It's Always Good To Be Home!

The journey has ended--we are home, safe in our own beds--our journey took us to many interesting locations where we met super people, shared good food, wine and conversation.  The Historic places we visited will always be in our memories--the people we met will share a place in our hearts.

As we traveled, I used my smart phone to post photos and write this blog--it wasn't easy to say all I wanted to say about those historic places.  The computers in business center of hotels were difficult to maneuver--sometimes, you feel so dumb--especially when all other nationalities can speak your language and you butcher theirs!  Oh, well--everyone is very kind, helpful and supportive when you are a foreigner traveling in their land.  I would only hope we can afford them the same courtesy when they visit ours.

A wrap up of places and things we saw and I didn't post about:

The Grand Residenz of Munich was almost totally wiped out with WWII bombing--as many

of the historic places we visited in Germany--

true to saving history, the Residentz is being refurbished to its once beauty.

History will remain--walking into this magnificent hall--took your breath away!

This was the dining hall and only one of the 170 rooms-- We walked through

65-80 of the rooms--just unbelieveable. 

The fiascos are slowly being repaired--to think that all the work of 1600's

was almost gone, but still faintly mark their spots.

I thought I saw a spinning wheel in the right corner.

But, look at the molding--how awesome is that?! 

This is a Persian wool tapestry from 1600

Luckily, alot of these treasures were taken out of the rooms

and stored in Austria during WWII

The close up detail.

And the beers of Germany and the people are two of the highlights

besides the historic buildings.  we visited the Hofbrauhaus to sample

a beer and some sausages--the beers are government controlled--

so there are no flavored beers and all beers taste about the same to me.

Here we sat next to an East German couple who were coming to

Munich for holiday.  They spoke excellent English and answered our

questions about beers and sausage--even shared a bite of their 

pig knuckle--delightful people rule this world 

And the churches!! What else can I say about the churches?

such lovely places to sit, listen and pray!

a world known to many Christians

We stood here  and we got goosebumps!  Here is where history was in the

making--this was Hitler's Nazi party rally grounds--so eerie to think millions

walked these grounds and saluted

Here is the view from the time period.

This is so depressing to think about.

Yes, we had a grand journey--and now, we settle into daily life and routine.

Thank you for taking the journey with me.

Bejeweled!

We took the day to visit the Munich Residendez, the 

Former royal palace of the Bavarian monarchs of the

House of Wittelsbach.  It is the largest city palace in Germany.

Our first stop was the Treasury--so, let's feel adorned

With jewels. Which of these lovelies would you wear?

These jewels date to 1600-1800

Some of the stones from various pieces were 

Removed and replaced with glass during the 1930's

The jewels, according to our guide, were sold. 

Such lovely tear dropped pearls!  

Bracelets 

This would look good draped around any neck

The king's crown on the royal pillow 

Below the queen 

Being A Tourist!

With assistance of our hotel concierge and good maps, 

We were heading out to be a tourist in Munich.  

He circled the most important highlights to visit

And also gave us Ubon train info

This is our station--I took photo to remember

We arrived at Marien Platz @ 10:50 AM-- there is work taking 

Place around the town hall.  Large groups of fellow tourists from 

Various countries were standing around the area; some guides, some like us on their own

You can see a quiet protest taking place with the 3 with signs--no idea what they

Were protesting.  We've seen several of these small groups in other cities

I

Here we are--looking up at the Glockenspiel!  

How lucky to arrive before 11--it only shows at 

11, noon & 5.  Quite by chance did we arrive at this time

The town hall was built in 1870's--glockenspiel was built in 1908

The church bells nearby ring at the stroke of 11 and we wait

Nothing happens till 2 minutes after the bells and the

Presentation begins!  A story unfolds of a marriage

Lovely to watch this action, even if you must crane your neck to see

The town hall is quite impressive 

We venture to St Peter Church and then toFrauenkirche (Dom)

Where a large art installation is featured in the middle.  This is called 

Heart oNumberOne by Michael Pendry.  

Life on the streets are busy with various street performers--all waiting for a euro or two

We found the huge  Viktualien Markt wonderful fruits, veggies, meats, etc.  

cherries are seasonal fruit--we've even had them for breakfast and 

Featured in many desserts

Transportation of locals--bikes of all kinds--watch out for cyclists 

We stopped in Hofbrauhaus for an afternoon beer

People are friendly and helpful--an E German couple sat next to us and we visited

They speak very good English!  Where I speak no German!

We head back to our train station --jump on first one headed in our direction--only

To find two stops up, everyone disembarked and we are left sitting in an empty

Car!  One up guy popped his head in and indicated we should get off

Have no idea where we would have headed up if we'd stayed on!

Next Stop On This Adventure!

We are finishing up our stay in Frankfurt

At each hotel we are given a gift--this was our gift for this stay--

A box of breadsticks 

Then last nite we had knock on door & found an hotel employee 

Handing us two mini Bon bond!  

Okay--that's interesting!

We take taxi from hotel to train station, only

1.6 miles.  We had reservations for our next train to Munich

We had to learn the ticket machine, but there are many 

Languages to choose from--tickets in hand, we find our

Train and track

Mm

This is a large station with platforms--no need to go up or down

Stairs for the right track

The train is 6 minutes late arriving in Munich!  Unbelievable!

We find taxi stand, tell driver our hotel and 25E later

We are there.  It seemed like he took the long way round but

When you are in a strange city, you are in the hands of the taxi driver

Who might want to make an extra E or two! We did see some of 

The city though!  Just don't know where we are!

Next Stop On This Adventure!

We are finishing up our stay in Frankfurt

At each hotel we are given a gift--this was our gift for this stay--

A box of breadsticks 

Then last nite we had knock on door & found an hotel employee 

Handing us two mini Bon bond!  

Okay--that's interesting!

We take taxi from hotel to train station, only

1.6 miles.  We had reservations for our next train to Munich

We had to learn the ticket machine, but there are many 

Languages to choose from--tickets in hand, we find our

Train and track

This is a large station with platforms--no need to go up or down

Stairs for the right track

The train is 6 minutes late arriving in Munich!  Unbelievable!

We find taxi stand, tell driver our hotel and 25E later

We are there.  It seemed like he took the long way round but

When you are in a strange city, you are in the hands of the taxi driver

Who might want to make an extra E or two! We did see some of 

The city though!  Just don't know where we are!

Moving On

One of the best ways to travel in Germany is by train.  They are always on time. 

We took first class seats--little money but on a long ride

It is much quieter in the #1 car

This car had an upper area & lower section

I planted myself in the lower--didn't want to lug 

My suitcase up any more stairs!  

We had to go up to tracks, over and down stairs 

Again to get to right train! 

The train made many stops in small villages & 

We traveling along the Rhine River again

Where we saw the same castles and passed several

Caravan parks--these must be permanent locations 

For campers or maybe permanent homes--don't know

But, there were many along the river

Once we settled into our hotel on 40th floor, 

I like to see the view.  Across there sporting and

Entertainment venues

The other direction were banks

And more of this Frankfurt city!  

A Might Fortress

We are off the river cruise after 7 days--

We stayed on night in Luxenbourg

We took taxi from the port, costing 70 E

While others were continuing onto Paris

We are heading to Franfurt by train

We walked a short distance into the city--marveled

At the town fortress built around

We found a "hop on hop off" bus in

Order to see some of city.  Our walk back to

Hotel took us by this historic church

It is Cathedral of Our Lady

It was a rainy afternoon but we able to avoid 

Showers as we rode bus or stopped in for lunch

In French restaurant.  Here you will hear many 

Languages spoken.  Luxenbourg is the financial 

Center of Europe with many banks and financial 

Institutions 

I thought you'd like to see our shower--red and blue lights. 

The shower sits in the middle of the room! 

The elevator changes colors with each floor advancement 

Quite modern hotel with contemporary features.  Of course, 

For security you must insert room key to go up in elevator

And as all European hotels, a key is required for electricity in your room