Last day in Munich (sad face) is a walk to Olympic Park September 17, 2019

While Englisher Garden and the downtown area are pretty far from where we stayed on the outer edge of Schwabing, the site of the 1972 Munich Olympics was quite close, just a 20 minute walk.

Our hotel, which is actually serviced apartments called The Spot was quite comfortable and convenient, located over a small REWE supermarket and bakery - who needs more?!  We made coffee every day and went downstairs to purchase fresh bread, yogurt and fruit.  It was almost a relief to do this after being SO WELL FED by our Croatian hotel restaurant and the various BnBs we stayed at before this.



Our L shaped studio room is a corner with two walls of windows with screens which raise and lower electronically.  While here, we watched the trees go from green to a few brown leaves.

                     

There is a small park behind our building complex which was quite pretty - these bare trees are actually metal sculptures.  Photo #2 shows a pigeon perched watching us walk through the park.

                      

After crossing a rather long glass bridge, we spotted several dog walkers with multiple leashed and unleashed dogs.  This park, except for the Olympic Tower area was HUGE and very empty of people - definitely not many tourists on weekdays.

The Olympic structures were quite fantastic and in various states of disuse, use, and Oktoberfest preparations!  Of course the 200 meter high tower beckoned from everywhere we could see.

                   

The Olympic Halle is still used for shows 

and if you take a close look below at this partial selection of posters, you can see an odd bunch upcoming from now until early 2020, looks like about two or three a month.  

The tower continued to beckon.

So we decided to act like the tourists we are and take the plunge (an elevator!) to the top of the tower!

Total cost 9 Euros each, worth it!

 This was taken on the top unobstructed observation deck - there are three, one glassed in, one above that with tall bars and this smaller one, the highest, which was a bit dizzying.  Below are a couple of spectacular views - it was a bit hazy and when clear, from one entire side, you can see the Alps the names of which are etched into the glass on the lower deck.

                                                                  The stadium, above.

 
                                                                   Some of the park.

Blurry overview from the glassed in deck of the schwimmhalle (seemed closed) and the main athletic hall (being readied for Oktoberfest!
  

Posters (above) at a small Rock and Roll exhibit showed the Rolling Stones which among many. many bands have played here several times.  Couldn't resist one of me and Elvis!

After returning to The Spot to regroup, we went out and did a little shopping!  Shopping is not our thing.  We regrouped again back to the neighborhood bar!

                         

The big draw was it's Tuesday so the pour is from the Oak Keg!

There is so little crime in this city (or when crime occurs, punishment is instant by multiple police appearing in an instant) that people can just leave their valuables on the table and go out to the restroom or for a smoke.  We saw this happen again and again with folks leaving purses and backpacks on their tables and leaving without a second thought.  Sad to think that the USA is so dangerous, and in many places such as where we live, there is more crime than anywhere we visited on this trip.

Start of a pretty sunset on the way home.

Back on IcelandicAir tomorrow!

Downtown, Old City Munich September 16, 2019

Yesterday was a warm and long walk to the Old City part of Munich, which is also the "busy city" and downtown.  We began walking out of our peaceful neighborhood

and headed through the neighborhood where we passed a local bar/eatery getting ready for Oktoberfest which starts in THREE DAYS - we planned our departure to avoid the crowds! DW could not resist striking a pose.  What you don't see are the two pallets behind this one, also filled with a variety of kegs.  We learned that the wooden kegs will be tapped on Tuesday and Thursday this week (it's Monday today) and are part of the build up to Oktoberfest.  We will be back!

After walking quite a ways, the buildings began getting larger...This was the enormous and quite empty city square and we sat on a bench and took in the space for a while.  

Just beyond this square, we arrived at Marianplatz which is surrounded by multiple baroque buildings and a lot of commercialism which is busy and popular with tourists.  Difficult to take pictures because the buildings are enormous.

The Rathaus-Glockenspiel of Munich is a tourist attraction in Marienplatz, the heart of Munich. the Glockenspiel is in the tower of the New Town Hall at Marienplatz at and sounds at 11 a.m., noon and, except in the winter, also at 5 p.m.  We managed to miss all of these arriving after noon and leaving around 3 pm.  Munich's glockenspiel is the largest in Germany and 4th largest in Europe - its difficult to stand far enough away from the building to take in the whole structure including the steeple.

Danny in he middle of the crowds as we waited for the glockenspiel (never happened) eating a pretzel to keep his strength up.

       
       
Below is part of a sculpture in the middle of the square - I photographed it to capture the clouds. Just one more amazing weather day to experience during our three weeks of touring.

                   Passed this really sweet Vespa on the way home - unique color caught my eye.

We were out of place not wearing lederhosen and dirndls this week - traditional dress is making a huge comeback especially before Oktoberfest - there were pop up stores selling entire outfits.

 Last but not least a stop at the same bier haus we passed earlier to have a couple of German brews.  Not a lot of choices of taps but very refreshing.

September 14, 2019 we arrived in Munich, Germany our final destination

First visit back here in many years.  I know we drove here, and I recall spending a lot of time in the Englisher Garden since our guest quarters were nearby, and a brief visit to Danny's uncle Simon who lived here at the time.  We came at the end of Oktoberfest that time, and this time we missed it by a week - on purpose!   Munich is located at the River Isar in the south of the Bavaria region, famous for it's beautiful architecture, culture and the annual Oktoberfest beer celebration.  The whole city gives itself over to the drinking and worship of beer for about three weeks beginning at the end of September to mid October.  Beer not withstanding, Munich's cultural scene is second to none in Germany and its fine museums are considered by some to outrank those of Berlin in quality.

                                  Examples of striking architecture are everywhere.

                

The Isar River flows through the middle of the city, with a number of smaller rivers branching around it, and is enhanced by the beautiful Englisher Garden Park. This lovely fountain marked our entrance into the park - about a 45 minute walk from where we are staying at The Spot Serviced Apartments on Petra-Kelly Strasse 3.

                  

We got here around 1230 and initially, not so many people.  Later, it became more and more crowded with families and tourists, bicycles, tricycles, pedal carts and people enjoying a beautiful Sunday.

Really quite idyllic in many sections - quiet and clean.

  

One view of the River Isar, above.  Below is where surfing has been occurring in one section of the river - The Eisbach is definitely the spot for surfing in Munich - surfers can be viewed from the bridge or riverbank on either side of the river.  There is one wave about 3 feet high and 30 feet wide.  It first appeared in 1972 after the city submerged concrete blocks under the bridge to break up the current. Unfortunately the wave was very unstable and broke only during high water (in spring after the snow melts) and could disappear for most of the summer, when the weather conditions for surfing in Munich are otherwise most favorable. Locals started some "construction work" with wooden planks to stabilize the wave and since then surfing in Munich has become a year-around sports activity. Only one person at a time can surf, and would be surfers have to queue up to take their turns.  I have a couple of surfing videos posted elsewhere but they won't open here (sorry).

Here's a more peaceful view of the river - the water flows VERY fast and is considered dangerous.

                                                 Not too dangerous to dip a foot or two in!

Found in the heart of Englisher Garden (one of the largest city parks in the world!) is the Chinese Tower, a pagoda-ey multi-level structure that serves as the centerpiece for one of the city’s most beloved beer gardens. The Chinese Tower (five stories with a live German band playing) beer garden is the second largest in Munich, offering over 7000 open-air seats at benches arranged all around the tower (which also houses a band when the weather is good). Despite its immense popularity with visitors and locals, there is always somewhere to sit and imbibe the German draft lager - we managed to lose a couple of hours here on this beautiful Sunday afternoon.

 

And what's a park without a refreshment cart?

Gotta drink a beer in the beer garden - we moved to the shade where it was much more crowded.

Signs of Fall.

It was definitely warm enough today for swimming down the rivers, dangerous currents or not, and a few souls braved the chilly wanter - had I thought to bring my swimsuit it was certainly warm enough to take a swim and have the river carry me down until I scrambled out.  Nude bathing was common in years past but seemed more unusual now - except for this guy wringing out his trunks.

Beautiful window boxes brightened up this beautiful building on our way back to the apartment.

                               

Quick trip to Salzburg - yes where "the hills are alive" September 14, 2019

We drove out early today hoping to detour a short distance to Salzburg, Austria before arriving in Munich, Germany.  There was no time to do much sightseeing so after a bountiful Breakfast at our Berchtesgaden Hotel, we drove to the city. On the way, DW decided that our best bet for exercise and great views would be a trip to Festurn Hohensalzburg Fortress on top (literally) of the entire city.

The Fortress is REALLY REALLY BIG and can be seen from anywhere in or approaching Salzburg. It is the largest fully preserved castle in central Europe and is considered to be the "jewel of Salzburg".  It was begun in the year 1077 and changed the Salzburg skyline forever.  The complex acquired the appearance it holds today in 1500.  Its original purpose was to protect the principality and the archbishops from hostile attacks.  It has never been captured by foreign troops.

Map overview of the fortress.  I have a video but it won't copy onto the Blogger site.

On the side we parked, we climbed up a steep slope until we got to the the actual approach which was more steep!  Below is a photo of the ramp which begins right after the entrance gate.

Continuing to climb up into the fortress.

Danny in an archway entering the fortress.

                            Panoramic view of the City of Salzburg from the top of the Fortress

            Directly behind the panorama, is this structure at least 4 stories higher than where I stood.

                                             Danny makes himself at home in the arsenal.

                                          View to the right at the end of the panoramic shot.