Not too many people can say that they have been in 4 countries in one day. Well today, we can say that we have!
The day started out with a walking tour of the old part of Munich, Germany (Country 1). We walked to a small square that had an older looking building – but was actually built not too long ago and made to look like one of the older buildings. Every day the city's central Marienplatz square has onlookers with their chins aimed skywards. They’re watching one of the city’s most loved oddities, the Munich Glockenspiel, or carillon. This chiming clock was added to the tower of the New Town Hall the year the building was completed in 1907. At 11am and midday (and 5pm between March and October) the Munich Glockenspiel recounts a royal wedding, jousting tournament and ritualistic dance - all events which have etched a mark on Munich’s popular folklore. The show lasts about 15 minutes and concludes with the golden bird up the top emerging and chirping three times. Different tunes are played on the clock’s 43 bells. Kassie had indicated that this item has been rated one of the most overrated tourist attractions in Europe. I would have to agree.
Then we stopped in at the Hofbräuhaus. The Munich Hofbräuhaus on the Platzl is one of the most well-known city institutions and is at the same time the most famous brewery in the world. At the end of the 16th century, Duke Wilhelm V. had the Hofbräuhaus built to supply the court of the Wittelsbachs so that it would no longer be necessary to import beer from Lower Saxony; Hofbräu beer could be brewed locally. Today the most famous taproom in Munich attracts locals and tourists alike for a casual light meal and a liter of beer in the Hofbräuhaus. The “Beer Palace” has been turned into a multi-faceted restaurant with a number of dining rooms. The cross vault on the ground floor, where beer used to be brewed, is the centerpiece of the Hofbräuhaus, the “watering hole”. Adolf Hitler had stood on the balcony and given a couple of speeches there. Impressively large place (if you are a beer drinker). There is actually lockers where regulars can rent out space to store their own beer stein.
After this, we hopped back on the coach and with the rest of the tour group on our way to Lichtenstein. But before we were to arrive there, we had to leave Germany and head back into Austria (Country 2). Travelling through Austria, we arrived in Vaduz, Lichtenstein (Country 3). Vaduz is the capital of Liechtenstein and also the seat of the national parliament. The town, which is located along the Rhine River, has about 5,100 residents as of 2009. The most prominent landmark of Vaduz is Vaduz Castle, the home of the reigning prince of Liechtenstein and the Liechtenstein princely family. The castle is visible from almost any location in Vaduz, being perched atop a steep hill in the middle of the city. Liechtenstein is the 6th smallest country in the world. This was our lunch stop – so we ended up sitting with Mark and Kat and we had a Hamburger, fries (each) and I had a coke; Laureen had a sparkling water. The total for our meal was 42.80 Euro. That’s probably the most expensive hamburger I’ve ever had!
We were also close to the tourist office and for the small fee of 3 Euro, you could have your passport inked with the Liechtenstein stamp.
Back on the coach we headed for Lucerne, Switzerland (Country 4). The countryside was beautiful. Postcard like around every corner. There were a few construction zones that slowed us down quite a bit and as a result we arrived in Lucerne about an hour past what had been planned. We stopped at a monument to fallen Swiss soldiers and then headed for the hotel. After arriving and the hotel and receiving our luggage, Laureen and I did a little laundry. We were both starting to run short of clean clothes again, so it was time to break out the detergent and do some washing in the bathroom.
After hanging the clothes to dry, we made our way to the lobby and met the smaller group that was going on the excursion to a Swiss Folklore Evening and Dinner (Stadtkeller – was the name of the establishment). We had an amazing time there hearing them play local instruments, sing some local songs and they also did a little yodeling. A bunch of folks were invited up to attempt to yodel – and unfortunately, I happened to be one of them. Laureen indicated that I did OK!
Then they brought our a liter beer stein for each of us, and we were supposed to drink it from start to finish, no stopping. Any of you who know me, know that I'm not much of a drinker. However, a couple of things went through my head as they handed me my stein: (1) The lady from Washington DC standing beside me made light work of hers (2) An entire table of Aussies are sitting at my table and I know I'll never hear the end of it if I don't make it through (3) I'm 50 and I've never "skulled" a beer before. Ok - let's make this happen. So I did. The Aussies made me an honorary Aussie when I returned to the table.
The place was really warm – so when it was all over, we enjoyed a nice walk in the cool evening back to our hotel.
Looking forward to the sightseeing tomorrow. Let’s hope it doesn’t rain as the forecast indicates!
Curt & Laureen in Lucerne, Switzerland.
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