USVI-On-Line

I like to read trip reports from different places in the world. Perhaps some of you like it too?

Here you have "TR's " from our latest three very different weekends. The first of these we were in Switzerland, the next we visited a small Danish island (which happens to be the place were A.H Riise was born - I presume you know the name from the big stores in STT), and the third we spent in our cottage in Bonnerup.

Switzerland

Hubby and I were invited to a business jubilee in Laufen in Switzerland. Our flight was from Copenhagen, so we used the opportunity and went to a theatre in Copenhagen the night before, dined in the theatre cellar, and old and cosy restaurant and with appearance of the servants, and after that we saw the musical "The King and I" - very impressing costumes, nice evening. Next morning we went to the new opera house, no opera, just to see it, also admired some of the old buildings, which were to be seen from the place near the water. Then to the airport and with a plane to Zuerich. Rented a car and after one and a half hour we were on the hotel. Not a very sophisticated place, a family hotel in the town, but the food to the celebration was a 5 stars hotel worthy, 4 delicious courses and then a dessert plate with 5 different types of dessert. Umm!!


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/080 ... 6066"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMLqsoRh ... 8.JPG"></a>


A pleasant party. The only problem for me was that the language to the party was German.
I don't speak German very often, which means that I forget it. Besides some of the guests spoke with a Swiss accent, which even for hubby is difficult to understand. Of course most of them could speak English too, but I'm not used to change between Danish, German and English. So I was very tired in my head afterwards!

The next morning a minibus drove us up in the mountains. The end station was a well known
ski resort, where 3 different lifts took us up to a restaurant in 10.000 feet's height. One of the lifts was turning around too, so that we could admire the landscape from different sides. After having a delicious lunch in the restaurant, we went some steps down to an ice cave inside the mountain. A very interesting outing, and Switzerland is a very beautiful country.


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/080 ... 9138"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMPx8oRh ... 0.JPG"></a>


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/080 ... 5554"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMLucoRh ... 9.JPG"></a>


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/080 ... 7730"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMP_8oRh ... 2.JPG"></a>


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/080 ... 5266"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMLrsoRh ... 5.JPG"></a>


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/080 ... 1762"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMLs8oRh ... 8.JPG"></a>


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/080 ... 5778"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMPE8oRh ... 5.JPG"></a>


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/080 ... 2274"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMPGMoRh ... 6.JPG"></a>


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/080 ... 0066"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMMBcoRh ... 4.JPG"></a>



In the evening we dined on the hotel again. And again an impressing experience. I had flambeed shrimps with pineapple, salad, rice etc. Very tasty!


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/080 ... 6162"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMMbsoRh ... 2.JPG"></a>


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/080 ... 0674"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMMusoRh ... 9.JPG"></a>


The next morning we took a short trip around in the town.



<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/080 ... 1682"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMPTMoRh ... 8.JPG"></a>


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/080 ... 5474"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMPUsoRh ... 9.JPG"></a>


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/080 ... 9266"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMPWMoRh ... 1.JPG"></a>

then to Zuerich, back to Copenhagen
and home.



AEro

The next weekend we visited AEro together with some friends. (I 'm aware that you don't know the letters O and AE. But AER means "maple" and if the letter O stands alone, it means "island").

AEro is a small island in the Danish Baltic and lies within a popular sailboat area named the Southern Funen Archipelago. You have to take a ferry to come there, but it's a nice trip, took us about one hour and a quarter.

Most of the people on the island have for many years been tradesmen or sailors, but today many also have their income from the tourists. The best-preserved town is AEroskobing. It's very idyllic with rough and bumpy stones on the narrow lanes and little houses with beautiful doors and windows and with hollyhocks.

We stayed in a very charming bed and breakfast hotel with only 4 rooms, each of them with a name
of a city (city's where the owners have lived) and furnished accordingly. Our room was the
Amsterdam room, and the bed was a canopy bed from West India.

Here the house and our room:


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/R26 ... 8530"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMLecoRh ... 0.JPG"></a>


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/R26 ... 5714"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMJXsoRh ... 1.JPG"></a>


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/R26 ... 0018"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMJVcoRg ... 8.JPG"></a>


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/R26 ... 9218"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMJWcoRh ... 9.JPG"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/R26 ... 0818"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMJUcoRg ... 7.JPG"></a>

It was really interesting to go around in the town. As you can see the houses are very different and
well kept. The residents take really care of their houses.



<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/R26 ... 4066"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMKdMoRh ... 5.JPG"></a>


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/R26 ... 7858"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMKesoRh ... 6.JPG"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/R26 ... 0034"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMKiMoRh ... 8.JPG"></a>


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/R26 ... 1122"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMKj8oRh ... 9.JPG"></a>


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/R26 ... 5842"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMLC8oRh ... 0.JPG"></a>


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/R26 ... 6322"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMLRsoRh ... 4.JPG"></a>


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/R26 ... 9298"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMLUMoRh ... 5.JPG"></a>


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/R26 ... 2034"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMLdMoRh ... 9.JPG"></a>

A.H. Riise's birthplace


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/R26 ... 3650"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMLbMoRh ... 8.JPG"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/R26 ... 7282"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMKZMoRh ... 2.JPG"></a>


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/R26 ... 3778"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMKacoRh ... 3.JPG"></a>

Lunch was near the village pond


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/R26 ... 4178"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMLXcoRh ... 9.JPG"></a>


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/R26 ... 0386"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMLV8oRh ... 6.JPG"></a>


In many of the houses there are porcelain cats placed in the windows. In the old days you could
see if the sailor living in the house was home or not. If the cats were standing with
their faces turned inside the house, the man was home, and if not he was out. Very practically for an
eventually lover.


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/R26 ... 8946"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMKgcoRh ... 7.JPG"></a>

(it's normally cats, but I don't think these are cats?)

The landscape is very beautiful and many families have small beach houses standing on the beach
only for use in the summer.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/R26 ... 7970"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMLY8oRh ... 3.JPG"></a>


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/R26 ... 6450"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMJNcoRg ... 9.JPG"></a>

On Sunday we went to other towns and beaches on the island


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/R26 ... 8626"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMJQ8oRg ... 2.JPG"></a>


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/R26 ... 0242"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMJO8oRg ... 1.JPG"></a>



and saw the church in the biggest town Marstal which remind us that it is a town for sailors. There were more church ships than normal.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/R26 ... 7826"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMJR8oRg ... 4.JPG"></a>


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/R26 ... 1618"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMJTcoRg ... 7.JPG"></a>


Again a nice weekend and a lot of fun together with good friends.


Our cottage in Bonnerup

For many years ago we got the opportunity to buy a small one-room cottage very cheap. The
cottage was not finished, and there was no water or electricity. But it was not because of the
cottage, we were interested, but it was a really nice ground with a wonderful view to the sea and the
little fisher town Bonnerup we found charming. We didn't have much money, but luckily we were
able to have a loan in the bank, where I worked.

So hubby finished the cottage, installed water and electricity and built another small building with a
room with bunk beds and a small bathroom.

Our intention was that when we could afford it, we would build a bigger house. After some years
we had a better income, but at that time we have had some vacations in Bonnerup with bad weather,
and at the same time we were beginning to love the simple life in the cottage, you really feel that
you can relax, and it's not the same as at home. So instead of building a bigger house we bought
another small cottage with a wonderful view to the sea- but this time in Spain (but that's another
story, we are going to Spain the 18th of June for 20 days, perhaps I will tell about that later).

Okay, but after returning from AEro on Sunday, we went to Bonnerup on Monday for a week's
vacation. The house is closed in the wintertime, so when we start the season there is always some
work to be done. We were so lucky that it was sunshine that day. I love to have our mattresses,
duvets etc. out in the sun before use. So we cleaned the house, placed our cloth and our food in the
closets (we don't rent the house out so we can keep our food and cloth there, so it's so easy as
possible to come and leave) and enjoyed the evening in a clean house with a good smell.

The next day there was no sunshine, but even if it's a nature ground - no garden- there is work to be
done outside. There is always trees being to big, or trees, which have to be cut down to keep the
view. Unfortunately you cannot cut your neighbours trees down, so the view is not so fantastic as
when we bought the place. So Tuesday and a part of Wednesday was "cutting tree day". But I have
to say it's not only a sour duty for us. We also enjoy it, if it's not too much work.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/Lau ... 1314"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMNb8oRh ... 1.JPG"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/Lau ... 1586"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMNesoRh ... 6.JPG"></a>


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/BNn ... 6322"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/benthe44/SClYm-IO1 ... 0.JPG"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/BNn ... 2722"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/benthe44/SClY6uIO1 ... d.JPG"></a>


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/BNn ... 5906"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/benthe44/SClZJOIO1 ... d.JPG"></a>



Our son and his family came Friday, he and his wife left early on Saturday, and we had our two
lovely grandchildren alone with us until Sunday late noon. We so much enjoy having them, they
are so funny and sweeten, but it's also a hard work. They are 2 and 4 and they love each other one
moment and the next moment they are in a fight about a car or other things. Both of them have
temper and speak very loud. So perhaps we will build a bigger house now, it's not so easy with a
small house and two lively children.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/Lau ... 3954"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMNuMoRh ... 0.JPG"></a>


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/Lau ... 6946"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMNwsoRh ... 0.JPG"></a>


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/Lau ... 5250"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/benthe44/SCMOFMoRh ... 4.JPG"></a>


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.dk/benthe44/BNn ... 0466"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/benthe44/SClZS-IO1 ... d.JPG"></a>


Linne

great report Linne! I love seeing all the places you go and the grandkids of course! so cute!

Looking forward to seeing some of Spain

Linne, thank you so much for sharing another adventure and photos.

Hi Linne
Great report How long does it take to go from your home to your lovely cottage I have one the is about an hour away. makes for nice weekends to get out of the rat race. AREo island looks like so much fun.

Thank you for sharing Linne - The pictures are really beuatiful and I loved hearing about all of your trips. I look forward to your report on Spain as well.

Tracy

I love your reports. Always so interesting to hear about places I will probably never see...
Thanks !

Great report and pictures!
Switzerland IS beautiful!

Nice! Thanks for time and effort to post.
Glad we went to Switzerland last year - would cost about 20% more this year.
Any plans to come to USA soon to take advantage of favorable exchange rate?

I love the pictures! AEro looks right out of a storybook. So quaint. Switzerland is beautiful but a bit too chilly for me. Thanks for sharing Linne. I feel like a world traveler when I see other people's vacation pictures.

Fun! I did see that Gamal Danks bottle in your third hand!

Cheers, RickG

Great reports! I "learned" of AEro just the other day while doing a crossword puzzle. Nice to see the real thing!

Glad you like my TR and pics.

If my explanation about the Danish letters confuse you, I can tell what happened. When I wrote the letters I controlled, if they were shown right, because I know that it can be a problem. But everything looked OK. But after about two hours the Danish letters were changed and the line with the subject missed the one destination. Anthony could tell that he had to edit the TR because the letters disturbed something . So it's not me who write crazy things, I need to tell.

How long does it take to go from your home to your lovely cottage?

Tom, if there is not too much traffic it takes about an hour and forty minutes.


Any plans to come to USA soon to take advantage of favorable exchange rate?

JMQ, No, not at the moment, but when I see the exchange rate I definitely would love to go shopping in USA.

Fun! I did see that Gamal Danks bottle in your third hand!

Rick G, I think you have a special eye for that!!!
We surprised the party and served a Gammel Dansk when we reached the top.

Linne

Sounds like a great trip! You seem to always have fun when you travel so if you every want to come to cozy New England, let me know!

Thanks for sharing Linne....you are very nice to take the time and share your vacation and pictures with us.
Thanks-
Sherb