Laowai

More photos from my trip to Switzerland. These photos show the fun we had getting into the water on a couple hot days.

First up Bea introduced us to something I’ve long wanted to do – a river float. It’s a really popular way for Swiss people to relax and cool off. We went to Basel and floated down the Rhine for a few kilometers. Everyone has a dry bag to put their shoes and clothes and towel in and there are lots of places to get in and get out of the water along the city center.

There’s Bea with her dry bag below. We didn’t have room for all our stuff in her bag so I got in the water first and Brian took some photos of us as he walked along the shore with my clothes. Then he did his float with Bea after I got out.

There were lots of swimmers – we are some of the little specks you can see in the water.

There were four bridges we went under along our route. And there were lots of boats but they mark the swimming area clearly and there is plenty of room for everyone to use the river.

There’s Bea getting out above. All along the river there were places to sit and places to buy drinks and food. Even some cool public grills that people were using. Such a nice atmosphere!

I didn’t get as many photos of Brian and Bea in the water but they are in the photo below – more little specks.

We went and had a drink (a delicious cold champagne cocktail for me) and a snack and then headed to the train station. What a fun day!

The next day we got to enjoy more time in the water.

We went to a beautiful lake called Wallensee – not too far from Zurich.

As I mentioned I brought Bea’s paddle board from the US so she was eager to use it.

I don’t think you could find a more beautiful place to paddle board – with the mountain coming right out of the beautiful turquoise water – it’s wonderful.

Bea paddle boarded all the way across the lake and then she came back and gave me a ride.

And here’s a photo of Brian – he had biked to the lake to meet us and then after our day of swimming and paddle boarding he biked home while Bea and I rode the train.

I appreciate that the Swiss make enjoying the water so easy. There was no fee for these fantastic experiences. They were not exclusive and only available for wealthy people or locals. There was no regulation or registration for paddle boarding. Nothing of the ridiculous frustration Bea had simply putting her paddle board into Lake Michigan around here. And yet they make it safe – there are posted signs about safety measures that everyone respects and the swimming areas are well marked. And there are always amenities nearby – clean restrooms and little businesses right there where you can get an ice cream treat or a cold beer.

They know how to make summer a pleasure!