When we set out on Euro Trip 2013 we knew we had to be back in Dusseldorf by September 3rd where our last flight home was so it just seemed like nearby Munich was a great way to wrap things up. We were lucky enough too that Jim, who we were staying with in Amsterdam, had a little free time and was able to meet us down there for a guys weekend and bring our other bag so we didn't have to lug it around Eastern Europe. I have already been to Munich before but that was six years ago but not a lot has changed since then. Well, in fact, nothing has changed and that is a good thing. We roamed the old cobble stone streets and spent time hanging out in the English Garden (Munich's equivalent of Vondel Park) and stayed in a nice flat about a 15 minute walk from Marienplatz which is the center of town. We spent our time drinking steins of beer and eating brats and pretzels and immersing ourselves in the everyday German persons life. Do they really do this year round and if so why isn't everyone German? After a little over 48 hours of doing things the German way we all felt that we had done Munich the way it is supposed to be done. I still have never made it to Oktoberfest but I have no idea how they do it for days on end drinking that much and eating that much but I guess the Germans are just a different breed than us Americans. When we went to book our train tickets to our final destination after the weekend was over we were surprised to find out that they were 138 euros a piece and so we ended up renting a car for less than 30 euros a day and actually did an unexpected side trip back to Amsterdam to drive Jim back and relax for a few days in our European home and visit our Dutch friends one last time. On the 8 hour drive to Amsterdam we stopped in Cologne and visited my friend Judith that I studied abroad with so the detour was a success. Here are a few photos from our last adventure:
The Famous Hofbrauhaus and only one of those steins is mine!
Drew with his glass and eventually at the table behind him a German family came and there daughter, no older than 13, was also washing her food down with suds.
A panoramic view of the beer haus.
Me on our walk home.
The gate into Munchen.
This is a picture from the main square in Marienplatz.
Surfing on the Rhein! That is Drew shredding it up in his wetsuit. Okay its not but this guy was pretty good.
The Chinese Garten inside the English Garten where we hung out and ate meat and drank beer and listened to German music all the while avoiding bee stings. Why are there so many bees?
Little nap in the park after a few steins.
Back to the Chinese Garten.
If you are ever in Munich, go to the Seehaus Bier Garten. It is on the lake and trumps all others and it is mainly locals!
This is after driving on the autobahn for several hours. Pitstop in Cologne and the famous Cologne Cathedral which I used to visit all the time because I lived a short hour from here.
Cologne Cathedral from the front where I used to celebrate Carnival.
I can't believe our trip is coming to a close but we could not have ended it on a better note. Until next time Europe.....we will miss you!
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