In Germany, there is a special deal when you take the train
in the weekend. Schönes Wochenender ticket it is called and it gives up to five
people unlimited travel in Germany, on the Saturday or Sunday of your choice,
for only 40 euro! It’s a steal, especially when you know that taking the train
from Berlin to Munich usually costs over 150 euro. So, our decision was quickly
made. The catch? You are only allowed to use regional trains, which is why our
journey took nine hours…
Traveling by train is relaxing and fun, even with the many
stopovers and changes. Mark and I were lucky no delays took place and we were
welcomed to Munich by our friend Sabine. She took us to her spacious,
comfortable and worldly decorated apartment, where husband Michael had prepared
a tasty dinner. We “fell with our butt in the butter” as the Dutch expression
goes, when you get lucky and spoiled! We hadn’t seen our German friends, whom
we met and traveled with in Mexico and who visited us in the Bahamas, for four
years, so we had a lot to catch up on. Our cruising life and their current
overland travels in Africa offered enough story material for weeks, so the
nights grew long.
Our first full day in Bavaria was filled with stories and
picture gazing during the rainy daytime hours and later in the afternoon, our
friends took us to Jachenau, near the border with Austria, where the Alps begin.
We were to spend a night in a cozy and typical Bavarian B&B, starting with
a very hearty dinner: fried onions, fries, slabs of pork meat and a massive
dollop of butter on top. The setting was very picturesque and the enjoyable
scene was repeated during breakfast the following day. Bellies full of dark and
sour German bread, pretzels, eggs and lunch meat we were ready for a long day
of hiking, to burn off all those calories.
It was a grey day, so the views had a cloudy lining, but the
cool mountain temperature was perfect for hiking. For about three hours, we
climbed one of the nearby peaks, where we had a simple, but delicious lunch.
Picnicking in nature with only the presence of cows and each other; life was
good! The walk back down took a couple of hours as well, since we were all
suffering from one or another ailment. For me, it was my right knee, which was
in excruciating pain with each descending step. Playing sports is healthy one
says, but years after, the body suffers… Getting old(er) is no joke!
Regardless, we all had a nice time in the mountains and after
the scenic route past a stunningly beautiful lake, we arrived back in Munich
and were ready for more eating, drinking and sightseeing. Michael showed us
around the touristy center of town, where we spoiled ourselves with a sushi
lunch. In the afternoon, Mark and I walked back home past a few other sights to
finish the day on the sunny balcony with yet another home cooked meal and
delicious wine. 
Our last day in Munich was spent in peace for Mark and with
Sabine for me. The girls walked along the Isar River, gossiped about all things
important and Sabine, the color consultant,
figured out “my colors” (I am a summer – winter mix) after lunch. In the
evening, the four of us biked to the massive beer garden in Englischer Garten,
to conclude our stay the Bavarian way: with German sausages and liter draught
beers!
Day hike in the Alps
Michael, Sabine, Mark and I made it (sweaty) to the top!
The pretty Walchensee lake
Historical buildings in Munich
The beer garden in Englischer Garten: Prost!
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