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Published: November 25th 2020
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Autumn fog in the valleys
a constant companion in November After our arrival in Base Camp Wil we slowed down quite a bit. We wanted to spend time with Nenad's parents, who at the age of 92 and 87 still live by themselves in a lovely house on a hill. So assisting them with their limited mobility by driving them and with works in and around the house (wherever they would let us), was the plan. And just spending time with them, taking them out to lunches, having coffees and enjoy the Dalmatian wines we brought. Nui discovered a Thai ingredients shop in Wil and started cooking for all the Benko's. She also signed up with the Goethe Institute for an on line German language course, which she tackled with an enormous energy and diligence, locking herself up in the study for hours on end. Nenad nearly became jealous how much attention that German on-line tutor got.... We were catching up with Carmen and her husband Markus. They only a month ago got married. In typical Corona fashion, with only the witnesses (bride groom and best man) present. Unfortunately we had to be quite conservative in meeting friends to protect us and especially Nenad's parents. Switzerland's new infection levels reached concerning
Hiking in Amden
with our friends Vicki & Alfred proportions and made us quite insecure.
A lovely event was Deda Benko's 92nd birthday we celebrated together in a small family circle. It is remarkable the fight old people go through (physically and mentally) every day to manage life. Proud and at the same time sad and concerned Nenad observed all that, feeling happy to be with them, but also feeling helpless in how to help them.
We started to crack our heads on what a plan B (replacement program for Patagonia) could be. Corona is getting worse and worse in the Northern hemisphere, and countries in the Southern hemisphere still remained largely closed for tourists. Nenad did not want to spend all of November and December in dark, gloomy, rainy and cold Switzerland, where usually this time of the year fog, drizzle and short daylight dominate the mood of the people and his own enthusiasm for life !!! So finding a cute Southern Hemisphere trip would really not hurt. But where ???
Well, usually the weather is like that gloomy good for nothing. However 2020 also the weather here played havoc; for us in a good way. It was milder and sunnier than usual. Fog was
omnipresent in the valleys, but beautiful, cloudless skies above the fog line in the mountains, inviting us for hikes. So we spent also much time hiking and biking leaving the fog in the valley, diving out of it, as we drove to the mountain villages. Temperatures are of course close to zero and sometimes below, as you reach higher altitudes, but the gorgeous blue sky and bright sun compensates for it. Some years ago Nenad picked up a saying from his Hamburg friends; "There is no bad weather, only bad clothing!". So we packed warm stuff and headed for the mountains, to experience this late, late autumn hiking feeling. Particularly our few days in Davos were memorable. Usually a very busy mountain resort, we arrived when fall activities were closing and winter action had not yet really started. Davos is a popular ski resort on 1,600 m altitude, famous for its conference center that hosts the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) and for its top Ice Hockey team. Downhill and cross-country skiing in winter, hiking and mountain biking in summer and fall, are offered there. The Glacier Express, a scenic train ride, connects Davos to Zermatt, can be found here
too.
Our hikes were accompanied with spectacular views (due to the cold air the long distance visibility was outstanding) with a mélange of ice, snow, rock and earth on the hiking trails. One had to be always mindful of the slipperiness of the terrain, especially when negotiating steep ravines. What surprised us, was how much more tiering hiking in sub-zero temperatures is, in comparison to the summer hikes we did in July. Pretty finished every evening, we did not notice that the numerous pups and clubs Davos is known for were closed for business; either due to Corona or because of the fact that it was the dead season.
And then there was one other factor, which made for Nenad this Swiss November 2020 experience so different ..... Nui !!! Her enthusiasm and interest in discovering every detail of this for her so foreign season, her positive nature and happy smile, was contagious and made even the thickest grey fog turn into sunshine .....
So where is that Southern Hemisphere destination we want to go next, and change the upcoming starting winter for something warmer ? This question was answered mid November when the South African Government
Family time
with Nenad's parents lifted its travel ban for tourists for its summer season. Excited, but still a bit skeptical (Corona has messed up too many of our plans already), we started diving into the details of the trip organisation. Flights were available, an agent in Pretoria found, the needed Covid test also arranged. On November 26, 16:50 we shall take off with SWISS to Johannesburg for a 29 days 4X4 self-drive adventure. Due to the lack of friends joining, Nenad had to postpone his burning desire of a long distance motorbike ride - luxury problem !!!
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