Munich, Home of Beer!

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Munich, home of beer, sausages and strudel! What a fun and truly raucous place to be (one can only imagine how out of control things get during Oktoberfest!) We have made every effort to make the most of what feels like 2 very short nights in this Bravarian city. There have been two main highlights of our time here. The first has been our visit to the very rowdy, very raucous ´Hofbrauhaus´ one of the largest beer gardens in Munich. The place was absolutely jampacked with travellers and locals alike, all drinking huge 1L beer jugs and soaking up the jovial atmosphere created by the Bravarian band playing along in the background. Waitstaff are all in traditional dress, right down to the girls who come around selling absolutely enormous pretzels! We sampled some local beer and ordered a dish of sausages, saukraut and mashed potatoes! All quite delicious, though not a rival to the homemade apple strudal that finished off our dining pleasure! While Adam thoroughly enjoyed the range of beer on offer, I loved just soaking up the crazy atmosphere of this jampacked place. It was such alot of fun!

The second and far more sobering highlight of our time here was our visit to the nearby Dauchau Memorial site. Dauchau was the first Nazi Concentration Camp created during WWII and the model for all the others that were subsequently built in the war years. The actual site of the camp has been preserved or recreated in some sections to mirror the original grounds. This was the most eery site I´ve ever visited. There aren´t words to describe the emotions we felt as we watched a documentary outlining the true horrors that played out here, nor the feeling of walking through the gas chambers or crematoriums onsite. It was a very sobering experience we will never forget.

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Comments

[Jade]

Chance to visit Wombats
Oh Panda, for the first time in my life I have to say that I’m truly disappointed in you! How could you not sample even the tiniest bit of beer in a magnificent Munich beer hall, and in winter no less (well ok, very early spring now) where the temperature is most conducive for such tastings! Shame, shame, shame! :) I am very pleased, however, that you seem to be making the most of your short time in Munich. Managed to sample any bratwurst from corner stalls as of yet? Wunderbar stuff! I’m not quite sure where you people are staying, but if you get a chance, see if you can pop your head into Wombats Hostel (named after us Aussies of course). Damien and I loved this place so much (so clean and very bright) that we stayed in the Wombats in Vienna too, including Christmas Eve. As always, keep blogging and continue to enjoy your time to the full! xxoo