Bizarre Markets & Inspired Design

After getting back to Zurich and having to say bye to everyone as they headed back home, I spent a sunny day strolling around a bustling Zurich.

A bizarre market selling anything from typewriters to chandeliers, and everything else in between.


Including wonderfully garish costume jewellery, whilst the stall owner drank champagne from crystal.


Beautiful swans coming for bread by Lake Zurich.


Design inspired by Nature, an interesting exhibition.


Some cool interior designs, though sometimes seeing where the inspiration had come from took some stretching of the imagination.


I really enjoyed the anemone chair though!

Academia Engelberg

We left Zurich and headed into the mountains to the town of Engelberg for the Academia Engelberg Conference. The town was typically Swiss and breathtakingly beautiful.

Engelberg, from the Abbey where the opening ceremony was held.

Our presenting team, Katy (also South Africa), Sara (Egypt), Michelle (Project co-ordinator based in Zurich), Chris (Australia), Sarah (Egypt), myself and Carla (Bolivia). Georgina (Bolivia) and Alex (Australia) were missing.

The Engelberg Abbey

Chris, Alex & Michelle

Georgina & Carla

Katy & I in the workshop session after our presentations


A well deserved coffee break afterwards, and far too much swiss chocolate!


Chris & I messing around with swiss memorabilia


Sarah & Georgina on the way up to the top of Mt Titlis. It took us four different cable cars to get to the top!


Stunning views from the cable car along the way up.



Chris & Sara


On the top, in the snow! Fabio, Alex, Chris, Georgina, Sara & I


Walking on snow, above the clouds. Spectacular.


Restaurant on the top of Mt Titlis where we had our candle lit fondue dinner.

Around & About Zurich

A day around beautiful Zurich, exploring the winding cobblestone paths and stunning architecture. Once the other presenters arrived from Egypt, Bolivia and Australia, it was just work for a while!

Swans, my favourite!

A cross between a bee and a hummingbirg in the gardens beneath Zurich University.

Sarah, myself, Sara and Carla at dinner in Zurich.

Wild Flowers on the West Coast

Two days up the west coast with Gail and Liesl. Tons of fun, beautiful wild flowers and sweeping landscapes. First stop was Citrusdal for the freshest 'novelties' (mix of naartjies & mineolas?) and then on to Van Rhynsdorp for some serious cacti shopping. I was in heaven.

Most colourful padstal around.


The last of the Spring Flowers in the Wild Flower Park.













We then headed to the coast, to one of the most beautiful estuaries I have ever seen.











And a completely desolate beach. We thought it couldn't getting any better, that was until we saw dolphins playing in the surf.


We spent the evening in Lambertsbaai, great seafood & hospitality.


The next morning we went to Elandsbaai and walked up to the famous caves to see the paintings. Carpets of wild flowers swept along the coast on our way home.






Egrets in flight. Trying to get them back into flight again wasn't so easy, but I did try.

I love my country.