Tag Archives: Chaput foot prints

Camino de Santiago, Spain

Camino redo from Lugo

In September of 2021 we started the Camino de Santiago known as the Primitivo route. It begins in Oviedo and is 321 kilometers to Santiago. We left from Oviedo and after incuring an injury we had to stop in Lugo. See this entry for the details  https://chaputfootprints.com/?p=18542

After two years we returned to Lugo to complete what we had started two years earlier..

Shelley and Ray on their way to start Camino de Santiago

Our trip began with an 8 hour train from Alicante to town of Ourense in Galicia then we took a bus to Lugo. 

Ray and Shelley on the bus heading to Lugo

We arrived in the early evening in Lugo and checked into our Hotel.  Excited and anxious to start our camino the next day. Our day began early and we started out at sunrise.

Shelley on our first early morning trek on the Camino de Santiago from Lugo

We reached the camino marker that also marked the end of the camino for Shelley two years earlier.

Shelley at the camino marker outside of Lugo

She stopped and put a new rock on the marker and then we continued along the camino. There were many beautiful spots along the camino and over the next five days we would wake up early and walked long hours.  Below are some of the spots along the way. 

Although the journey was hard, it was very rewarding with special spots and memories along the way.  The experience was enhanced when we finally reached Santiago de Compostela. To stand at the Cathedral of Santiago and look at it gave us a sense of accomplishment. It was a happy and emotional time even though our bodies were sore and tired. 

Shelley and Ray at the Cathedral of Santiago

We managed to find a nice table near the cathedral and sat down to relax and take in the moment.

Shelley and Ray near the Cathedral of Santiago

After checking into our hotel and settling in we headed to get our compostela. We arrived at the compostela office and within 10 minutes had our certificates.

Ray and Shelley’s certificates of completion -Compostela de Santiago and camino stamp passport

We spent the day relaxing and had a nice meal to celebrate the adventure and achievement.

Shelley and Ray toasting the finish of the Camino de Santiago

The following day we headed home to prepare for our next adventure.

Shelley and Ray heading home from the Camino de Santiago

“Hasta la próxima, buen Camino y disfruta de cada paso de la vida.”

Tanzania

The Sausage tree

We noticed a tree in Tanzania that was quite different. It had a large looking fruit which hung from the branches.

Shelley our Guide Omare and Ray

We asked our guide Omare about the tree and he stated “oh that is a sausage tree”  Really?  He explained that the tree is quite common and has a large fruit that looks like a sausage hence the name Sausage tree.

A “Sausage tree” in Tanzania

The actual name of the tree is Kigelia africana known locally as the sausage tree. When we were driving through the Serengeti we would come across these trees. We had our guide Omare stop and we were able to take a closer look at this “Sausage tree”

Kigelia africana, known as the sausage tree
The fruit of the tree which looks like a giant sausage casing

The “sausage” fruit on the tree is quite big and it can grow up to 60 cm (2 feet) long and weighs 7 to 10 kg (15 – 22 pounds).  They definitely look like the casing of a huge sausage. It hangs down on long rope-like stalk and the fruit pulp is fibrous, containing many seeds.

The fresh fruit sausage is poisonous to humans but some large animals like elephants, giraffes, hippopotamuses and monkeys eat them.  However when the fruit is dried it is used several different ways. The skin which is a hard shell of the fruit is hollowed out, cleaned, and made into containers. In parts of Kenya the fruit is dried and used to make an alcoholic beverage known as Muratina. This drink is used during cultural events in central Kenya. 

This is just one of the many unique and interesting things we saw during our time in Tanzania.

“Moja ya mambo ya kuvutia”

Switzerland

A Sweet day in Zurich

We went to experience the Lindt Home of Chocolate tour located in Kilchberg which is  just outside of Zurich.

We arrived and checked in for our self directed tours. The facility is impressive with a large foyer with a giant chocolate fountain. 

Chocolate fountain in the foyer of the Lindt home of chocolate.

After we checked in we were given individual audio guides which scanned areas along the tour. We then proceed along the tour at our own pace. The multimedia tour explained the history of Chocolate from the discovery to the cultivation and other interesting facts.

Display case of one area of the chocolate tour

Did you know that you used to be able to pay with cocoa beans? It was a currency at one point.

 

Spanish wooden whisk

After going through the early history of chocolate we came to the making of chocolate and how it has been enhanced over the years.

Lindt first system of chocolate making process

We came to the section of the tour where chocolate tasting was available.

The three chocolate fountains for sampling the different chocolates, Dark, Milk and white chocolates.

We could not resist trying the different chocolate flavours. It was a dangerous thing if you were a chocolate adict because you could sample as much as you wanted.

After trying the liquid chocolate we went to the next section which dispensed at your discretion, different types of chocolate chucks. 

Chocolate dispensing machines with different chocolates.

You simply put your hand under the machine and a piece of chocolate would pop out. Once again you could indulge as much as you wanted. It was interesting to watch some people as they binged on so much chocolate.

The section that followed had a large Lindt Chocolate wrap on display with a camera imbedded into it. People were able to take a selfie and email the photo to yourself. Of course we had to do it.

Giant Lindt candy wrap for selfies

The tour ended in an area where a large display table with all the flavours of Lindt chocolate could be seen.

People lined up to get free Lindt chocolate

Each person was given chocolates of each flavour.  After that we exited into the Lindt chocolate gift shop. It was huge (500 m2) and there were every imaginable type of chocolate available. They even had Lindt clothing and bags.

Shelley looking at all the flavours of chocolates
A chocolatier displaying different types of chocolate bars

We had immerse ourselves in the world of chocolate and the experience was fun and educational. Not to mention a little bit of an indulgence.

Shelley and Ray with some of their chocolate samples.

“Glück kommt manchmal durch Schokolade.” -Ibousto

Switzerland

A day in Lucerne Switzerland

We went to explore Lucerne which is a beautiful city on the shore of Lake Lucerne. It is located in central Switzerland and has a population of approximately 82,000 people. We arrived at the main train station which is located in the heart of the city. From there we were able to easily walk and explore the city.

Lucerne Train Station in central Lucerne.

The Reuss River flows through the city and provides for beautiful views along the shoreline. 

View along the Reuss River in Lucerne
Buildings along the Reuss River in Lucerne
View of the Reuss River along the pathway in Lucerne

One of the unique features in Lucerne is the Kapellbrücke which literally means “Chapel Bridge”.  It is a covered wooden footbridge that spans 204 meters across the Reuss River.  Originally built in 1365 and later rebuilt after a fire in 1993. 

The Reuss river with. the wooden footbridge in the distance.
Shelley and Ray at the base of the wooden footbridge in Lucerne

We walked the entire footbridge and noticed the many unique paintings that are painted on the interior triangular frames.

The Kapellbrücke wooden footbridge in Lucerne
The paintings, dating back to the 17th century created by local painter Hans Heinrich Wägmann, depict events from Lucerne’s history.

It was interesting to note that no other wooden footbridges in Europe has this feature. After walking the bridge we headed into the old town area. The narrow streets and interesting architectural features were impressive. 

One of the plaza areas in the old town centre of Lucerne

Fountain in the old centre of Lucerne
Shelley in front unique building in Lucerne
Shelley in front of a water fountain in the old centre of Lucerne

We explored the area for a while then decided to stop and have lunch. We sat down at an outside table in a local restaurant called Fritschi. 

Shelley at our table in Fritschi Restaurant.

We sat enjoying our meal but noticed that people would stop and take pictures of the building.  After our meal we looked up and noticed the front of the building which was not visible because of the umbrellas.

Front facade of Fritschi Restaurant building.

The inside of Fritschi restaurant had a great ambiance with rustic charm.

After our lunch we continued walking around the city. Along the way we came across some interesting stores. Some were selling Swiss Army Knives and one particular store was selling mantle and cuckoo clocks. Some of the clocks were pieces of art in itself.

Store selling Mantel clocks with cuckoo clocks in background. The Cinderela Lladro porcelain piece is selling for 39,900 Swiss Francs.
Marilyn Munroe mantle piece was for sale for 1,535 Swiss Francs.

We had a great day in Lucerne. The city is full on interesting architecture and beautiful scenery. There are lots of great restaurants and things to do. We are glad we took the time to visit this city. 

“Jeder Tag sollte ein guter Tag sein. Die Leute machen sich selbst vor, dass sie für immer hier sein werden.“ -Stephen A. Schwarzman

Switzerland

Day trip to Titlis Mountain

While in Zurich we decided to take one day and explore the Titlis mountain. So we took the train to the beautiful and rustic village of Engelberg.

Ray and Shelley on the train heading to Engelberg Switzerland.

Engelberg is known for its skying in winter and hiking, mountaineering and cycling in summer.  One of the other features in Engelberg is that it is also an access point to reach the summit of Titlis mountain.  We arrived in the morning and walked the small distance to the cable car system. We took a cable car and rode up to the first stage of the cable car system. It is known as the middle station.  We then continued to the next level where we switched to the revolving cable car and proceeded to the summit. 

Cable car for the first level of the system to Titlis mountain top.

The next stage of the cable car system is the world’s first revolving cable car.  It transports you from the middle station to the summit station located 3,020 metres above sea-level.

RotAir rotating cable car Titlis mountain

We got into the cable car which allows for standing only.

Shelley in the Cable car to Titlis summit

During the five minutes or so it takes to reach the summit the car slowly rotates giving us beautiful panoramic views of steep rock faces, deep crevasses and distant snow-covered mountain peaks. 

At the summit we were able explore the area. There were several interesting features and attractions. One was the glacier cave which is lit in a turquoise-blue light. We went into the cave and walked the 150-metre-long walkway which descends ten metres below the surface of the glacier. The walls are smooth and solid ice. It was an amazing to think we were inside an ice glacier that is over 5,000 years old.

Glacier cave in Titlis mountain

We went to check out the cliff walk which is a suspension bridge that stretches over 100 meters long.  The walkway is just one meter wide and the views into the abyss below are breathtaking.

View of the cliff walk on Titlis mountain.

The suspension bridge swayed when we were walking on it and hangs 500 meters above the ground. The views from the middle of the bridge are spectacular and worth the walk out.

Ray in the middle of the suspension bridge at Titlis mountain.

View from the suspended bridge at Titlis mountain

We then walked along the glacier itself and slowly made out way to the glacier park. There it was possible to slide on the snow of the glacier. We decided to skip this activity, as Canadians we have done our share of sliding on the snow.

Shelley and Ray on the glacier area of Titlis summit.

The last part of our time at Titlis mountain we went into the restaurant and enjoyed a meal while looking out over the alps and the glacier.  It was a spectacular way to end our time at the summit.

“Die Welt ist ein Buch und wer nicht reist, liest nur eine Seite.”  -St. Augustine