6th stop: munich

One thing I haven't talked much about is the driving in Germany; and more specifically, the Autobahn. One word: WOW. The normal driving habits of people on the German Autobahn would land a person straight in jail for wreckless driving if it were in the US. Jeff drove our car upwards of 100 mph (or 160 kph) just to keep up at times, and people were still FLYING past us, one car after another. And I do mean flying. It was truly a sight. There is often no speed limit at all on the Autobahn, so people do take advantage.

Our first day in Munich was low-key. We both just wanted to walk the city to explore the different neighborhoods and adorable boutiques. Started off the morning strolling through the outdoor market and loving all of the fresh foods. Walked through the English Garden, stopping for Jeff to get a snack in the biergarten there. Stood around to watch the Glockinspiel - a huge clock in the main square that has figures which dance on the stroke of an hour (as I heard a tour guide explain - "ten minutes of your life you will never get back" :).

At the Virtualien Markt - loads of fresh foods, and all so pretty!

I could probably eat cheese forever. There were so many.

In the English Garden

At the Seehaus Beer Garden (notice I do not have a plate here - I was boycotting. It was so greasy!!!)

English Garden

Glockinspiel (the clock goes off occasionally and the figures "come out and dance" - very anticlimatic)

Our last night in Munich was absolutely a BLAST. We were exhausted, must've walked at least five miles that day, but we forced ourselves out on the town. First stop: Hofbrauhaus! This place is jolly, lively, and wonderful. Everyone is happy, the beer is flowin', and the loud traditional German band is playin'. We sat down at a long table next to a Brazilian couple on their 25th anniversary trip. They only spoke Portuguese, but somehow in a combination of dramatic hand gestures and random word combinations we attempted to communicate, and somehow got by. At the far end of our table was a businessman from Denmark, quietly pounding back liters of beer (yes, liters plural) and chuckling to himself at the exchange between us all. By the end of the night we had lured him in, and were all laughing and chatting. I love our world! Such a jolly time. We finished off the night at one of the best restaurants, Brenner, which the Danish businessman recommended for us. They make their own pasta, the food was for foodies, and the service was outstanding. De-lightful! It was a fun and eventful night out to say the least - maybe one of my trip favorites. Below is a video to help you capture the jolly "scene" at the Hofbrauhaus that we loved so much...at the end of the video you can hear Roberto (our new friend) trying to talk to Jeff in his loud, boisterous voice...and then Jeff's puzzled look as he tries to understand Portuguese...:)

Jeff and I at the Hofbrauhaus - first round!

Our Brazilian friend, Roberto, who we met at the table

Best restaurant in Munich!