Deutschland part 2 - Munich

Friday Oct 10

After 2h30 of bus ride (which costed us 8E each!) we arrived to Munich at 2PM. H.A, our friend lives in the suburb so we decided to walk around, enjoying the city and the daylight. Without any map, we just strolled about, fixing some church's towers. That lead us at first, via the Oktoberfest's pavillon, fortunately empty as we arrived at the end of the crazy event. 

Just behind it was Saint Paul church, a beautiful monument with pure lines, also empty because of restoration works in progress. 

We saw some offerings of fruits and veggies in front of the altar, apparently an old german tradition.

H.A joined us for a walk in the busy quartier of MARIENPLATZ. 

Then, of course, event if we don't fancy Oktoberfest, we sit for a famous Augustiner Keller in the garden nearby

The evening, we went to H.A's place and we all started to prepare for dinner (well, most works are done by Alessio and H.A, I confessed, cooking is really not my thing...). For once since we started the journey, Alessio has the chance to eat some of his favorite Vietnamese stuffs: sticky rice and lap xuong, the famous sweet saucisse :-). And we have our chance to taste a wonderful chicken with curry sauce. I should have taken some pictures (sigh)

Saturday Oct 11

Alessio had his second chance to have a typical Vietnamese meal (which I scarcely ever gave him). Thanks H.A a lot for that :-) :-)

Then again, we moved to town, visiting the tragically famous 72' Olympic park. The weather was so-so and H.A predicted the sunny weather for the next day, when we would leave (which is confirmed!!!!) It was pleasant anyway to see interesting structures (it should have been such a technical exploit 42 years ago when it was built ), lovely green landscapes. Munich is not the most beautiful city we've ever been to but it seems quite nice to live in. 

And do you know how to make a man happy? Put him in a car exhibition!!!!

Then we paid a visit to an open air market in the center of Munich, without buying a thing because it's simply too expensive :-) So, it was with what we quickly found in the supermarket that we had the second dinner, a healthy one with tons of different veggies and salmon (I should have taken some pictures (sigh bis)).

Sunday Oct 12

As predicted, the sun came out when we left! We could take advantage of some sunlight at the bus station, having breakfast with Laura, an Alessio's friend who was too sick and busy to see us during our quick stay.

The Flexibus left at 10:40 AM. We were too slow to get the front seats in the second floor (grrrrrr). In some hours, we will be in Vienna, playing the tourists for some more days.

Deutschland part 1

September 29th to October 4th

We didn't have to cycle very far but some 53km from Oberwil to Laufenburg, a small town at the Switzerland-Germany border, by the Rhin river.

Here we visit Paul, a German friend that Alessio had encountered 4 years ago in Argentina (but a few days before we met in Peru).

Paul, 76, a year younger than my father, is still in perfect shape. And a perfect gentleman. Former director of Krefeld zoo (Germany) he is a passionate of nature, wild life but also history and culture. With him, we went for some walks into the Black Forest (you know, Hansel, Gretel and the witches!!! Brrrr!!!!), to Freiburg and learnt so much from him.

In Freiburg, the capital of the Black Forest region, we could not resist but to threw ourselves onto this, the original Schwarzwälder kirschtorte

 We had an easy relaxing time in Laufenburg: no tent to set up, no sleeping bag but cosy bed and warm blankets, no fire camp but good meals, good wine in good company.  We really enjoyed all these 5 days spent with him and it was with a pinch at heart that we left, on saturday October 4th.

We didn't really cycle in Germany but just crossed the bridge to bein Switzerland again: It is a damn expensive country but they have wonderful cycling path :-) :-)

But then, we went back to Germany again after some cycling hours: all the cycling path lead to Konstanz town, in the middle of the famous Konstanz lake, just a little time to have a glance then back to Switzerland again :-)

We did enjoy this town with its quiet church and beautiful doors with wood carving

and the perfect place to sip a beer under the sun

To be continued :-)