Our motor
sail from Portobelo to the Shelter Bay Marina was uneventful with calm water,
clear sky and a very relaxed day, in other words a very lovely day. We settled
right into the marina and it felt like we never left. Not sure if that is good
or not. It is really nice to be in a well-run marina again after the disastrous
soap opera Linton Bay Marina. Shelter Bay has plenty of nice hot water showers,
a nice pool, store, restaurant, cruiser’s lounge, workshop, laundry and now
also a coordinator that organized function. The marina wants to keep us busy so
we stay longer. Guess that’s easily done. The only problem here is the free
shuttle that runs daily to Colon and on Wed to Panama City is very unreliable
as it breaks down too often. So if you are planning to head to the airport plan
a day early and spend the night in town, or you may miss your flight. That’s
what we did.
After that
we did not hear from the Detective anymore and thought the case was done. Sid
was bummed. Until June 22th when detective texted to set up a
conference call with Sid, the District attorney and himself. On the 24th
after listening to Sid’s story of what he saw that day when he watched Holman for
2 ½ hours climbing 12 stories from balcony to balcony and entering apartments
with open doors, she told Sid she needed him and she was going to fly him to LA
on the 27th as jury selection was starting that day. Sid told her
that we are flying out to Switzerland on the 28th, OOPS!!! Since the
trial hadn’t started yet and it takes a few days for jury selection Sid told
her that he could fly out of Zurich. We flew to Zurich arriving on the 29th
and DA tried to find other officers to replace Sid which was impossible as he
was the only officer that ever watched Holman climb therefor the only one that
can testify to Holman’s method of operation how he was capable of climbing to
the 79 year old victim’s balcony, enter her apartment where later she was found
brutally murdered. After convincing the DA it was no inconvenience at all for
Sid to fly to LA and that she really needed him they sent him a ticket on the 4th.
On the 6th
Sid was testifying and was a long time in the seat. He said when he had to
describe and act how Harold climbed up the building the juror’s moved forward
in their seats, which is a very good sign, he knew they were his. Even the
judge that was a bit pro defense changed her tunes. When Sid was done the DA was
very satisfied and had no further questions. But of course the Defense attorney
had a few for Sid since this has been so long ago if he really remembered
everything, he answered with “yes Mam”. Then she asked him if he read any
reports to refresh his memory, yes was his answer and she questioned “and?”
Sid’s respond was “just as I remembered it”. The best part was all the other
officers questioned answered the same. This was quite a unique way of burglary
in those days even now of course you would remember everything. Sid by the way
nicknamed Harold to “Spiderman”. Friday 8th Sid was cleared from
court and he had a couple days of fun as some of his old buddies Brad Roberts
and wife Jeannie organized a fun weekend. Out at Hope Ranch in St. Barbara at
our very good friend’s Jojo and Dave Steele’s (X-partner)
Back to the
marina: The weekend before our departure was the opening of the new Expansion
of the Panama Canal. We are so close but yet so far to have been part of it as
it involves renting a car. Imagine the hundreds of cars parking in the area, so
we decided to watch it on TV at the cruiser’s lounge where a fun brunch potluck
was held.
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| Incredible view of canal with the first ship at inauguration |
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| You can see the gate is closing |
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| All the cruisers watching |
A day before
our flight to Switzerland we headed into town, can’t trust the marina bus. I
found us a 49% off deal on Booking.com at the Royal Sonesta Hotel. What a beautiful hotel with incredible view of
the skyline of Panama City across the water and view of the canal. The room was
the biggest and nicest I’ve ever been in and the bathroom huge. The roof pool
on the 21st floor was amazing as well. I spoiled myself with a facial
at the spa while Sid had another conference call with the DA attorney about his
upcoming flight to LA.
When we were in Panama City the first time in 2000, all these high rise buildings were not here yet. Amazing!
Since we had
a night in town I organized a room for Jim and Melania to join us for a fun
evening in town. Ida of course joined us later after work and for the first
time we met her new love Manuel, what a cute couple they make. We had a fun
cocktail hour and getting to know one and another in our room and after 2
bottles of bubbly and some rum was gone we headed to Machu Pichu a Peruvian
Restaurant with nothing but wonderful seafood dishes. The Pisco Sour is not bad
either. It was a fun night we definitely need to repeat.
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| Sisters Melania and Manuela |
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| With Ida |
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| I had the appetizer platter with many wonderful samples |
We arrived
on the 29th in Zurich and both my brother’s Gino and Marco plus
Marco’s wife Barbara were there waiting for us. It was a happy reunion. Since
we were a surprise for my mom we stayed at Gino’s. Had a fun afternoon catching
up with both my brothers and their wife’s. We heard mom several times over the
car phone system and I just had the feeling that she knew. But Gino insisted
she did not. Even drove by her house several times her not knowing.
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| From left Gino, Barbara, Anna, Sid and Marco |
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| Lunch with Stefania and Gino after visiting Stefannia at work at Radio 24 |
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| First Swiss Meal |
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| Look at the size Calzone Sid ate for dinner |
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| Gino teaching Fencing |
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While shopping at IKEA found cutting boards for Debi |
How lucky
can we be but arriving the day before the famous every 3 year held “Zürich
Seenachtsfest” which lasts 3 days with incredible fireworks in the evening
where speakers are placed in every tree around the bay and the firework dancing
to any type of music, classical, rock, musical, whatever matches the firework
best. Our niece Tiffany and her boyfriend Leo took us to this event. Sid was
speechless when he finally saw the fireworks I have told him about over all those
years. It was amazing. I have never seen sooooo many people in Zürich before
(in the days I used to watch the fireworks we were able to do so from the roof
terrace of IBM where my dad and I had worked, it was right by the lake, best of
view of course). We started the Fest at noon and walked from one festivity to
another. Also visited Stefania our other niece at her festivity stand “Radio
24”, she is the receptionist for the Radio Station. Wow they had a great float
and ran the radio from there, pretty amazing. She tried to get us a spot on it
but “Radio 24” raffled the tickets off to their listeners. Tiffany herself had
a customer to visit, she works in the advertisement business and clients had
the biggest stand of the fest right on the waterfront. Not just were we able to
watch a 3 D virtual reality show and were invited to enjoy some champagne as
well. We were treated like VIPs.
Mom’s party
was happening on July 2nd, by the way Mom has a twin sister Elsbeth.
It was a double BD.
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| Barbara did an incredible job |
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| Preparations underway while I receive WhatsApp photos |
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| Bread made by Ruth |
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| Incredible Desserts made by Barbara |
All guests and the BD girls were enjoying appetizers when
we came into the picture. I walked in playing Happy Birthday with my harmonica.
My mom not even seeing me yet knew immediately as she recognized my harmonica
playing. She called out my name that was the end of my song.
It was a happy
reunion, even though later Mom told me she knew I was coming. Both my brothers
had given it away, one asked 6 months prior if they can rent the party room if
Manuela comes for a visit, the party room her BD party was in. The other under
strict no from me don’t ask mom if such and such can come she will know I am
involved, just invite them as a surprise, but mom was asked anyway and her
responds was oh Manuela is coming. And the only person that I told that I was
coming home for a surprise was a cousin of my dad’s. I asked her if she also
got an invitation and to please come but do not tell mom. What does she do she
called mom to wish her a happy BD and apologizing that she can’t come to party
and to say to Manuela when she sees me. Guess we all screwed up. Oh well, she
was by the way the only relative who knew we were coming other than my brothers
and family. Never less it was a surprise party somewhat for mom as the party
had started but no Sid and Manuela yet but definitely a surprise for all the other
relatives. Barbara out did herself, she offered to cater for this even, food
was yummy but poor Barbara was so busy she barely had time to sit down and
enjoy it herself but she was in her element
Almost done with dinner another
surprise showed up, my mom’s harmonica orchestra MOZ played her some tunes. This
was funny as for the last couple of months mom was irked that they practiced
some stupid songs, not realizing they were practicing those songs for her BD.
It was a real surprise for her.
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| They even invited me to play with them |
After they left I played a few songs with my guitar and harmonica for her then we had some fun games and lots and lots of laughter.
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| With her grandchildren Felicia Stefania, Michele and Ramon |
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| Mom with her kids Marco, Manuela and Gino |
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| and In-laws Barbara, Anna and Sid |
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| With Cousin Brigitte and husband Peter and sister in law Maria |
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| Doris and David Walder we played Harmonica together at MOZ |
Game time! Doris showed us the Cup Game. None of us has ever heard of it.
After Gino
and I dropped Sid off at the airport for LA, Gino drove me to Mom’s where I
stayed until Sid came back. Since his trip impacted not being able to see and
visit all our friends I made the decision that this was just Mom’s time and I
told everybody sorry, next time. I did visit with a few that are really more
like family to me.
The following day on the 3rd of July we organized a little surprise Party for Anna. I cooked an artichoke soup and her favorite crab on a spicy sauce. It was a fun evening.
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| Surprise |
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| Sid practiced with my new underwater camers, Not too bad!!!! |
I didn't expect to be invited to a bus trip full with 80 year old. Mom's church organizes some fun trip for the seniors. This was a long time planned trip so Mom and Elsbeth added me to it. This trip was special it was for all the 1936 born children. I tell you though as funny as it sounded before the trip. All I can say is: If I am that fit and young with 80 I am a happy person. I did not see 80 year old people I saw recycled Teenagers. It was an incredible fun day and the drive to Falera in the Geaubünden Mountains picturesque (mountain to the East bordering Fürstentum Lichtenstein, Austria and Italy.
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| Bus load of recycled teenagers born in 1936 |
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| Sargans Castle |
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| Narrow roads up to Heidiländ in Maienfeld where we enjoyed an Apero |
In Falera:
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| My Relatives |
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| Typical "Büntner" farmhouse |
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| Beautiful Falera |
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| BTW this is a very nice ski area |
Mom and I had a wonderful time, the second day she told me
the little chime with the sloth I had sent her is pretty but just way too
small, she would love to have one about 30 cm long. I wrote Sid that in case he
sees one to buy it for mom but not to go out of his way. Sid went hunting for
one online and spent most of his off time looking for a wind chime for mom. He
found one at a garden shop that was well 30 cm across and hand tuned to C.
First when mom saw it she thought OMG my neighbors will kill me. You have to
know one of her neighbors complained about, farmer whose property is ½ km away,
the cowbells are annoying to loud and farmer had to do something about it.
Luckily all her neighbors love the sound of the chime and Mom is sooooo happy.
I loved it too and recorded the sound over and over and I am using it as my
alarm clock whenever I need it. Good job Sid but sorry you spent all your off
time on it. He said it was a peace offering for having to go to LA.
While Sid
was gone Elsbeth wanted to do a Lake Zürich boat tour. I told mom we had done
this so many times that I was not up for it. When mom mentioned that sometimes
they do a River Rhein tour, I jumped on that. Although it was a Sunday and many
people would be on the boat we went anyway. For the first time I did a River
Rhein tour I always wanted to do. Wow, what a must trip. The train took us
right by the Rheinfall (most famous waterfall in Switzerland, kind of a
miniature Niagara fall) which is in Schaffhausen and from here the boats start
traveling the upriver to Konstanz.
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| Rheinfall |
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| beautiful Schaffhausen |
The river trip was breathtaking as it took
us by the most beautiful villages with typical and historical buildings,
castles could be seen on top of hills overlooking the river valley.
The river
had fairly high water due to lots to rain and snow melt and also had a very
strong current of 10 knots. At some bridges we crossed we had to go on the
lower deck as they had to lower the sundeck roof and the cockpit roof. Mom said
at times you have to leave the boat walk to a waiting boat on the other side of
the bridge and continue from there as the water is too high.
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| Bye Schaffhausen |
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| We just came from there |
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| 10 Knot of current |
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| Another castle on top of the mountain |
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| My future house |
It was a 4 hour
trip from Schaffhausen to Konstanz where Marco and Barbara were awaiting us.
They live about 20 minutes away from there. After a fun stroll through Konstanz
with them, a wonderful pizza lunch we took the train back to Zürich.
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| Konstanz Germany |
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| lots of fun shopping |
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| Kewl waiting area in restaurant |
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| What a wonderful trip |
Mom and I ate our lunches on her balcony and one lunch we had an unexpected visitor. A Wasp kept steeling our chicken. We had so much fun on this cute little critter we fed him for a whole week until his buddy showed up and gave him a bad time.
Mom was overjoyed that her granddaughter to whom I am the godmother wanted to come and spend the night with us. Mom went all out for dinner and was just very, very happy. So was I
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| Mom learning to use WhatsApp |
Sid returned
on the 12th, my Mom decided to join me at the airport. I knew he was
arriving at 15:48 on United, so Gino dropped us off at Terminal 2 as United
lands here so do all other International flights. Earlier that day I had
checked his flight statues and flight was delayed one hour. Mom and I decided
to do some shopping at the airport as Zürich airport is one of the coolest. Top
floor is the airport but underground is a whole shopping center and below that
all the train connection to anywhere, very convenient. We arrived at 3:15 and
headed into the arrival lounge first to check on flight as my App still showed
1 hour late. It showed the flight arriving on time at 15:48, great we had some
time to shop for dinner. We returned at 15:40 now it said plane just landed. So
we waited and waited and found out most flights were delayed by 2 hours due to
bad weather, so we waited and waited. No Sid came through the door. I went up
to the information desk and asked if his flight had arrived. She checked and
said yes it did and pointed towards the arrival lounge asking you did not see
him come out? Nope I would not be here otherwise, daaa. So we waited and waited again
now over 1 ½ hours have passed so I approached the desk again, but of course
they are not allowed to give out passenger names. I returned shortly after again
with more question this time a new lady was sitting behind the desk. She
offered right away to call immigration, customs and baggage claim but no
passengers were in that area, so she called Sid’s name out in all areas of the
entire airport. Nothing. Since she could not give info out of passenger names
she sent me to the Swiss Desk on terminal 1 maybe talking to a supervisor would
help.
Mom kept an
eye out for Sid. There I was told no go for passenger names but to call Swiss
from whom we bought the tickets. They told me to go to the desk I was still
standing in front of. In any case it was useless to find any help. She just
pointed back to Terminal 2 to wait she was sure Sid would show up. Back I went.
She did call Sid on the PA system again and it was heard on all speakers
throughout the airport. Still nothing again. I returned to mom and we waited
and called Sid out another 2 times nothing. Didn’t know what to do anymore and
the mind does some strange things in such moments, maybe just maybe we had
missed each other and he was either at Gino’s so I texted Anna. She just got
home and responded no Sid there. After 3 hours of no Sid responding 4 times
calling his name on PA calls I started thinking maybe he missed his flight and
will arrive later so I decided to head home and check if Sid maybe just maybe
was waiting there in front of the locked door sitting on the hallway stair. Mom
did not have her cell with her so could not contact anybody at her house and if
Sid would call her there would be nobody home answering. It is only a 15 minute
bus ride but during that I texted with Anna letting her know I was heading
home. She texted back that her and Stefania are going to the airport for dinner
and will go look for him as well. No Sid at home so I started calling around
and finally a friendly phone voice said he can only check if he boarded the
flight and yes he did. “Mom I am going back to the airport!!!!!!”, then
WhatsApp text comes in from Stefania with a photo of Sid sitting at the café at
Terminal 1. The funniest was behind him is clearly a Lost and Found office
visible.
Sid said he was just going to take the computer out after sitting
there waiting 3 ½ hours to find mom’s address and phone number, when he was
found by Stefania and Anna. Comes out that the United flight run by Swiss would
land at Terminal 1 which is only for Swiss and Edelweiss Planes usually. You
would think the Info desk and Swiss desk would have known that instead sending
me back to wait at Terminal 2. Another thing is Sid said they arrived at 15:18
already. Well run airport and for me not knowing the airport at all I never
thought of checking at terminal 1. Well we found Sid but I felt horrible to
have abandoned him. Of course my sister in law and niece will never let me down
on this. As a matter of fact I still fell bad about it.
My mom and
Sid haven’t really had any time together yet except at her BD but time was not
yet either as we needed to visit Marco and Barbara as they were leaving for
Germany. Not just that their friends re-fabricated our stem fitting that had
a nasty crevasse crack and could have let go any time resulting in loss of
rigging and mast. Getting something like this done in Panama is questionable
from material to work. They did an incredible job, Sid was very happy and they
were happy Sid was happy.
First day my brother took us to Konstanz for some shopping.
In Germany everything is about 25% cheaper than in Switzerland or more. I found
6 bras for 29 bucks each in Switzerland they are 69 plus in Panama, well my
size is nonexistent. Barbara took us to a licorish store the walls and desk with
nothing but different type of licorish, wow, Reg will be happy with the loot we
bring home for him.
Second day Marco and Barbara showed us how they make
sausage, yum. Then later on that day the Roth family friends came for dinner
with our stem fitting. Marco smoked some pork parts (no not like a cigar) and the sausages we helped
making and Barbara as usual whipped up some of her wonderful salads. It was a
big happy family. After two fun days and nights Marco returned us to mom’s
before heading to Germany.
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| Making Malt Candy |
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| Testing Marco's Whisky Beer |
Same evening we were invited at Gino for dinner as he was leaving for his yearly Italy vacation. I originally had arrangements already with Gabriela and Mäge as they hadn’t seen Sid yet either. Gabriela had organized a dinner at her house with Sandy and Miklosh unfortunately Sid was not there. They were happy to meet Gino and Anna and we all enjoyed the wonderful spareribs dinner Gino had grilles. It was a fun evening and still yet Mom has not had Sid for herself yet and yet another dinner to go to. Mom hasn’t seen them since last time I was here so it was a dinner we all were looking forward to.
Here just a few pics from dinner Sid missed at Gabriela and Mäge's. Sandra and hubby Miklosh joined us. Gosh those girls look still the same.
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| Mäge and Miklosh |
Dinner at Gino's was wonderful too, he BBQ tibs as well.
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| BBQ Apricots with cognac and sugar, yummy |
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| Mäge and Gabriela "Gator" |
Lis and
Charlie Blumer some dear, dear old time friends, I call them family, invited us
for dinner. When I was a kid my parents and I played in a harmonica orchestra
(MOZ and yes the same MOZ that played for mom just different members), Charlie was the base player. I can say I practically grew up with this family. Lis, as always, spoiled us with her
gourmet cooking, her daughter Corinne also joined us again. Just before dinner
was served Charlie handed me a photo he said he found that day, wanted to know
if I recognized it. Wow, I almost fell over, it was an old, old photo of the
trio I played in when we were the "MOZ Juniors", after that we started our own
Trio named “Flat Feet” (don’t ask me about the name didn’t speak English then but
name sounded kewl). Wow what memories. I also was soloist at the orchestra, I
miss that time.
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| Their beautiful view over Zurich |
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| Lis and Charly |
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| And daughter Corinne |
It was mom’s
time now to finally enjoy Sid she has only seen 3 times and last time 20 years
ago. We ate lunches out on her balcony with an incredible view over countryside
mixed with city and the Alps in the background, just beautiful.
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| Säntis Mountain in Background |
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| Sunset out of the Kitchen on 11th floor |
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| Same sunset but looking the other way from the bacony |
More than
occasionally she would tap on the wind chime, what an incredibly soothing sound,
she is so proud of it and still can’t believe that Sid bought her such a
beautiful and expensive chime. We hiked to Katzensee, the lake I used to either
go swimming or ice-skating.
We took the tram into town and wandered around
the beautiful alleys of Zürich and hiked up one of the two towers of the Grossmünster
church which revealed an incredible view of the roofs of Zürich’s historical
part, the entire city, lake of Zurich and the Alps, wow. It was a steep and
narrow climb up the tower step by step, a total of 189 steps, which was OK but
coming down man our knees were rubberized for the rest of the days not to
mention the sore muscles the following two days.
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| Famous Grossmünster |
Grossmünster was built in 1100 and was inaugurated in 1220 and was used at one time as a Monastary Chuch and another as a cloister, The twin towers of the Grossmünster are regarded as perhaps the most recognized landmark in Zurich and were first erected between 1487 and 1492. The view is spectacular
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| Lake of Zurich with the Alps in the background |
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| The other famous church Fraumünster |
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| View of Üetliberg (Üetlimountan) |
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| River Limmat and the hill in the Background Hönggerberg, behind the Hill is where my mom lives |
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| Stairway going down |
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| and down |
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| and down |
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| and this was the "leg killer" |
Add caption |
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This is the area I worked and for lunch I would walk all the alleys or along the lake or Limmat |
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| St. Peter's church is the oldest church in Zurich and has the clock has the biggest face in Europe |
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| It was always lovely walking along the river, especially in summer time, what memories |
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| "Hauptbahnhof" main train station and biggest in Switzerland |
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| Famous Niederdörfli |
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| Rosenmarkt, this market is every day, I used to buy the juiciest corn on the cob for lunch. The air is still filled with all kind of incense and Patchouli Oil This is the Hippy Place of Zurich. |
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| St. Peter and Fraumünster |
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| Love this window's display |
All our nieces
and nephews wanted to individually invite us for dinner at their home but since
we had limited time with Sid left, I suggested that we all get together on Sat or/and
Sunday and we do something together. It was a back and forth between Karaoke in
town, BBQ by the lake, eating Hamburger then bowling or Billiard then BBQ again
so after a week of this I finally texted to the group, how about Spaghetti
dinner at Grandma’s, I am cooking. All jumped on that and Grandma was super
happy to finally get all her grand critters to her home. We had a wonderful
day. Tiffany and Ramon were no able to join but we did Karaoke with Tiffany and
Leo the night before. We had so much fun especially me, singing many songs, we
missed the last bus home and had to take a $40 taxi ride home ouch. It was a
fun night. Mom said we were very quiet entering the apartment and that she
could not hear us when we came home at 2am, really?!!! We wondered when we came
home but mom knew at 2 LOL.
Our last day
we spent pretty much just at home with Mom plus packing. It was so good to be
home after 9 or 10 years and I don’t regret for turning all my friends down as I
had a wonderful time with my Mom the main reason we came home in the first
place. Also for the first time I had my whole family under the same roof and
for the first time ever a one on one time with my sister in law Anna, we giggled way into the night.
It was
wonderful seeing family after such a long time and wonderful that all our
nieces and nephews in their 20ths wanted to be with old folks like us and all
kids promised to come visit us. Life is good.
On one of our walks with mom we noticed this sign. Looks like the Swiss have Beer and Croissants for breakfast:
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| See the high-rise building, that is where mom lives |
We are back
in Shelter Bay Marina with lots of projects in front of us. Sid already replaced
the stem
fitting and reorganized the chain locker by building a shelf and below
will be an excite hole for water that comes in either through rain or while
bringing the chain up, the water will now exit and not accumulate in the bilge.
Just to name a few projects/repairs: rebuilding the head, building a deck box
for our shower water, exchange deck wash down hose (environment here is not
friendly to anything it will dissolve plastic, in this case the hose so that when under pressure it looks like a
python that just had eaten and could explode at any time, not a good thing salt
water inside boat), exchange coupler in fridge (found the very last one in the
world and is being shipped as I am writing this), check and exchange electrical
wires (also affected by environment), find coolant leak in motor plus motor
mount came loose, so Sid has to build a tool to hoist the motor so he can fix
the mount. Not an easy job involving many days of boat mess and no bed to sleep
so both of us will move into the V berth or one into the salon. In either case
we will be over joyed when this job is done. I will be sewing some new lee
cloths and a new sunshade that we lost in a blow in Portobelo and other odds
and ends. Just a few projects to name but sure many more will pop up. Hope to
get this all done by begin of October so we can head back to the San Blas.
Rainy season
is in full swing, we were told we missed some fierce thunderstorms with heavy
winds. The day we arrived there was a biggie. Our friend Pat in Buenaventura
which is just around the corner from Portobelo lost 60% of her trees and her
property is pretty big. We do occasionally wake up to a bolt cracking right
here in the marina, making you jump out of bed instantly.
Rainy season
in Panama is not much fun and every year many boats are getting hit by lightning. Just in July 4 boats were hit already and it's still begin of season. Rainy season is the worst from September to November. From all the boats that we personally know 80% were hit in Panama. Also
interesting to note is that 80% of them all had a lighting diffuser on top of
the mast looking like a wire brush. Not really doing a good job is it?!!!
A few photos I didn't add above
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