Final Report April 19-20 2013

April 19 2013

We got up early took a shower (hot) and took off again to breakfast at McDonald's, I have a huge crush on their hash browns they are hot, greasy and slightly a taste of onions.  Then we took off for a fortress on the top of a hill that had an elevator ...cost €4 to go to the top and back.  It was spectacular gave us a bird's eye view of the city especially the old part of Salzburg.  It is an overcast day so we could not see the Alps in the background but we could see the town...oh my!  Lots of great photos!  Then we took the elevator down and stopped at a couple of shops.  We researched the location of the cemetery that was in the Sound of Music or a copy of it anyway.. It was remarkable.  Very interesting saw the oldest restaurant in Europe from the 1400's and a huge square with street vendors ...had a nice lunch headed back to pack and get ready to leave for the train station.  Took the train from Salzburg staight to Munich.  It was nice and quiet with very few passengers.  Once in Salzburg we decided to take a cab to the Kempenski Hotel that we had for one night.  It was in the Airport complex and right next to United, very convienent.  Very expensive and an awful bed... I need to be home in my own bed...I guess.  The trip from Munich to Dulles (Washington DC) is about 9 hours.  It is long and brutal... but Linda and I upgraded so we at least had a little wiggle room.  There were very good movies to choose from and the food was ok... especially the sandwich they fed us an hour before landing.  Made it to Dulles about and hour and a half prior to taking off which we thought was a lot of time until we started going through one security check after another.  The first check must have been at least one mile form where we got off the plane.  Then we had to claim our luggage and go through another one ... and had to go through customs.  It was just crazy and long.  Once thru and now we had only our carry on bags the trek to the gate we had to take off on was at least four miles...oh my aching feet... we then go to the gate and checked in for the final flight which was about 5 hours and was really awful as I had the knee room built for a midget... not for me... I dealt with it by taking some powerful advil I got from Candy and by sleeping... we arrived in Portland at 9PM and Mike and Jan were there to pick us up!  Jan took a final photo of us all with our luggage.  It is so nice to be back and be safe.   Thank you for following our blog... and look for the next adventure in September when Linda and I head off for Russia, Finland and Estonia!

 

 

April 18 2013

April 18 2013

LAT report

We started out this AM with no hot water in the shower...grrrhhhhh,  but took a cold spit bath and headed for McDonald's for breakfast!  They don't have sausage biscuits but do have hash browns so that is what I had.  Went back to hotel to meet up with tour company for our Sound Of Music tour.  Natasha came at 0900 and had a really nice van that we all fit into very comfortably.  We had arranged this private tour before we left Portland.  She said in the allotted time she could show us around the city if we liked and indeed we did!  She pointed out what different buildings were and there origin and how they came about.  She really reviewed the history of Salzburg and Austria.  The city is divided into old and new and you can tell when you went from one part to the other.  The main goal was to show us the places where the movie was shot.  It was in many places all over the city and some not even in the city.  They kind of took some liberties on the sites.  We saw the Von Trap house, the gazebo, the lake they rowed in, the trees they climbed, the mountain Marie sang on, and even the actual church that  they were married in!  Natasha told us the real story behind the Von Trap's and we saw the convent that Maria went into and left.  But the scenery in the hills and the lakes was the most amazing!  It was a great tour and lasted just over 4 hours and was well worth the charges.  When we got back to the hotel we did a quick freshen up and took off for lunch and more shopping..very nice and fun to do.  More plans to look around tomorrow ...up to the fortress .. We hope.

LMR report

Last full day in Salzburg.  Made the most of it.  One exception , however- got up in our excellent hotel room to,bet ready to face the day and had no hot water!  They called maintenance up.to the room and they agreed there was no hot water!  They offered to give us another room down the hall to shower in but we didn't want to,walk the halls in our PJ's, so we declined.  Took a four hourSound of Music tour.  Had a great guide, Natasha.  She gave us a lot of city history and showed us many sites where the movie was filmed. As is usually the case places that looked right next to,each other during the movie are great distances apart. Little town called Monsee is where the wedding was filmed.  Very pretty, but looked much bigger in the movie. Saw the balcony where the baroness sat, the trees the kids climbed and one of the gazebos where Liesl sang "sixteen going on seventeen".  I tried hard not to sing , since any of you who have heard me sing would appreciate. But I couldn't completely control it!  We returned to the hotel and we have hot water now.  Did some shopping - had lunch and beverages.  Tomorrow  part day in Salzburg,then back to Munich for our last night in Europe on this trip.  Till then--!

April 17 2013

April 17 2013

LAT report

Spent a lot of the day on the train or transferring on the train to get to Salzburg.  That required dragging a whole bunch of luggage from one train station to another.  I think I have developed a bunch of new muscles in my arms and legs!  We arrived in Salzburg and took a cab to our hotel and it is just crazy!  The city is amazing!  We are in the old part of the city and oh my gosh!!  We are on a narrow street that just fits one car , very much like Paris.  The hotel is very old and spectacular!  We have a suite with a sitting room and a huge bedroom with over stuffed pillows and an over stuffed bed! Just ver quaint and lovely.   We unpacked a few things put on a short sleeved t-shirt (it is warm) and took off den the street.  The streets are lined with little shops that are very unique, spendy and fun to look into.  They started to close after 6pm but w did get to look into some of them.  We had a nice dinner (I had soup with spatezle). Then we headed back to the hotel and had a nice drink...I won't mention how much it cost!   I did not mention that when you look outside the hotel door to the right the street is at the foot of a fortress that is high high on a hill and just an amazing site!  Lots of good pictures that will be shared later when I get home.  The air is clean, the crowds on the street are huge but very orderly.. Things are very expensive ...but it is just lovely!  God's country!


LMR report


LMR report

Left Obergammerau.  Took train to Murnau changed train then to Munich.  At Munich went from one end of depot to the other to catch train to Salzburg.  Trip took 1 1/2 hours , our seats faced backwards , so I moved to a forward facing seat.  I have discovered that riding backwards doesn't  work with my sense of balance and equilibrium.  Hotel in Salzburg was built in the 1400's.  Truly quaint, we have a separate sitting room from our sleeping room.  Walked around old town Salzburg, lots of small vendors - looked a bit like a Saturday market.  Had pretzel vendors with all kinds of pretzels like items.  My favorite was a sugar donut shaped like a pretzel.  Had sinner at an outside cafe and then beverages at another cafe.  Back to the hotel for the rest of the evening.  Sound of Music tour tomorrow.  Till then...

April 16 2013

April 16 2013

LAT report

We had a nice continental breakfast in our new city of Oberammergau.  We planned our early trip by city bus to the city of Lindof which was about 20 miles from Oberammergau.  The scenery again is breath taking and the bus was empty besides us.  Just so nice.  We arrived at the King Ludwig's castle. From where we were left off we could not see the castle.  We bought our tickets all of us claiming to be senior citizens and they believed us gggggrrrrrrrhhhhhh!  We then took a ten minute walk to the castle on a gravel covered path .... That went up and went down.  The castle was fairly small for a castle.  We were met at the door by a very nice young woman that took us thru and provided explanations of all that we were seeing and answered questions.  Our group was nice and small which was good since there was a group of about 25 teenagers ahead of us that were loud and unruly.  The palace was very elaborate beyond belief with silk and tapestry walls,  gold relief work,  mural covered ceilings, oak floors, huge vases made by Meissen...which we knew cost an arm and a leg!  He had a table in his dinning room that lowered to the bottom floor so the meal could be set and then raised to where he ate.  His bed was huge he was a very tall man over 6'5"!  There was a chandelier that weighed a half a ton.  There was huge water fall and pool outside that was lovely.  We then took off up another hill that was quite a hill to see the cave he built that had stalagmites from the ceiling with a huge pool that had a small elaborate boat ..just for him.  The pool changed colors and even had waves if he wanted it, there was also music.  He was quite elaborate and thought to be crazy...I am not so sure... We walked up hill to another small structure that he apparently went to read in ..he read a book a week.  Then we started our track back down hill which was harder to walk then up hill at least for my knees.  Bus ride back was nice Linda and I visited a couple of shops we had not been to and then caught up with Dick and Candy.  We decided to be very adventurous for dinner and do Mexican food!  Let me just say...don't do German Mexican food...it is not good...but it was an adventure!

LMR report

Day 2 in Oberammergau - had continental breakfast at the hotel.  Actually included in the room rate.  Took a city bus to King Ludwig II's castle.  Truly amazing!  He lived alone and built himself six castles throughout Bavaria.  Quite a climb to the top of the mountain where his palace is located.  We were really proud of ourselves to make it all the way...very steep!  Lots of gold, Meissen, and crystal.  Chandelier in one room weighed a half a ton.  Visited Ludwig's personal grotto where he had entertainment come and perform for himself - an audience of one!  He loved Wagner and his music.  He installed a table in the dining room which lowered to the servants quarters to have the food placed and sent back up to him.  No pictures were allowed but imagine the most opulent place you can and multiply it by ten!  Back to town we did more shopping in very cute quaint town.  Met some Finns and said what few words I know in Finnish to them.  Went for German - Mexican food for dinner...very interesting!  Off to Austria tomorrow ..

April 15 2013

April 15 2013

LAT report

Leaving Munich on train heading for Obergammerau will be two trains with one transfer in Murmau then final train to Obergammerau.  We had plenty of time in Munich so went to breakfast. The train was great it was very clean and we had great seats..nobody else on it that we saw.  The scenery on this and the next train was to DIE for!  Like I said to Linda this is God's country!  Incredible hills with snow ...but the sky was blue as blue could be!  Obergammerau is a quaint artsy town that has cobblestone streets, little shops, wonderful restaurants and bier!!  We walked around and shopped and met for late dinner I had a bowl of ghoulash and I loved it!  Ate it with a pretzel and many beers or biers. Had a great night sleep weather was shirt sleeve weather no coats unbelievable.

LMR report

Left Munich early for the train station.  Arrived in time to have a nice breakfast....best of the trip!  Took train to Murnau.  When we arrived in Obergammerau train was there and we ran towards it in order not to miss it.  There were only three other people on the train.  Magnificent scenery - lakes and small towns.  Arrived in Obergammerau - called the hotel for a shuttle, told them we had lots of luggage .  They sent both a shuttle and a cab.  Hotel is in the center of town.  Truly lovely.  Our room is two story like we had in Paris only much nicer.  Two bedrooms one with a shower one with a tub.  We then walked around town and met back at our place every hour with Candy and Dick for beverages outside of our hotel under umbrellas.  Found two stores which sell Birkenstocks as well as a brand called Finnconcepts, made here in Germany, couldn't decide si bought both.  LAT got Internet access so we received much appreciated emails from home.  There are adorable shops and we had dinner outside.  Tomorrow we are going to King Ludwig's palace.  Till then...!

April 14 2013

April 14 2013

LAT report

We met for breakfast at 0715 in the hotel restaurant.  We then proceeded to the S-Bahn which is the Munich subway system.  Not very many people around..as it it Sunday... Lots of shops ate closed.  We ran into two Americans from Colorado who work some of the time in Munich.  We told them we were going to Dachau for a tour and they gave us the directions we needed to head and what train to catch.  Once you understand the system it is pretty easy to get around...so they gave us a five minute lesson.  They said we needed to catch a city bus once we took the Dachau stop and that the ticket we purchased was good for both the train and the bus...how easy is that?  We met some nice gentlemen from Brazil that were also going to Dachau and snow all wen together and it was smooth a clock work.  Dachau is in a town of its on with nice houses and parks..very homey.  Then you get to the concentration camp and the have a nice Visitor center ..which leads you into the camp.  The camp is huge...three football fields if not more.  The gate going in is very ominous with rod iron enforcements.... Then you see the huge yard were the Jews were made to stand upright at attention for hours on end ..even if they were dying... You go into a museum that layers out the entire history of this place.... Just gruesome ...and unbelievably inhuman.   It gives you shivers to walk this same ground.  It was a very humbling experience ...I could go on and on but you will have to see the pictures.
     In the afternoon we headed for the center of Munich to the Hofbrau Haus to have lunch.  It is an fun place with at least seating for 300.  It is loud and gay and delightful..a live five piece band plays German music while waiters serve you a beer that is so huge you cannot believe it!  I had apple strudel with cream and it was to die for...my travel partners had lunch items..we sat with a Russian couple who were very nice w all had a great time.  We walked across the street to the Hard Rock Cafe and did a bit of shopping and then strolled around for awhile ..most shops were closed as it is Sunday.  We made one last beer stop before jumping on the S-Bahn to go back to the hotel.  The weather is incredible ..mild and no rain...did not have wear a coat...and I wished I had my sun glasses wit me! Tomorrow we are leaving for Obergammerau. ... A small Bavarian town..that will be a huge contrast to Munich.   We are sorry we did not have more time here but could not get hotel reservations.   More to follow.    

LMR report

Day 2 in Munich.  Man's inhumanity to man- Dachau - truly awful!  Took the S-train from hotel to Dachau.we were there at 0900 opening and stayed till about 1230.  Toured all the exhibits, watched a movie and videos.  Met several nice people including nice young men from Brazil.  On the train trip out we met two men from Colorado who helped us understand the trains and schedules.  Very easy to get around the city.  Most people are very quiet and respectful.  The town of Dachau is much larger then I expected.  I would love to have talked to some of the long time residents to hear what they or their parents recollect of that era and location.  Got back to central Munich most shops were closed.  Found our way to the Hofbrau house and The Hard Rock Cafe right across the street from each other.  I had the worst meal of the trip (for me).  I ordered meat loaf and got a slab of something that tasted a bit like bologna.  Asked hop on hop off if there was a loud speaker system like before with only German.  The answer was "yes"!  So we skipped it and saved €20.  Made our way back to the hotel, had a beer and a glass of wine and a cheeseburger (much better then this afternoon)!  Off to Oberammergau in the morning.  More to follow.

April 13 2013

April 13 2013

LAT report

Left early for train station had an 0900 takeoff.  When we got there found out the train we had listed was only Monday thru Friday.  So we got the schedule for next train to Nurnenberg which was not leaving until about 1000.  We had time for coffee and breakfast.  We loaded the train and found four double seats together so we all could sit with our luggage and each other.  At one of the stops along the way a young man with shoulder length hair got on and sat in front of Linda.  He had a back pack and a guitar case so I figured he might be in a band.  About 45 minutes in a man stopped at his seat and asked him for his passport.  They compared it to a picture hey had.  Then another guy showed up and they were talking with him, he left his seat at one point and went up front with them.  They all returned and they wanted o see what he had so he pulled stuff out and showed them.  Then they wanted to take him to he back and search the pack themselves and things started to escalate.  He kept asking for his passport back and they kept telling him to go to the back to be checked.  Then all of a sudden another guy showed up and they kept talking about the back.  Tie went on and finally the newer guy ho was in charge said they will all get off at the next station....so when the train stopped with some minor resistance they all left...and got off...so now we don't know what happened next.  The guys showed there ID and it was from German border patrol...there was a bunch of police at one of the sops and a bunch of protesters...we don't know what that was about either...could not read the signs!      We are now in Munich and have arrived at the hotel...it is not a Hilton...it is a Holiday Inn and there is a difference.  We have our rooms and the hotel is packed there is apparently a game of some sort going on and there are a lot of Americans ...most appear to,be business types...not sure but they have monopolized the bar and are very noisy.  We asked the waiter for a tip and he suggested a little Bavarian restaurant across the street..it was great!  I had spatezle and Wiener schnitzel ...it was really good!  Very nice homey place...we then went back to the hotel and agreed on our meeting time 0700 and went to bed!l

LMR report

All day train, left the Hilton early to get to train depot.  Arrived to discover our train only runs Monday thru Friday, so we made an adventure out of it.  Caught a later train after a very nice breakfast.  Our transfer train to Munich was 35 minutes late so we caught another train.  Met nice people who helped us get off at Munich, because at an earlier stop we lined up to get out, we were following the wrong crowd!  Had an experience while on the first train.  A man got on and sat in the seat in front of me.  Three men came and took his passport and compared it to other pictures.  They looked through his backpack and violin case and then wanted him to go with them.  He kept refusing and calling people on his cell phone to tell them he was being robbed.  I'm not sure who was in the right, but three men had government ID, which they said was from "control".  The passenger continued to resist and with help was taken from the train at the next stop.  He told me he had been stopped by control many times.  Probably a coincidence but at an earlier station there were many protestors with banners and signs and uniformed police.  Arrived in Munich in time to settle in and have dinner.  Early tomorrow to Dachau.  Till then.