Monday, October 12, 2009

Germany September 2009

On September 14th, together with John’s sister Erika and her husband Roger, we boarded a Lufthansa flight to Frankfurt starting what we knew would be an excellent adventure. Many of John’s and Erika’s cousins, from their father’s side, had visited Canada years ago, and Erika had been to Germany twice before, once with Roger; but this was our first time and we were really looking forward to it. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

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Tuesday, September 15th

We landed in Frankfurt around 8:00 a.m. After walking what seemed like several kilometres inside the enormous Frankfurt airport, we picked up our rental car (a peppy Ford C-Max hatchback), turned on the GPS (one of the best investments we’ve ever made!) and headed southwest for an hour-and-a-half drive to Rudi (John’s cousin) and Barbara’s home in Idar-Oberstein in the Nahe River valley. We last saw Rudi and Barbara when they visited Canada in 1996. Rudi and Barbara actually live in Algenrodt, one of several surrounding small villages that have been incorporated within Idar-Oberstein.

After a great lunch of Barbara’s goulash soup, bread and sparkling wine, Rudi took us into Oberstein where we toured the cobblestoned Marktplatz, climbed the 210 steps to the Felsenkirche (Chapel in the Rocks), and viewed a demonstration by an edelsteinsmuck (one of many local jewellers who cut and polish gemstones).

We returned to Algenrodt to find Barbara had a gourmet dinner waiting for us – rouladen, red cabbage and semmelknodel; followed by salad and cheese, and topped off with chocolate mouse.

The Marktplatz of Oberstein. Roger, Erika, Margaret-Ann and Rudi in the Marktplatz of Oberstein. The 15th century Felsenkirche (Chapel in the Rocks) was built by a local knight in atonement for the murder of his brother. It's 216 steps above the Marktplatz of Oberstein. After a demonstration arranged by Rudi, a local Edelsteinschmuck (a jeweller who cuts and polishes gemstones) shows off some of his work. Oberstein viewed from the Chapel in the Rocks.

Wednesday, September 16th

All six of us set off in a rented van to Trier, near the French/Luxembourg border, founded by the Romans in 15 BC! On our way we crossed the Hunsruck Mountains and entered the Mosel River valley, stopping at Bernkastel-Kues for lunch and a tour of the Vino-Thek Museum. Further west, we stopped at Neumagen-Dhron to see the replica of the Weinschiff, the tomb of an ancient Roman wine merchant.

We arrived at Trier in front of the spectacular Porta Nigra, part of the 2nd century Roman wall that once encircled the old city. Rudi arranged for a private tour which included the Dom, Konstantin Basilika, and the Kaisertermen (imperial baths). We finished our day in Trier with a traditional Roman dinner in the wine cellar of the Restaurant Zum Domstein.

The Mosel River divides Bernkastel (on the right)-Kues (on the left), viewed from the old castle. The Marktplatz of Bernkastel.The Marktplatz of Bernkastel.In Neumagen-Dhron Rudi, Erika, Roger, Barbara and Margaret-Ann pose in front of a copy of the Weinschiff tomb of a Roman wine merchant. The original is in a museum in Trier. The 2nd century Roman Porta Nigra (Black Gate) in Trier, Germany's oldest city. John, Margaret-Ann, Roger, some man in a brown coat, Barbara, Erika and Rudi with the Porta Nigra in the background. The tour guide, arranged by Rudi, takes the group to the Jewish ghetto area of Trier. A building in Trier's Hauptmarkt, main market, where a daily farmers' market is stll held. Very detailed carvings/sculptures inside Trier's Dom, Germany's oldest bishops church.  Trier's Kurfurstiches Palais, Electoral Palace. Trier's Kaiserthermen, ruins of the 4th century Roman imperial baths.Trier's Kaiserthermen, ruins of the 4th century Roman imperial baths. 

Thursday, September 17th

We bid auf wiedersehen to Rudi and Barbara and drove 160 kilometres southeast to Heidelberg. We spent the day wandering through the Altstadt, hiking along the Philosophenweg (Philosophers’ Walk) and touring the partly ruined red-sandstone Schloss (Castle). In the evening, at the open-air stage erected in the Kornmarkt, we watched Andre Rieu and the 50 member Johann Strauss Orchestra run through a dress rehearsal of their upcoming concert – it was great.

Margaret-Ann, Rudi, Erika, John and Barbara. Rudi and Barbara live in a lovely home in Algenrodt, one of several small villages now included in Idar-Oberstein. Heidelberg's Brass Monkey statue at the south end of the Alte Brucke across the Neckar River. Standing on the Alte Brucke across the Neckar River, looking through the tower gate to Heidelberg's Altstadt. Margaret-Ann and Roger in front of one of several statues on Heidelberg's Alte Brucke across the Neckar River. Margaret-Ann and John atop a tower on Heidelberg's Philosophenweg, Philosophers' Walk. View of Heidelberg's Altstadt from the Philosophenweg, Philosophers' Walk, on the north side of the Neckar River. The red sandstone Schloss, Castle, is seen on the left. A lookout tower on Heidelberg's Philosophenweg, Philosophers' Walk. The Alte Brucke across the Neckar River, viewed from the Philosophenweg, Philosophers' Walk. The Alte Brucke across the Neckar River and Heidelberg's Altstadt, viewed from the Philosophenweg, Philosophers' Walk. One of many stautes in Heidelberg's Altstadt. Hercules Fountain in Heidelberg's Marktplatz. Construction of the Heiliggeistkirche in Heidelberg's Marktplatz began in 1398. From 1706 to 1936 there was a wall between the part used by Protestants and that used by Catholics. Hercules Fountain in Heidelberg's Marktplatz. Europe's longest pedestrian zone, the 1600m-long Haupstrasse -- the so called Royal Mile -- runs east to west through Heidelberg's Altstadt.The Altstadt, dominated by the Heiliggeistkirche, viewed from the Schloss of Heidelberg. Heidelberg's Schloss. Heidelberg's Schloss. Heidelberg's Schloss. Heidelberg's Schloss. Margaret-Ann is in the lower right corner.Heidelberg's Hotel Ritter is part of the chain of Romatik Hotels.

Friday, September 18th

We checked out of Heidelberg’s Vier Jahreszeiten (Four Seasons) Hotel and drove south to Karlsbad and met Sepp (John’s cousin, Rudi’s younger brother). Sepp took us to Pforzheim where we viewed the city from the memorial on top of the hill made from all the World War II rubble and debris. Later, we went to the Jewellery Museum and saw an exhibit of jewellery from the 3rd and 4th century BC. Sepp then took us on a tour of many of the modern jewellery stores and pointed out a cell phone valued at 100,000 Euros!

We drove to Sepp’s home in Hofen and met his wife Sigrid, who served us her fantastic plum tarte and Jamaican rum bombe (Sepp advised that each piece had a minimum of 500,000 calories; but we all had at least one piece of each!). Later, Veronika (John’s cousin, Rudi and Sepp’s sister) and her husband Wifried, and Waltraud (John’s cousin, Rudi and Sepp’s sister) and her husband Sonny joined us. For dinner, we walked five minutes down the street to the Hotel Ochsen (Oxen), where we had rooms for the night, and had a wonderful meal.

Pforzheim on a misty day, viewed from the monument on top of the hill made from the debris and rubble caused by World War II bombings. Erika, Waltruad, Wilfried, Veronika, Sigrid, Roger, Margaret-Ann, Sepp and Sonny at dinner at Hotel Ochsen in Hofen. Erika and Waltraud at Hotel Ochsen in Hofen. Wilfried and Veronika at Hotel Ochsen in Hofen. Margaret-Ann and Sepp at Hotel Ochsen in Hofen. Hofen's local train station.Hotel Ochsen in Hofen.

Saturday, September 19th

After breakfast at Hotel Ochsen, we set off for Munchen (Munich); Roger with Sepp in his E220 Mercedes, and Waltraud, Erika and us in the Ford C-Max. Let me tell you, it’s a very humbling experience screaming down the autobahn at 150 kph, barely keeping up with Sepp’s Mercedes, and having a Porsche Boxter fly by in the passing lane as if you’re standing still.

We arrived in Munchen on the first day of Oktoberfest, and there were people everywhere (although Sepp says it’s like this all the time in downtown Munchen). The Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) is spectacular, and we had some great views from atop its 85 metre high tower. Sepp gave us a fantastic tour of the Marienplatz (old town square), stopping off at a deli for a wonderful meat-on-a-bun lunch (I must get the name of that and try and track some down back here in Canada), walking through Hofbrauhaus (Bavaria’s most celebrated beer hall) where you could hardly hear yourself think, and strolling through the very posh Dalmeyer. Munchen is truly an amazing city!

Leaving Munchen, we continued southeast to Mitterham/Bad Aibling. Seeing the site of the original Schaal Gasthaus (inn/restaurant) and the school and church where John and Erika’s father once went was very moving. After checking into Bad Aibling’s Hotel Lindl-Hof, we got a cab to Maxlrain’s Braeustueberl and celebrated with a fantastic meal and great weisse (wheat) beer.

Munich's Neues Rathaus, New Town Hall, dominates the Marienplatz, the old town sqaure. Viewed from the top of the 85 metre tower of the Neues Rathaus, Munich's TV tower at the site of the 1972 Olympics. The building far right is the headquarters of BMW One of six inner courtyards of Munich's Neues Rathaus. Visible from just about anywhere in Munich's Altstadt is the twin copper onion domes of the Frauenkirche, Our Lady's Church.Opposite Munich's Neues Rathaus, stands the St. Perterskirche, Church of St. Peter. The Marienplatz, old town square, in front of Munich's Neues Rathaus. Munich's Spielzeugmuseum, Toy Museum.A young girl dressed in traditional Barvarian clothes, plays her violin in Munich's Marienplatz. Next to Hofbrauhus, Orlando Haus is Munich's second most famous beer hall. Site of the former Schaal Gasthaus in Mitterham, now a small apartment building where Liesl's son Paul and his wife Kathi live in one of the units. Farmhouse across the street from the site of the former Schaal Gasthaus in Mitterham. Waltraud, Margaret-Ann and Eirka at the site of the former Schaal Gasthaus in Mitterham. Sepp, Waltraud, Roger, Margaret-Ann and Erika at the school in Willing. The church in Willing. John, Margaret-Ann, Sepp, Erika and Roger in Willing (Bad Aibling) near the house where Sepp was born. Waltraud, Margaret-Ann and Sepp having dinner at the Bräustüberl Maxlrain, Bad Aibling. Sepp, Erika, Roger and Waltraud at the Bräustüberl Maxlrain, Bad Aibling. John, Margaret-Ann and Sepp at the Bräustüberl Maxlrain, Bad Aibling. John and Sepp at the Bräustüberl Maxlrain, Bad Aibling. John and Sepp at the Bräustüberl Maxlrain, Bad Aibling. Waltraud, John, Sepp and Erika at the Bräustüberl Maxlrain, Bad Aibling. Hotel Lindl-Hof in Bad Aibling.

Sunday, September 20th

Sepp and Waltraud travelled back to Hofen, and we drove to Fussen where we checked out King Ludwig II’s beautiful castles – Schloss Hohenschwangau and Schloss Nueuschwanstein. Later we drove east to the picturesque Meersburg on the Bodensee (Lake Constance) and stayed in Germany’s oldest hotel, Gasthof Zum Baren.

   Schloss Hohenschwangau near Fussen. King Ludwig II's Schloss Neuschwanstein, Castle, near Fussen. View from King Ludwig II's Schloss Neuschwanstein, Castle, near Fussen.John and Margaret-Ann at King Ludwig II's Schloss Neuschwanstein, Castle, near Fussen.King Ludwig II's Schloss Neuschwanstein, Castle, near Fussen.Roger and Margaret-Ann at King Ludwig II's Schloss Neuschwanstein, Castle, near Fussen. King Ludwig II's Schloss Neuschwanstein, Castle, near Fussen.One of the narrow, pedestrian-only lanes in Meersburg's Oberstadt, Upper Town. Roger and Erika walking down to Meersburg's Unterstadt, Lower Town.Statue of Franz Aton Mesmer at Meersburg port on the Bodensee (Lake Constance).Statue of Franz Aton Mesmer at Meersburg port on the Bodensee (Lake Constance).Meersburg's Neues Schloss, New Castle, built in 1750. Meersburg's Hotel Zum Baren. John and Margaret-Ann's room included a sitting room in the 3rd floor of the turret.Statue in Meersburg. Meersburg's Seepromenade looking out over the Bodensee (Lake Constance). A car ferry crossing the Bodensee (Lake Constance) from Constance to Meersburg.A view from our room in the Hotel Zum Baren. Meersburg's Altes Schloss, Old Castle rises at the back.

Monday, September 21st

We drove through Hollental (Hell’s Valley) and the Hirschspring (Stag’s Leap) in the southern end of the Schwarzwald, Black Forest, on our way to Freiburg. After lunch and exploring the marketplace around the Munster, we backtracked to Neustadt then headed north through the heart of the Black Forest to Freudenstadt and then on to Waltraud and Sonny’s in Muhlacker.

 The tower of Freiburg's Munster, began in 1200, rises 116 metres above the bustling market square.Construction of Freiburg's Munster began in 1200. Freiburg's Historisches Kaufhaus, a merchants' hall built in 1530. The four figures above the balcony represent members of the House of Habsburg.Corner detail of Freiburg's Historisches Kaufhaus, a merchants' hall built in 1530. Margaret-Ann and Erika walk through Freiburg's Altstadt, Old Town, avoiding the Bachle; little canals originally built to deliver nonpotable water. Typical views of the Schwarzwald, Black Forest, on the drive from Neustatd to Freudenstadt. Typical views of the Schwarzwald, Black Forest, on the drive from Neustatd to Freudenstadt.

Tuesday, September 22nd

After another great breakfast (the German bread and rolls are terrific!) we took the train to Stuttgart where we met Edith and Christina (John’s cousins, Waltraud’s younger sisters) who gave us the grand tour of Konigstrasse (pedestrian shopping mall), and the highlights of the Schlossplatz and Schillerplatz areas. After lunch, Sonny, Roger, John and Christina headed off to the Mercedes-Benz Museum, while Waltraud, Erika, Margaret-Ann and Edith stayed downtown to do a little window shopping. At the end of the day, we said goodbye to Edith and Christina and returned to Muhlacker.

  View from atop Stuttgart's 58 metre high tower above the Hauptbahnhof, main railway station.View from atop Stuttgart's 58 metre high tower above the Hauptbahnhof, main railway station. The domed Kunstgebaude, House of Art, is in the middle. Waltraud, Edith, Christina, Sonny and Margaret-Ann view Stuttgart from the lookout atop the train station.Stuttgart's concrete and steel television tower, 217 metres high and built in 1954-56, is barely visible atop the Hoher Bopser.Stuttgart's domed Kunstgebaude, House of Art, with its golden stag on top. Waltraud, Sonny, Erika, Roger, Margaret-Ann, Edith, and Christina in front of the Wurttembergiseches Staatstheater.One of two cupped fountains that flank the Jubilee Column in Stuttgart's Schlossplatz.Stuttgart's Neues Schloss, New Palace, former residence of the kings of Wurttemberg, now houses Ministry of Education and other state offices.Stuttgart's Jubilee Column in the Schlossplatz. Margaret-Ann, Edith, Roger, Sonny, Christina, Erika and Waltraud continue the tour by walking to Stutgart's Stiftskirche, Collegiate Church, in the Schillerplatz.Behind the statue of Schiller is Stuttgart's Prizenbau, prince's building, originally planned to accommodate emissaries.In the courtyard of Stuttgart's Old Palace is the Statue of Count Eberhard The Bearded, founder of the University of Tubingen.Courtyard of Sttutgart's 13th century Old Palace, that now houses the Wurttemberg State Museum of art, culture and history.Erika poses with some flowers of the same name in Stuttgart's marketplace.Christina taking a picture of a very nice old car in Stuttgart's Mercedes-Benz Museum. One of many old cars at Stuttgart's Mercedes-Benz Museum.An old gull-wing SL at Stuttgart's Mercedes-Benz Museum.

Wednesday, September 23rd

After just a few hours sleep, we left Muhlacker at 4:00 a.m. to catch our 6:30 flight from Stuttgart to Barcelona, via Berlin, to start the second leg of our vacation – a 12 day cruise in the Mediterranean (stay tuned for the next blog posting).

                                                                                                     Our stay in Germany was absolutely fantastic!!! If any of John’s cousins are looking for another job, they should consider becoming a tour guide – they all did a wonderful job of entertaining us!!! We’ve only been back a short time and we’re already missing Germany. Hopefully we’ll be able to return there one day.

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