World Cup snow Polo Match On Frozen Lake St Moritz

What a "cool" day -- both in temperature and in terms of our activity!  We spent the day at the World Cup Snow Polo Matches on the frozen lake of St. Moritz!  We had a fantastic table inside a VIP tent right next to the polo match "field"!  It was a fantastic view that included a delicious lunch! We took turns watching the match since it was pretty cold on the top row of the bleachers, in spite of the fact that they gave us deliciously warm and soft blankets!  Gaby was excited that the match we watched (Brazilian players vs the Badrutt's Palce) team resulted in a win for the Palace Hotel where we're staying!   The Palace Hotel Placed third .  The finals match (super close) was between the Maserati Team and the Cartier Team with the winner being Maserati!  We sat at table in the tent that was right in the middle of all the team tables!  Gaby actually had her photograph taken with the only female polo player we saw (who played really well!). Her name was Melissa Ganzi and it turns out she lives and trains In Wellington, just up the road from us !  As we were leaving, one of the officials stopped Gaby and gave her one of the official Snow Polo balls that had been used in the match!  The nice official also posed for a photo!  

Duffy update!  She's doing well.  Her leg doesn't seem to be bothering her at all. We make a return trip to the  clinic tomorrow for the Dr. to check on her leg.  Only negatives today were that Trey is getting a cold and so is Gaby!  I have laryngitis and can't seem to shake it!  But it isn't putting a damper on anything!

We found a great restaurant tonight that served Fondue!  Whatever paltry pounds I may have lost came back tonight with cheese and meat Fondue and a Raclette of traditional cheese!  We all ate way too much!  Bill and Grant and Gaby topped it off with a yummy sundae dessert!  Tomorrow Is a free day and we haven't made plans yet... Maybe something will be decided at breakfast!  Tomorrow night we are taking a sleigh ride to a neat restaurant for dinner...we hear it's going to be super cold and to "rug up" as our Aussie guide, John, would say!

The official polo ball used in the match that they gave Gaby!

The Palace Hotel woman polo team player from Wellington, Florida.

Someone scored a goal!

Outside the tent!

It's a super physical sport!  When you are close you can hear the thumping and bumping of the horses as they jockey for position!  The World Polo Snow Cup Mayches began in 1985.  The only year they did not play at St. Moritz was in 2012 when the lake was not frozen solid enough!  The horses have special shin guards and horse shoes on.  We saw two horses fall down (without injury thank goodness!) and three riders fell off --- again with no injuries!  

In the tent!

At dinner -- the delicious Fondue restaurant!

On the wall behind our table!  They put us in a private room!  

Yum!  The cheese fondue!

Eagerly awaiting dinner!  Grant ordered venison for his meat fondue!

Annette, Gaby and I did "winter/Swiss" nails!"

The "queen" in her chair!

Some people enjoyed their desserts!  A little sharing was involved....

Gaby and the lady Polo Team Player from Our hotel team-- the one who lives in Wellington!

A happy camper....

A hard fought match!!  It's very exciting to watch!  Sort of hockey/soccer on a horse on ice!

Fierce competition in the finals!

Duffy stayed in the warm tent and watched the matches through the windows..

Watching from the top row of the bleachers!

Out and about....

Giggles with mom!

KC liked the ball Gaby got from the official!

Fuller Clan Arrives in St. Moritz, Switzerland

We had an uneventful and very nice plane trip over.  Both little girls were super travelers on the airplane.  We did have one small hiccup,in Paris. Our flight landed late and it was a 30 minute walk to the other terminal for our departing Zurich flight.  Duffy, Mimi and I went a separate route because we were in wheelchairs!  ( not Mimi, just Duffy and me). The others launched on their own!  The problem was, Annette had Trey's passport and boarding pass and he had heard the gate was F28 when in fact it was F 23!  They were closing the doors for the Zurich flight and we didn't have Trey.  Gaby  was crying and saying, "Please don't leave my daddy!"  I finally reached Trey on my cell phone and yelled  "Run!  They're closing the gates!"  Gaby's tears helped and the gate agent took pity on us and didn't close the gates and Trey made the flight by the skin of his teeth!  One suitcase did not make it, but it was delivered today!  

We've arrived to a virtual winter heat wave for Switzerland!  It was 54' today!  All the guys went on a 4 man bob sled run!  It was, (their description), INTENSE! And they all had a great time!  One other hiccup today!  We were taking Duffy outside to watch the bobsled run with the guys when she tripped and fell on a step. She made a 4 inch cut on her shin by scraping off the top layer of her skin!  It bled a lot at first, but a lovely blonde young woman, Anna Lena , came to our rescue and was a super helper! She ran to get the emergency kit and beautifully bandaged her leg until we could get to a clinic. The clinic was super nice and 5 minutes away.  The Dr. ended up putting in 4 loose stitches to try and hold the skin flap

together.  We are to report back to the clinic on Monday.  Though we were given pain killers for her, she doesn't seem to be uncomfortable and hasn't taken any pain killers.  After arriving back at the hotel, we promised Gaby snow play time outside!  So, true to our word, we bundled Gaby in her snow suit, boots and mittens and launched Gaby to her "great snow adventure!"  She and Trey made a friend for "Olaf" ( the Frozen Snowman).  The "older" group is staying in and baby sitting while the younger generation is going "clubbing"!  Below Is a sampling of photos to show how much fun four generations are having!  Tomorrow is our first day at polo matches on the Frozen Lake Moritz!

We're on the way!

The girls were gifted St Bernard stuffed puppies. Both puppies are so loved!  On the bus for the 3 hour drive from Zurich to St. Moritz and Badrutt's Palace Hotel ! 

Good morning!

Before out accident!

View from our window...

Guess who loves snow!

The family Fuller!

Two thumbs up!

Anna Lena --- our excellent "emergency medical helper!"  She is an amazing young woman with a great presence of mind!  She was so super helping us.  This is a young woman who goes beyond the norm to help!  She will succeed in her work endeavors because she is willing to "go beyond" what would be expected!  Thank you for your excellent assistance!

The Brothers Fuller before the bobsled run!

Our excellent guide John is on the right!  What would we do without him!

Loading up!

Bundled!

READY? ( Think so...) SET? (Hope so!) GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  And they did !  Pulled over 3 g's and went up to 70mph!

Two happy campers!

Snow time and the making of Olaf's newest friend!

So proud!  First snowman!

And, of course, there has to be a snow angel!

Ta da!!!!!

Look who has the giggles!!!!

Activity at night!  

Skating rink!

Beautiful!  These last photos of KC and the night shots are from Grant!