Zlin Zoo Czech Republic

Zlin has the most amazing zoo and we were able to spend the morning there with some great families.  These are rhino's carved out of wood.

We felt like we could get so close to the animals at this zoo.

Hello there you beautiful rhino.

I would love to have gone back to this zoo because I think that was so much more to see than we what did.  :)

Ok, can you see that small wire just in front of the Lion?  Well that and a mote of water was the only think keeping that very large cat on his side.  LOL  It was crazy to see one so close and not behind a very large fence.  I wish I had more pictures to show because this just doesn't do it justice.  LOL  They guy gave us a really show with all the roaring that he was doing.

This was the group that joined us for the day.  Starting left to right.  Helena with her two children, Anna, Mirka, Lucia and her son and the Janouskovi's and their youngest son Filip.

All the boys crossing the suspension bridge.

This is in Luhacovice.  Where they have natural mineral spring water that is the most awful tasting water you will ever have.  But the Czech people swear by it for keeping healthy and even make special trips just to drink it and swim in it.  They doctors will actually prescribe a week long stay there to get better.  Tyler must need some serious health filling up that large bottle.  LOL

Stefan having his first taste and the results are...

It doesn't taste good!!!  LOL

Tyler, Michelle, Jamie, Anna and Zuzanna enjoying the beautiful buildings.

Stefan climbing in the trees.

That is a very tall wall.  LOL

The older three boys didn't come with us to the springs as they stayed with the Janouskovi's and went to the out door climbing play place for the afternoon and had a great time, but we didn't want them to miss out on trying the water so we brought some back with us.  Rylan was first.

and not liking it.  LOL

Darien is next....

and I am loving the face.  LOL

We are out in their little cottage in their back yard were they have a fire place.  We enjoyed roasting sausage.

The boys now think that we need to make one of these in our back yard.  LOL

Church in Zlin

We were so blessed to be able to go back to Jamie's "home ward".  The place where he served the longest time of 10 months while on his mission.  So he feels like these people became his family.  We went there for church and Jamie was so happy to see his old friend Rudolf.

After church we went over to the Janouskovi's for lunch were the boys were introduced to their pet spider/tarantula.  I was a little freaked out and there was no way I was going to hold it.  LOL

But they all had a turn.

Rylan was the most daring.  Of course they were told that they had to stay very still so that it didn't bite, well that was it for me.  I couldn't believe that Rylan let hit get that close to his neck.  LOL 

The whole group.  It is amazing how they have been able to squeeze this family into a very small two bedroom apartment.  It was amazing to visit with them.

After lunch we went on a tour of a castle with Mirka and Zuzanna.  We got to wear these very cool booties.  LOL

The architecture and painting were amazing.

Boys and their guns.

The town square.

Rylan feeding the peahen.

Welcome to Zlin

We are now on the last leg of our amazing trip.  Welcome to Zlin in the Czech Republic.  This is what Jamie has been waiting for.  I mus admit I think this is a very beautiful country also and it is so great to see Jamie in his element of being with the people that he met so long ago and speaking the language again.  :)

We are so blessed to stay with Mirka, Jarda and Zuzzana (in pink)

After a long trip the boys were very excited to see that they had a carnival in town.  Of course it was a little nerve racking as all the rides were very old and I am sure that the safety standards were not any were close to what we have in Canada but the boys had a great time going on the rides.

Even Tyler and Jarda got in on the action.  LOL

Some old school rides.  :)

That really didn't matter to Stefan it was all great.

Michelle was the funniest to watch as she screamed and held on for dear life while on the pirate ship.  LOL

Lovers Bridge Paris

This is lovers bridge and one day when I go back I will put a lock on here for Jamie and I.  LOL

You are supposed to put your names on a lock with the date, lock it to the bridge and then throw the key into the canal and you love will last forever.  :)

We went on this really great boat tour and it was so nice to be off our feet.

It was our first rainy day and it worked out perfectly as we were under cover on the boat.  :)

We also made the long trek to the Arc De Triumph.  It was crazy busy with tourists and we didn't actually attempt to cross the crazy busy street.

It was so amazing just to see all these land marks that we have seen in books and TV.

Paris Adventures

We aren't even too sure were we went this day other than the fact that we did a lot of walking.  LOL

We found this great park to just hang out in and it was so nice to enjoy the shade of the trees.

Never thought we would be able to touch the top of the Eiffel Tower LOL

But here we are.  ;)

Everyone got in on the action.

We thought that this one tram was pretty cool with neat ceiling and painting.

We were not actually able to go up the Eiffel Tower because we were not willing to wait in line in the 32 degree heat for 2-3 hours but it was great just to be near it.

It was amazing how many people come out in the evening and enjoy wine and snacks in the grassy area around  the tower.  It was packed.  So cool. :)

That night we got home to no power.  Thank goodness the apartment was well stocked with candles and it was a gas stove so we were able to still have dinner and it made for a fun evening.  LOL