Tonight, we’re flying back to Cape Town after three wonderful months in Switzerland. The final week is always a whirlwind of errands – packing, organising, and tracking down the little things we apparently can’t live without, like our favourite Swiss toothpaste and paper tissues. And then there’s the serious business of chocolate logistics – kilos of it, carefully rationed between friends, neighbours, and “emergency reserves”. Somehow, it always feels like a strategic operation.
Before the week of chaos began, we escaped for one last hike with friends at the lake of Lucerne, one of my forever favourites.
The mountains had a dusting of snow, the lake a moody gleam, and the meadows were impossibly green. Between passing clouds, the light turned everything magical, just long enough for a few photos.
We passed gardens bursting with colour and stumbled upon an honesty shop so lovely it stopped us in our tracks. Wooden shelves stacked with jams, elderflower syrup, and cheese… with no one in sight. You just leave your coins and walk away a little happier than before.
Earlier this summer, we also had a weekend in Ticino, the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland.
Our friends have a rustico there, a stone house in a 13th-century village where time seems to have paused. From the outside, it’s all weathered stone and wooden shutters; inside, it’s full of modern comfort. Every detail – the creaky beams, the thick walls, the faint scent of wood smoke – makes it feel as though you’ve stepped straight onto the set of a medieval film.
Their garden patio looks straight onto forested hills, the kind of view that makes you forget there’s such a thing as Wi-Fi. Imagine drinking your morning coffee here – I would never leave!
The next morning, we went for a hike and stumbled upon a family making cheese in a small mountain hut. Naturally, we couldn’t leave without buying some. The mother and daughter wrapped it for us, proud of their craft – and rightfully so. It tasted of grass, sunshine, and effort.
A little further along, the trail disappeared into a cool, dark cave. When we emerged on the other side, the world opened into a bright green valley. An Aperol Spritz (and a Coke) at a café in the valley felt fully deserved.
Ticino, though, has a dark piece of history. In the 19th century, poverty was common, and some families sent their boys, some barely eight, to work in Italy as chimney sweeps, or spazzacamini. It was harsh, dangerous work, and today the town quietly remembers them with small memorials built on top of the chimneys – subtle reminders of lives that were far too short.
Back in our final mad-rush week, I’m carrying these memories with me to Cape Town, where new adventures await. Switzerland will sneak with us: a few bars of chocolate and toothpaste, and perhaps a wedge of cheese or two.
- What’s the most ridiculous thing that “has to” come with you when you travel?
- Ever found an honesty shop on your travels?
I am linking up with Jenny from Runners Fly and Jenn from Runs with Pugs for Tuesday Topics!
“…where new adventures await ” – YES !! Das hättest du wirklich nicht schreiben müssen ! Dein Leben besteht aus permanenten Abenteuern, und das ist gut so. Ich freue mich für dich/für euch !
Wieder tolle Fotos von einer bezaubernden Welt, einfach nur schön anzusehen, dort zu sein, dort zu leben !
Amo l’Italia e la lingua italiana – ciao, cara Catrina !
Genügend Erinnerungen nimmst du ja mit nach SA, so dass wir uns keine Sorgen machen müssen !
Auf ein Neues, viel Glück und alles Gute für die kommende Zeit von der fernen Ostsee !
Danke, liebe Margitta! Abenteuer gibt es hier wirklich an jeder Ecke, und ich lasse mich immer wieder gerne darauf ein. Die Fötelis helfen mir dann, mich später an alles zu erinnern – sonst wäre einiges schon verschwommen.
Italien ist einfach unwiderstehlich, nicht wahr? Nur leider spreche ich die Sprache nicht – mit Französisch tue ich mich schon schwer genug, ha!
Ganz liebe Grüsse an die Ostsee aus dem bedeckten und kühlen Zürich!
Spazzacamini! How interesting! Love the chimney memoriald😍 In rural areas here, honesty shops are almost at the end of every driveway. Eggs, fruits, vegetables, cheese, jams, honey and even clothing (home made) can be found. Almost no need to go to a grocery store. These are everywhere! Lucky us, but we don’t notice that as it is so common. I guess it is not to city people and they get excited when they see that😅💦💦💦
Caves are fun! The longest cave we were in was in Thailand. It took four hours or so of hiking to go from one end to the other. It was noticeably chillier in there.
I bet you load up w Swiss Army knives too & not only chocolate and toothpaste and tissues! 😅💦💦💦 That makes for a large pack to travel with! Do you use suitcases or hiking packs? 🤔 How long will the flight be? Is it direct or will there be stopovers? Well Bon Vovage or like they say Gute Reise!✈
Spazzacamini — isn’t that such a great word? I didn’t even notice the sculptures on the chimneys until friends pointed them out. What a brilliant idea!
I had no idea honesty shops were that common where you are. Do you get your eggs and cheese locally too? I can just imagine the abundance at the end of summer — I’d never set foot in a supermarket again! You’re right, city folks totally lose their minds over that kind of thing 😅
That cave in Thailand sounds epic — four hours underground! I’d have panicked halfway through, especially with no light at the end of the tunnel in sight.
Haha, no Swiss Army knives this time, but we did pack a few Victorinox kitchen knives — close enough! Two suitcases, two carry-ons, and a stash of clothes to donate. Luckily, it’s a direct Edelweiss flight to Cape Town — twelve hours to snooze and recover from the packing marathon! ✈️
Honesty-shops gibt’s sogar noch im direkten Münchner Umfeld; ich kaufe dort in Fahhradentfernung regelmäßig Bio-Eier und Kartoffeln. Allerdings ist der nicht so herzig ausstaffiert, nicht mehr rund um die Uhr geöffnet und inzwischen ist auch nach einem Randale-Vorfall “Kameraüberwachung” angesagt.
Unterwegs kann ich diesen Mini-Mitnahmeläden selten widerstehen und besonders der Honig, von dem ich dann ja weiß, wieviele Blüten in herrlicher Natur darin gespeichert sind, muss – obwohl immer Verkleb- und Auslaufgefahr droht und er schlicht schwer zu Schleppen ist – mit ins Gepäck.
Ansonsten betören deine unglaublich stimmungsvollen Bilder von den Ausflügen an Luzerner See mit Steinhäusern incl. Berg- und Seeambiente fast dahingehend, doch nochmal in eine Lösung des Netzzugangsproblems in der Schweiz Gedanken zu investieren. Denn “WiFi” zu vergessen angesichts der Natur … schön und gut .. aber ganz ohne wird’s heutzutage in Sachen Navigation und Kommunikation doch kompliziert und mensch muss ja erstmal dort hinkommen, wo er das alles dann vergessen darf 😉
Euch einen guten Rückflug mit vielen bunten Bildern und ausreichend Schokolade für alle im Gepäck!
Oooh, wie toll, dass du diese kleinen Hofläden in deiner Nähe hast! Bio-Eier und Kartoffeln quasi um die Ecke – was für ein Luxus. Auch wenn ab und zu ein bisschen Kameraüberwachung nötig ist, haben diese Läden einfach ihren ganz eigenen Charme.
Honig! Da bin ich voll bei dir 😍 Alle klebrigen Taschen-Innenleben nehmen wir dafür gern in Kauf – irgendwie macht das die Schlepperei gleich noch heldenhafter.
Und die Idee mit WiFi oder offline Wege finden – ich bin total dafür! Irgendwo muss es doch einen cleveren, günstigen Weg geben, um diese Ecken in der Schweiz zu entdecken, ohne dass man gleich das Datenvolumen sprengt oder eine Hypothek aufnehmen muss 😉 Ich hoffe, du wirst fündig – eine ausgiebige Tour (auch z.B. im Berner Oberland) würde dir richtig gefallen.
Danke dir – der erste Koffer ist schon voll, der zweite wartet schon auf seine Mission! 😄
Safe travels back to Cape Town!
I have certain products that I won’t be willy nilly about, and toothpaste and tissues are on that list. I also bring my own coffee, a pour over filter, and a small electric kettle when I travel so that I have a guaranteed way to make a good cup of coffee.
I hope that the people on your chocolate list appreciate your hard work!
That’s a sad but moving story about the chimney sweep boys.
Honestly shops are pretty common on the outskirts of town. Farm veggies, eggs, and honey. My favorite was a house with a driveway that crossed the bike trail, and they had a cooler with popsicles and bottled water in it. I have to think that people are being honest or these stands wouldn’t be there.
Thank you, Birchie!
Oh, that’s such a clever idea — travelling with your own hot-drink kit! I really should get myself a mini kettle to take along everywhere.
And yes, everyone’s always thrilled about the Swiss chocolate. You can actually buy “Swiss” chocolate in South Africa, but the brands usually tweak the recipe for export — mostly more sugar — so there’s a real difference between the genuine article and the “international edition.”
A cooler with popsicles sounds perfect! I agree, the fact that these little stands still exist gives me hope that people are mostly good at heart.
I have so enjoyed the benefit of your stay in Switzerland through viewing your beautiful pictures! Thanks for sharing! And speaking of sharing, how lucky are you Cape Town friends to have Swiss chocolate coming their way.
My bike ride often takes me past honesty shops when I ride locally – I didn’t know that’s what they’re called. They usually have fresh produce, eggs, and/or honey. I love the concept, but have never purchased anything. The one time I tried, I couldn’t pull up their Venmo, even from scanning the QR code.
Thank you so much, Debbie. I’ve been thinking of you this week and hope you’re coping as best you can — it must still feel very raw.
That’s funny about the honesty shops and the QR code! It’s such a simple system, but somehow the “modern” part always complicates things. 😄
Fresh eggs and honey sound like the perfect mid-ride reward though.
And yes, my Cape Town friends are already counting down the days to their chocolate delivery! 🍫 Our suitcases are bursting!
Liebe Catrina,
was das waren nur 3 Monate? Wenn ich mir überlege, was ihr in dieser Zeit alles unternommen habt, wird mir ganz schwindlig!
Ich kann mir gut vorstellen, dass ihr die letzten Tage noch intensiver nutzt, um noch mal alles aufzusaugen und gleichzeitig für CapeTown vorzubereiten.
Die Fotos aus dem Tessin sind traumhaft. Ich glaube, dort hättest du mich nicht mehr weggebracht. Ich stelle mir vor, in so einem Häuschen zu leben, auf der Terrasse zu sitzen und zu schreiben …. 😀
Ich wünsche euch einen guten Flug, gutes Ankommen in Südafrika und freue mich schon auf deine Berichte von dort.
Liebe Doris,
genau so ging es mir auch, als wir all die Fotos der letzten drei Monate angeschaut haben – es fühlte sich an wie ein ganzes Jahr! So viele Erlebnisse und Eindrücke in so kurzer Zeit.
Ja, das Tessin wäre DEIN DING!! So viele kleine Dörfer die total abgelegen sind. Man fühlt sich wie in einer anderen Zeit – genau die richtige Inspiration für Schreiberlinge wie dich! Und Leseratten!
Vielen lieben Dank für deine Wünsche – bald geht’s los. Dann kommen dann wieder die Berichte aus dem südafrikanischen Frühling!
This is all so beautiful, I don’t know how you can bear to leave (except… winter is coming…) I’ve never seen an “honesty shop.” I love the concept, not sure if it would work where I live.
I had to go back through your post and scroll through the beautiful photos again. I love the one with the mountains and purple flowers. Well, I love them all, actually!
Yes! Leaving Switzerland is always bittersweet — though winter is definitely calling…
Honesty shops are such a charming idea — I think they work best where people really know and trust each other. You could always set one up and test the Floridians!
We arrived in Cape Town this morning. It’s chilly, but at least the sun is out, so I’m happy to be back. I’m glad you enjoyed the photos — that one with the mountains and purple flowers is a favourite of mine too. 💜
These pictures are truly stunning and I love how you’ve chosen such an expansive life – making the most of each location while you’re there.
A refreshing drink at the end of a hike is a bliss unlike most other.
And those views. Just…gorgeous!
Safe travels back to South Africa <3
Thank you so much, Elisabeth! ❤️
I really love making the most of each place while we’re there — it feels like the only way to truly soak it all in.
And yes, a refreshing drink at the end of a hike… pure bliss! Those views really do stay with you long after.
We arrived in Cape Town this morning — chilly but sunny — and it feels good to be “home” again.
Wow, stunning pictures! It would be hard to say goodbye to this gorgeous country although I know it’s more so “see you later.” That 13th century cottage is so dreamy! I’d want to camp out there for a long long time to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life! But how perfect that it is modernized inside.
My must-have when traveling is a refillable water bottle. I love that most airports have places to refill a water bottle with filtered water!
Safe travels to Cape Town! Can’t wait to see how you fill your days there!!
Thank you so much, Lisa! It’s really good to read your comment — I hope you’re recovering well from your terrible accident. ❤️
Yes, saying goodbye to Switzerland is always bittersweet, though “see you later” is exactly right. That 13th-century cottage really was dreamy — I could have happily lingered there for weeks, soaking in the peace. Modern comforts inside make it even better!
I love your travel must-have — a refillable water bottle is essential! I should have brought one with me on our flight, I got really thirsty.
We arrived in Cape Town this morning — chilly but sunny — and I’m looking forward to settling back into everyday adventures here.
Thanks for taking us along in this little adventure! I loved all the pics & history you shared, and wish I was on the receiving end of that Swiss chocolate, LOL. I hope all goes well on your return to Cape Town!
Thank you so much, Kim! 😊
I’m glad you enjoyed coming along on our little adventure. And yes, Swiss chocolate is always a highlight — I wish you could join the taste-test, LOL! 🍫
We arrived in Cape Town this morning — chilly but sunny — and it feels good to be back.
It must be hard to leave such idyllic scenery!! Taking along the Swiss chocolate is a must for sure. Now I want some
You are right, Deborah – the scenery and family and friends… but then, all the happier we are when we see everybody again. I hope you get to taste some on a future trip to Switzerland!
Everything there looks so amazing! I bet it is hard to leave. I hope your travels to Cape Town go well!
It does feel strange when you’re switching between places – I wish I could merge the two!
Oh, my goodness. I had the pleasure of visiting Lucerne and it was one of my favorite places. I would love to go back! I love the idea of just stumbling across someone making cheese and hiking through caves to little cafes and taverns. It’s so special.
Those memorials to the little boys is so haunting. I’m glad they are remembered.
I love how you make every day an adventure! Switzerland must be hard to leave, but Cape town awaits!
Thank you, Jenn! Lucerne really is one of those places that just stays with you, isn’t it? I could go back a hundred times and still find something new to love.
That hike in Ticino was exactly like that, so many little surprises along the way. And yes, those chimney-sweep memorials really got to me too, such a moving piece of history.
We arrived in Cape Town this morning! Hard to leave Switzerland, but it does feel good to be back in the sunshine!
Liebe Catrina,
ich versuch’s nochmal…
Ihr hattet einen schönen schweizer Endspurt! Wow, das Rustico sieht sooo einladend aus, da erholt man sich sicher gern. Die Dachverzierungen erinnern an ein düsteres Kapitel, da gab es doch den Film “Die schwarzen Brüder”, der das thematisierte.
Solche kleinen self-service-Vertrauenslädchen kenne ich aus dem Berner Oberland auch. Wohl finde ich immer öfter Appelle an die Kundschaft, doch bitte zu bezahlen. Daheim in meiner Region in D gibt es sie gelegentlich, aber meist nicht lange, wohl weil es an Ehrlichkeit mangelt. Ein Jammer! Ich wundere mich immer sehr, wieviele normale Läden in CH ihre Ware oft über Nacht draußen lassen, zB Baumärkte oder Blumenläden. Das wäre in D dann am anderen Tag … reduziert!
Ich hoffe, ihr seid gut in eurer zweiten Heimat angekommen! Ich habe eigentlich keine speziellen Sachen, die mitmüssen. Ok, Lesestoff, Strickzeug. Und ansonsten ist zu meinem stigen Erstaunen immer der Kofferraum gefüllt, wenn wir nach CH fahren, obwohl wir hier ja unseren 2. Haushalt haben. Immer ist was hin und her zu transportieren. Ich frage mich oft, wie ihr das mit Koffern hinbekommt.
Liebe Grüße aus dem bewölkten BeO!
Elke
Liebe Elke,
Aaah, es hat geklappt! Super, danke fürs Dranbleiben — ich habe ein bisschen an WordPress geschraubt, jetzt bist du kein Bot mehr, ha!
Oh, du kennst “Die schwarzen Brüder”! Den Film habe ich noch nicht gesehen, aber das Buch habe ich als Jugendliche gelesen und war sehr berührt davon. Ich muss mal schauen, ob der Film online verfügbar ist.
Genau! Die Hoflädeli geben einem wirklich ein gutes Gefühl. Es wäre schade, wenn es die mal nicht mehr gäbe. Ich staune auch immer bei den Sachen, die Migros, Coop oder Volg über Nacht draussen stehen lassen… das wäre in Cape Town innert Minuten weg!
Ja, immer so viel Zeug, die man hin- und hertransportieren muss! Meist nehmen wir noch Spendekleider mit, die uns Leute geben, dazu Laufschuhe, Lieblings-Laufsocken … da füllt sich der Koffer schneller, als man denkt. 😄
Geniesse das BeO und liebe Grüsse aus dem sonnigen, wenn auch kühlen Cape Town!
I can’t believe you’re already going back to Cape Town. If seems like you just got to Switzerland.
You always have the best adventures! And Switzerland is so beautiful. So is South Africa but definitely in a different way. Safe travels!
Thanks, Debbie! I know — it feels like I just arrived, yet somehow it also feels like we packed a whole summer’s worth of adventures into those weeks. We landed in Cape Town yesterday morning – a bit chilly, but sunny, so no complaints!
I love that you are taking kilos of Swiss chocolate with you. Priorities! I’m here for it!
Ahhhh what a dream, to just stop off at a cheese house and take some with you.
Those poor chimney sweeps. I think about things like that quite often. What a sad world it was for impoverished children back then!
Haha yes! Chocolate always comes first, obviously! 🍫 I like to think of it as a survival essential rather than a treat. Despite carrying KILOS of it, it’s already nearly all gone!
That cheese stop was such a little adventure, exactly the kind of unexpected delight that makes a hike unforgettable.
And those chimney sweeps… so grim. It really puts things in perspective, thinking about how tough life was back then.
Liebe Catrina,
jetzt komme ich endlich zum letzten Beitrag aus der Schweiz! 😉
Ich finde ja, dass nicht nur das Tessin tolle Ecken hat, sondern dass man (fast) in der ganzen Schweiz Ecken findet, wo man abgelegen die schöne Natur und die Berge genießen kann! Da ich zudem einen medieval Charme mag und mir gerne Fantasy-Filme oder Serien (The Outpost) ansehe, habe ich auch immer wieder die Atmosphäre von abgelebenen Berghütten genossen! Diese Steinhäuser und deren Umgebung sehen entsprechend toll aus!
Honesty shops: zuletzt auf dem Mauerweg im Norden Berlins über einen solchen Shop vor einem Wohnhaus ‘gestolpert’! 😉 Eine Birnen-Marmelade mit Vanille-Aroma wurde zum Mitbringsel für unsere jungen Leute! Keine Frage, dass wir dort den vollen Preis entrichten haben! – Da zum Schluss dann sogar der Hausherr vor die Tür trat, hätte ich ihn mal fragen können, wie es um die Ehrlichkeit der Passanten bestellt ist!
Ridiculous thing that “has to” come with me, nicht nur auf Reisen! – Vor geraumer Zeit hatte mir die ältere Enkelin einen kleinen Stein und ein paar ‘Perlen’, sie nennt die Edelsteine, geschenkt. Nicht nur, weil der Stein (fast) Herzform hat, sondern weil es doch von der Enkelin kam, hab ich alle 6 Teile in ein kleines durchsichtiges Plastik-Schächtelchen getan und trage sie ständig in der Hosentasche! (Nur ins Stadion dürfen sie leider nicht mit. 😥 )
Lebt euch gut ein und passt auf euch auf! Wir sind gespannt auf deine Berichte!
Liebe Grüße Manfred
Lieber Manfred,
Ha, da hast du recht, ich finde es auch immer wieder erstaunlich, wie viele versteckte Ecken es in der Schweiz gibt, wo man die Natur in Ruhe geniessen kann. Tessin, Berner Oberland, Graubünden, Luzern … überall gibt es kleine Schätze. Ich kann total nachvollziehen, dass dich der mittelalterliche Charme der Berghütten so anspricht, vor allem, wenn man Fantasy-Serien mag! 😄
Mhm, Birnen-Confi mit Vanille klingt sehr lecker! Hoffentlich hat der Hausherr nicht schon zuviele negative Erlebnisse gehabt… wäre schade, wenn sein kleiner Laden daran scheitern würde. Es braucht mehr Kunden wie ihr!
Und wie süss ist das mit den Steinen und Perlen deiner Enkelin! Da versteht man sofort, warum sie so einen festen Platz in deiner Hosentasche haben. Aber sag mal, wieso darf die kleine Schachtel nicht ins Stadion mit? Viel Schaden kann man ja damit nicht anrichten.
Vielen Dank! Wir leben uns gut ein!
Liebe Grüsse aus dem sonnigen Cape Town!
Liebe Catrina,
nur noch kurz zu dem Steinchen: Alles was in irgendeiner Weise zum Wurfgeschoss ge- bzw. missbraucht werden kann, wird kritisch gesehen und darf nicht mit ins Stadion. Zudem will ich nicht riskieren, dass es konfisziert wird, oder irgendwie verloren geht!
Kasse ich das Schächtelchen zuhause, gehe ich diesbezüglich auf Nummer sicher!
Liebe Grüße Manfred
Lieber Manfred,
Ah, du gehst lieber auf Nummer sicher, das macht natürlich Sinn. So bleibt das Schächtelchen wenigstens in deinem Besitz!
Liebe Grüsse aus dem sonnigen Cape Town!
Oh, what beautiful places! Wonderful memories for you to bring with you to South Africa! And chocolate, of course. This family making cheese, was that an actual shop or was it just a private house and you asked if you could buy some? I love cheese and I eat tons of it when we’re in Italy, so much that at the end I don’t even want to bring any with me home (unless it’s truly fantastic). And I don’t need to either because there’s a wonderful cheese company on one of the West Cork peninsulas and that actually beats all the Italian cheeses for me.
That’s so sad about the chimneysweep boys. I’m not sure if I’ve heard of it before. How beautiful to commemorate them like that.
Thanks, Susanne! Yes, so many wonderful memories – and yes, chocolate had to come along too. 😄
The family making cheese was in a small mountain hut, but not a place where one can live permanently – more like a mix of shelter/cheese making space. They had a sign outside that we could buy cheese there and there were some other hikers in the process of buying some.
Ireland must have great cheese! I’ve never been to Ireland, but I’m always surprised by how good the cheese is in England. Your cheese in West Cork sounds like a very good excuse not to lug more home!
And yes, the story of the chimney sweep boys is so sad, but the little memorials really make you pause and reflect.
I hope you are doing well and that your time-out from blogging has been gentle and restorative!
You should come to Ireland some time. There’s plenty of fantastic hiking opportunities here, and cheese. 🙂
And thanks – I’m doing well and something is brewing regarding blogs in a different format… but all of a sudden I was also contacted about a very interesting work project and I’m SO busy… but excited! So the brain rest didn’t really happen, but it’s been good to take a break from the blog. I still need to learn that every second doesn’t have to include either work, writing or something else productive. But I have a plan for how to move on with blogging, and I think you will like it. More info when I’m ready. Enjoy your weekend, and the chocolate!
Oooh, that sounds exciting, Susanne – a new project and a fresh blog idea brewing! Sounds like your brain rest turned into a creative storm. Can’t wait to see what you have in mind!
Your photos of Ireland have already tempted me many times to pack my hiking boots, and now, with the cheese temptation, I might actually have to book a flight!
Enjoy your weekend, too… the chocolate is disappearing fast over here!
You’re really living an interesting life traveling between the countries all the time! I forget how you make this possible but you definitely get to see a lot of beautiful places!
I’m so grateful we get to do this, San. We quit our regular banking jobs a few years ago and my husband now works independently as a financial advisor. We work remotely, so this makes it possible.
Hi Catrina, thank you for sharing. I’m guessing with the chimney memorials that children were losing their lives. Which is incredibly sad.
The stone cheese hut is so amazing. Occasionally I will buy cheese that comes from Switzerland. It is so good. And nice knowing that it is probably not loaded with chemicals.
We do have honesty shops around. Mostly in the summer with garden produce.
Yes, the chimney memorials are really sobering, so sad to think of children risking their lives like that.
That little stone cheese hut was such a special find! I love knowing that the cheese is made with care and minimal fuss – it really tastes different from the mass-produced stuff.
It’s nice to hear that honesty shops are still around where you are too, there’s something so charming about those little summer stalls with fresh garden produce. I hope you are keeping well, Carl!
My daughters are planning on taking a trip to Switzerland in 2027, so on the weekend I showed one of them the photos in this post. The scenery is so beautiful which is why they chose Switzerland as a destination. I will have to get some tips for them from you before they go. Cape Town is equally beautiful, though. How idyllic it must be splitting your time between two such beautiful places. Do you avoid winter totally?
Oh, so exciting!! Yes, I’d be more than happy to share some Switzerland-Tips! They will love it, however, it is quite pricey. But then I’ve heard that Australia isn’t cheap either, so it won’t be a shock to them.
Yes, we are very fortunate with the way things turned out. When we turned 50, we quit our banking jobs and now work less and remotely, so switching between Zurich and Cape Town works well. And the two cities are in the same time zone, which makes communication easy, too. Avoiding winter was the goal! 😅