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| Fun adventures in Europe |
(Many of these photos may not be in the correct place with the description.)
Left Sequim early morning and met Jen in Chicago. Arrived in Bergen Norway and stayed the night at Steens hotel (more like a B&B)
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| Sailors Monument in Bergen |
Traveled to Flam and took boat down the fiords. It was pouring rain! It was delightful but I'm afraid my imagination of the Norwegian Fiords once again exceeded reality. We sure had a blast together even though we were wet and cold most of the day.
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| Great pic of Andrew |
Church was very friendly. We used headsets for translation. Found out the elders here are teaching someone from Brazil. Because she didn't come today, Aaron wrote her a letter and gave it to the elders to give to her. He is still and I believe he always will be a missionary. :) People at church were all joking about how they never know which day is going to be summer.
After church we walked to Staves Church
Mon 6 hour train ride to Oslo. We passed the time with great enjoyment around a table where we chatted and laughed and played a game.
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| Sad this is blurred but it's so cute! |
Relieved to find Oslo warm and sunny. Toured a large garden, Vigelandsparken, with naked statues of families. The kids didn't like the nakedness and yes, at least fig leaves would have been nice.
Tues National Gallery of art with famous painting (like Picasso's The Scream) Loved Norwegian Folk Museum which was a village of old authentic homes with costumed villagers. Bought yummy lefse and shared it.
6 hour train ride to Stockholm. Aaron told Jen and I the story he's been writing for years. It's so cool - I hope he will write it someday.
Wed walking around Gamleston. Viking ship museum called the Vasa. You take a ferry over to the museum. Ate Swedish Hash for lunch. Went to the movies and saw the new Harry Potter movie #5!
Thurs Train to Copenhagen! Our seats were in a car that allows pets so we enjoyed 3 adorable dogs and a little black kitten.
We saw the famous mermaid statue, windmill, St Alban church, Gefionspringvandet fountain, Amalienborg Palsce with guards.
Fri grounds of Fredericksberg, and wandered outside the Rosenberg and Christenberg castles. Natural history museum and chapel with the Christus statue like ours in SLC.
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| I love this family photo...so I put the Beans in here so that we have us all. |
Andrew got lost for about 1.5 hours. I think we exhausted him and he was tired of us deciding where to eat and took off. We couldn't find him anywhere so Chris and Aaron took a bus back to the hotel in case he went there and the rest of us stayed in the square by Tivoli incase he came back there. We sat on the cement barricade waiting. I bowed my head and prayed for him and for help and felt peace. I looked up and there he was. I think he was pretty glad to see us and we him. I think he got lost looking for the hotel and although he tried to hide it, I think he got pretty scared being lost.
SAT Went through Fredricksborg Castle and saw originals of Carl Block who painted so many scenes of Christ that we use in the church. Also enjoyed Tivoli Gardens. Took so many photos we had to go to an internet café to download them to make more room on the camera.
Sun flew to Munich and drove to St. Gilgen on Wolfgansee near Hallstat and although we weren't able to make it to church we enjoyed a relaxing peaceful day together.
Mon Drove to St. Wolfgang and took train up Mt Schafberg. An incredibly grand amazing view! Everyone should see this.
Drove to SommerRadlebahn, a luge...sleds that get pulled up the scenic mountain with view of St. Wofgang across the Wofgangsea. Sadly Andrew tumbled out on his first run down and burned his hands quite badly that formed blisters.
Tues Andrew got a haircut and lightened here in St. Gilgen ...went to Hallstat. bone house etc. Rained alot today but we still had a great time. Did the fun tour of the ancient Salt mine which dates back before Christ and is still an active mine. Very popular, huge crowds, long lines in pouring rain but worth it.
Wed Salzburg and Pail family. Met at a restaurant for dessert and delightful visit.
Next went to Tegernsee. Jen was so excited. Her GSA troup came here. Stayed at the Gugamoose again.
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| Braving the cold water in Tegernsee |
Thurs Nurenburg. old historic city full of beautiful sights but a lot of erotic shops and hookers and noise.
Fri went to a church and National Museum which was great. Went to the Nazi party area where Hitler stood to address the troops and a tour. (tour book warns you not to make any Hitler type of gestures or you'll get in trouble.) What a huge tragedy one man can instigate! Such a great deceiver. Good to have these things to help us learn from the past and hopefully not repeat mistakes.
From Nuenburg we drove to the most charming gorgeous town called Dinkelsbuhl.
Sat strolled around town and wished we had more time here then drove to a charming town near the Rhein castle area called Rudesheim.
Sun went to church and the bishop sent a deacon down to us with a note asking if we'd all bear our testimonies. (someone translated for us, except for Chris) Everyone was very kind and friendly to us and complimented our family and told us they could feel our spirits. An older lady (Sis Laukel) told us that today was such a special Sunday with us there. Wow...such dear people. She served a mission in Frankfurt (her stake president was Elder Uchdorf and she had tears in her eyes as she told us that).
After church we went on a Rhein castle drive and toured one of them. Rain didn't stop us.
Mon we wandered around and found a hotel close to the Frankfurt airport.
