Family Outings

Flower Hunting

with Anaïs

 This is where I went skiing with my class last winter!

Papiliorama

with Elise and Monika

Warning: 

Butterfly photos following. 

Those with Lepidopterophobia (Sam) are advised to look away now!

This butterfly really loved Elise! It started on her hand while she was talking a picture, then went for the flower on her shirt, and then insisted on staying with her at all odds in sipping at all her polka dots! She must be really sweet!

Meet my new boyfriend Tuberkelhokko! (Tubby for short...) ;)

...so I was chillin' at a picnic table and looked up from my phone to see this bird casually strolling by. It took a moment to process what I had just seen, and in this momentary brain scramble I forgot the magnificence of peacocks and stopped to take a photo of this snail instead.

Cool story bro!

This minipig was so sweet! He had come right up the the bars of his cage to receive love and petting from his adoring human fans, when the animal kingdom security came in the form of a goat and rammed his head into the fence (that you now see bent inwards) in order to put the piggy and tourists back in their places. It is confirmed: goats are eeeeeevvvviiillll!

On a side note, THIS:

Above you see the imperious palace of the prince and princess of Hungary!

Spot the frog!

This is the paradise of my childhood!

Snuggle club!!!!

"Pocket Bats"

Actually, there were not just butterflies, petting zoos, ponds, and bees at the Papiliorama. Alongside and amazing number of creature habitats, there was a building just for nocturnal animals which they kept in darkness during the day when the visitors came, and in light during the night so the animals could sleep. There were porcupines, sloths, monkeys...and lots and lots of bats!!! They even had recreated cavern tunnels that we could walk through where the bats would hang upside down in and make adorable squeaking noises! There were just so many!!! There were also plates filled with nutrient mixes suspended from the railing of the overlook where bats would come and momentarily throw themselves onto the food to nibble and then fly off. So cool!

Lakeside Picnic

with Monika, Elise, and Christophe

Château de Gruyères

City of Bulle:

We got to see the city decorated and in spirits for the music festival tomorrow, but did not have to brave the crowds, and even danced in the gazebo to whatever music we wanted to imagine! :)

Castle of Gruyères:

Patrick Woodroffe

(A million thanks to Uncle Ed who saved me by sending the name of the artist when I realized I had not taken note of it!)

There was a really cool art exposition in the castle that lined the walls along the expanse of a spiral staircase. The extent of the climb was dark and painted black, and the images were lit up from behind which made for a spectacular presentation! I loved his otherworldly depictions and the way he portrayed ideas, parodies, and societal criticisms through his art. Very cool!

Hey! Where's the floo powder, Harry?

There was a multimedia presentation that explained the history of the castle in which we heard the story depicted in the painting above. The Gruyère solders were about to lose to the Bernoise when the country women gathered up all the goats, tied flaming torches to their horns, and sent them running towards the enemy. The Bernoise thought it was the devil's army coming towards them, so they panicked and ran! Go girl power!

Schubert today!!! Sadly, I missed the concert, but I could still feel the music vibrating in the room and my heart. Imagine how wonderful it would be: classical in a castle! I had a moment of mourning back home with some nocturnes, but headphones just don't feel the same. 

Yes, I know... I need to work on my dance moves!

Goodbye Isabelle! :'(

Thank you for being my constant tourist companion!

I miss you already!

Above on left: Swiss thug life!

My favorite cheese has now become my favorite castle and my favorite scarf!