**Part 2-Of a series of Blogs of my trip to participate in the Ovations Amazing Trophy Race.  In case you missed it…Read Part 1 before continuing.

Our second day in Lucerne, Switzerland was full of what most students dread: tests!  Before the day was over, each of my senses had been challenged. My legs burned after stair climbing, I learned that I don’t really dislike all chocolates, gazed in awe of the only Gothic church in all of Lucerne, found a diamond and indulged in mellifluous live music.

Chapel Bridge and Water Tower

Swiss Chocolate Tasting

We started with the spiral steps to the top of the Bridge tower, where I politely tried an array of filled chocolates. I’ve never been a chocolate fan, but I smiled and sampled each; the variety of fillings ranged from Arpen (grass) to green tea to passion fruit, but it was the banana and ginger that I enjoyed the most.  

Franciscan Church, Lucerne

We then set out to find the only Gothic church in town. Luckily, we found a local who spoke English in addition to the prevalent Swiss German, and they guided us to the right place. We recorded the date it was built and set about to our next task.

Wedding in Lucerne Switzerland

Along the way we crossed paths with a newly married couple taking pictures; we brazenly asked if we could hop into the shoot, and they obliged! We also had the photographer snap a shot of just us. We rushed off only to realize that we’d left the camera behind. It’s a comfort that the Swiss are so trustworthy and honest; turns out the photographer had put it in his pocket by accident!

Diamonds

Champagne

Our next stop was a four-story jewelry store, where we sipped champagne from flutes with a gemstone in each. We  gazed at a blue velvet tray with five stones and were challenged to identify the real diamond. I can’t pretend to  love diamonds, but I do remember the Walt Disney movie Pollyanna, which taught me that true diamonds are like  prisms. I showed my teammates to the window and we saw that our choice was the only one that produced a rainbow.

Finally we moved downstairs, where in addition to refreshments we were charged with shooting a cross bow. This Midwestern girl scored an 8 out of 10!

It occurred to me how interesting it was that what I’ve learned through the years impacted this unique trip! I have Disney movies and archery classes during summer camp to thank for making me a better competitor!

Come back next weekend….You don’t want to miss Day 3!  For more information please “Like” us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter and Pinterest.

Visit our website for more information on how your group can have an “Amazing Trophy Race”.

Ovation Amazing Trophy Race 2012 Participants

* Part 1 -Lucerne is one of a series of Blogs of my trip to participate in the Ovations Amazing Trophy Race.

 Flying home from the Ovations Amazing Trophy Race, my mind is still whirling with disbelief at the extraordinary honor of being invited to   participate. I don’t say that lightly, because I’m no stranger to new experiences! I’ve spent a lifetime engaged in travel; I delight in immersing myself in different cultures, learning how others see the world through their unique eyes, and marvel at the breathtakingly beautiful exotic locales I’ve witnessed. But nothing, save the experience of being a mom and a grandmother, has been more memorable than my past five days.

Train to Lucerne

I disembarked first in Zurich and was handed a train ticket for Lucerne.I shared a first class train with a fellow race participant from Connecticut, and we learned about each other’s companies over a glass of wine. I knew that I would meet important people during this trip; there were VP’s, CEO’s, Marketing Directors and DMC’s from all over the world. What I hadn’t quite grasped yet was just how much we’d connect simply as fellow adventurers.

View from the Grand Hotel National

Transitioning to a buffet dinner at the Museum of Transportation Lucerne, I joined Michael from Ovation Italy for my first helicopter simulation. I have a new appreciation for the mad skills of Caleb, my grandson, and secretly wished he was with me as I crashed and tried desperately (to no avail!) to right the helicopter! Michael and I couldn’t stop giggling, especially when the attendant showed his frustration with us his second time over to ‘help’.  My nightcap of a mist-laced walk to catch a bus back ‘home’ was the perfect ending to such a great first day.

The next morning brought such a palpable air of adrenaline and excitement! We learned of the seven teams that would compete; I was in the St. Bernards! This tickled me, because it immediately reminded me of childhood winters in Laramie, Wyoming. The man who owned the resort we’d stay at had a BIG, slobbery St. Bernard that followed us everywhere. 

The St Bernard Team

I’m keeping our mascot–the small, stuffed St. Bernard that we wore on our lanyards–as a treasured souvenir. Every time I look at him it will bring back memories of my five fun filled days spent racing through Switzerland with a team of strangers who in the end became treasured friends! 

*I have so much to share that I’m breaking it all down into a series of posts not only here on the blog, but in tidbits on our Facebook Page and through Twitter updates. I can’t wait to show you pictures on our new Pinterest boards, too, so please join us in each of those places and feel free to jump right in! Share your own experience, tell us where YOU want to go or just let us know that you’re following along. Travel is always more fun with people you enjoy, so hop on board!

“Our evening was so magical under the Caidal tents in a palm grove just outside of Marrakech. With large campfires, torches, a troop of horsemen and Folklore show it was the perfect way to end our Moroccan Experience.”

“It was one exciting event after another for our group – first a helicopter ride to the top of a glacier, then a walk on the glacier itself – it’s a memory we’ll never forget.  A cruise is the best way to see all of the glorious views of the glaciers, mountains and abundant wildlife. “

“Waking up in Hawaii is truly magical. Especially when you begin at Mt. Haleakala.  After, aboard our own private catamaran, we watched humpback whales spring out of the water and listened to their songs.  Simply breathtaking!”

“Who wouldn’t like private cooking lessons in tranquil Sorrento, Italy?  It was great team building mixed with plenty of laughs, full bellies and memories we can’t wait to tell the folks back home about!”

“Our own private charter aboard the beautiful Paul Gauguin. Sailing us through paradise unlocking the secrets of this exotic destination. The ship was magnificent but it was hard to compete with the beauty of the spectacular Polynesian Islands that surrounded us.”

 “I don’t think we’ll ever forget the incredible feeling of time suspended as the world drifted quietly below. Our group felt like we were on top of the world with a hot air balloon ride over the Masai Mara.”

“Imagine sipping champagne during a sunset cocktail party hosted in our own private capsule aboard the London Eye! It was the most unique way to take in the fabulous views of this amazing city!”