Seward Johnson sculptures (near Vevey, Switzerland)

 

I'm high above Lake Geneva at the 5-star Le Mirador Resort & Spa on a warm but overcast day.

As mentioned before, many years ago I spent six years cycling around the United States visiting the headquarters of  over 1000 of the world's biggest corporations and writing stories about it. This was followed by a four year trek around the world and a dozen years cycling around Europe doing the same.

It was during these travels that I became a big, big fan of artist Seward Johnson (1930-2020).  Johnson was the grandson of Robert Wood Johnson, co-founder of Johnson & Johnson, the healthcare giant. 

Amongst his many works Johnson designed over 350 life-size painted bronze statues--using castings of living people. During my travels I would come across his sculptures and they were simply amazing--so life-like. 

I was so impressed I ended up writing a fan letter to him in New Jersey. Several weeks later I received a coffee table book containing pictures of his works. 

Many of his works are displayed in public spaces or on the grounds of corporate headquarters. Prices range from $10,000 to over one million dollars. At one point I thought it would be fun to see how many of his works I could visit. However, many are in private hands and that idea was squashed.

The Le Mirador Resort has five of Johnson's sculptures placed around the property. 

Relaxing.

Looks like a serious conversation.

A couple checking out the view.

This one located in a hallway is titled "Thataway" with a businessman giving directions. 

He's outside the entrance to the hotel.  A gardener racking leaves.

Villars-sur-Ollon, Switzerland (ski resort)

 

My last visit to Villars (population 1,500) was four years ago. We're having a hot spell and figure it would be cooler in this mountain ski resort. It is!  

I've also been corrected in that Switzerland has three other towns called Villars so, Villars-sur-Ollon is the correct name. Actually, at one time there were EIGHT villages/towns in Switzerland with the Villars name. Switzerland is a small country so how is it that the people didn't know about other towns having the same name when naming their town Villars? All eight towns were within 100 miles of each other. There's a similar problem in Germany with multiple towns having the same name. 

It's not even 9AM which explains the absence of activity on Villars main shopping street. As mentioned in my blog posted four years ago, Villars is home to four international boarding schools. One school, Beau Soleil is one of the most expensive schools in the world--sending your child there will set you back $150,000 a year. 

That overhead wiring you see and the tracks in the street are for the train that comes up from the valley below. About 99% of Switzerland's trains are electrified. Trains have been making their way up the mountain since 1901. My first visit to Villars was back in 2007 and I cycled up. Now, my bike and I hop on the train and enjoy a non-sweaty one hour ride up the mountain.

That big building in the back is the 5-star Villars Palace Hotel--more on that later.

You can see the valley floor below. 

This is the front of the 5-star Villars Palace Hotel. It dates back more than 100 years. The hotel recently reopened after being closed for many years and then undergoing years of renovations. Gotta go check it out.

The Villars Palace Hotel is a real beauty. There's an indoor/outdoor pool. This is the outdoor part. 

Whoa, after leaving the Palace Hotel I come across a huge crowd of people getting ready for some kind of event. 

Turns out it's a trail running race. There's a 30 mile run, 20 mile run and 10 mile run. See those mountains in the background? If you look really close you can see an antenna sticking out on the very top to the right. The run involves going up to the antenna via dirt trails, then coming down and going up and down two more mountain peaks. Wow! 

Cycling down the mountain I pass through several mountain villages. This village has a slew of very old chalets. This beauty dates back to 1751.

This chalet dates back to 1662 and sits right next door to the one in the previous photo.

So, a half-block down from chalets in the two previous photos stands this almost finished apartment complex. Boy, I bet it took years to get approved--it really changes the character of the village. 

A few miles from Bex (population 7,700) I pass this salt mine complex. Back in 1554 salt was discovered and put Bex on the map. Back in medieval times salt was as valuable as gold. Up the road a mile or so is a visitor center where they'll take you into the mines. 

Here's a train returning to Bex after its Villars run. 

The train weaves its way right through Bex's main street--coming within inches of buildings. 

Came across this new apartment building in Bex and can't figure out why this pole full of signage was put up. Were all those signs stolen or just copies? 

Chur, Switzerland

 

Chur (population 35,000) is the largest city in the region. Its valley location makes Chur the gateway to quite a few ski resorts up in the Alps. I'm on the city's pedestrian-only shopping street and kids are giving shoppers some entertainment with their dancing. 

This serious-looking structure on the main shopping street is a government building. 

Lots going on in this photo. 

Here's a closer looking at the man on stilts (he's not real). 

Old fire trucks from the region. Talking to a fire truck aficionado I learn they fix 'em up and drive them to various towns for display. 

Fountain.

More of Chur's main shopping street. 

It's a hot day and the city has set up this mist sprayer to cool off shoppers when they pass through. 

Church in the old town. 

St. Moritz, Switzerland

 

I've been to St. Moritz (population 5,000) multiple times but my last visit to this ritzy ski resort was in 2009. I'm back to see what changes (if any) are visible. Cycling into the town center I pass this new building housing very high-end fashion names.   

Directly across the street from the previous photo is the main entrance to the opulent Badrutt's Palace hotel. Dating back to 1896, the 5-star Badrutt's Palace is one of five hotels in St. Moritz with 5-stars. Why so many? Building permits for new homes/chalets are severely restricted and foreigners are prohibited from buying property which prevents neighboring Germans, Italians and flashy Russians from taking over the place.

This means jet-setters have to make do with bedding down in St. Moritz's slew of high-end hotel properties  

Located next door to Badrutt's Palace, this building houses more famous luxury brands.

This pedestrian-only street is lined with high-end shops.

Downtown street. Jeez, you know I have a sweet tooth and the two pastry/bakery shops in St. Moritz  are mediocre at best.  

See that yellow building? That's the Kulm Hotel. Dating back to 1864, the 5-star property boasts a slew of amenities including its own 9-hole Executive golf course--which they say is the highest golf course in the Alps. Hmm, I was just in Davos (reportedly the highest town in Europe)--with their golf course on the edge of town. Searching the Internet I find the elevation at St. Moritz 5,910 feet above sea level and Davos only 5,120 feet.  

This tennis complex belongs to the hotel. I snapped this photo to show the church tower to the right of the hotel. Yep, your eyes aren't deceiving you----that church tower is leaning (more on that later). 

This is the home of the St. Moritz Bobsleigh Club. They take winter sports pretty serious here. In 1928 and in 1948 St. Moritz hosted the Winter Olympics.

In the winter they still go zooming down the mountain. 

View over St. Moritz. That's Lake St. Moritz. 

Pisa, Italy has their famous leaning tower but so does St. Moritz. This tilting church tower dates back to 16th century.

It was several degrees cooler standing here. 

Another view above St. Moritz. 

Davos, Switzerland

 

Last time I was in Davos was 2007 and am curious as to what changes have come to this ski resort town of 10,500 inhabitants. With an elevation of 5,118 feet it's the highest town in Europe. 

Near the edge of Davos  I check the water in the Landwasser river: yep, it's nice and cold.

I cycle past Davos Golf Club.

Originally 9-holes when it first opened back in 1927 (by the British), Davos Golf Club now features 18-holes.

Lake near the outskirts of Davos.

Admiring the lake I spot a passing train but, behind the train in the woods a weird-looking structure poking out of the woods catches my eye.

Wow, this wasn't here during my last visit. The five-star AlpenGold hotel is shaped like an egg. 

The five-star Grandhotel Belvedere anchors the main street through town. Dating back to 1875, this Belle Epoque health resort was the big draw during its heyday. 

Most of the buildings and structures in Davos date from the 1960/1970's.  Too bad more buildings like this hotel aren't around to add character to the town.  

View of Davos coming from the northern entrance.

New apartment/condos complexes have been built since my 2007 visit. Why? You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure it out: the World Economic Forum. 

Founded in 1971 by Klaus Schwab (now 88 years old and supposedly retired) the World Economic Forum has become a global star with investors/business leaders/political leaders/celebrities/media coming together every January for five days of pow-wows. These movers & shakers I'm sure are the ones gobbling-up the newly constructed housing.

Hard Rock hotel in downtown Davos with a former church part of the place.

Another view heading into Davos.