Grenoble, France August 16, 2009

Grenoble was a city we would have wanted to explore more than a day. When we walked around, there were markets in the square and people were just so friendly. You would see them talking and hugging while they shop while the husbands of shopping wives look on and wait to carry bags and packages. What a wonderful relaxed life to walk around and see your friends around town. The funicular was a fun ride up the mountain with a great view of the city. The hotels were less expensive than in Geneva and a much nicer city to walk around in. You have the lake in Geneva but you have the mountains of rocks around Grenoble. Spectacular drive in the evening as theyhave some mountain faces lit up at night.

Exploring Switzerland

We drove from Pompaples to Geneva but we liked Lausanne better than Geneva. We tried to stay at a hotel in Geneva but it didn't feel as safe as when we were in Zurich or Lausanne so we headed out of Switzerland to Grenoble, France.

Pompaples - Home of My Ancestors

We got to go where the Bonzons are from - Pompaples. My great, great, great grandfather came from here. We got to meet Francois Bonzon from Pompaples. It is a quiet farming town and Francois told us that the biggest clan is still the Bonzon clan.

Birthday week with Anita and Beat in Zurich

It was so nice to be home with Anita and Beat for my Birthday. Zurich is a home away from home. We went to the children's park, to the lake and around town. I love feeding the birds by the lake but the big swans were a bit aggressive. Hope to see Beat and Anita again next year.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber - August 10, 2009

Feeling Christmas in August. We loved going around here. So many charming shops and buildings. It is a huge medieval town and some parts are car free so you don't have to worry about walking around. This is the town that inspired the setting for the Disney animated movie "Pinocchio" and also the Japanese Anime, "Sugar a little snow fairy" and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang". I also started to read, "Princess Bride" which I could not put down. Now I have to watch the movie. Walking around you'll see a lot of shops with toys, miniture houses, crafts, etc.. I even enjoyed freshly squeezed apple juice while resting in one of the many alleys you can go down on.

Lueneburg - August 8,2009

We didn't get to spend much time around Lueneburg but it looked bigger than Lauenburg. Some of the buildings in this town had this false facade to make it look to like there are more inhabitants in the area - very useful to make groups who want to make trouble with the town think twice.

This town was luckily was not bombed in WWII.

Lauenburg - August 7, 2009

We passed by a small town on the way to Luneburg called Lauenburg. It was a memorable drive in Jennes' Benz since we reached a speed of 230kph- the fastest we have ever gone ever on the autobahn. It was a smooth ride. Germany is wonderful with all the small towns that are so quaint and fun. We can just wonder around there forever.