Day 6
We awoke this morning to a deserted Munchen. Had breakfast in the hotel again and checked out.
As we walked the streets, we noticed that all the shops were closed and there was no traffic, although it was 9:30 a.m. Must be some kind of national holiday. (Corpus Christi)
We had planned to go to Schloss Nymphenburg in Munich - a summer residence of one of the Wittlesbach kings - but didn't feel like tackling the public transportation system which would have entailed a transfer from the underground line to a trolley.
We walked back down to the Hofbrauhaus to pick up some ceramic beer mugs that we had seen - and liked. Although the 'brauhaus was open (with people inside at 10 a.m. drinking liters!) the souvenir stand was not. Maybe we'll find something similar somewhere else.
We did get up enough courage to take the S-Bahn (subway) back to our hotel (2 stops). Big stations, neat and clean and quiet. The doors open on both sides of the train simultaneously. The turnstile consists of a box into which you insert your paper ticket so it can be date and time stamped. There is no turnstile per se; no one is watching and you could just walk on without paying if you wanted. (This concept would last about 10 minutes in New York.)
Had no trouble getting out of town on the Autobahn - but traffic was heavy. Lots of campers hauling bikes, kayaks, sailboards, etc. Probably lots of folks taking a 4 day weekend.
Stopped at the Chiemsee which is Bavaria's largest lake. There we took a 20 minute ferry ride to an island in the lake where Mad King Ludwig built yet another castle - Herrichemsee. The boat and the 1 mile path to the castle were mobbed with German day-trippers.
We walked to the castle and had lunch on a bench overlooking the whole scene. The castle is a copy of Versailles - many fountains, statues, paths, etc. After looking at the line for the tour we decided to skip the interior - we are kind of castled- and palaced-out anyway.
Instead we walked along some back paths through the beautiful island back to the dock. Lots of birds, horses, cows, etc. The Chiemsee also is amazingly clear - you can see quite a way down.
Took the boat back and headed towards Salzburg. I am now sitting on a balcony of an Austrian chalet overlooking a little valley surrounded by towering peaks - some of them snow covered. We are in a zimmer where we are the only guests. Unfortunately it is still overcast and hazy although the sun is shining brightly enough to cast a distinct shadow on the paper as I write. I hope the view will be clearer in the a.m.
We were shown the room by the mother of the owner. Although she spoke no English, I was able to communicate that I wanted a room and I would understand when she asked if I wanted a shower. When I asked "Schilling?" after seeing the room I understood that she doesn't know the price - but it's not very much! We'll see in the a.m.
Jill is now almost fully recovered from her cold and when she wakes up we'll walk the 1/4 mile into the cute town for drinks and dinner.
P.S. Once again we simply flashed our passports to cross the border!
Day 7 >>>
As we walked the streets, we noticed that all the shops were closed and there was no traffic, although it was 9:30 a.m. Must be some kind of national holiday. (Corpus Christi)
We had planned to go to Schloss Nymphenburg in Munich - a summer residence of one of the Wittlesbach kings - but didn't feel like tackling the public transportation system which would have entailed a transfer from the underground line to a trolley.
We walked back down to the Hofbrauhaus to pick up some ceramic beer mugs that we had seen - and liked. Although the 'brauhaus was open (with people inside at 10 a.m. drinking liters!) the souvenir stand was not. Maybe we'll find something similar somewhere else.
We did get up enough courage to take the S-Bahn (subway) back to our hotel (2 stops). Big stations, neat and clean and quiet. The doors open on both sides of the train simultaneously. The turnstile consists of a box into which you insert your paper ticket so it can be date and time stamped. There is no turnstile per se; no one is watching and you could just walk on without paying if you wanted. (This concept would last about 10 minutes in New York.)
Had no trouble getting out of town on the Autobahn - but traffic was heavy. Lots of campers hauling bikes, kayaks, sailboards, etc. Probably lots of folks taking a 4 day weekend.
Stopped at the Chiemsee which is Bavaria's largest lake. There we took a 20 minute ferry ride to an island in the lake where Mad King Ludwig built yet another castle - Herrichemsee. The boat and the 1 mile path to the castle were mobbed with German day-trippers.
We walked to the castle and had lunch on a bench overlooking the whole scene. The castle is a copy of Versailles - many fountains, statues, paths, etc. After looking at the line for the tour we decided to skip the interior - we are kind of castled- and palaced-out anyway.
Instead we walked along some back paths through the beautiful island back to the dock. Lots of birds, horses, cows, etc. The Chiemsee also is amazingly clear - you can see quite a way down.
Took the boat back and headed towards Salzburg. I am now sitting on a balcony of an Austrian chalet overlooking a little valley surrounded by towering peaks - some of them snow covered. We are in a zimmer where we are the only guests. Unfortunately it is still overcast and hazy although the sun is shining brightly enough to cast a distinct shadow on the paper as I write. I hope the view will be clearer in the a.m.
We were shown the room by the mother of the owner. Although she spoke no English, I was able to communicate that I wanted a room and I would understand when she asked if I wanted a shower. When I asked "Schilling?" after seeing the room I understood that she doesn't know the price - but it's not very much! We'll see in the a.m.
Jill is now almost fully recovered from her cold and when she wakes up we'll walk the 1/4 mile into the cute town for drinks and dinner.
P.S. Once again we simply flashed our passports to cross the border!
Day 7 >>>
