Zurich, The Black Forest, and Heidelberg

There are three galleries with this entry. Sadly most of photographs from Zurich and mount Rigi are trapped in a failed microdrive and can't be recovered without proseional data recovery services which would be in range $1000. These where some great photos so I am not a happy camper. These are the first shots from the new camera. I like the results. Here is what survived:

Zurich Fireworks (old camera)

Zurich was a great place to spend new years eve. The fireworks show over the lake was the most spectacular I have ever seen. At one point I was seriously questioning if it was under control, or if the launching barge had just exploded. The place was trashed. Rubbish filled the streets if the form endless firework detritus and broken champagne bottles. By morning the streets where spotless. German efficiency.

The Black Forest (Nikon D200)

We drove through almost the entire length of the black forest. It looks like it is in pretty good shape with lots of trees and small ski areas spread throughout. We saw a frozen lake with hundreds of people skating or walking on it.

Heidelberg City

&
Heidelberg Castle

Heidelberg is a small but very cool town. the castles massive and though very late period, gives you a good sense of how difficult it would have been to assault the main gates up. You first have to run up a 300 30 degree incline. You would be lucky to keep your lungs in your chest after that. I caught some great shots and we drove back to Amsterdam the next day along the Rheinland driving through the down of Hammerstien with its ruined castle looking over the the Rhein from a cliff.