Kiwi Tourists Take on Munich

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Saturday 20 June 2015

Before we left New Zealand we studied the Munich rail system to work out the best way of getting into Munich with the least hassle for the best price. Choosing the right Park and Ride station was important. We wanted to be in Zone 1 for the whole day. We chose Harthaus as our favoured station to catch the train.

We set the GPS and headed off. We raced along the autobahn unable to keep up with the super fast German machines. In a very quick time we arrived at the railway station. As we studied the automatic ticket machine a kind lady helped. Within seconds we had an 11€.70 group ticket. This means all five of us can ride all forms of transport all day in Zone 1 as many times as we liked. All we had to do was find three waifs and strays who wanted a day in Munich. Finding none we decided just the two of us would be sufficient.

The day hadn't started too well. Our Internet wouldn't connect. This was critical as we needed to download our boarding passes for our quick trip to London on Wednesday. Arriving in Munich we stopped at a McCafe for a coffee, muffin and Internet. Everything went well until we got to the download section. Oh no! We had to print out our boarding passes because we are Non EU residents. We headed off on our day of exploration hoping to catch up with our hostess in the morning, using our Kiwi charm, and get the passes printed at the hotel.

Munich seemed to be humming. Crowds of people everywhere. After a quick stop at the Tourist Office for a map we were on our way. Neufauser Strasse and Kaufinger Strasse led onto Marienplatz, all one large pedestrian precinct. Along the way we stopped at several churches, one being the Cathedral, Fraumenkirche, where a service was underway. The singing was worth stopping for. There seems to be one church after another. St Peters was certainly worth visiting. The main feature in St Peters were the large paintings. The ornate Neues Rathaus has a prominent position in Marienplatz. In its tower are large figures that perform at 11 and 12 each day. Will try and get there tomorrow.

One team member has been on a mission for some time. Today that mission was successful. We have to look our best in London. Rain started to fall, we were weary, and it was getting late. So into the underground station and catch our train back to the car.

Highlights for the day. Mingling with such vast crowds all having fun, visiting some wonderful churches, and riding a wonderful integrated transport system. The churches are probably the only buildings that represent Munich before WWII, and even they have had extensive work done on them.

Back at the hotel we made a plan for tomorrow when we will retrace our steps and make a second visit to Munich.

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Photos

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Taking a stroll to Marienplatz

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More strolling

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The Neues Rathaus in Marienplatz

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Figures in the tower of the Neues Rathaus.

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Art work in St Peters.