Nate & Jami Kapp
August 27, 2008
8/29/2008
8/23/2008
Bern Switzerland
8-13-08 We arrived in Bern late in the evening. We decided to get a taxi at the train station to take us to our hotel on Zollikofen. Our Taxi drivers name was Rudy. He grew up in Bern. He found out that we were only in town for one day so he gave us a tour of the town square. We saw a cathedral that had the second coming depicted on it, a statue of Moses, the Main Swiss bank, and the oldest clock in Europe. Rudy then took us to our hotel in Zollikofen. It was really late and the hotel resteraunt was about to close. They made us some interesting plates of food and we ttok it up to our room. Mine was a salad plate of some sort and Derk had a plate of sliced meat with some toast and different cheeses.
Bern, Switzerland Temple
8-14-08 We woke up this morning and prepared to meet my mom and dad in the restaraunt downstairs of the hotel for breakfast. We wnt down stairs and my dad was standing in the lobby. He had left my mom outside with the bags and told her he was going in to get them some breakfast. This is when we surprised my mom. I walked out of the hotel and she was standing there. Mom was shocked and started crying. They had been on a train all night and she thought she was dreaming when she saw Derk and I. We attended the Bern Temple. This was a great experience. It was interesting because most of the people there that day were Italian.
Switzerland to Liechtenstien
After visiting the temple we changed at our hotel and then caught a train to Zurich to make some other train reservations. We had were having a little trouble with the next leg of our trip so we had to get a hotel for the night. Yipee, I was not excited about sleeping on a train. We checked into the airport Hilton in Zurich and then got on a train heading to Lichtenstein, the 6th smallest country in the world. This was such a beautiful trip. The countryside was so lush and green. It was so cool seeing the countryside and the home in this area. Most of the homes had working shutters and window boxes with gorgeous trailing flowers. It was beautiful. This area was my favorite area of the whole trip!
Overnight Train to Madrid
08/15/08
We left Zurich and took a few train to get to Paris were we caught an overnight train to Madrid. This was quite the experience. The cabin was tiny and had four beds that folded out. It was a very rocky ride and the cabin was very hot. I don't think I would ever want to do that again!
Madrid, Spain Temple
08/16/08
We attended the Madrid Spain Temple. This was a beautiful Temple. There was tons of marble everywhere. We were all exhausted from the horrible train night before.
Hotel Reina Christina, Algeciras Spain
This was a beautiful hotel situated in Algeciras in the south of Spain. The hotel itself is over 100 years old and has a fantastic history. Names such as Ava Gardener, Sir Winston Churchill etc stayed there and even recently Harrison Ford. We had a balcony that overlooked the grounds and a dance floor just below. There was a Spanish musician that sang while a lot of retired folks danced. It was really cool to see the dances.
Ferry to Tangeirs, Morroco
08/17/08
We woke and headed to the ferry to go across the sea to another world. We boarded the ferry and stood in line to have our passports stamped. About and hour later we were in Africa. Unbelievable! I never thought I would go to Africa.
Tangiers, Morroco, Africa
08/17/08
As you can see we took a ton of photos here. We first arrived and got off of the ferry we were greeted by an Arabic gentlemen who was a tour guide. He actually only work 2 days a month as a tour guide and then the rest of the time he is a translator for the Moroccan government I think. His name was Sharif and we followed him on a fascinating 2-3 hour tour of Tangiers. We saw a lot of dignitaries elaborate home. Derk was even to walk inside the gate of the summer home of then Saudi Arabian King. We continued driving to a beautiful overlook of the ocean. There were fisherman down below us on the rocks. Sharif then took us to see some camels. Next thing I know someone grabbed my hand and led me to the camel and I was up riding a camel. THen my mom comes following behind me on one. Another thing I never thought I would do. It was cool! We then headed back into town to the markets. THis was absolutely crazy. THere was everything you could imagine. I bought Lauren a little pair of leather slip on shoes with bead work on them that were hand made. we walked through the meat and produce areas. This was a little gross. No refrigeration. THe fruits and vegetables looked delicious though. All of the people here in the market for the most part were muslims. Ladies with veiled faces and henna tatoos. THe country ladies wore these interesting hats and thick clothing. It was hot there for all of that I thought. Sharif then guided us to a shop were they sold beautiful hand made rugs. On average it takes 4 ladies 6 months to make a rug. My mom and I both bought a rug. Derk had to barter with the guy and he ended up having to give up his favorite UNC hat. I am now the pround owner of a gorgeous Morrocan rug. We went to a couple of more shops and walked byt the old US embassy which is now a museum and then headed back to the ferry. THen back to our hotel in Algeciras.
08/18/08
We parted ways with my parent and had to start heading back toward Paris to catch our flight. We had to take a bus to Malaga (were Antonio Banderras was from) and then took a train into Madrid were we spent the night.
Paris
We found a hotel in Madrid and did a little shopping. Derk was able to get a Real Madrid jersey and we had an amazing meal at an Italian restaraunt there. It was the best meal I had the entire trip!
08/19/08
we left Madrid and headed to Paris. We arrived in Paris very late and found our hotel.
08/20/08
Our last day. We toured Paris all day. It was amazing. I was ready to come home though so I probably didn't enjoy it as much as I should have.
08/21/08
Had a 11 hour flight home to Utah.
8/06/2008
8/05/2008
Trip to N.C.
Lauren and I took a quick trip to North Carolina. We went to visit my family and to see the newest addition to the Chapman family, Baby Porter. He was just beautiful. I was able to babysit him overnight and spent every minute with him. It has been a while since I have been up every 3 hours for feedings but it was such a pleasure to be able to do that. Babies are such sweet spirits and you can truly feel the spirit of our Heavenly Father when you are near them. We had a great trip.
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