Bonjour!

Just back from our old stomping ground...Switzerland. The entire country's population is less than the population of Hyderabad. The two couldn't be anymore different. Among other things Switzerland offers infrastructure, timeliness, beauty, clean water/air, and wonderfully fresh, even organic food. Suffice it to say, it was a welcome return.

Sudhir was there for work, and I was there merely for pleasure. I met my parents in Zurich and then we spent a week in the French speaking part of Switzerland. We based ourselves in a small ski town in the mountains about 3,000 feet up.

Here's the view from my balcony in Torgon

Switzerland is my favorite country to drive through. It's stunning scenery is absolutely breathtaking, especially in fall when the leaves begin to change colors! We spent one afternoon in Montreaux and stopped at Chateau de Chillon, a 12th century castle.

Mom and Dad in the castle

Views of Lac Leman (Lake Geneva)

We were in Switzerland's main wine producing region...miles and miles of vineyards. Most of the wine is made for local consumption. A votre sante! (Cheers!)

We stopped in Martigny and spent the afternoon at a very impressive museum which housed a variety of artifacts (pottery, jewellry, coins) that were dug up in Martigny and dated back as early as the first century as well as a preserved excavation site. The museum also included a vast collection of cars from the early 1900's as well as a brilliant exhibition on Leonardo Da Vinci. He must be one of the most extraordinary persons of all time. The son of a peasant woman with no formal education was not only a magnificent painter but also an inventor and scientist. Upon his death at age 67, he left over 6,000 detailed sketches. He is credited for so many inventions including the helicoptor and bicycle. Well worth the visit for anyone traveling to that neck of the woods!

Here are some pictures from the grounds of the museum.

We returned to Zurich a week later for the big celebration. Somehow I don't think the birthday boy was all that excited about it. Happy 34th!