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Published: December 31st 2006
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This morning, we left Prague toward Munich, Germany. We drove through the famous beer making town of Plzen located in the corner of the Czech Republic. Have noticed the trees being a bit more yellow than I've seen anywhere else but still very, very green overall for this time of year. See lots of small hills covered with trees. It's very, very foggy. Visitability is very reduced so not a lot of picture taking being done-not that it's great picture taking from inside a bus through a window. Before crossing into Germany, we stopped one last time for a coffee break which allowed us to try to get rid of the last of our crowns. I used mine up on chocolate. It's always a good souvenier for those back home because everyone likes it and it's easy to transport.
We drove through the Bavarian Forest just before crossing into Germany. After we crossed the border into Germany we were in Bavaria, one of 16 states (corrected) of Germany and the most southern. Once again, our tour director gave an excellent lesson on the history of Germany and Munich. Many glass makers settled in Bavaria. The founder of Swarovski crystal came
from Bavaria. Their crystal has more silver in it which is why it sparkles like it does. Germany is where the Nazi party was founded as everyone knows. Munich is the third largest city in Germany behind Berlin and Hamburg. Germany is the only country in Europe without speed limits. Our tour director said that this has had no impact upon car accidents. Finally, the fog lifts and it turns into another beautiful day. I've been expremely lucky throughout this tour with the great weather.
Hills are still covered with trees but the hills are much larger as we continue to make our way toward Munich. I see more corn and sunflower fields as we advance toward Munich. Also seeing a lot of hops fields. We have driven through a lot of small towns or villages. That has been something that has surprised me throughout this trip. I had always envisioned Europe as being cities on top of cities but it is not. One benefit of taking a bus from city to city on this tour was that you get an excellent opportunity to see the countryside. I've been surprised to see lots of pasture and farming land with
Munich Mechanical Clock
You can barekt make out the merry go round like features in the middle which turn a few times a day. Little singers and dancers move throughout and rooster crows at the end. There are also some jousters. small villages in between that have managed to survive unlike the Midwestern small towns in the US which are dying.
Have seen so many churches located at the top of the highest hills! Guess they did that for protection and probably also to make a point. Always very cool looking. Munich was formed back in 1146 and was heavily bombed during World War II. Sixty percent of Munich was destroyed during WWII. As we neared Munich, the hills were again smaller and with smaller patches of trees.
We finally reach Munich and get a quick tour on the bus. They have a new soccer stadium which is state of the art and looks like a bubble. Of course, Munich is also known for the Olympic tragedy which occurred there. We drove with the bus through the Olympic Village area to get a look of the Village. Also drove by the BMW building which has 4 columns for office space which represent the 4 pistons of an engine according to our tour director. Our tour director said that many of the trees planted in Munich were planted after WWII because so many had to be cut down for firewood.
After getting settled into our hotel, we head out for a short walking tour before being on our own. We are in Munich at the end of their yearly Oktoberfest. Usually lasts two weeks and a huge draw for Germany. We were only able to spend a very short time in Munich-late afternoon and evening. Our walking tour took us to the old downtown. We walked into the Hofbrauhaus which is a famous beer hall. It was PACKED so no chance for having a beer unless you were willing to wait. Walked over to the Neues Rathaus Square (New Town Hall) which is where their mechanical clock, called the Glockenspiel, is located. Watched that happen. It runs about 3 times a day and is much, much longer than the clock in Prague and celebrates Munich's history. Has merry go round like features with turn and little dancers who sing. There's also a little jousting match. Has a little bit of everything. Took forever for the rooster to crow to announce the end but very entertaining. Is over 100 years old.
Then walked over to the Frauenkirche Church which is the big church for Munich. Very nice with its brick outside that looks very new but the foundation was actually laid back in 1469! Inside was very simple. Not sure how much damage it might have suffered in the WWII so unsure of any reconstruction done. The church was at a disadvantage to have me seeing it after seeing all the amazing cathedrals in other cities on my tour. Did a little souvenier shopping and then enjoyed a couple brews during Oktoberbest. Can now say that I drank beer in Germany during Oktoberfest!
Tomorrow we're off to Lucerne, Switzerland for the last night of our tour. Can't believe it's almost over!
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16 states
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16 states
there are 16 states in germany, not 48