After breakfast we're not quite sure how to structure the day. The weather is cool and we're a pretty good distance from the old city center. The first thing we decide to do is purchase a day pass on the UBahn. It pays off quickly.
Once we reach the old town center I attempt to turn on my camera and realize I forgot to replace the battery! Not a problem. We're experts with the UBahn at this time so we hop back on to the U6, return to our hotel and pick up the battery. Then we hike back to the train station and within an hour we're back at the Marienplatz waiting for the glockenspiel to play. It's as bad as I remembered it from 14 years ago. But this is Munich and one has to hear and watch the glockenspiel performance at least once.
We opt to try out Lenny's Free bike tours as recommended by Rick Steves. We're a bit skeptical when this yellow and black contraption pulls up. It appears Lenny is testing out a new touring vehicle he's created. Now I'm not sure what to call this, but Lenny claims it's based on some tour bikes he's seen in Amsterdam. Tony & I are a bit skeptical, but we decide to go for it. And are we glad we did.
The tour began at 11:30 and we didn't get back to the Marienplatz until 4 pm! Lenny and his staff informed us that this is the maiden voyage of his new "touring machine". So he's not sure how long his 3 1/5 tour will take. Now mind you, this tour is FREE. In the future he plans to charge 20 Euros/pp. But this is the first time his contraption has been out on the streets of Munich.
So the eight passengers in seats with bike pedals begin peddling. We pass the Hoffbrau Haus and Odeonsplatz, listening to the commentary from Lenny and his staff. It's overwhelming to think that we're standing in the spot where Hitler began his National Socialism movement.
Our tour continues and we end up at the Chinese Tower in the Englisher Gardens. This is our luncheon stop. Probably a good thing because by now we all have 2 liters of beer in our bellies. Hey, it's Munich!
After lunch we continue our tour through the gardens. Lenny points out the nude bathing lawn and fills us in on the two most famous sun bathers...Tripod and Robocop (replace the p with a ck). It's a bit cool so we're not expecting to see either of these famous sun bathers. But much to our surprise, Robocop (replace the p with a ck) is stretched out on the lawn across the river. And his hardware piercings are gleaming in the sunlight! Ahh, no. I'm not posting pictures here. Oh what a tour!
We continue on crossing the Istar river where the famous river surfers are. The riverbed was constructed to create a wave suitable for surfing. If you've seen any travel shows on Munich you've probably seen this area. We stop again to watch the surfers. Quite amazing!
Back we go to the Marienplatz. Just in time...lots of beer. Of course we can't leave Munich until we have a dunkelbeer at the Hoffbrau Haus. By then it's 5 pm and we're pretty happy. Thanks to Lenny for a great tour. If you're ever in Munich, meet him at the fish fountain in the Marienplatz at 11:30. It's well worth the tip!
For not really having a plan for today, we had a wonderful time in Munich. Lots of great memories!
Tomorrow morning we'll be packing up and heading out to the Salzburg area. We don't know where we're staying or if we'll have internet connection so it may be a few days before you hear from us again.
The tour began at 11:30 and we didn't get back to the Marienplatz until 4 pm! Lenny and his staff informed us that this is the maiden voyage of his new "touring machine". So he's not sure how long his 3 1/5 tour will take. Now mind you, this tour is FREE. In the future he plans to charge 20 Euros/pp. But this is the first time his contraption has been out on the streets of Munich.
So the eight passengers in seats with bike pedals begin peddling. We pass the Hoffbrau Haus and Odeonsplatz, listening to the commentary from Lenny and his staff. It's overwhelming to think that we're standing in the spot where Hitler began his National Socialism movement.
Our tour continues and we end up at the Chinese Tower in the Englisher Gardens. This is our luncheon stop. Probably a good thing because by now we all have 2 liters of beer in our bellies. Hey, it's Munich!
After lunch we continue our tour through the gardens. Lenny points out the nude bathing lawn and fills us in on the two most famous sun bathers...Tripod and Robocop (replace the p with a ck). It's a bit cool so we're not expecting to see either of these famous sun bathers. But much to our surprise, Robocop (replace the p with a ck) is stretched out on the lawn across the river. And his hardware piercings are gleaming in the sunlight! Ahh, no. I'm not posting pictures here. Oh what a tour!
We continue on crossing the Istar river where the famous river surfers are. The riverbed was constructed to create a wave suitable for surfing. If you've seen any travel shows on Munich you've probably seen this area. We stop again to watch the surfers. Quite amazing!
Back we go to the Marienplatz. Just in time...lots of beer. Of course we can't leave Munich until we have a dunkelbeer at the Hoffbrau Haus. By then it's 5 pm and we're pretty happy. Thanks to Lenny for a great tour. If you're ever in Munich, meet him at the fish fountain in the Marienplatz at 11:30. It's well worth the tip!
For not really having a plan for today, we had a wonderful time in Munich. Lots of great memories!
Tomorrow morning we'll be packing up and heading out to the Salzburg area. We don't know where we're staying or if we'll have internet connection so it may be a few days before you hear from us again.
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