Well, I come to you today from Shanghai China. What? I thought you were taking a trip around Europe, some of you who know us a bit better might say. Yes that is true, but I had a leadership conference with my company that required me to take the first vacation week as a work week in Shanghai.
So the adventure began last Thursday and of course, as usual, we were last minute packing and preparing. I guess it doesn't matter when and where we are going, both Nikki and I put off the preparation to the end. We pulled out of Sweden for our Europen Vacation (hopefully to not resemble another famous National Lampoon's style) at around noon last Thursday and began the drive through Denmark and into Germany. Everyone was fired up and the van was packed FULL!
Our first excitement came while waiting in line for the ferry that takes you from the southern coast of Denmark over to Germany. We had to wait for one ferry to pass as the queue was long with travelers heading south. So we turned the car off, but in all my wisdom I left on the lights, DVD player and portable cooler. Not so smart as when we got ready to go again the battery was dead. So us and the 30 or so cars behind us were not able to move from the lane. Needless to say I upset quite a few vacationers who waited paitentially for the first boat and missed it. We missed the second boat as well, but got a jump and made boat number three. I was worried about this start!
After this though things went pretty smooth. We basically crossed Germany and ended Day 1 just south of Mannheim. Lucky for me, Nikki talked me into a portable GPS system for the car. I tell you that without it I would have been still driving around to find our first hotel. We landed there at around 11:30pm and fell into bed. It was a great place with plenty of room (not so usual for European hotels) and a nice breakfast in the morning.
Day 2 finished off the travel as we arrived in Interlaken Switzerland after about a 4 1/2 hour drive. Total trip time Day 1 and 2 was around 16 hours (including the ferry issue). Let me tell you that coming into Interlaken is one of the most beautiful drives I have ever taken. We will load up the pictures when we get home and post them. The town is nestled in between two lakes and in a valley between moutain ranges (the Alps) on both sides. The water in the lakes was of the color of Maiden (the clear blue/green for those of you who have not experienced Maiden Lake (where I grew up). I must say this was one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen.
The purpose of Interlaken as a stop was that Nikki and the kids (which by the way includes our 14 year old neice Caitlyn) would be attending a Christian conference and Vacation Bible school for the week while I traveled to China. What a treat to have Caitlyn with us both to share an experience of a lifetime and to spend time with family. So we arrived and found our youth hostel as the house we had rented for the week only ran from Saturday to Saturday. Being Friday (July 4th) we had to find a one night solution. Not sure how many of you have stayed in a youth hostel, but it brings back thoughts of college dorm rooms. Good experience giving us the appreciation for the hotel the first night! We caught dinner at a great place that was recommended to us by Jack Marrs (thanks Jack - it was great - I had a beer for you) and enjoyed the view.
We spent Saturday up in the Alps in a town called Grindelwald. We took a cable car up into the mountain and did some hiking and a mountain roller coaster (what a blast). The kids loved it (so did kid #5 (Tim)). Lunch included cheese fondue (another favorite of mine). Unfortunately it was a short day as I had to catch a train out at 4pm to head to China. Nikki and the kids got checked in to the conference and then were able to get into the house. Lucky for us the house was situation right beside the campground that our friends were staying at (Pastor Erik from church, Kim and the boys). It is wonderful how God sets those things up and made me feel really comfortable to leave.
Since Saturday, Nikki and I have been talking back and forth and things have moved along nicely. The conference has been EXTREMELY good for her and for the kids and for me this leadership conference has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my work career. Again, it just proves how God is in control and makes things happen.
Well, I must head out now to wrap up my last day in China and jump on a plane to meet back up with Nikki and the kids. Next we head off to Italy to visit the Pope!! Will update the blog when we have internet capability.
I have tried to attach two pictures, but not so sure if I know how to do this. They were both taken while we were in Grindewald. Beautiful!
Take care.
Tim, Nikki and the kids.
No comments:
Post a Comment