A Day in Munich

An Uber delivers us to the heart of downtown. We did not realize that in order to take the elevator to the top of the steeple, there were 99 stairs to get to the elevator.

There is something mesmerizing about this hanging cross. Stare at it long enough and you begin to feel the pain of hanging from a cross.

Tourists and local workers at lunch gather around a small decorative water feature. People sit on the rocks viewing the church and the fountain.

It seems every restaurant in Munich has Augustiner in its name.

We lunch on the pollack and the Spaetzle. Both local favorites, neither our favorite.

How good is the desert. Carol requested it and she never order dessert!

CJ continues his two-fisted drinking. Apparently Austria and Germany have a bad influence on him.

After lunch we walk three lengths of the church to Marienplatz, the central square of Munich. This is one of the best hallmark centerpieces in Europe.

CJ's idea is to visit two beer gardens for afternoon cocktails and dinner. He decides to visit Lowenbrau's beer garden first. We never make it to the second.

Löwenbräukeller has it all. Good beer and traditional band. In his 20's CJ drank Löwenbräu until the taste changed and he discovered it was no longer imported but brewed under license by Anheiser-Busch. He is here at the original brewery on a voyage of discovery. In its original German form, it is still very good.

CJ is sampling. First the original and a dunkel, and then the light and dark versions of their wheat beer. His fav: the light version of the wheat beer. It's a surprise to him.

Except for the return flights, so ends this epic 36-day trip to Europe. We look forward to our 69 days before our next required visa renewal adventure to Alaska; FINALLY!

To Munich

Views along the drive from Salzburg to Munich. Farms look like Tyrolian villages.

Churches dominate the landscape.

A street in downtown, not old town, Munich.

One of the first places we see in Germany has a French name.

An overhead train station assumes the character of a riverboat.

We have a large suite. It has a lot of room but isn't very functional.

A large bed and an unrequested one set. Are we having a guest we don't know about?

We could ballroom dance in this room! Lots of floor space, few electrical outlets, how bizarre.

Tomorrow is touring Munich day. Today is recovering from Salzburg day.

Beautiful Salzburg

We begin the day with a horse drawn carriage tour of the old town. We arrange a special pick up at the hotel.

The ride is enjoyable, the driver is personable, the horses are new and young and cantankerous. The ride gives us a great overview of old town Salzburg. What looks like a weird flying buttress is actually an elevator to the castle above.

With St. Peters in the background, this is the fountain Julie Andrews made famous in the Sound of Music.

Fortress Hohensalzburg majestically perched high above the city. By day's end we will not be as impressed. 

The circuit takes us along the Salzach River.

In the old city, roads often pass under buildings.

It is unseasonably hot. In Paris, players are dropping out of the French Open because of the heat. We decide to dine at the oldest restaurant in Europe. Along the way Carol shops.

Our new friend Charilie, the general manager of Augustiner Bräu Mülln, told us about this place. He also told us it is iconic and overpriced, yet a must do. It is a short walk for younger people.

Decor and sculptures are fascinating.

Charlie was correct. The atmosphere is to be expected from a place operating since 803AD.

This evening begins with a cruise on the river.

Up on the hill is the nunnery of the Sound of Music.

This is the boat's captain welcoming us.

The current in the river is significant. Our return trip will be quick.

Salzburg is NOT a mobility challenged city. The cruise was the first part of a Viator booking. Previously they have taken care of everything related to the booking. This event is a near-total Viator FAIL. There is no transportation to the next event. We cannot hail a taxi and we must walk. 

We eventually make it to the base of the fortress funicular. Arriving at the fortress, there are more steps down to the VIP dinner venue.

How many stairs have there been to get to the concert venue? One older lady, in better condition than us, gives up after making three quarters of the climb.

At this point we're less than half the climb to the concert venue.

The concert is good. The first set contains three pieces. The first is a string quartet.

The second adds a pianist. Second violinist is now a page turner for the pianist.

The third set is a somewhat comedic classical piece featuring first violin.

During intermission, we take final pictures from above Salzburg and get a head start on the crowds.

We cannot call a taxi. We are forced to walk back to the hotel. THIS IS NOT A PLACE FOR THE MOBILITY CHALLENGED! Beautiful yes, functional or fun NO!