Munich - Day 4

The morning started with a nice cab ride in the morning dark to the Barcelona Airport and with a very smooth transition we made it to our gate for a 1 hour wait to board.  The flight up to Munich on Lufthansa was simple and smooth.  Of course it was close to 2 a.m. in the states, so we were able to catch up on the election while sitting at the Airport.  Extremely nice airport, but the Munich airport is just awesome.  If we ever get a new Airport in Kansas City I would love to see this type of setup.  Open, roomy, clean, bright, very well organized and easy security setup.  Mercedes Benz taxi ride into Munich to our hotel the Hilton at the English Gardens.  Our cab driver spoke enough English to talk up his city and ask a little about American politics.  The countryside was agricultural an flat.  Very green and fall colors, but could be anywhere in the farm belt if not for all the German signs and symbols.  Did I mention that BMW and Mercedes cars are pretty matter of fact here. :)

The Hilton is nice and located only about 30 min walk from downtown.  The English Park is full of streams and walk ways with all the trees turned or in their winter dress.  It is cold here being only in the upper 30's but the sun is showing through a light overcast, so no complaints.

Can't get lost with a map in hand an trail map to compare!

Surfing in the Park in a wet suit!!

We ventured out after settling in to walk into the city center through the park, which was very pretty with fall colors.  We even came across a Surfer in the park!  Yes a guy in a wet suit surfing some rapids in the river.  Crazy to see for sure.

The walk carried us into the old Munich downtown with mostly old large buildings that have been maintained.  So German Hofbrau Houses to Marienplatz area where we stopped to eat at the Ratskeller and where they are putting up the Christmas tree.

Enjoyed some traditional German food and beer!

German potatoes were really good as was the variety of sausages.  We had some Potatoe Soup to start off that was really good as well.  The restaurant was huge and service very good!

Marienplatz - Germany as you would expect

Xmas tree being put up - tomorrow we plan to go back and see fully lit.  So many shops and cobblestone streets to explore!

After lunch/dinner we roamed some shops and Janie tried on watches her goal to purchase while we are in Germany for her BD.  Then we roamed around and found a square with an open market and that led us to stop at a Starbucks for a Hot Fudge Chocolate for Janie to warm up.  

Cheese Wheel at one of several outside market shops

Outside market with all the foods and supplies you would expect to see!

We cabbed it back to the hotel to enjoy a drink at the executive lounge, when we found a BD Cake and Bottle of Champagne in the room.  Still went to get the drink and then back to the room to enjoy the bounty!!

Great first day in Germany!  Tomorrow I head out for one work day event that brought us to Germany versus some of our travel plans in Spain.  Only down side, Janie left her iPad on the plane in from Barcelona this morning.  Hopefully the airline can find it??