After my time in Switzerland I moved to Blumenau Brasil for a work related assignment in January 2020. Besides work I was able to experience a new culture make great friends and see many beautiful places. Within this post I would like to write about my highlights.
Bird view of the city Blumenau in Santa Catarina
First of all the city Blumenau within the state Santa Catarina is situated south of the country. The name doesn’t sound German for no reason. It was founded in 1850 by German settlers. Most of the population has therefore German heritage. While taking Uber rides it seemed like every fifth ride I was able to communicate in German. Furthermore the city is based in a valley with a river surrounded by dense jungle.
Flying over Blumenau on my first days in the cityDowntown Blumenau with the shopping center Havan
Still it can be hard to get in contact with the very open and friendly people because english is rare and most of the people only speak Portuguese. Luckily I made many friends at work and I was also able to improve my Portuguese quickly. I was also able to join the local rowing club.
Upstream, hanging out with friends
Impression of the dense jungle outside Blumenau
During my time in Blumenau I was also able to take different short trips on the weekend with friends. My highlights were the following:
Morro Azul
Close to Blumenau is a mountain called Azul which is known for its beautiful sunrise. I went there with my friends one morning after we partied the night through at Ahoy! a local rock club.
A little blurry drown caption of Morro Azul and my crew
On good days it is possible to even see the ocean from up here
Either you get up early or you outlast the night for this stunning view
Morro Spitzkopf
Even closer to Blumenau but way harder to get to is Morro Spitzkopf. Named by its German discoverers for its peaky top, it takes not only an one hour car ride but also a two hour climb to get to the top. We even got especially lucky because it rained for most of the time. Still we had a great view from the top.
The view from the top into the valley
Another drone capture from the top of Morro Spitzkopf
Florianópolis
Probably the most beautiful island, but also the capital of Santa Catarina is Florianópolis. Also called Floripa by the locals. It is situated about 2 hours car drive East of Blumenau. Even though the car drive out there is an adventure for itself it is a definite must see.
The island offers a wide range of beautiful beaches, extensive hiking trails and nature but also urban city life
Drone flight over the center of the islandA drone capture from the rural south of the island
Circling around the south most peak
Finally a view on the island from the main land off a hiking trail
Bombinhas
North to Floripa is a peninsula called Bombinhas. Its a natural reserve and also a little bit harder to get to. After crossing a dirt road over the top of a little mountain you get to the flat valley of the peninsula. One side is a natural harbor and on the other side a long white sand beach can be found. On the far end is another mountain with a nice short hike to the top of Morro Macaco (Monkey Mountain).
Drone capture from the top of Morro Macaco with a nice view on the peninsula
A little drone flight over the Morro Macaco
Guarda do Embaú
South of Floripa the country side gets more an more rural. It is easy to find little alternative surfer communities. Just like in Guarda do Embau. As being known as one of the top surf spots Brasil does not only offer beautiful beaches. I came here on the last weekend before Corona broke out in Brasil. I couldn’t have been closer to paradise, but see for yourself:
Caption of sand dunes and and empty beaches until the horizon
View from the top of Guarda do EmbaúCaption of the night sky from the less light polluted areas of BrasilView from the topCaption of the beach from the bird perspective
Even though I had to leave Brasil earlier than expected I had a great time. Thanks for everyone who participated in making this one special.
I hope I will be able to return some time and if you have the chance, go and enjoy!
After living one year in Switzerland I want to sum up my time within this article. Overall I can say I had a blast. The alps and lakes offer so many activities and new places to discover. This can be overwhelming in the beginning. So a little top 10 guide should help. Starting out with number 10 I will give you a glimpse of my amazing time in the Confoederatio Helvetia.
Top 10: The city of Zurich
I lived in Zurich so the biggest city of Switzerland cannot miss on this list. With about 400.000 inhabitants Zurich is still a smaller metropole. This is one of the reasons why I loved it here so much. It allows to meet friends within less than 20 minutes. Also with the great Zurich lake the city offers many activities in the leisure time.
The great lake of Zurich with the alps on the horizon
Besides rowing on the lake I really enjoyed climbing on the local mountain Uetliberg. Here it is possible to follow the grade of the mountain straight into the alps.
There is public boats which allow to check out the fancy houses on the shore of the lake
Then again from the water the city offers a different perspective on its beauty. Like this little boathouse close to Rüschlikon.
Finally a little impression of the city at night
Top 9: Skiing in Davos
A view on the alps of Davos
Davos is a town far east of Switzerland in the canton of Graubünden. Due to its location within the alps it is one of the most renown Ski resorts in Europe. Together with my co-worker Lukas and his roommates I had the chance to check it out beginning of the year for a ski weekend.
Riding down into Davos after having a little apres ski at Jatzhütte
After skiing the whole day the little cabins on the top of the mountain offer food and drinks to the people. The best experience of the day is the ride down into Davos Switzerland with the setting sun over the Swiss alps.
Drone flight over the Swiss alps
Top 8: Hiking through Graubünden
A little cabin close to the north wall of Piz Badile, Switzerland
In September I joined my roommate Prince and his buddies on a hiking trip to Graubünden which became one of my biggest adventures in the alps. We left early in the morning at 6 am. After 5 hours of driving from Zurich we finally arrived at the foot of the mountain. Further hard 7 hours of hiking and we finally made to this cabin. We enjoyed a beer wearing just t-shirts in the late summer of 2019.
A drone capture of the glacier of the north wall of Piz Badile, Switzerland
The next morning we couldn’t believe our eyes: It had snowed the whole night and we woke up to 20 cm of fresh powder. Even the owner of the cabin, Heidi, didn’t recommend going down again. We thought we would have to stay up there for a week. Luckily the snow melted far enough that we were able to leave. If you feel like getting into an adventure like that, the rural nature of Graubünden Switzerland is your place to be.
The north wall before it snowed
Top 7: The Romandie
Annecy is a great place to visit close to Geneva, even though it is not Switzerland anymore
The west of Switzerland offers its own kind of flair. Even though most of Switzerland is speaking Swiss German, there are 4 official languages in Switzerland. The second most spoken language is french. Furthermore the french speaking part is called Romandie. It offers a completely different culture within the same country.
A view from the cathedral of Lausanne
Lausanne is a young and a little bit more alternative city. Still you can find medieval architecture here like at the cathedral or have crepe in the park.
The city of Geneva gives the lake enclosed its name
Finally at the far end of the country and the lake you will find the city of Geneva. Its nice to have a stroll through the historic city which is not only home to the United Nations but also to some of the most renown watch brands.
Top 6: Canton of Ticino
Ponte dei Salti is one of the most historic bridges of the area
Far south of Switzerland is the canton of Ticino. Here people speak Italian. Like in the Romandie the culture and even the climate is most different from the rest of the country.
Check out the cities like Locarno, Bellinzona and Lugano. Have a coffee next to the beautiful lakes and a stroll through the city. If you fell like being active check out the small villages up the mountains like Lavertezzo with its famous historic bridge. Or hike up Monte San Salvadore like we did to get a beautiful view of the area.
Impressions from my trip to Ticino, together with Prince, Robin and CarlaView from the top of San Salvadore, Switzerland
Top 5: The canton of Wallis
Snowboot hiking up to the Aletsch Glacier, the biggest of the Alps.
On the top 5 I want to generally recommend visiting the canton of Wallis. Its situated south of Switzerland in the middle of the Alps with a high amount of 4km tall mountains in the area. It is also home of the Matterhorn the most renown sight of the country. When my best buddy Hendrik came to visit last year we went out here to hike up to another famous sight the Aletsch Glacier.
The Aletsch Glacier to the left is hidden by snow and dense clouds
Unfortunately by the time we got to the top of the mountain one day later the weather changed. We had ice cold snow storms and the glacier was barely visible. Snowboot hiking was probably also the most exhausting sport I have ever tried. One wrong step lets you sink through the snow into indefinite depths. Still it was great fun. If you have a chance to visit this part of the country, go for it!
Impressions from the Aletsch Glacier
Top 4: Grindelwald, Switzerland
View at the mountain Jungfrau with my friends Lisa and Lukas
Another beautiful area of Switzerland the Bernese Oberland with places like Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald. Grindelwald offers the longest sledge slope in Europe with nearly 30 km. We went here early winter last year to check it out and we didn’t get disappointed, but check the video for yourself.
Definitely also check out Lauterbrunnen with its huge fall directly within the city center
Riding down the slopes of Grindelwald
Top 3: The 5 lakes of Pizol
The Wildsee is probably the most beautiful of the 5 lakes
I really enjoyed hiking the 5 lakes trail of Pizol, St. Gallen in Switzerland. Even though the price 44 CHF is fairly high if you want to take the short cut by using the lift. The views are definitely worth it. Like the one of the Wildsee. When we were visiting the lake, Greenpeace activists were mourning the official death of the glacier which used to be here. This is probably the reason for the special color of this lake.
Another view of the Wildsee together with my roommate Simon and my co-worker Lisa
The trail doesn’t only offer nice views on the lakes but also the alps all around it are stunning. But see for yourself on my drone video:
Impressions of the Pizol 5 lakes hike
Top 2: Seealpsee, Appenzell
One of the most stunning lakes of Switzerland
Not without reason the brewery Quöllfrisch one of the most famous Swiss Beer brands chose the Seealpsee for their branding. The view on the lake with the first snow of the year was truly humbling. Also I was amazed that my roommate Simon and I were nearly the only visitors on this Sunday early winter 2019.
Close to the lake is the Aescher-Wildkirchli
From the lake it is possible to hike up to this little cabin close to the side of the mountain. Here you can enjoy a Quöllfrisch for yourself and enjoy the view.
Flying over the Seealpsee
Top 1: Rigi, Queen of the mountains
Sunset on top of Rigi with the first snow of the winter
Finally I am happy to announce my favorite sight of Switzerland: the mountain Rigi. Just 30 minutes away from Zurich close to the city of Lucern is the location of this beauty. Due to the fact that it is so close it is an easy destination for quick city escapes. Summer or winter; hiking here was always a blast.
Hiking with my friends, Petr, Anna and Henning
Last winter I was lucky to host my friends from my time in the US, Petr and Anna as well as Henning from Hamburg. Together we hiked for 4 hours through the snow and clouds to be finally gifted by one of the most beautiful sunsets I had so far.
Also a beauty in the summer, make sure to visit Lucern as well
Since pictures say more than 1000 words here are two last videos from the top of the Rigi:
Summer 2019, with my friends Lukas, Marion, Felipa and Lorenz
The most beautiful sunset
Thanks a lot for reading and to all the people who made my time in Switzerland so special. Even though I was able to see a lot, this is only a personal selection and there is still so much more to discover.
I hope I get to see more of this beautiful country soon.
