Warning: call_user_func_array() expects parameter 1 to be a valid callback, class 'collapsArch' does not have a method 'enqueue_scripts' in C:\inetpub\vhosts\globitrotter.com\httpdocs\blog\wp-includes\class-wp-hook.php on line 307

Category: city

Home – Lucerne

The other day I walked around my new home town with my camera and thought I will show you some of the pictures of this beautiful place.

IMG_8076 copy

At the waterfront close to our home. The mountain Rigi in the background.

IMG_8079 copy

The other side of town

IMG_8090 copy

At the quay where most of the tour boats departs.

IMG_8094 copy

There are a few bars along the water with great views.

IMG_8096 copy

Hikers waiting for the ferry.

IMG_8097 copy

The crossing next to the train station. The water tower in the background.

IMG_8115 copy

The Kapellbrücke with mountain Pilatus in the background.

IMG_8125 copy

In the Old town looking over to the “new” town.

IMG_8130 copy

Beautiful facade.

IMG_8132 copy

Shopping street in Old town.

IMG_8136 copy

Lucerne Fountain on Kapellplatz.

IMG_8138 copy

KKL, the cultural center next to the train station. The university is close by and during the day lots of people sit along the water front and eat lunches or drinks beer in some of the outdoor cafés.

IMG_8140 copy

Lunch hour at the lake.

Kapellbrucke-3 copy

Panorama of the Kapellbrücke

Slight change of plan

Some things you can not really plan for, they just happen. A few weeks into our stay in mainland Australia we had to reschedule our flights and fly back to Switzerland due to family reasons. We came from autumn in Australia to spring in Switzerland but got used to the change quite quickly. We were happy to be back in a semi normal life again. As we came back the plan was still to spend summer in Sweden and then probably settle down in Switzerland in the autumn but still keeping all options open.

Just for fun we looked around for apartments in Lucerne and as it happens we found the perfect place. A nice apartment featuring a huge terrace with views of the mountains just next to the train station. Well, we could not resist… So, 1 June we will be permanent residents of Lucerne, Switzerland! This means we have to start working rather sooner than later, unfortunately. But before we get the apartment I will go to Stockholm and enjoy the city for a few weeks.

Well, I did not think that an apartment would decide where we end up but I guess something has to decide. 🙂

Last day and drive in New Zealand – Christchurch

It was time to return the van that had been our home for the past four months and move on. Our last day of driving was full of adventures. We decided to go for a drive around Christchurch with suburbs. That was interesting. As you might know there was a severe earthquake here in 2011 which was the second deadliest in New Zealand and destroyed much of the city.

Many buildings were completely destroyed and some left too damaged to use. A lot have been demolished, lots of buildings are empty and some are being rebuilt. Driving around town is chaotic since many roads are closed and there is road work in lots of places. This in addition to one way streets made it not a good city to drive in for the visitor. We had to turn around a number of times because the street that looked good on the map was suddenly closed.

Here are some photos from Christchurch. The city has a special atmosphere at the moment with much of it destroyed in the earthquake. There is lots of construction going on and many streets and buildings are closed. To keep the city alive they have built a city center out of containers. It actually looks nice!

Christchurch

 

Oamaru – capital of Steampunk

Somewhere along the way we had heard that Oamaru is a great little town. We could not remember why but we knew we wanted to pass by. Basically it is known for two things, Steampunk and penguins. The latter I don’t think needs much explaining but the first one might if you are as ignorant as me.

IMG_6670 copy

Yellow eyed penguin

Steampunk is a style with the slogan “Tomorrow as it used to be”. It features steam powered machinery in a western 19th century setting. The style can be recognized from many movies (eg Fritz Lang’s Metropolis or Wild wild west), computer games and art work. Oamaru has a small museum dedicated to Steampunk, a playground and art work around the city in Steampunk style. Actually some of the people who live there look Steampunk. 🙂 This in combination with the old Victorian style buildings is fantastic and creates a very special place.

Have a look at the photos and see what you think:

Oamaru

Napier – Art Deco

Because the weather was bad in the mountains we decided to spend a few days in Napier and surroundings. We wanted to visit this area anyway and this is were the sun was this week.

Most of Napier was destroyed in 1931 in an earthquake. In spite of the big depression the city was more or less rebuilt in 2 years. The result was a city centre with almost all buildings in Art Deco style which was popular at the time. A few buildings that were built just a few years before the earthquake survived otherwise everything had to be rebuilt. The first house that was built was already designed and planned before the natural disaster and as they were working they made as much noise as possible to give the city some hope of the future.

The city is obviously very proud of its history and everyone is participating in conserving the architecture which is like a huge outdoor museum. It is important for the businesses that renovates old buildings to keep the old style and original details are restored. I am personally very fond of the Art Deco architecture and enjoyed every moment in this town.

The area around Hawkes Bay is famous for its wine and we took the opportunity to bike around the vineyards and did some wine tasting. Napier also has a small aquarium which is well worth a visit. This is were we saw our first kiwi.

Napier – wine tasting and Art Deco

Alternative doughnut in Napier

As we were walking around admiring the Art Deco buildings in Napier we eventually had to take a break and get some coffee/tea and cakes. We strolled into this newly opened café/restaurant, Mister D, in a refurnished Art Deco building on Tennyson Street in the center of town.

It turned out their specialty is doughnut that you infuse yourself with apple-raspberry jelly, chocolate or vanilla custard. Obviously we had to try that and this is how it looked:

Very good! Make sure not to miss this café when in Napier.