Hi everyone! Sorry for the long gap between my last post. As I did not bring a laptop with me on my trip, it was difficult to blog on the go. After my first week in Munich I already thought it was somewhere I would definitely go back to in the future. The colourful semi-detached buildings and the beautiful surrounding landscape is harmonised into a wonderful city, both modern and historical.
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| Insert obligatory airplane photo! Provided by Etihad Airlines |
It was my first stop on my Eurotrip and after a 23 hour long journey from Sydney I couldn't wait to step out of the airport and see my first European city. I was surprised that a train ticket from the airport cost me 10euros. I was hoping that it wasn't going to be so expensive to use public transport in Germany (luckily it wasn't!). I actually got lost on the S-bahn on my first day. However, thanks to the efficiency of the S-bahn my journey was quickly rectify within 5 minutes (looking at you, Cityrail). EDIT: If you are using public transport in Munich, use MVG to find your way around. It is Munich's tripview.
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| Hail to the S-Bahn! |
I was keen not to join any hop on, hop off bus tours and just discover Munich on my own. I was lucky enough to have a great couchsurfing host who also took me around to places popular with Munich locals that I would not have seen otherwise. I got to see much of the city centre including Stachus (Karlplatz), Marienplatz, Kaufingerstraße and Neuhauser Straße, which are one of the main shopping streets of Munich with rows of medium range to high end clothing stores and large retailers such as Karstadt and Kaufhof.
Since I was there during December, I was lucky enough to see the famous Christmas markets and winter festivities. Stalls selling sausages, chocolates, cookies and roasted chestnuts can be seen all around, along with some selling cute Christmas trinkets and decorations. In between shopping for some great souvenirs, you can have a break by grabbing some hot goulash soup or freshly grilled bratwurst, followed by some hot Gluhwein. During the evenings, you will see the markets bustling with locals and tourist basking in the Christmas-y atmosphere while the streets are glowing with streams of fairy lights. Even if you aren't interested in buying anything, it definitely is something great for everyone to see.
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| Stachus (Karlplatz) There is a pop-up ice rink there in winter! |
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| Munich Christmas Markets! |
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| Vast array of Christmas goodies to choose from! (Picture taken at Cologne Christmas Market) |
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| The market in Marienplatz with an amazing Christmas tree |
I was conveniently staying in a suburb only a few stops away from Dachau. If you are interested in seeing the Dachau concentration camp, there are many short and direct buses from the station. I got there too late for the English tour so just wandered around myself. The day was overcast and the winter really brought out the sombre atmosphere of the camp site. There are many information boards around the different areas of the camp so if you aren't on a tour you can still learn about the history. Admittedly, I walked closely, and subtly, behind a tour group from the Wombat Hostel. The guide gave very extensive and knowledgeable explanations about the history and background of the campsite, especially about the Krematorium. Dachau is easy enough to navigate around by yourself or with a tour group. It was definitely an emotional and educational site to visit and I recommend anyone who is in Munich to see Dachau at least once.
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| "Work makes (you) free" a slogan placed over the entrances to a number of Nazi concentration camps |
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| Roll call grounds, Dachau Concentration Camp, Munich |
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| Towering trees lined next to the former prisoners' barracks |
Other great sites I made my way to see around Munich was the famous Englischer Garten, Tollwood winter festival and Allianz Arena (I also watched a FC Bayern Munich game too!). I also made a last minute decision to go on a day tour to the famous Bavarian castles, Linderhof Castle and Neuschwanstein Castle. These little adventures will be blogged in detail in later posts.
Food wise, I never knew too much about German food prior to my trip. Of course, there's the stereotypical idea of lederhosen-clad Germans with a stein of beer in one hand while happily munching on a hearty serving of bratwurst and sauerkraut. Fortunately, German cuisine extends beyond this stereotype.I was able to taste some delicious weisswurst (Bavarian white sausages)*, schweinebraten and knoedel (roast pork and delicious potato dumplings) with some great Weissbier and super tasty potato and goulash soup, amongst other amazing German delicacies.
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| Ciabatta with mozzarella, lettuce, tomato and pesto and a nice bowl of hot goulash soup to fight the winter chills |
To be honest, I never knew about the famous Hofbrauhaus beerhall before going to Munich. After reading about it being essentially a tourist trap on the internet, I was glad that my host/friend was kind enough to take me to one of his favourite local restaurants that served up some amazing Bavarian cuisine. When you're taken to a restaurant by a local Munchener, and 90% of the customers insider are also German, you know you've hit the culinary jackpot! FYI, the restaurant was "Braunauer Hof" and I absolutely recommend those who want to try some great Bavarian food, without being surrounded by drunk tourists, to pay it a visit.
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| Bavarian food culture ft. Schweinebraten, knoedel and a tall Paulaner Weissbier at Braunauer Hof! |
Now, speaking of beer, I am usually not someone who would order a beer at the bar back home mainly because of the taste. However, I found German beer much more palatable and did not make me feel bloated afterwards. For those who usually dislike the taste of beer, you can also try to ask for a Radler or Diesel which are weissbier mixed with lemonade and weissbier mixed with cola, respectively. Definitely a lighter option for those that are keen to get into the famous German beer culture but aren't 100% fond of the taste of straight beer**. Take advantage of cheaper alcohol while you can before you go back to the extortionate Aussie alcohol price tags!
Thinking back, I quite miss the food I had in Munich. Every morning for breakfast there was always an array of delicious delicacies to go with fresh bread rolls. I was particularly fond of "zwiebelmettwurst" and "zungenwurst" which melted in your mouth when you had it with freshly butter bread and a spread of cheese. What is zwiebelmettwurst and zungenwurst, you ask? Zwiebelmettwurst is a delicious spreadable pate-like paste made of onions and cured raw pork meat. Zungenwurst on the otherhand is a tongue sausage cold cut. Seriously, give these a go! Don't knock it until you try it!
P.S. There is a great Austrian soft drink called "Almdudler". It is like a herbal soda that is similar to ginger ale. I recommend you try it while in Munich because it is usually only available in the Bavarian region.
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| Quite a delicious beverage! |
Munich was a spectacular city and I was glad to experience not only German but also Bavarian culture. In hindsight, I wish I had changed my flights to fly back to Sydney from Munich. I can't wait to see more of this great city the next time I come back. I will be sure to stay for much longer than 8 days!
Source: travelblog.viator.com via Chrysty on Pinterest
*Traditionally eaten with your hands! If you try weisswurst, don't be shy to get handsy with the sausage (that's what she said). It is also eaten with a special sweet mustard and warm pretzels. However I have been taught to not eat the actual casing , just the filling!
** I am not greatly fond of beer because in Australia, the beer is horrendously bitter. However in Germany, just normal beer seems much more enjoyable to me as it seems lighter and nowhere near as bitter.
