My eldest son bombards me with images from his Austrian vacation daily, and the envy is apparent.
He and his girlfriend are spending ten delightful days with her family in the picturesque village of Mayrhofen, nestled in the enchanting Zillertal valley.
Their temporary abode?
It is a lovely hotel with incredible mountain views all around.
I'm completely enthralled with this picture he took from the Penkenbahn gondola.
Passengers have an expansive, mile-long view as the cable car soars at a startling 27 km/h.
At 1,790 meters above sea level, the earth appears peaceful and relatively small.
It is much different from the usual chaos and bustle.
Did you know that the outstanding gondola system can transport 3,840 people up and down the mountain in just one hour?!
Envy-inspiring photos of delectable meals consumed on sun-drenched terraces, stunning views of mountains, and even an unexpected meeting with a football star await every day.
You did read correctly.
As a devoted Ajax supporter, my kid was able to take a selfie with Lasse Schöne, the former midfielder for Ajax, who is currently with NEC.
How wonderful a dream come true!
While my son is living the high life in the Alps, my parents are gearing up for a more traditional getaway.
They recently took their dependable caravan out of storage; it has been their devoted travel partner for many summertime escapades.
Over the following several days, they would spend endless hours cleaning, polishing, and packing to turn their modest mobile home into a beautiful home away from home.
I remember our family caravanning vacations very fondly.
Those excursions, whether they included discovering the old capitals of Germany, the little towns of France, or the breathtaking Alps of Austria, always seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime journey.
It was those early experiences that ignited my love for the Alps.
My vacation is just around the corner.
In a few days, I'll swap my chair at school for the driver's seat and start a 975-kilometer trip to the Steiermark area.
Savoring the native cuisine—kaiserschmarrn, wiener schnitzel, and warming schnapps—is at the top of my list, and I am incredibly excited about it.
Naturally, there will also be many trekking opportunities across the breathtaking Alpine terrain.
I thought about how lucky I was as I finished up my workweek.
The sandbox was once again in operation.
The playground rapidly dried out when the sun emerged from the clouds after yesterday's downpour.
Shovels and buckets found quick usage shortly.
I also enjoyed a sweet treat today.
A delicious “beschuit met muisjes”, rusk with mice.
The mice are anise seeds coated in sugar icing.
Celebrating the birth of a kid is a custom present, and my colleague just welcomed a healthy newborn boy into the world.
Well, it was done to both of them!
I spent a sporting day with the older schoolchildren to round off the day.
Using bows and rubber arrows donated by a nearby sports club, we gave a go at archery.
The kids caught up with the method fast, which was fantastic.
Though drawing back the bowstring with the hefty, rubber-tipped arrow required some work, even the youngest managed to discharge an arrow.
Good life is what we have. And looking forward to my trip, I understand that the excitement of travel is seldom like anything else.
Whether it's an essential camping vacation in the Netherlands or a lavish hotel stay in the Alps, the trip is half the enjoyment.
Wishing you all the best in life and much health.
📷 Photos: Owned and shot by me with an iPhone 14
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