Germany June 2009

Germany trip  June 2009

Trip to Munich to visit with foreign exchange student and his family.

Day 1:

We flew AA airlines from Midland to DFW and DFW to Heathrow then on to Munich.  We arrived in London very late and missed our British Airlines flight to Munich.  What a disaster.  It was very confusing as to where we go to get our flight rescheduled.  After changing our reservations, we were off to our gate for the flight to Munich. This required a bus ride to a different terminal and three or four security lines which were horrendously long.  This was before extensive cell service and we tried to reach Matt or his mom.  Luckily, British Airlines was willing to tell our host family on which flight we would be arriving.  Instead of 10 in the morning we arrived Munich around 6:30 pm. Matt and his mom (Hildegard) were waiting for us. What a welcome site!  From the airport we went to their house and Matt's dad (Ali) greeted us.

Our home for the next 10 days

Matt, Hildegard and Ali

We enjoyed a couple of drinks, then off  to  their local beergarfen were we ordered a variety of dishes and sampled all. First meal a great success! It was a long day and we were off to bed for much needed sleep.


Day 2. July 16

Thursday started with breakfast.  Hildegard would ride her bike to the local bakery for pastries each morning. We also had the option of yogurt and muesli.  After breakfast we set off for Salzburg with Ali and Hildegard. First stop was the Hellbrunn Palace and Trick Fountains. The Baroque Palace and water garden was built between 1613 and 1619 by Markus Sittikus von Hohenems, Prince Archbishop of Salzburg.  The water games were conceived by the Archbishop as a series of practical jokes to be performed on guests, such as stone seats around a dining table through which a water conduit sprays water in the seat of the guests when activated.  There are also hidden fountains that surprise and spray guests while they walk the garden's grounds.

We walked around the pedestrian mall and then took a carriage ride through the town.

Last stop was a visit to Mozart's home. Mozart was born on the third floor in 1756 and lived there until 1773.

We ate lunch at one outdoor cafe and then stopped at a 2nd restaurant for drinks. We then headed home to Kircheim bei Munich which is located 14 km from the center of Munich.   We ate tonight at an Italian restaurant in the town square and Matt joined us for dinner.

Day  3  July 17


Ate breakfast (pastries and yogurt).  Today took us (Ali was our tour guide) to Neuschwanstein Castle (new swan stone) which was built by Ludwig II in the 19th century. This castle was Walt Disney's inspiration for the castle at Disneyland.  While the castle has a medieval appearance, it was actually state of art technology at the time.  Every floor had flushing toilets along with an air heating system for the whole castle.  The large tub had running hot water.  However, Ludwig only spent 11 nights in  the castle and died before the castle was completed.

We ate at a restaurant at the town below the castle.  On our way back home we stopped at Wieskirche, or Pilgrimage Church of Weis.  The church from the outside was not indicative of the impressive and very ornate interior.  It was built in the 1740's in Rocco style. The landscape surrounding the church was very pretty as well.

 Tonight for dinner Matt treated us to grilled steak, lamb and sausage.  Pretty yummy!

Day 4. July 18

Saturday, we went to the Hofbrau brewery for family day.  The brewery provided guided tours with explanation on the brewing of the beer and a celebration similar to a carnival with children's rides, entertainment and food. We both had oxen with potato salad for lunch. Ali said oxen is a favorite at Octoberfest. It rained most of the time we were at the brewery but it was an interesting day.  Loved the beer-go-round. 

We headed home for a light supper and went to a Strauss concert at Nymphenburg Palace in Munich. The palace was the summer residence for the Bavarian royal family.

After returning home we discussed many deep topics over wine. Amazing how two totally different couples from two very different countries can have so many common beliefs.  Felt like we had known Ali and Hildegard for years instead of days.


Day 5. July 19

We had a late breakfast of strawberry cake made by Hildegard.  Ali and Hildegard wanted Matt to take us on our visit to Dachau. Sobering and very informative museum.  

Returned home for dinner.  We had sausages, including the white sausage mentioned by Matt many times. We bicycled to Aunt Fanni's, who is Hildegard's dad's sister.  Fanni called Matt often while he was staying with us and even though we didn't speak the same language, we felt we already knew her. We had a nice visit with her that included lots of translation. We cycled to the city lake, walked around the lake and cycled home. We enjoyed wine and beer on the terrace and Hildegard's friend came to visit for a few minutes.

Day 6. July 20

Today we rode the train into Munich with Hildegard. We walked through the Old and New Residences, which were the homes of the Bavarian monarchs. The first building on the site was constructed in 1385.  The current buildings were built by King Ludwig I in 1825-1848.

Hall of Antiquities

and Old and New Town Hall. The Old Town Hall was started in 1310 and the New Town Hall was built between 1867 and 1908.

Old Town Hall

New Town Hall

We watched the Rathaus-Glockenspiel at 11 AM.   It is part of the new Town Hall and dates from 1908,  It chimes every day at 11 AM, 12 noon and 5 PM, telling two stories from the 16th century. The Glockenspiel consists of 43 bells and 32 life-sized figures.  The top half of the Glockenspiel tells the story of the marriage of the local Duke Wilhelm V who also founded the famous Hofbrauhaus. The top is a joust with life-sized knight on horseback representing Bavaria (in blue and white) and Lothringen (in red and white).  Of course, the Bavarian knight wins every time.  The bottom half is the coopers' dance.  The coopers are said to have danced through the streets to bring fresh vitality to fearful dispositions.   The year is 1517 and Munich is in the throes of a plague.  Their dance came to symbolize perseverance and loyalty to authority through difficult times.

After the Glockenspiel, we walked to famous Hofbrauhaus, where we ate lunch.

Hildegard left us to go home and we continued to walk around Munich on our own. We saw the east and west gates

and then took the train back home and walked to house. Hildagard was worried that we would get lost, but we managed to find our way in Munich and our way home. Ali, Matt, Greg and I went to a small brewery that brews a wheat beer. Brew master and his apprentice gave us a tour. We had a huge appetizer plate and then a dinner of roast duck. After dinner we returned home and sat on terrace for awhile.  

Other pictures from Munich:

Day 7. July 21

Left around 9 for Partnachklamm in Garmisch-Partenkirchen where the 1936 winter Olympics were held. Hildegard was our guide today.  We first saw the ski jump stadium.

Then we headed out on foot through a deep gorge under waterfalls. The path was created along the gorge to allow people to follow and push timber down the river. 

You end at a beautiful meadow, 

followed by 30 minutes of steep, steep climbing to an Alpine restaurant. 

The views were spectacular from the top and we could see farmers baling hay by hand in the valleys.  

Thank goodness we ate lunch at the top because Greg and I needed a rest big time! After we headed down and arrived at the start of the climb, Hildegard and I waded in the sandy part of the river.  The cool water felt really good.

We drove back home through the country, seeing many small villages and 2 natural lakes. The area had a resort feel to it.  We stopped in Bad Tolz and walked around the town and then ate at a nice restaurant. Greg had venison goulash and I had a pork cutlet. For the first time, the restaurant did not have a menu in English and Hildegard had to translate for us.

Day 8. July 22

Today's excursion was to Chiemsee Lake which is a fresh water lake.  On the lake there are 3 main islands: Herreninsel (the largest), Frauenchiemsee (gentleman's island) and  Fraueninsel (ladies' island). 

We took the ferry to Herreninsel Island and viewed the palace which was built by Ludwick II. The palace was modeled after Versailles but never completed. The gardens and fountains were impressive.

On the island of Frauenchiemsee we toured the monastery where the German constitution was written after WW II. Took the ferry again to Fraueninsel Island and went through the Benedictine nunnery museum and church. We ate on this island and walked around. It was very picturesque with lots of flowers. The nuns make a cloiser liquor and marzipan here.

Day 9. July 23

Today we started with a bike ride to a lake with Hildegard. Saw the cutest little beach houses.  Residents buy the little beach houses and plant gardens in front.  These are weekend houses for people who live in Munich. They look like a child's play house!

Then we rode by the only golf course that we saw in Germany.  Had to stop for pictures.

We stopped for a coke and a rest.

Then we rode around the lake and saw many au natural sunbathers. 

We started back and stopped at the wakeboarding center. It is a unique place, a man made water skiing park, beach and beach volleyball courts. Interesting concept.  

After finishing our ride we all took a shower and left for Munich by train. First we went through the Treasury in the Munich Residence. which was founded by Duke Albert V.  The Treasury houses the jewels of the Wittelsbach dynasty.  The collection spans 1000 years  from early Middle Ages.  Royal insignia, crowns, swords. goblets, and other icons are here. 

Then we walked a bit and headed by subway and bus to Munchner Haupt for dinner where we met Ali. Munchner Haupt is a very old hunting club. Bavarian music was being played and we had a very enjoyable dinner. We returned home in Ali's car.


Day 10   Friday, July 24

We drove to Rothenberg, about a 2.5 hours drive. It is a medieval town overlooking the Taubar River that was not destroyed during WWII. We started with a carriage ride then walked along the wall. We visited a very old church (St James) with the oldest known altar in Germany. We also toured a museum with old ammunition. We ate outside at a cafe and had sausages. The town had several Christmas stores and a Doll Museum. It was a very quaint village. On the trip to and from Rothenberg we saw many Hops farms.

Day 11. Saturday, July 25

We went with Hildegard to the Dult which was a combination flea market, carnival, antique mall and booths selling current products. 

We then went to the site of Octoberfest and saw the workers building the large tents. We saw the very large statue of the Bavarian lady. 

We met Matt in Marienplatz. Together we visited a couple of churches.

Matt's parents joined us and we went to the English garden and saw the Chinese pagoda.  Had a nice dinner in a restaurant in the garden

Day 12. July 26

Spent last day at home.  Hildegard's father joined us for lunch.  Bicycled to the cemetery where we saw aunt Fannie. We went into Munich for dinner at Hofbrau for our last German meal.

Day 13. July 27

Left Munich at 7:10.