Expat Travels : From Switzerland to Canada

Ferrari's in Montreux

2009-12-18T00:53:00.000-08:00

This weeks Photohunt Theme Fast

Go to Tnchick.com to participate

Fast moving cars in Montreux, 2002.

In June of 2002 a race of old fast cars came to Montreux. There was a display of many fast cars that day. I didn't take enough photos but I certainly enjoy this shot. The back drop is simply amazing!

An Undesirable Visitor

2009-12-11T01:24:00.001-08:00

This weeks Photohunt Theme Undesirable

Go to Tnchick.com to participate

Usually this is one undesirable visitor, especially inside a home!

He's definitely unwanted inside our home. So I'm playing catch up. We made it to our 4 year anniversary on Dec 10th. I got my computer back the day before and I'm going to look at my photos, relax and try to catch up on one of my days off.

Happy Hunting!

Four Years

2009-12-10T18:51:00.004-08:00

Today is our official wedding anniversary. It's been 4 years already. Time sure does fly when you are not looking...

Here's a look back on the day.

That also means it's well over 5 years since I moved back to North America...

Curves in the City

2009-12-04T01:32:00.002-08:00

This weeks Photohunt Theme Curved

Go to Tnchick.com to participate

With the Winter Olympics coming to Vancouver, BC in just over 2 months, I thought this was a great backdrop for the theme. This is near the core of the athletes village area and where I used to work while I lived in North Vancouver.

Broken Down a Bit

2009-11-29T16:24:00.000-08:00

Well my laptop seemed to take a plunge about 3 weeks ago. I thought it was just the adapter but it seems to be even more than just that. I'm looking for a place to get an estimate on the repairs. In the mean time, we are sharing computers which lends me not so much time for blogging.

My photos are still on the laptop from this year, so I do hope I can get it back up and running. I know, I've been lazy with that.

I finished my last swim meet of the year. The good news is that I have been working on my knee injury enough to swim an entire event of breastroke without knee pain. I guess I am coming along slowly but of course not as fast as I'd like...

I'm keeping busier with a few new reads from our local used bookstore - Russel Books. I'm starting Rules of Deception which is based on a story in Switzerland.

That's all for now. Hopefully I'll still get to all of the photo hunts.

Switzerland in Technology

2009-11-27T01:20:00.010-08:00

This weeks Photohunt Theme Technology

Go to Tnchick.com to participate

This theme was pretty difficult to think of something interesting to post. I looked up the Wikipedia definition of Technology and then went with a significant figure in Science and Technology in Switzerland.

Happy Hunting! Bare with me as I'm still waiting for my laptop to be back up and working along with a bit more swimming lately.

A Few of my Favorites

2009-11-20T02:12:00.000-08:00

This weeks Photohunt Theme Birds

Go to Tnchick.com to participate

I love photographing birds.

Here's a shot of from my archives of my favorite type of ducks, wood ducks.

Happy Hunting!!

Music to my ears

2009-11-13T01:16:00.003-08:00

This weeks Photohunt Theme Music

Go to Tnchick.com to participate

I went back to my archives and pulled the best photo of the bunch. Now I just love this type of music.

Where Else do I find music but on Swiss money...

Happy Hunting!

Settling In

2009-11-11T16:28:00.004-08:00

Chestnuts... (2/5)
Originally uploaded by Thorsten (TK)

So we are settling into our new location in a different neighborhood of Victoria, but we are certainly not unpacked. Yes we have moved again because of the need for more space but we haven't moved far from our last location. We are slowly going through our storage and trying to part with as many things as we possibly do not use. We have less furniture this time around and so unpacking is a wee bit harder a task at the present moment.

While taking a nice stroll on our day off today with P, we both counted moving roughly 4 times in the past 5 years. That's a lot of moves if you really ask me. Add an extra 2 moves from Europe, France and Switzerland and I've done about 8 moves in the last 8 years. Phew - I'm tired just thinking about it all!

There have been many things on my mind lately, considering my lack of posts. Here's a summary of a few of them.

1. Roasting Chestnuts (see yummy photo) - I found this easy roasting recipe. I had no idea it was that easy to do in an oven.
2. Cooking in the oven, and more eating as I haven't had one for the past year!
3. Swimming way too much and not having the energy to blog.
4. Wanting to do more photography and post it but not having the energy or time to do it.
5. Wishing and wanting a vacation but will have to enjoy my few days off that I have around town.
6. Add to that the lack of sunshine, and I can only dream of being on the opposite side of the equator for the next 6 months!

Snow Birds in Action

2009-11-06T01:21:00.000-08:00

This weeks Photohunt Theme Veterans/Military

Go to Tnchick.com to participate

This week was a little harder to search for me but I recalled viewing the Snowbirds last September here in Victoria. Here are two super cool shots of Canada's Military stunt pilots.

The Snowbirds are Canada's military aerobatics or air show flight demonstration team.

All of these planes are red and white.

Happy Hunting!

The Torch Arrives in Victoria

2009-10-30T09:32:00.000-07:00

It was an exciting moment today as the Olympic Torch Arrived in Victoria this morning. I snuck out for a few minutes to catch a glimpse.

More to come once the dust settles, we are moving today!

Our Bags are Packed

2009-10-30T04:22:00.004-07:00

This weeks Photohunt Theme Bags

Go to Tnchick.com to participate

This is a perfect day for the theme - Our bags are packed and we are moving shop, but just within town.. Hopefully internet is up and running too! We shall see.

(Another shot of my bag before it went into the Smart Car.)

Although I do have a few more photos of luggage and bags, this photo by far cracks me up the most. These were my bags during March 2008 trip back to Switzerland. I still need to work on packing less clothing! Yet I'm so amazed at what you can fit into a Smart for 2!

Happy Hunting! Be sure to check out my post below. I saw the Olympic Torch being past along in our city, exciting! More to come once the dust settles with our move.

Tied to Light

2009-10-23T05:54:00.004-07:00

This weeks Photohunt Theme Tied

Go to Tnchick.com to participate

I think this weeks hunt tied for being one of the hardest to come up with!

So here's my take on the theme.

I think the below photos are tied for my favorite time of the day to take a photo!

Views of Vancouver

Don't you agree... :)

Happy Hunting.

Night Light

2009-10-16T06:30:00.002-07:00

This weeks Photohunt Theme Share Any Pic

Go to Tnchick.com to participate

The other evening before it started getting darker and cooler, I was able to capture this beautiful photo. We are moving again soon so I won't be seeing this view every day.

Click for larger view
It's a long exposure shot of roughly 15 seconds.

Happy Hunting!

The City Becomes Alive

2009-10-12T21:01:00.006-07:00

Over the Thanksgiving Weekend we have some 20,000 extra visitors in town to run the Royal Victoria Marathon, half or 8km race. It's a lot of fun to watch and spectate no matter which part of the city you decide to get out and watch at.

This year I watched the end of the race and found a few people I knew at the finish. Here's the cutest video from the event. Lots of positive energy all around!

A caught the Cutest little boy dancing! He just walked up and started dancing to the song. I only wished that I reacted quicker and got more of the beginning of it.

A very international race!
(Notice all of the countries including Switzerland being represented.)

The little speed demons even get to race.

Look at all of the people!

I hope to see the great weather next year again!

sports

2009-10-09T01:03:00.000-07:00

This weeks Photohunt Theme Sports

Go to Tnchick.com to participate

This sport you can definitely do by yourself! Of course its more fun with a partner.

Just one of the popular sports we do in Victoria, BC.

Happy Hunting!

Autumn Colors

2009-10-08T06:39:00.004-07:00

I know it's been forever since I've really posted lately. Been busy, been having fun on Facebook and mostly just not so into it here. We will be moving again into a larger place next month. Lots to do for preparation this time too..

Enjoy the photos.

Sunset in Victoria.

Empress Hotel - Fall Leaves.

And we celebrate Thanksgiving this weekend too.

Words

2009-10-02T01:15:00.001-07:00

This weeks Photohunt Theme is Words

Go to Tnchick.com to participate

So many words, so many memories - from my 2008 Visit to Switzerland

Twisted

2009-09-25T05:22:00.000-07:00

This weeks Photohunt Theme is Twisted

Go to Tnchick.com to participate

Some Twisted Lines

In the area of Lenzburg, Switzerland

upside down

2009-09-18T06:13:00.002-07:00

This weeks Photohunt Theme is Upside Down

Go to Tnchick.com to participate

Hey Aren't they upside down?

And a Very Happy Birthday to my little bro today.

Happy Weekend Hunting!

Electric

2009-09-11T05:33:00.004-07:00

This weeks Photohunt Theme is Electric

Go to Tnchick.com to participate

I took the definition of electricity and used that for the hunt

Electricity (from the New Latin ēlectricus, "amber-like"[a]) is a general term that encompasses a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. These include many easily recognizable phenomena, such as lightning and static electricity, but in addition, less familiar concepts, such as the electromagnetic field and electromagnetic induction.

Those are lightening clouds - Definitely electric!

Enough force to be electric or make electricity..

Happy Hunting!

Visiting Victoria

2009-09-08T14:14:00.013-07:00

It was nearly 3 weeks ago that my parents came to visit us up here in Canada. It was a short whirl wind visit. I kept them on their toes every morning and evening making sure I walked them enough. I didn't want them to get too spoiled with all of the eating we did.

We made our way up Island on Friday to check out the amazing low tide in Parksville and Qualicum Beach. For those of you who don't know the area, Vancouver Island utilizes one main highway which basically goes up and down the island. Since the population is not THAT large, much of the highway does have signals when entering towns.

(Click to Enlarge)

The red dots give you an idea on where we started and visited. All in all, it was about 2.5 hours drive each way and 320 km of driving. That's not much for California drivers.

So after we finally got to our first destination, I was in photography overload. There was so much to photograph and see. I was totally in my element, but the wind was very active.

Click to enlarge any photo.

Just the look of the blowing flags tells you it's a windy day outside. Enter Parksville.

Low Tide on the beach, pure heaven. It was a first visit for myself and my parents to the city of Parksville.

We each began wandering into the low tide pools searching for crabs and whatever shells and mysteries we could find.

Some Beautiful Shells!

This was my neat find on the walk.

What a view!

Dad was getting a bit hungry so we escaped the wind, filled our tummies up with some great food and headed off to Qualicum Beach next.

See he's happy.

We walked along the beach as there was so much to see.

Ripples in the sand.
a dead jelly fish.

A Crab.

A beautiful red door.

A lonely bench. That fire hydrant sure has it made.

The parents just happy to enjoy the time with us.

And a final shot before leaving to go back to Victoria.

After a few hours of wandering around the area, we mutually decided that Sushi was next on the agenda. Even mom was up for trying it, which has NEVER happened before.

Content after dinner, we took a long stroll to check out some of the interesting buildings around Victoria at Bastion Square.

Sunset views of the Inner Harbour.

Part of Bastion Square.Building from 1892 - (old for Victoria)

My mom can be quite the clown. They have taken to posing with all of these status as of late. It's amusing watching what they do.

Part of Bastion Square which was the original Fort Victoria.
Site of the original Fort Victoria, now long gone - and said to harbour a haunted building - many small shops, arts and crafts stands, benches to sit on, several restaurants, and some welcome greenery - and a wide scenic view of Inner Harbour and beyond - Bastion Square gives respite from the rush of the city in the midst of the city, and a chance to regroup oneself while soaking up some pacific scenery.

I spot a Swiss Flag.

Walking back to the Legislative Building and the Inner Harbour.

(don't forget to click to enlarge)
And it was time to retire inside for the night. What an incredible day.

There's more to come from their trip, once I finally get the photos processed.

Shade of Orange

2009-09-04T05:08:00.002-07:00

This weeks Photohunt Theme is Orange

Go to Tnchick.com to participate

It's been a hectic week with half of the move started. We are off to finish the second half this weekend, which will be the harder part of it all.

Didn't want to think of fall right away but here is a mosaic of shades of orange.

Wishing everyone a great holiday weekend. I think nearly everyone celebrates labour day weekend....

Change in the Weather

2009-09-03T06:31:00.003-07:00

I'm seeing changes all around Victoria...

Here's a look at one change going on... rain again...

or black and white version...

Surprise Visit

2009-08-28T06:19:00.001-07:00

This weeks Photohunt Theme is Surprise

Go to Tnchick.com to participate

My parents surprised us with a visit up to Canada last weekend. This was their first official visit to the Island and to my surprise a vacation for them! This time we got to show them around the Island and got to eat lots of wonderful food.

The biggest surprise of the weekend was when my mom accepted going out to sushi which my dad and I love. When we got there she tried many different dishes and one sauce which I was so surprised she loved!

And here's the evidence of them eating sushi.

This is just a sample of what is to come. We are moving tomorrow evening and saturday so hopefully I can visit and post more once that is over.

Happy Hunting