Road Trip to Switzerland and Germany

Well...Matt had to go back to Vancouver for almost 3 weeks so we had to alter plans. At first it was a bit of a disappointment (I know...what losers we are...we’ve had 10 months of traveling the Med and we’re disappointed that we’ll lose out on 3 weeks?), however, we soon got over that, well, not really Matt who had to leave but for Ross, Jessie and me, we altered plans and expectations and although we had to give Corsica and Sardinia a pass, we decided a road trip was in order! I am very fortunate to have my mom’s sisters and their families live in Switzerland and Germany. So...it was time to re-visit my aunts, uncles and cousins – and we were welcomed and treated so amazingly well.

Our little...and I mean little car, that does not go too fast but we got to 150 km/h on the Autobahn reliably got us there!

First we drive about 7 hours to a tiny alpine village in Switzerland, called Lantsh-Lenz, about half an hour from Chur. My Auntie Iris, my mum’s sister, and Uncle Valley and my cousin Peter, arranged for a lovely, cozy apartment for us to stay in – one room with beds for all and a wee kitchen with table and chairs, and even a little balcony. It was less than 100 meters from my aunt and uncle's house. 

Enjoying Peter's yummy pasta!

We arrived, enjoyed an excellent pasta meal made by my cousin Peter, who by fortunate luck was visiting his parents for a few days, and then the next day we hiked up to Vastenos. Vastenos is a piece of property, used for farming in the past, about 40 minute hike up, up, up the hill, behind the forests and onto open rolling fields with the very old, wood barn/house at the top. 

The view up at Vastenos....its gorgeous!

The view is spectacular, a mountain stream provides fresh running water (and the fridge for wine and beer) and we had a “grill” – Swiss English for BBQ. My cousin Peter had a friend with his family join in and it was great.

Everyone in the barn enjoying a good meal at Vastenos

We stayed one more night and had a cup of tea together the next morning before heading out, to Germany where my mum’s other sister, Auntie Kay, lives in Remscheid. 

Uncle Valley, Ross, Marina, Peter at the back, Auntie Iris
and Jessie up at Vastenos

Sadly, my Uncle Fred passed away a few years ago, but their daughter (my cousin Vera) came from a town on the Baltic Sea in East Germany to stay for a few days with us too. 

Vera and Ross Grilling

And my other cousin, Eva, and her husband Achim, also came for an evening “grill” – I’m practically glowing writing about it, how special “family” is and how wonderfully welcome we were. 

Marina with Achim and Eva

When Vera had to go home, her son Philip arrived (he’s 22) and Ross had some appreciated testosterone in the house! Out came the air rifle, computer games and computer talk, swimming and deer chasing. 

Philip and Ross enjoying the air rifle. 

The deer ate all the young rose buds in my aunt’s beautifully cared for garden. I played a couple hours, maybe more, tennis with Dirk – who is extended family and went to the Caribbean with us many many years ago – and my muscles, unworked for a while, felt the pain for the next 3 days – it was a good hit!

All of us went to an Adventure/Challenge Tree Climbing place called Klettergarten (literal translation climbing garden) on what we thought was the last day. It was terrific! Platforms, cables, tires, ropes, rope ladders, rope nets, and more...with a zip-line finish! Everything was about 10 – 15 meters above ground (of course we were harnessed in) passing from tree platform to tree platform, and we had lots of fun! Ross and Philip led on while Jessie, Estella and finally I, brought up the rear.

Ross, Jessie, Philip, Marina and Estella

Then...we were supposed to leave the next morning, but Auntie Kay just had a thought, “too bad we didn’t tell Matt to come back via Dusseldorf to spend a day or two here”, and everyone agreed. So, onto Skype and a few hours later and some organizing from Matt’s side, he decided to come to Remscheid before we go back to the boat. So poor Auntie Kay has us in her house for a few more days...which we find lovely! We are learning about Bonzai Trees and still chasing deer, every day, several times a day. The fence man comes on Thursday to hopefully solve the problem. Almost as fun as the chicken coop!

The ladies after an afternoon in the hair salon! 

It was very fun to have Matt arrive! Jessie and I went to the airport in Dusseldorf using the new Garmin GPS car navigation system that I bought (a new toy for me!) and only took one wrong turn (it takes a while to get used to the way directions are given out). Matt was totally pooped out, having traveled over 24 hours. 

Back at the house we had a snack, a glass of wine and then to bed. The next day was very relaxing, although we did get out and do a little shopping mall excursion, and then a very fun grill (that’s German for BBQ) with Dirk and Bettina at Kay’s house. 

Matt, Dirk and Bettina

Started off with Lemon Drops and finished with wine after midnight...what a nice way to end our time here.

The next morning we all slept in a little and then took on the task of packing the car...the picture speaks for itself.

We were going to stop half way but between Matt and I there was enough energy to drive the whole way, which took about 13 hours (including a few breaks). Back “home” on Tara around midnight and happy.