Garnerbiker's Journey on planet Earth

This blog started as a trip journal for the summer of 2011 Europe trip of 69 days. My wife Katherine, and I decided to use the entire summer break that teachers get, and go crazy. Everything was new to us. I was surprised at the blog's following. It has now become a tradition to travel on our breaks and blog about it. I write mostly as a journal for myself and students, but also give travel ideas to others that might want to travel like us, or go to the places we have seen. Take a look at what's on here. The experiences that I have had through travel are continuously shaping my life. I recommend you get out there and do it!

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Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Munich

Munich, Germany

Our time in Munich was outstanding and relaxing. Robert let us take his and Karola's bicycles out in the city to see some sights. We set a slow pace, planning most of our route around where we would eat.  While in Bavaria you must eat Bavarian food.  Robert likes his native food, but was really suprised that we wanted to eat it all the time.  I grew up liking this food, so that helped a lot.  

Munich Karlsplatz

We took the bikes as far as we could safely into the city center, and then locked them up on a light post.  It was much easier to walk around on foot than dodge pedestrians.  By chance, we happened to show up at Marienplatz for the Noon clocktower show.  I was here in Munich when I was 13 years old and experienced the glockenspiel, but Katherine had never seen this.  The only thing different from my childhood was that in 1993 everyone was not holding up cell phone.


Marienplatz


Before we left Robert gave us a bunch of great ideas of things to check out.  One of the only things Robert warned us about was the Hofbrauhaus.  He considers it a major tourist trap, and encouraged us to find a lower priced, better quality beer hall.  But, we just had to go since we have a smaller version in Las Vegas.  It may be a tourist trap, but the the food was cheaper and obviously better quality in Munich than in Las Vegas.  This was another site that I visited in 1993, but for some reason I don't remember it very well.  I found it funny that in Munich there is a Hard Rock Cafe in front of the Hofbrauhaus just like in Las Vegas.


Grilled onions over cheesy spätzel.  Can't go wrong.

Marienplatz Hofbrauhaus from Katherine Mathiasmeier on Vimeo.


Nymphenburg Palace

There is a man-made river that cuts through Munich called the Eisbach, and for some reason it creates a perfect surfing wave.  While in Robert's basement getting our shipped duffel bag I saw a surfboard in the locker next to his, and I asked, "Do people surf in Munich?"  Robert told me about this place, and while we were riding bikes it was a must see.  Right before we got to the surf spot I broke my flip-flop.  The picture below was taken from a slippery slope with a broken flip-flop.  I thought I was going to fall into the river at one point.  I was in desperate need of repairing my flip-flop, so I frantically looked around for something to tie it together.  I found a red trash bag that did the trick!

Eisbach "Ice Brook"

Munich Surfing from Katherine Mathiasmeier on Vimeo.

One last photo of my flops before I trashed them.  I found some new ones at the Globetrotter outdoor store.


We came upon this McLaren while walking in the middle of Munich.  Notice the other random guy taking photos of the super fancy car.

On the bike ride, we went down one street that was covered in Porsches.  I like this photo because it shows the classic 911 with a newer one.

We also rode our bikes to the 1972 Munich Summer Olympic Stadium. Robert mentioned that almost everything is still in use today.  The main arena, I found out, was built in bomb craters from World War II.  This made the field excavation a little easier.  Katherine and I hiked up to a little man made hill and took the picture below.

Olympic Stadium from the 1972 Summer Olympics

Ticket booths

Me chilling on Robert and Karola's balcony


While in Munich I decided to download the Pokémon Go app and see what all the hype is about.  Yes, I scored me some Pokémon, but I don't really get the appeal. Our friend Matt said that it is the first time a video game has found a way to get gamers outside, so I wanted to give it a try.  I only caught a couple Pokémon, but then I began to notice that everyone else around the entire city was playing the game.  Crazy!

One evening, Robert took us on an outing to Lake Starnberg. He needed to relax a bit before the wedding and thought this lake was just what the doctor ordered. I guess some other people had the same idea. The parking lot was very crowded, but once we started walking we found a little secluded place next to the lake to lay down.  

Starnberg Lake

After visiting  Lake Sternberg we headed to Bad Töltz.  Robert used to go here as a child and knew of some nice restaurants and sites to see.  He told us all about how they used to ship timber from the mountains down the river and this city was a stop along the way to Munich.  I found it funny that the name Bad means good water.  So there are lots of cities in Germany with the first word being Bad.

Bad Tölz festival pole

Katherine and Robert standing at the edge of the river

Robert mentioned that in this city the houses have protruding roofs, and the further it sticks out, the more wealthy you were.

Typical Bavarian dress.  Super fancy and all handmade.

You can't go wrong with a quarter of duck!

Blue and white checkers and plaid everywhere!  The colors of Bavaria.


I made Katherine stand in the exact same spot that I did in 1993 for a photo.  The Deutsches Museum was slightly changed from my last visit.  This particular location is dedicated to technology.  I remembered it having lots of musical instruments. It still has musical instruments, but only those that were technological breakthroughs.

Ahhhh, the Casio keyboard.

A Wright flyer!?!?! In Germany? How cool!

Before leaving Munich we were able to meet up with Matthew once again.  The  restaurant was very close to Roberts apartment; dangerously close.  Robert got off work and met us here.

After these three days in Munich we will be heading to Chemnitz for the wedding. Our plan is to ride up with Robert in his car.  The ride should take about four hours and give us a chance to see a lot of the countryside.  




















1 comment:

  1. Your blog is good. I am working at best essay writing services and i love travelling. Thank you for sharing your experiance in Munich.

    ReplyDelete