Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf The colourful wooden boathouses that make up the historic harbour district of Bergen, Norway, are immediately recognisable.
It’s hard to imagine a more dramatic location for a most picturesque city!
Surrounded by steep, snowcapped mountains with glaciers tucked within them, and sliced by deep fjords and fast-running rivers, historic Bergen has long Viking roots and rich Hanseatic heritage. The iconic medieval harbour district Bryggen is immediately recognisable with its colourful collection of UNESCO-listed wooden buildings.
Norway’s second-largest city and one of North Europe’s oldest ports, the city was said to have been founded in 1070 by King Olav Kyrre on a Viking site, but a trading settlement was already established here in the 1020s or 1030s.
For a period in the early 13th century, Bergen functioned as the capital of the Norwegian kingdom, and it served as a major commercial hub for the Hanseatic League (1356 –1862) of merchants from Northern Germany. The sale of stockfish (predominantly cod) from Northern Norway made the city an important Northern Europe trading centre for centuries. The Finnegården, one of the more than 60 conserved wooden buildings on the Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf now houses the Hanseatic Museum, which recreates life at the time and explores the legacy.
For me, Bergen was the last stop of a two-week cruise around the edges of Europe, starting in Barcelona (see: In the Land of Flamenco and Gaudí). Unfortunately, my husband was called back to Australia, and had to disembark at our penultimate port of Amsterdam (see: Watercolours), leaving me to complete our itinerary in Norway on my own.
Thankfully, I already had tours in Bergen (and beyond) organised. The city was easy to navigate and enjoy – in spite of rather inclement spring weather: it sits at 60° North – less than one degree south of Anchorage, Alaska!
Join me for a rainy walk and bus trip through parts of the historic harbour, a bus ride to the vantage-point of nearby Queen Maud’s Outlook, and a funicular railway trip up Mt Fløyen, a “city mountain” in the heart of Bergen.
Bergen Harbour Vågen Bay is a busy place, and home to a wide range of private, public transport, and commercial vessels.
Bryggen Wharf As our bus turns towards the Nordnes Peninsula, we get views across the harbour to those well-preserved and reconstructed UNESCO-listed boathouses of medieval Bryggen.
Bergen Waterfront Under rainy clouds and behind the boathouses near the fishmarkets, we can see the tower of the stone Holy Cross Church – Korskirken – opened in 1150.
Hotel Havnekontoret The waterfront is lined with historic buildings, including the 1920s neo-classical stone Clarion Collection hotel.
Buekorps Museum from the Bus The Buekorps, literally “Bow Corps” or “Archery Brigade” are a Norwegian regional youth organisation founded in the 1850s. The building that now houses the museum was originally built in the 1500, but damaged by fires several times in the 1600s. The current model was built after the 1702 Bergen fire. (iPhone6)
Over the North Sea Our bus picks up a connector highway, and we tunnel trough part of the neighbouring mountain before climbing up to a lookout in Helleveien, where views extend across the North Sea …
Askøy Bridge … and over to the long suspension bridge: the Askøybrua across the Byfjorden. Our vantage point is Queen Maud’s view, named for a Norwegian Queen who loved this spot.
Kjøttbasaren Back down in the old port, we walk along tiled and cobbled streets, and through ancient painted wooden and brick buildings. To me, this one looks like a traditional gingerbread house! Built between 1874-1876, the neo-RomanesqueKjøttbasaren was originally called Bergen’s Bazaar and was used to control the marketing of food. Today, the building – which was extensively renovated in 2012 – houses restaurants and a Starbucks.
Finnegårdsgaten The beautifully renovated attached buildings opposite house a traditional restaurant, a four-star hotel, and part of the Hanseatic Museum.
Inside the Hanseatic Museum Our guide in the Hanseatic Museum points out the trading routes that the German guild of merchants dominated between the 13th and 17th centuries. In 1360 they created an overseas office here at Bryggen, …
In an Ancient Room … and built themselves a home-away-from home.
Hanging Pot The dark wooden rooms of the museum are filled with artefacts to give us an insight into how these Medieval merchants lived and worked, and the mark they left on Bergen.
The Fløibanen After lunch, the cloudy skies fulfil their promise of rain, and I make my way to the bottom of Bergen’s funicular railway.
On the Fløibanen The cable train passes tall narrow houses and tunnels under roadways as it rises steeply up the mountainside.
Bergen from the Fløibanen We get some lovely views over the city – in spite of the rain – as we climb Mt Fløien.
Bergen from Mt Fløyen Even the drizzling rain from low-lying clouds can’t diminish the view from the top.
Directional Signpost The highest point on Mt Fløyen – one of the seven peaks surrounding Bergen – is just under 400 metres (1,310 feet).
Cashmere Goathouse in the Rain A number of walking trails – each taking about an hour – wind up to the top of the mountain where you can treat yourself at the Fløistuen shop and café.
Cashmere Goat in the Goathouse The presence of a number of goats on the peak, …
Troll in the Playground … as well as an entire Troll Forest, makes Mt Fløyen family-friendly. Trolls are an iconic feature of Old Norse folklore, fairy tales, and mythology.
Like Herding Cats! A class of local kindergarten children in their hi-viz vests were on an outing in the rain at the top of the hill.
Train Down in the Rain From top to bottom, the ride on Scandinavia’s only cable railway takes about six minutes. Naturally, the views going down are just as spectacular as they were riding up!
Lille Øvregaten Back on solid – albeit wet and slippery – ground, it is easy to see how fire could tear through this city so often: the cobbled streets are winding and narrow, and packed with steep timber buildings.
Gamlehaugen We board our bus again, and take a drive around the outskirts of the city, where we catch glimpses of Gamlehaugen, the residence of the Norwegian Royal Family.
Salome Outside the harbour-front Clarion Hotel Admiral in Bergen, Salome, a sculpture by Norwegian artist Per Ung (1933-2013), dances in a fountain in the rain.
Tourists on the Wet Waterfront Our bus passes through Bryggen on the way back to the cruise boat, …
Bryggen Boathouses from the Bus … giving me one last look and the heritage-listed wharf for the day.
Although I had to disembark my lovely ship, I had another day to enjoy in this picturesque old city.
Now that I had an idea of the lay of the land, I was quite looking forward to exploring more on foot.
Sunset over Muscat With the jagged mountain backdrop, that giant incense burner high on a hill, and the outline of a medieval Portuguese watchtower overlooking the water, you could be nowhere else but the capital of the Sultanate of Oman.
When I’m travelling, I love to get out onto the water – or better yet, into the air – to get a different perspective on a new landscape or cityscape.
After a day of exploring Muscat at ground level (see: Sacred Spaces and Between the Past and the Future), I had the chance to take a sunset cruise on the Arabian Sea off the coast of the city in a traditional Omanidhow. When they told me that kahwa (or qahwa) – that deliciously spiced Omani coffee – and dates were included, I jumped at it!
Muscat, the Sultanate of Oman’s capital and largest city, hugs the narrow and rugged coast between the Gulf of Oman and the Al Hajar Mountains. For centuries, this strategic location – where the Gulf of Oman leads east to the Indian Ocean, and west to the Straits of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf – was almost inaccessible except by sea.
Seafaring Yemenis were probably the first settlers here over 2000 years ago, and they continued their reliance on the oceans for their livelihood and trade. The country’s current name Oman and old Sumerian name Magan both mean ‘sea-people’ in Arabic.
In the early 16th century the Portuguese conquered the town in a bid to protect their own trade routes east. They built fortifications which still stand along the coast and harbour, but were overthrown in 1650 by the Ottoman Turks. The Omanis, under Sultan Ahmad ibn Sa’id, a direct ancestor of the present Sultan, took back control of the city in 1741.
This led to a period of economic prosperity and ongoing naval prowess, but continual infighting between ruling family members, religious leaders, and tribal chiefs eroded many of these gains. British interference fuelled rifts between Muscat and rest of Oman.
Following a palace coup in 1970, his son, Sultan Qaboos bin Said, took over and ruled until his death in 2020. He modernised the state’s administration, introduced social reforms, and increased spending on health, education, and welfare.
But, old buildings remain, traditional dress and customs are common, and classic dhows still sit in the harbour. It was lovely to head out onto the gulf in one of these old boats – even if it was under motor rather than the old-fashioned sails!
Boats and Cat Island Under Sultan Qaboos bin Said,Oman was rated the most improved nation in the world in terms of development by the United Nations, and today it is categorised as a high-income economy. There is no shortage of modern boats in the Marina Bandar Rowdha.
Dhow in the Lowering Sun Men around the city are most often seen in their national dress, the dishdasha, a simple, ankle-length, collarless gown with long sleeves. Tourism is becoming one of Oman’s largest industries, and old Arabian sailing boats are adapted to play their part.
Sooty Gulls – Larus Hemprichi Gulls circle overhead …
Exiting the Breakwater … as we make our way out of the breakwater. The rocky outcrops rise dramatically from the harbour waters in front of us.
Small Person : Big Wheel The dhows must be easy to manage: the skipper hand the helm to one of our young passengers.
Cat Island Named for the appearance of the crouching animal on the back of this rock, Cat Island signals that we are out in the gulf.
Mountains behind the Harbour It’s a dramatic and arid landscape rising up behind the harbour.
Al Bustan Palace In a domed former palace, set in gardens between the Al Hajar Mountains and the Sea of Oman, an upmarket Ritz-Carlton Hotel is a short beach-walk from the small town of Al Bustan.
Majlis Oman About thirty kilometres south of Muscat, Al Bustan is also home to Oman’s state council parliament buildings.
Al Bustan We and the other tourist dhow jockey in and out of locations.
Small Sailboats on the Gulf
Dhow Rigging
Al Jalali Fort As we turn north again, we can just see the fortifications around the Old City.
Muscat Old Cemetery Also known as the Christian Cemetery or Sa’Ali Cove Military Cemetery, this hard-to-access cove is the final resting place of one British lieutenant – a casualty of the First World War. There are ten other war-era non-service persons buried here – and a number of other people from the 1800s. The reefs meant we could get no closer.
Ring of Mountains A variety of commercial, recreational, tourism, and fishing vessels are out on the afternoon waters.
Pouring the Qahwa Qahwa (or kahwa) is the Arabic word for coffee: but it isn’t just coffee! In Oman, coffee is blended with saffron, rose water, and cardamon – and sometimes with cloves and cinnamon as well. It is served with fresh dates (and possibly other treats) as a ritual ‘welcome’. I became quite addicted to it!
Into the Afternoon Sun The lowering autumn sun silhouettes the rugged coast and the harbour in front of us …
Al Jazira Fort … and turns the land and fort opposite the old city golden.
Old Muscat and Forts As we round the point, it is easy to see how these forts – Al Jalali on the left and Al Mirani on the right – built by the Portuguese in the 1580s, commanded the small harbour in front of Old Muscat.
Al Alam Palace The existing Al Alam Palace, with its colourful facade, was rebuilt in 1972 and is still used for official functions.
Al Mirani Fort The dhow continues north, giving us a closer view of one of the historic forts.
Muscat Canon Turret As we round the next point, the lowering sun silhouettes the Muscat Canon Turret and the jagged cliffs around Muscat’s main harbour. The Sultan’s two royal yacht’s, moored in As Sultan Qaboos Port, are faintly traced out in the last light.
Al Riyam Park Al Riyam Park is an oasis of green between Old Muscat and Muttrah district. This is where the peace treaty was signed with the Portuguese in 1648; today it has amenities, coffee shops, and even a small amusement park.
Riyam Memorial Built to commemorate Oman’s 20th National Day, the ornamental white watch tower at the top of the rise is designed to look like an incense burner.
As Sultan Qaboos Port We continue past the royal yachts in the darkening harbour …
Sunset … to the mountains north of the city where the sun sinks, …
6PM … leaving us to return to our harbour in the dark.
There is definitely something magic about motoring gently back to port through a warm night on the Arabian Sea.
Huli Wigmen – and a Woman The Huli are one of the most numerous tribes in Papua New Guinea. With their unique face painting and elaborate headdresses, they are also one of the most distinctive.
Papua New Guinea is fascinating!
Home to just over nine million people, at last estimate there were over 7000 different cultural groups with almost 850 distinct languages being spoken. The country is routinely touted as the most linguistically diverse place on the planet.
Sing sings, gatherings of tribes or villages to show off their distinct culture, dance, and music, are a powerful means of passing on traditions to the younger generation. I was at the Mount Hagen Sing Sing Festival with photographerKarl Grobl from Jim Cline Photo Tours and a small group of photography enthusiasts. The array of distinctive tribal groups was mind boggling (see: Mount Hagen)!
With over 250,000 members at the 2011 census, the Huli people from Hela Province in the Southern Highlands are one of the largest ethnic groups – and certainly one of the most distinctive (see: Meet the Huli Wig Men). Unknown to Europeans until 1934, they are believed to have lived in their region for many thousands of years. Their reputations as fearless warriors has helped keep their cultural and linguistic traditions intact.
Traditionally, Huli men and women live separately, with strict gender divisions in roles and responsibilities. Children live with their mothers while young, and at seven or eight years old, boys are sent to live with their fathers. Around puberty, they enter enter bachelor school – or Wig School – where they to learn how to become men. At this time, they start growing their hair – using a combination of magic and a special diet – to be made into the fabulous wigs that they known for. Most Huli men cultivate more than one wig, with some designed for ceremonial uses and others for everyday wear. Each wig takes up to 18 months to grow and shape, and the young men are forbidden from any physical contact with women while they are undergoing this process. All a man’s wigs must be completed before he is allowed to marry.
Given the strict rules under which these wigs are created, I was surprised to find young women among the Hulising sing group at Mount Hagen, albeit without the over-sized wigs under their feathered headdresses – and no amount of searching the internet shed any light on how this had come about.
Do join me in admiration of their wonderful face paint and ornate wigs!
Betel Stain and Bird Feathers Even in soft feathers and a big smile – stained with the ubiquitous betel chew – Huli men are a fearsome sight.
Ceremonial Winged Wig Huli wigs are crafted into different shapes: ceremonial wigs sweep up like the wings of a bird. The cassowary quill through the nose is traditional decoration.
Huli Woman Although the women’s headdresses are as elaborate in their concoctions of bird-parts and feathers, they are built on a foundation of cuscus fur rather than human hair.
Huli Woman in Face Paint The bright yellow clay, called Ambua, is considered sacred in Huli culture. Red ochre adorns the whole body. Of course, for sing sing displays, these colours are just as likely to be store-bought.
Flowers and Feathers Everlasting flowers and bits of greenery can be included in the intricate wig decoration.
Wigman’s Hornbill Huli men wear hornbill beaks flanked with boar’s tusks on their backs. The beaks symbolise strength and courage in battle.
Huli Warrior
Feathers Galore I have said it before: given the number of parrot and bird of paradise feathers that go into sing sing costumes, it is a wonder any birds survive in the wild!
“Kerapia Boys” A hand-written cardboard sign identified this group as the “Kerapia Boys”. I couldn’t find them on the map!
“Kerapia Boys Hela Wigmen” The Kerapia Boys included at least two young women and several very young boys.
Family Portrait Not everyone is a performer!
Kundu Drums Each small locality has their own traditional chant and drum rhythm, …
Wigmen Drumming … and the Mt Hagen show ground is a cacophony of sound, and movement, and colour.
Women with the Wigmen
Shell Necklaces and Feathers
A Clear, Strong Gaze These are a strong people – and it is good to see them passing their culture on to their young children; …
Huli Boy … some of whom are still far too young for Wig School.
Culture is never static.
Including young women and boys in the expression of age-old traditions would seem to be a sign that Huli culture is moving forward.
If the Huli can maintain important traditions while embracing the future and becoming more inclusive to the desires and competencies of different individuals within their community, I’m all for it!
Soldiers at Fort Nepean Port Phillip, in Greater Melbourne, was once the most heavily fortified port in the Southern Hemisphere. Here at Fort Nepean, Australian soldiers watched over the city until after World War II.
Point Nepean National Park is a special place with a long and visible history. It sits at the very edge of Melbourne, Victoria: the city wraps itself around Port Phillip, and from the southeast tip here at Point Nepean, you can almost throw a stone across the Victory Bight to the southwestern Melbourne suburb of Queenscliff.
For at least 6000 years, this has been part of the traditional country of the Bunurong People. A number of Aboriginal sites have been identified here, including coastal shell middens which might point to seasonal gathering-places for indigenous people – and certainly reflect their food-gathering practices.
I didn’t see any of these.
I did, however, see plenty of historic examples of European settlement in the region. There is scattered archeological evidence of pastoral and lime-burning practices dating to the 1830s. Shepherd Hut, which includes sections from 1845, is one of the earliest intact limestone building in Victoria and a rare example of employee housing.
The eponymous Quarantine Station was used from 1852 to 1979, and then became the home of an Army Officer Cadet School and the School of Army Health. Defensive structures dating from the 1880s through the 1940s are dotted around the park.
In more recent history, Australia lost Prime Minister Harold Holt here in December 1967. He went swimming at Cheviot Beach and was never seen again. Convention suggests he drowned; conspiracy theories speculate otherwise.
As well as being historically significant, the whole Port Nepean National Park area is a natural treasure. Although the wildlife isn’t as visible here as on Phillip Island – the peninsula just east of here (see: Sleepy Koalas and Moulting Penguins) – bandicoot and black wallaby live in these native bush lands. The park is criss-crossed with pleasant walks – and high enough to afford panoramic views in all directions. Only a one- to two-hour drive from the inner-city suburbs of Melbourne, these long-time Commonwealth and Defence lands were returned to the Victorian State Government after years of protracted political disputes and arguments about costs, including debates over who would pay for the clearance of unexploded ordnance.
Sandy Track From the carpark at the Gunners Cottage – built in the early 1900s – it is easy to pick up Coles Track towards Fort Nepean.
Myrtle-leaf Milkwort (Polygala Myrtifolia) Native to South Africa, milkworts thrive in these sandy coastal soils.
Myrtle-leaf Milkwort Flower As pretty as it is, the milkwort is listed by government agencies as an invasive weed.
Through the Moonah Woodland Coles Track was expanded to service a telephone wire to the Fort as part of Melbourne’s defence system during World War II. A number of German and Japanese destroyers, submarines, and other military craft, operated in Australian waters between 1940 and 1945, threatening the shipping industry and the war effort.
Over the Peninsula Water is visible on both sides: on the south we can see Bass Straight across the melaleuca trees.
Cheviot Beach These are wild waters. The beach is named for Victoria’s worst shipwreck, the SS Cheviot, which hit a reef in 1887, resulting in 35 of the 59 passengers drowning.
Plaque : Cheviot Hill Australia’s Prime Minister Harold Holt disappeared while swimming in these rough waters in 1967.
Surf off Cheviot Beach
Container Ship Bass Strait is a busy shipping lane.
View from Cheviot Hill
On Defence Road No private vehicles are allowed this far into the National Park, but a periodic shuttle runs up and down for those who don’t want to join the walkers.
Inside Fort Pearce Tunnelled into the hillside, Fort Pearce was established in 1911.
Underground Part of Port Phillip’s defence system, the gun emplacements, underground ammunition storage, and tunnels at Fort Pearce were abandoned at the war’s end in 1945. Nature reclaimed them, and volunteers later spent years removing the sand and vegetation.
Lookout below the Fort
World War I Gun Emplacement The gun pits for the Mk VII guns were built in 1911. The munitions magazine is between the pits.
From Fort Pearce The fort affords wonderful views back over the dramatic cliffs.
Port Phillip Bay In the other direction, afternoon sea fog hangs over Greater Melbourne.
Looking back over Point Nepean From Fort Nepean, you can look back over the National Park and Port Phillip Bay.
Nepean Bay Beach These are reasonably sheltered waters, popular for swimming – but has to be wary of the strong currents and rips.
A Post in Nepean Bay The colours and textures in the protected waters are stunning.
Yellow-Flowered Succulent My walk back towards Eagle’s Nest takes me through beautiful vegetation …
Hideaway on the Cliffs … and along sandy paths. The hill at Eagle’s Nest is now home to a large radar tower – but was once the site of Australia’s largest disappearing gun: built in 1889.
On the Windy Cliffs My last stop in the National Park was at the Quarantine Station, established in 1852 – in what was then a very remote location – to house new arrivals to Australia and protect the country from introduced diseases. It was the first permanent quarantine base in Victoria and one of the earliest and most substantial in Australia. (What a shame we don’t have something like this today!)
The Quarantine Station The station was closed for quarantine purposes in 1980, but you can still wander around the nearly-50 heritage-listed buildings.
Although I only walked about eight kilometres, with the hills there was more altitude-gain than I am currently used to!
Fortunately, the charming Melbourne suburb of Portsea, right next door to the park, was once again open for cautious business after a three-week Covid-19 lockdown.
The only thing better than a history-rich hike is the coffee you reward yourself with afterwards.
Apples in an Orchard With Lake Zurich in the background, the orchards around the Bächlihof Farm at Jona are a perfect spot for a Swiss National Day breakfast. (iPhone5)
August 1st is Swiss National Day, and thanks to William Tell, Switzerland’s independence will always be associated with apples.
Who doesn’t know the story of that legendary Swiss hero? That mountain man, that peasant from Bürglen in the canton of Uri, who resisted the commands of a tyrannical overlord, and was then forced to shoot an apple from the head of his son. By shooting straight and true with his crossbow, he succeeded – and became a symbol of the struggle for political and individual freedom against autocracy. In some stories, he used a second arrow to kill the tyrant – sometimes named as Baron Gessler.
What a pity it never happened!
The events are said to have occurred on 18 November 1307 in Altdorf (German for ‘old village’). The first fleeting reference to William Tell is in a 1470 manuscript, and in 1550, historian Aegidius Tschudi elaborates on the tale and credits it as the start of the fight for Swiss independence.
But, representatives of the three forest cantons of Schwyz, Altdorf and Uri actually signed the original Oath of Rütli at the beginning of August in 1291 (see: In Search of William Tell). Resisting the rule of the House of Habsburg (Hapsburg), the fiercely independent people who had settled in these narrow Alpine valleys managed to cooperate among themselves and build the foundations of the Swiss Confederation (see: Swiss National Day).
Meanwhile, the apple story has appeared in the folklore of a number of nations, and a remarkably similar story to the William Tell tale was told in Denmark in the 12th century. But, don’t argue about that with a Swiss! Although Tell might have not been an actual person, his persona is central to Swiss identity. To this day, the Swiss pride themselves as people who value their independence and are prepared to stand against oppression.
Some years ago, we were staying with friends in Rapperswil-Jona on Lake Zurich (see: Lake Zurich) when Swiss National Day rolled around. It was, of course, a Public Holiday, and an ‘adventure farm’ nearby was putting on a breakfast in honour of the day. So, we started our day surrounded by orchards of apples and other fruits, and sampling the glorious pastries made from them.
Then, like any good Swiss, we went for a walk. We meandered pleasantly past typical low-country villages, medieval churches and ancient pilgrim pathways. In the charming harbour of Rapperswil-Jona, we boarded a boat, and motored two hours across Lake Zurich, to the city of Zurich itself. There, we lunched at a popular traditional Swiss restaurant in the Old Town and wandered the ancient streets before returning home by train.
Everything seems so delightfully close and easy to get to in Europe!
Apple Orchard Safe under the bird-netting at the Bächlihof Farm, row after row of apples are trained up poles.
Nashi Pears (Pyrus Pyrifolia) Apples are not the only fruit trees growing on these extensive grounds.
Damson Plums (Pyrus Pyrifolia) I love the colour of these beautiful plums. They are made into Slivovitz (plum brandy) all over Europe.
Apples There are several apple types growing here: they all look delicious.
Pears
Schopf The wooden function buildings at the Bächlihof Swiss Farmhouse are quite elegant in their simplicity.
Cakes and Pastries Inside Heugade, some of that fruit has been baked into wonderful pastries that are part of our National Day buffet breakfast.
A Girl and a Pony We might be only 40km from Zurich, but the walkways around Lake Zurich have a very rural/small-town feel.
House in a Field Busskirch is a small but historic village on the northern shore of the lake, within the local municipality of Rapperswil-Jona.
St. Martin Busskirch The early medieval parish church of St. Martin is popular for weddings because of its pastoral charm and idyllic location on the lake.
St. Joseph The largest religious group in Switzerland is Roman Catholic, and St. Martin Busskirch is one of the oldest churches here.
Tidy Graveyard The small Busskirch cemetery rests over the remains of a 1st to 4th century Roman building. Swiss graveyards are strictly controlled and immaculately maintained. To deal with lack of space, burial plots are on a 25-year lease. After that time, plots are emptied and readied for the next burial.
Pink Japanese Anemone (Anemone Hupehensis) I associate Switzerland with flowers: hedges, window boxes and garden beds – everywhere.
Family Outing A family of mute swans (Cygnus olor) wander through grass along the lake’s edge.
Sculpture in the Garden Our lake-side walk takes us past the University of Applied Sciences Rapperswil Campus (Fachhochschule Ostschweiz Campus RJ), where some beautiful, large sculptures rise out of the gardens of grass and sunflowers.
Rusty Curves I love the texture of the rusty metal, and the luscious curved lines.
Holzbrücke Rapperswil-Hurden This is the narrowest spot on the lake, and two bridges cross from here. This wooden pedestrian bridge between the Rapperswil and the village of Hurden stands in the place of bridges dating back to time immemorial. Prehistoric timber piles discovered on the other side of the lake date back to 1523 BC.
Under the Bridge The other lake crossing here is more modern in conception: the Seedamm, is part bridge and part artificial causeway.
Waterfront We, however, are crossing the lake the long way: by boat. On the harbour, we get a lovely view of the ships in the port, the beautiful old buildings dating back to the 1200s, and the castle at the top of the hill that we walked around on another day (see: The Roses of Rapperswil).
Rapperswil Waterfront On the water, we get a whole different view of that wonderful medieval architecture that gives the little city its character. Hotel Schwanen is in a building dating to 1233. The Curti House to the left, dates back to the 16th century, with mosaics and paintings added in 1894.
Tourist Boats on Lake Zurich We are not the only boat on the lake.
Cottage on Lake Zurich Our boat makes a short stop on the opposite side of the lake …
Woman on the Waterfront … and passes a number of other piers …
Limmat River … before cruising into the river outfall at the southern part of the city of Zurich.
Limmat River and the Waterfront The church clock of St. Peter is the largest tower clock face in Europe, with bells dating to 1880. Consecrated in 1706, St. Peter was the first church in Zurich built under Protestant rule.
The Grossmünster and the Hans Waldmann Statue Die Altstadt(“the old town”) of Zürich dates before 1893, and every brick has a story to tell. Foreground here is the 1937 equestrian monument to Hans Waldmann (1435 – 1489). He was a Swiss military leader and mayor of Zurich. In the background, we see the Romanesque-style Grossmünster, a Protestant church built between 1100 and 1220.
Dolce&Gabbana The historic city houses some very up-market shops!
Freunde für Immer– Friends Forever All over Europe, bridges strain under the weight of locks put in place by friends and lovers.
‘Guardian Angel’ In the Zurich railway station, a piece by French-American sculptor Niki de Saint Phalle watches over us.
Back on the balcony at the home of our hosts in Rapperswil-Jona, nature treated us to a late afternoon rainbow over the lake, and the municipality treated us to fire works after dark.
- Performing the Ganga Aarti from Dasaswamedh Ghat, Varanasi
- Buddha Head from Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar
- Harry Clarke Window from Dingle, Ireland
- Novice Monk Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery, Myanmar
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If the Huli can maintain important traditions while embracing the future and becoming more inclusive to the desires and competencies of different individuals within their community, I’m all for it!
