We came to Europe with a mission to ski the famous Alps with our family from Bali including my lovely wife Azizah and two boys Xander, Darius.
Our first day of skiing was a disaster as it was raining at a resort close to the home they were staying in Lausanne Switzerland.
We finally arrived as the sun was just beginning to break out for the first time after four or five days of wet weather down below and snow above.
We then all took the gondola up after paying a king's ransom for the most expensive tickets I paid for in 50 years of skiing.
At first, it was very frustrating because we had to wait with approximately 500 people to board the gondola.
Unlike Canadian resorts, it was poorly planned as you had to carry your skis up several levels before you finally got on the Gondola.
I openly stated " I'm paying XXXX of Swiss francs for this nightmare".
Just so happens we weren't the only ones taking advantage of the first sun in many days, plus it was a major holiday.
Azizah who was not skiing graciously held the fort at the "Le Mouton Noir" Black Sheep restaurant after the first gondola ride.
While we were skiing she took some magnificent photos.
Including some nice picture postcard-perfect photos of herself.
There were all sorts of activities going on, including Para skiing.
The Verbier resort lived up to its name with magnificent mountains.
I was even able to get some semi-powder skiing in, which is what I enjoy the most from my old days 50 years ago at Whistler Mountain in Canada.
I don't know who the Model is sitting at the Cuckoo's, highest point restaurant but it sure looks a lot like my wife Azizah. Beautiful as always.
Later we all met up including older son Xander who was trying's snowboarding for the first time.
His first comment was when he arrived at the top of the mountain and put on his snowboard was "I should've stayed with skiing".
Young Darius, our 11-year-old as always enjoyed the snow.
We then devoured a delicious carbo laden lunch at the Le Mouton Noir restaurant.
It was nice to see some huskies in their real environment.
Dad took some self photos with Alps in the background.
Then it was time for mom to take a few action photos of all of us starting with Darius who has adapted quite well to snowboarding.
Next came dad who is celebrating 50 years of skiing with this trip.
Finally, Xander, who had finally begun to master his snowboard on his first day.
All in all the boys had a great day and mom enjoyed the beautiful scenery.
Then it was time to head down.
Mom took the gondola while the boys skied down the long windy road.
Finally back to the restaurant where we geared up earlier that day.
Unfortunately, there was a delay trying to find our car which was partway down the hill in a parking lot.
Trying to figure out how to get a bus down there was not an easy chore.
Dad finally prevailed and about 45 minutes later picked up the rest of the family.
A footnote if you go to the Verbier take a photo of where you parked your car and learn how to use yhe sophisticated parking machines which have not yet reached Bali.
In fact, we don't have any paid parking Bali yet and that's a good thing.
Finally, it was time to say Au revoir (goodbye) to Verbier which is not only one of the most challenging mountains in the world but also the most expensive that I have personally skied at.
This morning I was ready to go skiing but the two boys are moaning and groaning about the pains and aches that they have.
Further testimony to the fact that experience is everything with most things that you do.
An old skier like myself knows how not to have bad falls and more importantly not take on too much your first couple days of skiing.
Now the big question is will the boys participate in future ski trips during this vacation. Stay tuned for the answer.
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