winter rays!

Hiking in Davos

I have a brief moment of wifi and thought I should make a short post.
I am in the Swiss Alps of Davos, Switzerland today. I went for a 4km hike on the top of Schatzalp mountain (1861 m), then hiked to the bottom.
In the afternoon I took the train 2 stops to Reinhorn mountain (2053 m). I rented a sledge (toboggan) and ventured down the 3.5km run. A great work out for the arms! It is very warm in Switzerland and there isn't much snow. This is the only place that had a sledge run open!
So, I'm exhausted now from all the activity and alpine air. Thankfully my hotel in nearby Klosters has a very nice sauna, steam room and hot tub!
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February in Zurich????

What a day! Its sunny and 12* C in Zurich. This afternoon I went to Utlieburg mountain and hiked through the forest to Felsnegg mountain. Here are some photos of the sunny skies with the Alps way in the background and beautiful lake Zurich.

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