Munich to Lake Chiemse Day Trip

Today we created our own adventure…A train and bike trip! We took our “weekend rental” bikes with us on a regional train and in an hour we arrived at Prien, the main town in Lake Chiemsee!

Lake Chiemsee was formed around 15-20,000 years ago and is the largest lake in Bavaria. It is often referred to as the Bavarian Sea.

There are three small islands on the lake and we visited two of them, Herreninsel and Frauneninsel. These two, along with the third island, Krautinsel, form the municipality of Chiemsee.

We rode our bikes from the train station to the ferry pier, stopping along the way at a tourist information hut for directions and a map. (The above picture is from our map and is courtesy of Margaret Baumgartner|www.vk-mb.com.)

At the ferry pier were were told that bikes were not allowed aboard, so we locked up our bikes :-( Once on the ferry we realized that the Alps surrounded us. Although it was sunny, there was a haze and the outlines of the mountains could be seen - it was different and very pretty none the less.

Our ferry leaving us on Herreninsel.

On the ferry with the Alps as our background.

The island of Herreninsel, (also referred to as Herrenchiemsee) is famous for the Castle Herrenchiemsee built by King Ludwit II and it is not surprising to learn that this castle was modeled in the style of Versailles. The interior contains reconstructions from old etchings and paintings that had long since been destroyed in Versailles.

This is Frauneninsel (island of the woman).
This beautiful island is home to fishermen, nuns and craftsmen.

It is full of flowers, which is why I think it's named "Island of the woman."
It is also home to the Benedictine Abbey Convent and St. Michael's Chapel.

While exploring the island, we wandered into a residential area. We noticed a homeowner up in a tree sawing off some branches. As we began to walked past him, he said something to us. Then, he came down the ladder and walked over to me holding a large branch he had just sawed off. He handed it to me and it was FULL of ripe cherries! YUM! I'd never had Cherrie's that tasted so good!























Here are some more pictures taken around the island:

Later we rode through hills, that only got steeper and higher and before we knew it, we were climbing on a grassy field behind a house way up in these hills looking down over this amazing valley! (Thank goodness for Spinning!) I took in the view carefully, as I figured we'd be dead shortly because; 1) we were trespassing and could be shot or; 2) we were going to fall off this mountain getting down. Thanks to Michael, who found a dirt and gravel trail which we rolled & slid down very fast and wound up right at the train station! Who'd a thunk we were so close?

Munich, The City

Ok - I'm in shock. What happened to this cute image I had of Germany? Gone are those adorable half timbered homes, little bridges and the rivers of Paris and Strasbourg. In place are huge monumental structures, cathedrals, museums and lots of cars and people.














We arrived yesterday from Strasbourg via
Stuttgart... French train from Strasbourg to Stuttgart, Germany is pretty snazzy...

...and comfy in our own compartment.

German trains....not so snazzy.

Munich is buzzing with activity and there are more people on bikes here than in Paris! Bicyclists, again in business suits & high heels, travel in packs and you better get out of the way-- I learned that the hard way waiting to cross the street. I heard dozens of bicycle bells ringing and when I turned my head there were 20 or more bikes coming at me. I stood still and they whizzed by me, and somewhere in there I heard a few German words that were probably not friendly and welcoming. After the cycle swarm past me, a nice German lady pointed to the ground told me I was standing on the bike path. That's when I realized there was a slight change in pavement between the sidewalk and the street which was a dedicated bike path. Thankfully, I lived and learned.

This week we walked around the city and visited Marienplatz / Rathaus-Glockenspiel, and Munich Residenz, the former royal palace.

At Marienplatz with the Glockenspiel behind me.
I must say this is the most overrated tourist attraction ever.
It's Cute, but glad I was lucky to arrive just as it was starting to chime.

There was a 5K race! Wish I would have known...

Everything is closed on Sundays, except for beer houses, beer gardens and restaurants.
This is a rare view of a sparse Marienplatz shopping corner...

Cheers!

Our first beer in Munich.

Later in the afternoon, we met up with a few of Michael's school-mates for a "Greet & Meet" at the famous Hofbrauhaus. The Hofbrauhaus in Munich is one of the most famous beer halls with quite a lot of history.

While walking back to our apartment, I came across a fitness center!

But...then I re-read the sign and got a little closer...

Aye..oh boy....

...ahem. Maybe not.

So....

Next day...

I return to Marienplatz and now it's really buzzing.
I decided to have lunch facing the Glockenspiel and watch the tourists watch the Glockenspiel...

I sit down, and I'm handed the menu - in German...yikes.

Mikey's not here to help me so ask for an English/German menu.
But...what do I order?

Bavarian Meatloaf! Yummy...it even comes with a bretzel!?
I asked the waitress and she drew out a twisted line which was,
you guessed it, the shape of a pretzel.

This is what I got,without potatoes and red cabbage:

I call it Spam and Egg

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On Thursday, we took a city bike tour which had been organized by Michael's school. That's when I got the "Bug"....we HAD to rent bikes for this weekend.


















So, on Friday evening we returned to Mike's Bikes Tours and rented a couple of bikes for the weekend.

Meanwhile we take a much needed break from German food and found a good Thai restaurant!
Ahh....familiar stuff! Followed by eis (ice cream). For days we had seen people make a long line, at an ice cream store. Today, we noticed that finally, the line is not going around the corner. So we decided to find out what all the fuss is about and made the line for ice cream. Cheap and good!

Au Revoir !

Our last evening in Strasbourg and we are sad to leave this great little town. Although we did a lot of sightseeing (and eating), there was one thing we didn't get a chance to do...take the tram! But we'll do that in the morning, as we decided to take it to the train station.

Walking back through cute little streets....

Au revoir!

...good bye!

Floating through the city....

Today I have good news and bad news.

Let's get the bad news over first. I'm not even officially in Germany yet and I'm so over the food!

I mean, really....what is this? Insulting us with food?


I'm not kidding, we didn't touch it. This is how it was served.
I don't even want to know what it is, but Michael has to take a pic.

In the meantime - yep - you guessed it - I'm still keeping it safe!

Now for the good news, we get to ride on a boat with a another hundred or so tourists, in the scorching sun. Yes, scorching. Now, I'm not really complaining, I'm used the heat and sun, but I didn't bring a hat, so the good news is there's more shopping involved! Yippee!

From coats, to scarves to wide-brimmed hats. I've never had this much trouble packing for a vacation.

I'm ROCKING in my new hat! I'm OWNING it! Vogue...watch out!

Pics from the boat...

Warming up in Strasbourg :-)

Oh, I forgot to mention that yesterday morning I finally gave in and bought an inexpensive "just in case" coat. It was an impulse buy at the train station. I knew that as soon as I bought it, I wouldn't need it, Murphy's Law, right? It was also my plan to fight Mother Nature. Sure enough, I haven't had to use it.

This morning, I also put my scarf away!

Now, off to explore some more on this beautiful sunny day...

First item on our list is to finalize our train to Munich, so we walked to the train station in order to ask some questions and possibly print our tickets. When we arrived, we were told it would be better if we return tomorrow, as "they" were on strike "today" and there were only a few people working.

O-k-a-y..... That's some strange way to strike, but, hey, it's France, right? The workers make a demand and if they don't get what they want, well, they strike for 24 hrs. Take that!!

Later in the afternoon, while Michael is trying to study and nap (not at the same time, of course), demonstrators were outside our street with megaphones, flares, flags, chanting and loud music.




I thought they were celebrating a World Cup win, but that's not for another few weeks. Hey, what do I know? Anyway, this was all over in 30 mins. (Michael never heard a thing!)

Now - back to beautiful scenery and quiet streets.

Meanwhile, on the eating front, we find a great place for lunch right by the stream.

Great service, excellent food and magnificent view!




















My turn! Cheers!

(Oh, you'll see a picture of the restaurant again tomorrow, but from the boat tour)

Walking around this adorable town is breathtaking in the late afternoon.

Bicycles everywhere! I wanna bike too...Waaaaa!

From this bridge, you can see a cafe/restaurant on the other side where I just took Michael's picture above.

And finally, a picture together. Thanks to Mr. Friendly Tourist!

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Strasbourg, France

Petite-France, Strasbourg
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We are moving on....so today we traveled East to the Alsace Region of France. Another quick train ride and "poof" we are in beautiful Strasbourg.

Located on the border near Germany, Strasbourg is a combination of both countries as it has belonged to Germany, then France, then Germany, then France and so on... Currently, it belongs to France. Strasbourg is over 2000 years old and was founded by the founded by the Romans in the year 12BC. The river Ill runs through the center of Strasbourg and then branches out into numerous streams and canals. Where there is water, there are islands and we are staying in the historic center, or Grand-Ile.

As soon as we arrive we immediately go explore. Entering the main plaza we are greeted by the impressive size and beauty of the Strasbourg, Cathedral. Following the cobble stone path between the buildings behind me, we reach rows of restaurants, each totally different in design, but in the same German half timbered style.

Below is the Strasbourg Cathedral.
A combination of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, it was a masterpiece of it's time
and was the world's tallest building from 1647 to 1874.
Today, it is considered the sixth tallest church in the world.

Photo credit: Michael Mort

By contrast, La Gare de Strasbourg, (the train station), is an example of continued use of modern and older architecture. Designed in 1883, the station was renovated to include a glass cocoon all around the front which measures 130 yards long. At night you can see the original structure through the glass "bubble".

From inside the bubble

Back to eating....we find this quaint little restaurant and enjoy
our lunch in great weather! Still wearing that scarf I bought in Montmarte!

Playing it safe with Chicken Cordon Bleu

Don't ask.....The start of my eating nightmares,
as the sausages begin to haunt me.

After lunch we walked down the street which ends at one of the many canals. Of course, I have to have an ice-cream. Hey! I'm on vacation and on a mission to "roll" back home!

This is a typical example of the half timbered
style homes throughout Germany

We head back to our hotel as Michael needs to do some studying

while I catch up on blogging (boy, this takes lots of time!)

Our hotel - traditional on the outside....

...very modern inside.
Here I am using Skype with mom.

Michael has to read 180 pages A DAY for one of his classes.
Poor guy.

After a short rest, we head out again.

The sun is starting to go down and it's
getting cooler again - but it feels nice.

Walking across the bridges during dusk, making our way to Petite-France for a nice stroll.

Strasbourg is very picturesque, and the area of
Petite-France with all the small bridges is absolutely gorgeous.

Our first night in the village is majestic and the moon enhances
this already romantic place. I feel like I'm walking around Disney World, except this is real.

When we arrive back to our hotel we continued
to enjoy the full moon from our window.

More tomorrow....Good night!
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