We do our bit to cement NZ/German Relations.

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Happy Easter!
It is Good Friday here in Bavaria. We have had an eventful time since our last blog which has involved getting to know the locals and forming new friendships here in Germany. We left Innsbruck and headed to Salzburg. As we left the camping ground in Innsbruck, we were told that we should have a sticker for the highway, one that you have to purchase from gas stations to drive on the motorways. It seems though that they can only check it if you happen to stop at a rest station or gas station on the side of the autobahn, and as we had a full tank of gas, and Salzburg wasn't to far away we just ignored that warning and sped down the highway as fast as the tin man could go....which isn't that fast! No worries!We spent the rest of the day wandering around the town...once again I force marched Dean up a steep hill to the fort at the top. Quite a view and we got our exercise for the day. We needed it to balance out all the beer drinking that was to come. From there we drove to Munich and found a campsite about 20 minutes from town and close to the S bahn which we took into the city the next day. The camping ground was quite small but family owned and operated with the owner a BIG country and western fan as well as one man band. The bar at the campsite was more American west that anything we will probably see in the USA ! It even had a smoke machine and music that activated a coffin opening in the corner of the room containing the bones of Jesse James. Horseshoe ashtrays, confederate flags, saddles and bridles, native American dream catchers, you name it, it was there! The second night we were there, after watching a film crew shoot an ad for German sausages, ( I don't have time to go into that, it will have to be another story) we went for another beer and met Frank, a larger than life German man who insisted on taking us around in his car the next day and showing us proper Munich. We could not refuse and he picked us up the next morning and duly showed us the sights we missed the previous day. The Olympic park, a real biergarten, not the hoffbrahaus which is only for tourists and drove his car at over 200 km down the autobahn which felt insane! We also visited a couple of palaces and Lakes around the city. He and his wife Ellen joined us for dinner at the Saddle Up Saloon once more and another night of drinking beer and talking Germlish and Engman ensued. We stayed an extra night and have made good friends as a result. The family that ran the campsite were so welcoming and friendly and we are loving Germany as a result. Today we sadly left our friends and headed up the romantic road, stopping at Donauworth, Nordlingen...a medieval walled city where we walked the wall, and have finally stopped at Dinkelsbuhl for the evening. Tomorrow being Easter Saturday there is a big market in the town so we will cruise in there and have a look. I have to add that while our spoken German leaves a lot to be desired, our camping guide books are all written in German and it is amazing how quickly we are both starting to pick up the written word. The same goes for French and Italian. I guess that why total immersion works better than anything when it comes to learning other languages. Anyway, we send everybody Easter wishes and hope you all enjoy the extended weekend. Hope the weather in your neck of the woods is as brilliant as it is here in Bavaria. Love to all.xxx

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Photos

Nattersee Campingplatz, Innsbruck
Fantastic Camping Ground in Austria

Munich
The first of many German Beers!

Comments

[Raewyn]

What a great week
Well you guys are really doing it all. It was so nice to get this on Easter Sunday and made it seem special somehow. Didn't pick it up yesterday because I was at the market, stinking hot, making the princely sum of $30.... However $30 in my pocket is better than nothing. Ewan went fishing again but didn't do too good. He loved it though but I think he was glad to get home again. Well, with me waiting who wouldn't be eh. Love the sound of the German part of your trip and what great people to show you around the less touristy side of the place. Perhaps they will come out here and you could return the favour. Glad you got out of Rome before Easter as on the news it looks totally packed and uncomfortable. Just a little hint. Donna is 50 on 8th May if you want to send a message via Chris's email she would love that. The whole family is heading to Queenstown for a week to celebrate it. Sounds brilliant. Perry's 4th wedding anniversary tomorrow - Anzac Day - so will give them a ring then. Keep having a fab time. Miss you heaps. Lots of luv, Ma and Ewan. xxxx