Travel Blog - München Tag Eins

Tourist Must Do's Day

No we are not in Italy but I will forgive you for thinking that

I would usually buy a travel guide but as this was a low cost holiday I decided to use Trip Advisor.  I recently discovered that they do a travel guides in the "more" section that gives you advice depending how long you are visiting a city for.  After the excitement of our first night in our Ibis capsule we were raring to go.  

Orange walls in the Subway station

This was my first ever visit to Muenchen (GO had been before for a family wedding) and as much as he was relying on me to be his personal interpreter, I have to confess I do struggle with the Southern German accents (think a combination of Scouse and Geordie and you can understand).   Our first challenge appeared which travel card to purchase, we decided on a two day card, which can be used on any U Bahn within the city limits it cost 23 Euros, which was slightly more than the 11 Euro for a day card, but the card was a family card that meant it was for the two of us.  Our card was never checked the entire time we were there, I also had an unfortunate accident where I thought it was an old ticket and ripped it up, oops. 

Map taken from Munich Tourist Board

We started our day at Odeonsplatz, we didn't know why, it just seemed like a sensible place to start then we planned to make our way along the main street through the city heading towards Sendlinger Torplatz, going off to the sides to see the many sites.  

First church of the day

This all changed pretty much instantly when we arrived in the square outside the Theatine Church, it was just like an Italian Piazza, as we were there relatively early it wasn't too busy, we took a few happy snaps before heading into the church.  Bavarian churches are a bit of an obsession of mine, they are so ornate and beautiful it is hard not to be amazed by them. I make a point of visiting churches when we go to new place and lighting a candle to keep all of our nearest and dearest safe, healthy and happy (don't say I never give you anything).

Amazing Architecture

As we left the church we headed right along our planned route, other tourists kept asking us for advice and directions (I obviously look like a local), we decided to nip into a local passage (shopping boulevard) to see if we could find some breakfast, I had seen workmen with bakers bag. Where there are workmen there must be reasonably priced eats, I didn't want to blow the budget on breakfast.

Me buying rolls is worth a picture?

We found hidden amongst the designer boutiques there was a REWE with an on site bakers, for 3.50 euros we got a filled roll and a cup of coffee, bit of a bargain me thinks. "We'll come back here!" GO exclaimed (we didn't go back, we found other places, not better, just different).  After our yummy "pause" and a quick look around the supermarket we moved on (I will elaborate on the supermarket later).  We should have returned the way we came, but where is the fun in that? 

First thing Mamilein sais when she saw this was, ooh pretty lights.

We arrived at Promenade Platz which not only had a monument to a famous Münchener son (enter name here later) it also had a shrine to Michael Jackson.  We didn't know it existed, and speaking to others who have been to München neither did they.  It is statue that has been taken over by Michael's devoted followers who have covered it with flowers, photos and poems dedicated to the King of pop.

GO and the famous.....  um

Yeah, Him.

We carried on walking towards a large junction, with every intention of heading back to Theatiner Plz, we didn't get there until much later though.  Where we did get to was a huge fountain.  The sun was blazing and the fountain was, amazingly, tourist free. So we took it  a sign to pause for a bit.  It was nice to enjoy the peace and quiet and the warm sun.

Getting our money worth out of the selfie stick

We took stock of where we had been, and how we had got so diverted.  I was concerned that we would miss all of the sehenswurdigkeit, so out came the free map.  Wherever I go I try to get a free map and cross off all of the things that we have visited.  I recently found the map that I used in New York, it was covered in notes and squiggles.   After taking more happy snaps, we headed toward a big building.  GO said that he thought is was something to do we courts, I thought it was a palace.  I hate it when he is right.

A Map in progress

  

We got a lovely passerby to take this for us

I really was that sunny

He always has to pose with orange things

Panorama gone wrong

Another church

I'm going in here!

After a restroom stop, we headed towards the main shopping area, we had no real plans to buy anything but it was nice to look around the shops.  One thing I did want to do was try on a Dirndl so that was one of the first shops that we went into.  I honestly had every intention of buying one, but we just got so busy that we forgot to go back (laws of Karma mean I obviously didn't really want it).  Anyhow I had a blast looking through the rails and rails of Dirndls and then I found one to try on and although Fotografieren was Verboten, we managed to sneak in a few.

Mamilein said I always wear dark colours so shouldn't buy this!

Following my joy at trying on Dirndls, I suggested that the only right and proper thing to do would be for GO to try on some Lederhosen.  At first he was reluctant but after I assured him that I wouldn't take any photos unless he looked good, he tried on some fabric ones, but that wasn't good enough for my.  If you are going to try on Lederhosen you may as well make sure they are actually made out of Leder.

In the words of Mamilein; "He looks like an echte Bayrische!"

After having way too much fun dressing up, we took solace first in a hunting and fishing museum, as you do.  Then we went to the Dom and saw the actual Jesus!  Feeling very parched by this experience we headed to a bier garten and topped up our electrolytes with a Radler.  Bier gartens are great except for the fact that now as all indoors are non smoking premises the smokers have taken over.  it wasn't the most pleasant experience, but the bier made up for the smoke, just.  Not enough for a second one though.

Oh My God it's Jesus!

We made our way through the back streets towards the Rathaus.  We were clocking up some serious mileage at this point, as previously mentioned I didn't really have much of a plan other than to hit the main tourist sites as listed on TripAdvisor.  I never tell GO where we are headed, unless I am lost,  then I like the reassurance of making decisions together (so I'm not the only one to blame), so we were wandering.  I am not sure if he likes this way of exploring, but as I have never asked him it is our current Modus Operandi.  I had a vague recollection of something to do with the Rathaus, maybe it was something Mamilein had mentioned, I am not sure but as we were exploring the Rats Keller, scoffing at the prices (tourists must be rolling in it to pay the prices they were asking for a Bratwurst), I heard the bells ring.  It was at the second that I remembered, it was also the exact moment that a group of Oriental tourists literally dropped everything and made a run for the courtyard exit.  "The Bells, the Bells!" I spluttered to GO (The Hunchback of Notre Damm reference is not lost on me)  "They do something every hour, let's go!"  With the I disappeared into the crowd, (as much as GO can lose me in an instant, I blend into most crowds, he sticks out like a sore thumb) to watch a group of little tin men prancing around on a carousel high up in the bell tower, it was a lovely sight coupled with an audible "ahhh!"  From the crowd.  I am not sure whether it was worth sprinting across the own square but it was cute.    GO was not best pleased when 90 seconds after the little show started I leaned into him and whispered "I'm done with this now, we can go whenever you want too!"  WE stayed a bit longer when a second row of mechanical dancers started spinning but even that held my interest for a short time before I was moving on again.

Panorama of the Rathaus

Always harassing statues

Inside the Rastkeller

The front of the Rathaus

En Guarde

Touche

Toy museum

Bridge of Sighs

After the excitement of Marien Platz we decided that we were ready for some sustenance and made our way to Vitualien Markt to find some thing to satiate our hunger.  Now as daft as this sounds, it was full of tourists, I love a market and always make a beeline for them, the North has many I cannot recommend Bury market highly enough, it is not a pretty market but it is huge and full of everything.  The Vitualien Markt was beautiful and while it may have been purely for the locals in its infancy it is now most definitely a tourist market.  While you at come across a few locals it is priced for a tourist visitor and that made what should have been quite an task find a good currywurst almost impossible.  I was getting desperate but I refused to pay 9 Euros for a sausage.

Having no luck in the market, we decided to give the Hof Brauhaus a go, why we thought this would be a cheaper option is beyond me.  I had read somewhere, that after 6pm they only serve beers in the Steins, so I knew what was coming.  We managed to secure ourselves a table in the Stamm Tisch (tables reserved by regulars, paid for years in advance) area.  We had waited patiently to be served then I remembered we were in Germany and just grabbed a seat as soon as it looked like some one moving, we ordered a couple of Steins and some Brezeln (pretzels) that were served with mustard (never had that before).  We were relaxing when a couple of New Zealanders asked if they could share our booth, of course we agreed and chatted to them for a while.  They were a father and son on a weekend away.  The son lived in new Zealand and his parents had come to Europe to get away from the cold winter (seems like they swapped one cold climate for another). 

Finally we made our way back to the hotel to rest our weary heads before doing it all over again the next day.  I loved Muenchen and we had managed to check off a lot of the tourist to do list I had been given, what would we do tomorrow?
What did we eventually eat?  Well after walking the length of Muenchen we finally found a place to eat, it was reasonably priced, tasty, it serves local delicacy's that you can't get in the UK and was giving away souvenir glasses.... We went to McDonald's for a McRib.

Travel Blog Part 1 - Airport Life

I lucked out, I had been searching for weeks for a flight to Munich for us to start our travels. It was looking like we'd have to get a train/coach to London before getting a flight from Stansted or Luton to Munich. Then I had a brainwave Nuremburg, I checked it out a flight would cost us £17 each from Manchester.  Then we could get a train from their to Munich.  According to my various apps the whole journey would take just over an hour and would cost €60 each.  Then I discovered The BVG (Bavarian Railway) it took 46mins longer but cost us €26 altogether. 

We arrived in Manchester to be greeted by a long snake (queue) practically the length of the terminal, we had checked in online but had to drop off our bag.  You need to weigh your bags and attach the label before dropping off on the conveyor belt, where there is someone checking tickets and baggage tags.  Seems like a great waste of time as we'd already been told we had to check in online and print out our boarding passes, or face a fine.

Once through security, GO hasn't travelled on a plane for so long he hasn't seen the rise in the busy traveller.  Particularly in Manchester airport, there is an expectation that you will be ready to drop your items into the security trays the second you get to the conveyor belt.  Any hold up will be met with eye rolling and lots of huffs and puffs.  As we get closer to the trays I have my belt off, iPhone and Kindle out and have thrown away out water.  While he saunters along.  I know he isn't ready but he won't listen to me.  So I let him fuss and falter with the security officer, who is slightly distracted by an elderly couple who have managed to encroach into everyone's space.  I line up for the X-Ray machine and watch as my hand bag still hasn't been sent through.  There is now a back log of bags and belonging due to Mr and Mrs Shufflealong.  I pass through and beep (always do) I'm wearing jean and the rivets have set off the alarms. 

After finally making it through security, with all of our belongings, after I'd tidied up a bit, putting all of the trays back where they belonged, we set about finding somewhere to sit and wait.  What I really want is something to eat, but the choice in this terminal has always (as far as I'm aware) been quite limited. Either a ridiculously expensive restaurant chain or a high street coffee shop.  Maybe it's because it was new or because I usually fly at five in the morning and it isn't open but we notice a lot of fast food boxes balanced precariously on bins.  While we were exploring we found a KFC.  I couldn't believe actual cheap and greasy food.  I headed straight for it.

The guy behind the toll was new and it was all very confusing, eventually after much to and froing to the supervisor we ordered our meal and it came to £12.98.  I handed over the money and was very surprised when the till said I was due change of £129813.00 I looked shocked the guy at the till looked petrified, his boss couldn't stop laughing.

Finally it was time to board, I made GO's day by telling him that he wouldn't be sat next to me but two seats in front. He was so happy, apparently I'm and fidgety flyer (I'm not).  In a strange quirk, Ryanair's idea of a joke I presume I ended sat with an Asian lady and GO say with her daughter.  I suggested a swap he declined, sod.

On arrival in Nuremburg I stated to worry that we wouldn't find the train station, I had researched everything about this journey and knew that the train to Munich would cost €50 each on the ICE, we/I decided to travel on local trains which took an hour longer but cost €26 for the pair of us, bargain.

The train was so plush and clean we were convinced we had sat in First Class by mistake.   We have Papichen a quick Skype and sat back relaxed, the journey was stress free and so clean.  Just as the train was about to depart the conductor came in the PA system and said that due to a passenger on the inbound service emptying themselves (he was never more specific than that) the first carriage would be out of order, fifteen minutes laters he  said that it had all been cleaned up and the carriage was back in use, welcome to Germany.

After an hour and a half, we'd eaten our first and tastiest brezeln, downed the coffee and had a snooze, we had passed from blazing heat to dark ominous rain clouds and had arrived in Munich, form here to be know as Muenchen.

Our next big job was to get to the hotel, every review I had read and the email I had received from the hotel itself all seemed to claim it was easy to get to the hotel on the 3 from the HBF (Haupt Bahnhof).  it wasn't hard, but it wasn't as easy as it appeared.  First job was finding the UBahn stop.  It was underground, obviously U = Underground.  We purchased a ticket from the ticket office and she said that we would need to one tram and then change to another.  It took us twenty minutes to find our tube stop, we followed signs that would then stop, leaving us completely lost.  Eventually we just decided to choose a tunnel and walk down it.  Joy of joys, some how we found ourselves exactly where we needed to be, I love it when that happens.

We hopped on a very old and tired looking tram (I am use to new and swishy Manchester Metro/TFL), I didn't like it, GO thought it was great and probably loved by most tourists.  we made our connection and then jumped on the next train heading for the Olympia Park, this was our stop, or so I thought. 

We got off at our stop and I consulted my map app, we had a twenty minute walk to the hotel.  Seemed reasonable, I thought, not exactly what I would call a convenient stop Trip Advisor, but hey ho off we go.  I decided not to follow the map exactly but to go the "scenic" route, so our twenty minute walk took about an hour, oops. On the bright side we walked through what must have been the competitors village in the 1972 Olympics and was now a very seventies looking housing estate painted all sorts of garish colours and was like a scene out of an old German film.  After what felt like forever and included walking past the UBahn stop for Oberwiesenfeld (our actual stop) we made it the hotel.

What a nice surprise

Hey C, I've booked the Cricket club tomorrow night for my mums suprise 60th birthday party. If you and GO aren't busy you're more than welcome to come. Got a band booked, pie & peas so plenty of dancing. I didn't invite you both earlier because you don't really know my mum and M didn't think you'd want to come but then I thought we're all family and my mum is lovely so if your free and fancy a dance your more than welcome to come xxx 

We had nothing planned, and as GO said, you can only turn people down so often before they stop asking.   We arrived at the club and we're greeted by GO's brother, shortly after Finlaw and Minlaw arrived.  It was a great evening and a real surprise for the birthday girl.  The band, which I thought were called Pie and Peas, were brilliant. They had me up dancing from the start, but as I said to GO if I don't dance then I have to talk to people.  

Now I know I'm old

There was a time many moons ago when my go to hangover food was hot and greasy.  Fry ups/burgers/French fries.  No today, today I am having tomatoes on toasted Pitta bread, and it's yummy.  I also have a handover after a couple of ciders, I'm such a lightweight these days.

Chasing the Sunrise

** TMI **

Yes, getting up a half four was hard.  

Yes, walking up a very large hill was challenging. 

For me though the hardest part of our Sunrise chase was the realisation half way up that I needed the loo.  It was the most uncomfortable experience ever.  

We parked the car and set off, I knew it wasn't going to be a long walk but we were doing it as we'd never walked an early morning walk before.  We hoped to catch the morning golden  hour and find the elusive Tod Beach.

We set off following a trail, as always it was quite a gentle to begin with and then slowly but surer the trail got steeper and the walk got harder.  As well as trying to navigate my path I was trying not to be sick.  

The grassy trail became less grassy and more rocky.  It was less a walk and more of a climb, it was at this point that GO and went our separate ways.  

Again I think this is a metaphor for our relationship/life. GO took the simple path, it was clear but very steep, he had to put in a lot of effort to reach the summit, but his path was quite empty if any real hazards.  I took a path that was level, not much uphill effort required but I had to dodge so many rocks and boulders.  It was quite treacherous and dangerous but I plowed on regardless.

On reaching the summit and looking at the Sunrise through the clouds, we turned around to discover we had not infact reached the summit.  Not only was there still a few feet to go there was an actual staircase leading to the beach. 

The "beach" was unsurprisingly empty, it was 6 o'clock in the morning.  We saw the Sunrise, it wasn't as colourful as we'd hoped but then it was a wet, windy cloudy Yorkshire day.  

I can see why the beach is so popular, the walk isn't that difficult. The views are spectacular and the water is freezing.  We were windswept and decided to find somewhere to have a tea and biscuits.  My overwhelmeming need for the loo took over and we quickly headed back to the car.

While the walk up had albeit killed me and my cardiovascular system the walk down was hell on my knees.  While going uphill I regretted bringing along my walking sticks as they were just dragged along behind me, on the descent they saved my life (I'm exaggerating) one more than one occasion.

I was proud of us getting up at Sparrow's fart to chase the Sunrise, I was slightly disappointed that the Sunrise was hidden behind the clouds.  I was just getting my head around it when I saw a rainbow.  That made my day.

We're up!

What have we done?

While I had set the alarm for 4.30am, we slept in, amazingly only until 5 am. We set off for the summit, we had both heard about Tod Beach and has wanted to visit, but we also both heard about how busy it gets. Bearing this in mind a chase the sunrise walk seemed like a good idea.  Parking the car on the side of the road, which is not really allowed (it was 5am) we headed off up the hill.  It isn't a long walk but it was the big longish walk we'd completed in a few weeks, and my boots still weren't really broken in.

Let's give it a try

"Let's go out in the golden hour and take some photos!"  GO surprisingly likes the idea, especially when I said it would be later in the day/evening.  Then I had an idea, we're on holiday.  We have no where to be, let's go for a sunrise rather than sunset hike.  So the alarm is now set for stupid O'clock, let's see what happens.

What is he doing?

Our summer plan is one day busy, one day chill.  Today is a chill day, this coincides with the gas man coming round.  While I cleaned GO set about finding all the things he's lost since the beginning of time.  I decided not to hoover until gas man has gone (they always make a mess), so I've been procrastinating on the sofa. GO comes in with the post and then kneels in front of the TV, he has been like this for nearly ten minutes, what is he doing?