China garden

The city of Zurich has many twin towns. One of them is Kunming in China. In 1993 the experts from the garden department of the city of Zurich have helped Kunming designing the city drinking water supply and drainage. The people of Kunming wanted of course to thank Zurich for this assistance but it proved not to be so easy. I am sure you all have an uncle or aunt who "has everything". Buying Christmas gifts for them is a nightmare. Now think of a gift to one of the richest cities in the world, that was never touched by war, where the quality of living is among best in the world and that literally has it all.

The people of Kunming thought hard and came with a marvellous idea of offering to Zurich a genuine Chinese garden. A place of peace, where the inhabitants will be able to isolate from the rush of the city. It is located on the shores of the Zurich lake and surrounded by a high fence.

If you would turn back, you would see the Zurich Lake and on the other side, Felsenegg where we have hiked last year.

The main entrance is not wheelchair or pushchair friendly unfortunately. But I guess it is part of the traditional Chinese design. The signs on the golden plate mean "Chinese garden".

Inside, you can find all types of reference to traditional Chinese culture, philosophy and craft. First, you can see an artificial mountain.

It faces an artificial lake in which you can find the royal red carps. The mountain and the water represent Yin and Yang, the contrary though complimentary forces of the nature.

To cross the lake we need to walk on the rocks. The water is not deep but still, mind your step.

In one of the corners of the garden you can find a pavilion, which seems ideal for meditation

I must admit however that when I have looked upwards, I have completely lost my focus, distracted by the colourful paintings on the ceiling.

In the middle of the garden you will notice a pavilion located on an artificial island. It is very picturesque.

Behind it, comes the water palace.

On both sides, it has a gallery facing the lake. Let's enter on the left side.

The ceiling and the columns are beautifully decorated. Both sides include benches for those who would like to enjoy the magic of the place.

Let's go inside.

You can admire there traditional Chinese pictures and furniture.

Some of the ornaments are amazing.

But the most amazing thing about the pavilion is the view. Let's turn back to the main entrance. I believe I would not get bored eating breakfast with such a view for many, many years.

I hope that you have enjoyed this glimpse of China in the middle of Europe. I must say that I was enchanted. Another amazing thing about the garden is that it is dedicated to the Three Friends of Winter - pine, bamboo and plum. They are evergreen which means that visitors can enjoy the beauty of the garden all year long.

FIFA Museum

As of what I have heard, for many humans football is almost a religion. So today we will visit the Vatican of football - the FIFA museum in Zurich. 

In the first huge room you can admire the national teams jerseys. They are arranged by colours. With 209 members the display is truly impressive. Below comes just a selection: from orange to yellow ...

 ... from blue to green ...

... and a selection of all the shades of red. Actually, red is the most popular colour for a national team jersey.

In the museum you read about the highlights of FIFA itself and the rules of the game changing.

You can touch artefacts from the most prominent moments in the history of football. Well, you can touch the glass above them.

You can also see how the balls and shoes changed over the last century.

There are sections devoted to the referees ...

... to the players ...

... and to the winners.

You can visit the Maracana stadium ...

... and even literally take seats on the most prominent stadiums of the planet.

 You can meet in person the mascots from the FIFA World Championship finals.

There are exhibitions devoted to people who have impacted the way we perceive football today, even if they did not play themselves. Like Alfred Baloyi, the creator of Makarapa.

There is even a section waiting for those of us who love postcards and stamps. Football has been featuring on many stamps, all over the world.

But obviously the game itself is the most important part of the museum. You can watch it on huge screens ...

You can read hints from the best players (did you notice what the ball looks like after it got kicked by a professional player?

You can practice yourself on a small pitch ..

... try some table football ...

... or take a real ball and try to pass one of the many challenges built for the visitors.

I liked best this full-size pinball game!

Next to the exit a surprise waits for the visitors - a wall of wishes, there everyone can write their biggest football wish.

My human family put one as well ...

Well, it seems to confirm that, as Bob Marley said, football is a whole universe.

Park im Grüene

Switzerland is a small country and a large part of it is covered by high mountains and lakes. Every plot of land is expensive and people look to use it in the best way. As a result there are only a few public parks where families can enjoy a sunny afternoon.

Gottlieb Duttweiler, a successful businessman knew about it. He has founded in 1925 a retail company called Migros, which was to become the most important grocery chain in Switzerland. From the very beginning he had in mind something only few businessmen thought of at that time, and what is called today the corporate social responsibility. He has created Klubschule, an organisation offering courses and education for large audience. He has decided that a percentage of the revenues (not profits!) of Migros will be used to found cultural events through the Migros Kulturprozent. In 1941 he has transferred the ownership of Migros to its customers, transforming a corporation into a cooperative. Finally, last but not least, in 1946 he has donated a large plot of land in the town of Rüschlikon, transforming it in a public park, open to everyone without any access fee. Today, it will be my pleasure to take you to Park im Grüene.

The area is quite large. It includes a large lawn where you can enjoy the sun, play the ball or have a picnic.

The children can enjoy a playground with some slides, swings and constructions to climb.

There is also a nice cafeteria where you can enjoy a snack or even have a full lunch (from the Migros restaurant of course).

Next to the main path, you will find a stone dedicated to the founders, Gottlieb Duttweiler and his wife Adele.

Further back there is an observations deck.

From there you can see a great panorama of the Zurich Lake and of all the small towns on its shore.

There is even an guide which helps identifying the most important spots.

Can you please follow me outside the park itself? I want to show you one more place related to Mr Duttweiler.

No, I did not mean the Migros supermarket. I meant the orange building in the back. The path that leads to it shows the highlights of the history of Migros.

Here comes year 1925, there Migros was founded.

In 1957 the Migros Bank (yes! they even have a bank!) and the Migros Kulturprozent were initiated.

Next to it comes the Migros Hall of Fame, featuring some of the most important products sold by Migros. Featuring them in green style of course. Do you fancy a cup of coffee?

Or maybe a bit of chocolate?

Finally, we arrive to the Oranger garten, which exhibits the history of Migros.

Inside you can find an interactive wall. By choosing a particular product you can select one of the highlights of the Migors history.

The washing powder was hiding year 1945.

Historical pictures appear.

Then another amazing story is shared with the visitors. In 1945, to make oil more affordable for its customers, Gottlieb Duttweiler founded an oil refinery.

It still operates and remains one of very few refineries which are not owned by big oil companies.

I must admit I was really impressed by the heritage of Gottlieb and Adele Duttweiler. They were real visionaries, whose names will never be forgot in Switzerland. Now I propose that we go back to the park and enjoy some nice time in the green.