24 May – Thursday
Another early start bound for Munich – a pity the bus driver didn’t remember Munich was south, not north! A quick u-turn and on to the Olympic city of Munich, driving underneath a castle on the way. The countryside was still fairly flat and planted out with wheat, barley, canola, corn and some potatoes. The livestock are still in their winter barns and will not be brought out into the fields until hay has been grown and cut. Munich is another medieval town (we are getting a bit blasé about them by now) and the coach dropped us in the most exclusive part of the city centre. One could fairly hear and see the Versace, Dior, Hermes, Louis Vouittan, etc managers rushing to shut their doors in case all these Aussie tourists marred their establishments. The glockenspiel in Marienplatz was still visible but unfortunately the remainder of the bell tower was covered in scaffold whilst the building was being renovated. However, we did get to see the actions of the figures. Munich centre also had a wonderful outdoor food market – fruit, vegetables, bread, fish, sausages, meats; the fruit was delightful. Weather still very hot – 28o.
From Munich it was on to Austria and Innsbruck for the night – about 2½ hours drive along a valley with the Alps rising on both sides. Similar but different to New Zealand in that the mountains have trees growing to the 4,000 feet level. Some snow still on the higher peaks and the sheltered valleys. The countryside was just like Heidi, with the traditional farmhouses and villages, forests and mountain meadows. A visit to the Swarovski Crystal Centre was a very enjoyable interlude (it is just amazing how some of this stuff just follows one home!!!). We also visited the famous Innsbruck Ski Jump and went right to the top – the jumpers definitely have to be mad! Then a drive through the hills through typical Tyrolean villages before a brilliant and noisy thunderstorm hit. A very nice dinner at the Hilton Hotel, with veal and apple strudel.
Another early start bound for Munich – a pity the bus driver didn’t remember Munich was south, not north! A quick u-turn and on to the Olympic city of Munich, driving underneath a castle on the way. The countryside was still fairly flat and planted out with wheat, barley, canola, corn and some potatoes. The livestock are still in their winter barns and will not be brought out into the fields until hay has been grown and cut. Munich is another medieval town (we are getting a bit blasé about them by now) and the coach dropped us in the most exclusive part of the city centre. One could fairly hear and see the Versace, Dior, Hermes, Louis Vouittan, etc managers rushing to shut their doors in case all these Aussie tourists marred their establishments. The glockenspiel in Marienplatz was still visible but unfortunately the remainder of the bell tower was covered in scaffold whilst the building was being renovated. However, we did get to see the actions of the figures. Munich centre also had a wonderful outdoor food market – fruit, vegetables, bread, fish, sausages, meats; the fruit was delightful. Weather still very hot – 28o.
From Munich it was on to Austria and Innsbruck for the night – about 2½ hours drive along a valley with the Alps rising on both sides. Similar but different to New Zealand in that the mountains have trees growing to the 4,000 feet level. Some snow still on the higher peaks and the sheltered valleys. The countryside was just like Heidi, with the traditional farmhouses and villages, forests and mountain meadows. A visit to the Swarovski Crystal Centre was a very enjoyable interlude (it is just amazing how some of this stuff just follows one home!!!). We also visited the famous Innsbruck Ski Jump and went right to the top – the jumpers definitely have to be mad! Then a drive through the hills through typical Tyrolean villages before a brilliant and noisy thunderstorm hit. A very nice dinner at the Hilton Hotel, with veal and apple strudel.
4 comments:
Sounds like you've been busy, busy, busy! Don't know when you find the time to blog. We've all been enjoying reading your adventures in the mornings. Jack got your postcard from London. Very envious of all the yummy food you've been having.
Cheers, Shan
Yep, I totally agree - now that we're getting the kinks worked out of this system it's a great way to keep up with what you're both doing. It's part of my daily routine to check your blog in the morning! Make sure you get some nice Rhine wine for us!
Ooooh, no way would I be sitting up there!!! Silly ski jumping people.
Rhine wine sounds good, great idea Dave!
Di.
Well we've just had a lovely dinner and lit some sparklers for cracker night - oh and there was also a small bonfire, which Emma thought was jusst marvelous (until Michael put it out in the time honoured method of little boys...). Then we thought we'd better see if you've been having any more adventures! hurry up and write something else!
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