Thursday, July 29, 2010

Wyles in Zurich summer 2010: The zoo

On Wednesday the weather was terrible, cold rain but we went to the zoo hoping we could dart between indoor exhibits and then go outside when the sun came out. But the sun never came out!

clip_image002

In Zurich we spent lots of time with my father-in-law.

clip_image004

Simeon ate a delicious breakfast.

clip_image006

We headed off to the zoo.

The zoo has Bluetooth transmitters that beam audio clips, MMS videos, and pictures to your phone if you bond your phone to the zoo Bluetooth system. As you walk past an exhibit, it beams files at you.

clip_image008

clip_image010

clip_image012

clip_image014

clip_image016

In the Madagascar dome we were protected from the rain in a warm jungle climate.

clip_image018

And the animals from Madagascar were on display, including colorful birdies and interesting fresh water fish.

clip_image020

clip_image022

clip_image024

clip_image026

Lemurs scampered above us in the canopy, pooping on unsuspecting Zoo visitors.

clip_image028

A big chameleon decided to make himself look like a tiger.

clip_image030

clip_image032

clip_image034

clip_image036

clip_image038

clip_image040

Some big sea tortoises lounged around.

clip_image042

clip_image044

clip_image046

clip_image048

clip_image050

The teenagers thought the “C” and “L” merged together and misread this sign when we stopped for ice cream.

clip_image052

clip_image054

Camels in the rain

clip_image056

clip_image058

clip_image060

Outside in the rain, we stopped at every covered awning, cave, or shelter.

clip_image062

clip_image064

Two female peacocks and a baby ran around in the walking paths getting underfoot of the zoo visitors.

clip_image066

clip_image068

clip_image070

An alpaca wanted to spit at Yofi

clip_image072

clip_image074

clip_image076

Inside the reptile / aquarium building we saw lots of interesting animals.

clip_image078

clip_image080

clip_image082

A rhino sharpens his nose.

clip_image084

Livio high-fives Yofiel.

clip_image086

Eitana learns the latest teenager gangsta hand shake.

clip_image088

clip_image090

Lunch in the zoo cafeteria was not that great. The beets were fresh in the salad bar but the rest of the food was bad.

clip_image092

clip_image094

clip_image096

clip_image098

clip_image100

clip_image102

clip_image104

Tarantula.

clip_image106

Anaconda

clip_image108

clip_image110

clip_image112

clip_image114

Crocodile

clip_image116

clip_image118

clip_image120

Reptile exhibit

clip_image122

clip_image124

Emperor penguins

clip_image126

clip_image128

clip_image130

clip_image132

Nemo clown fish

clip_image134

clip_image136

clip_image138

Wyles in Zurich summer 2010: Herrliberg, Zurich, Glatt Zentrum

clip_image002

It was warm sunshiney weather in Herrliberg. We chased lizards in the back yard.

clip_image004

We distributed the gifts to our cousins, ate too much, and hung out with cousins and in-laws.

clip_image006

clip_image008

clip_image010

clip_image012

clip_image014

Eventually we went back to Zurich and had dinner at Glatt Zentrum.

clip_image016

clip_image018

clip_image020

Eitana will be 7 years old in August.

Arrival in Zurich

The longest journeys begin with a single step and frequently include travel fatigue.

clip_image002

We changed planes in Amsterdam and the hike across Schiphol gave us an opportunity to play catch with the football along the moving sidewalks.

clip_image004

The puddle jumper from Amsterdam to Zurich boarded on the tarmac with an old rolling stairs instead of the usual jet-way.

clip_image006

\

clip_image008

clip_image010

clip_image012

clip_image014

clip_image016

There was a very tight connection for passengers headed to Homer Simpson’s favorite expression (actually I think it’s Quatar).

clip_image018

After arriving in Zurich, we bought Swiss SIM cards and then waited for the train to Herrliberg.

clip_image020

clip_image022

It was a tight squeeze in the commuter train with all of our big suitcases.

clip_image024

clip_image026

We arrived in Herrliberg and walked from the train station towards the beautiful house on the lake. Julian picked ups up and took our bags back to the house; he dropped them in front of the house, drove back and chauffeured us the final 300 meters. We had a wonderful dinner in a house full of guests (the directors and family of Kids Africa are staying here) along with a German contractor who is repairing a neighboring house.