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Olives in the Biergarten.
The real McCoy!
After a bite to eat our hosts took us on a walk around the area, and we were pleasantly surprised to find just how close to everything they actually were. The Isar river park was about three buildings away. The park runs the full length of the Isar river as it passes through Munich splitting the city in halves. It provides many miles of walking and cycling paths as well as other forms of recreation including swimming, and surfing (yes surfing). The city has gone to great lengths to clean up the river and bring it back to its natural state as much as possible. The people of Munich are making good use of the resource.
Surfing uder a bridge on the Isar.
Munich is a city made for alternative travel. There are many ways to get around without using the dreaded automobile. There is the previously mentioned S-Bahn, the U-Bahn (underground), trams, bicycles and, of course, foot. We used them all. We stayed with Marilyn and Eckhart for four nights and didn't even see their car (they do claim to have one).
Bike path traffic lights.
The first day we spent walking around town visiting various historical sites, including the spot where Hitler gave many speeches, and the spot where the first assasination attempt on him was made by Johann Georg Elser. We visited the largest (and most expensive) outdoor store ever, Globetrotter, where we spent as little as possible. The store was so big that there was a pool inside where you could try different kayaks and canoes before you bought one.
After dinner we spent the last couple hours of light learning to play boules (bocce) in the park before walking over to one of the ubquitous beirgartens for a beer. Who knew that you can't get beers in smaller than one liter steins after four oclock? That is probably why the public transport is so good! Boules is big in Munich. Apparently, on some days you can't walk on the gravel paths in the parks because there are so many people playing.
The next day we were off early on a Bavarian adventure. We caught the S-Bahn across the city and then transferred to the BOB (Bavarian Overland Bahn, full of hikers) to take us up into the Bavarian alps to Schliersee so we could go hiking and swimming Bavarian style. By Bavarian style, I mean that whenever the urge to swim strikes you, you drop your strides and leap in. We reserved west coast Canadians brought our bathing suits, but they were not really neccesary. One of the local hazards, particularily for naked hikers, is the all too common Lxodes Ricinus or Bavarian tick. Nancy was fortunate enought to be the meal for two of these little buggers. They are easy enough to remove but I had to spend some time searching her nether regions looking for them. Wonderful!
The BOB full of hikers.
Schliersee
We spent that evening in a grudge match of boules with a couple who are friends of Marilyn and Eckhart. They are 67 and 72 and live on the 6th floor of a walk-up (no elevator) apartment building. How's that for a fitness program? Everything they have had to be carried up the stairs. How's that for reducing clutter? They won an award for the unique design of the apartment when they built it over 20 years ago. The view from the terrace across the top of Munich is terrific. Nancy's beginner's luck carried the day at boules and we won!
Our final day in Munich involved a long walk across the city along the Isar and a visit to the Deutsche Museum of technology. We wound up the long day of standing and walking with a swim in the Mueller'sches Volksbad Munich, a very old classic pool. Of course the same rules applied in Munich as in Damp, and no-one was making waves.
A vertical takeoff 104!
Schindler's lift.
Munich is a great place to visit (and live)!
Great post!
ReplyDeleteStationary surfing in a river...who knew? Some surfers in England surf rivers, I remember, but they travel with the wave. Was funny to see them going along with sheep, and farms passing them in the background.
Schindler's lift... pun FTW!
Hi Gary and Nancy; Thanks for posting your adventures...However we still need a beer garden picture just to prove you were there...it must include a view of a pretty fraulein waitress pouring beer!
ReplyDeletebest wishes from Will Nesling