Stuttgart (for Michael)

We've been in Paris for 3 hours now but this morning (Sunday 30/12/12) we travelled from Ulm to Stuttgart. First port of call was the Porsche factory. Later in the day we walked the old town before taking the TGV to Paris at speeds of up to 312 kph. The Porsche museum was amazing. Photos show (1) factory (2) the first model Boxster (3) a high performance Carrera which (as the sign said) would be suitable for going to the shops (yeh! Right!) (4) view across Schloss Platz in Stuttgart.

Ulm Cathedral

From Munich were passed through Augsburg to spend more time in Ulm. The central and unavoidable attraction is the Ulm Minster (1377) which has the highest church spire in the world (161.5 metres). High in the sky we could just make out people on the top viewing platform, just a few metres below the very top. The view on this sunny day must be superb - a reward for climbing the 768 steps! That's about 500 too many steps for me.

After 4 hours walking through this beautiful small city on the Danube we stopped for a drink and delicious raspberry pancake. The tavern was over 350 years old and the local lager came from the brewery operating in the city since 1597.

Tomorrow we spend the day in Stuttgart before taking the evening TGV express to Paris.

Munich - too much gold!

Returning to the city centre after our auto-fest we went on a 2-hour guided tour of the Opera House. The original was destroyed by fire; the second was destroyed during WW2 and the present building was opened in 1963. The public specs were interesting, as was the view from the Royal Box, but "behind the scenes" was fascinating. We saw how the works were staged and even saw the mechanism below stage.

There was just time before closing to go through the Residenz - the Royal Palace from 1395-1918. The buildings were designed and decorated to show off the power and wealth of the occupants. Good taste was sometimes lacking; moderation seemed to be unknown. It's a wonder there was any gold left in Bavaria after the decorators finished.

Shown below are "his & hers" chairs - not for watching TV but for receiving official visitors - and a bed in some lessor bedroom. Note the height! Not good to fall out. I asked an attendant and was told that the bed had its "day cover" to hide the bedding and that a normal mattress was below it.

Munich - BMW World

Yesterday morning was a little wet in Munich so we chose indoor activities. First stop was BMW World at the Olympic Park. The large display of current models (including new Rolls Royce) was overwhelming! Much more interesting was the excellent and comprehensive collection of past, present and prototype cars, vans, plane engines, motor bikes, F1 cars and prototypes. It's a most impressive place.

Judy thought that if we cut back on expenses she could get the sports car. On second thoughts perhaps the 3-wheeler is more achievable.

Salzburg - the tour ends

Our coach tour ended in Salzburg but the coach was taking most others on to Munich airport or railway station. We stayed the day in Salzburg to see more and then caught the late afternoon train to Munich as independent travellers again.

In Salzburg we visited both Mozart museums, the mighty fortress (the "burg" in the city name), the Residenz (palace of the Princes) and had coffee at one of the oldest coffee houses - Cafe Tomaselli.

Pictured are (1) the great hall of the Residenz; (2) view from the castle/fortress looking over Salzburg.

Salzburg walkabout

We've made it to Salzburg. This is the last stop on the coach tour; tomorrow we go "independent" again. This evening before the dinner of pumpkin soup, Wiener Schnitzel and Sacher Torte (what else?), we strolled through some of the inner city streets and admired the discrete lighting before pausing at one of music's hallowed places: Mozart's birth house.

Cesky Krumlov Accommodation

In this small UNESCO listed town we are staying in the Hotel Ruze (rose) . It was built on stages as a Jesuit monastery and seminary , starting over 450 years ago. Just by luck we were allocated a "suite" - we have a large entry vestibule, a huge bathroom and a bedroom about half the size of our house! The hotel is adjacent to the cathedral. This afternoon we walked around the town and up to the castle and this evening enjoyed a traditional Bohemian Christmas Eve dinner.

A joyous Christmas to all friends reading this. Paul and Judy

Arriving at Cesky Krumlov

Yesterday we left a cold Vienna as snow fell and drove through fog and snow covered fields into the Czech Republic. As we neared our Christmas stopover town we left the snow and reached an area having unusually mild conditions for this time of the year (8 deg) so unfortunately no snow for Christmas. The town is in a valley inside a tight loop in the Moldau River and is just beautiful with the old castle perched on the hill above the town. Last night we joined the town folk watching a "live Bethlehem" performance of the Nativity story told through local folk songs and carols. It was a delightful experience.

Vienna but no coffee or schnitzel

We arrived in Vienna at sunset and drove around the Ring Road to view many of the grand public buildings and then toured the Schonbrunn Palace. This morning we set out on a long walk around central Vienna and visited several interesting sights. It's been about zero all day and very light snow fell. It's cold! We warmed a little whilst visiting the "Mozart 'Figaro' House".

Pictured are the classical facade of the Parliament building, the imposing bronze memorial to Beethoven and some street decorations. Tonight we go to an Advent concert in St Stephen's cathedral.

More Prague

Yesterday (Thursday) our guide took us up to the castle/palace complex and cathedral above Prague. After viewing we walked down through the old town to the river and crossed Charles Bridge. Prague suffered very little damage in WW2 so it still retains its authentic medieval old town. It's a beautiful town.

In the evening we went to a concert in the beautiful "mirror hall" of the Klementium building. Just being there was a delight. We were told that Mozart had played the small organ there.

The picture shows the famous astronomical clock on the old town hall. On the hour the windows open to display movement and a skeleton rattles a chain and rings a bell to warn of the approach of death.

Gastro has swept through the bus and about a third are down! On to Vienna today.

Prague - an evening walk

This morning we drove through the fog, past snow covered fields and woods to the small city of Pilsen. After a couple of hours we drove on to Prague, we arrived at sunset and peak hour and first impressions were disappointing as we crawled through heavy traffic. After dinner we walked from our hotel, the Adria, on Wenceslas Square to the town hall and plaza, and then across the Charles Bridge. It was just wonderful and all misgivings about Beautiful Prague disappeared. Pictured are the hotel, one of the great churches, and Christmas lights in the main square. These iPhone photos are convenient for blogging but lack the depth of those taken with the Canon 7D.

Night walk in Rothenburg

It's been a busy day - we spent much of the day in Nuremberg and returned to Rothenburg shortly before sunset. We took the chance to walk along the city walls before dark. This evening we had most entertaining walk through the town with the Nightwatchman who gave us an interesting summary of a thousand years of town history. During the walk we left through these gates in the south-west of the town.

Arriving in Rothenburg

Yesterday we returned from Aachen to Frankfurt and met Judy's friend Claudia who took us to see her family home in the small town of Hochstadt. We then joined our tour group. This morning we travelled to Wurzburg (can't do the umlaut on IPhone) and just before sunset (at 4:15) we reached Rothenburg ob der Tauber. It is a well preserved medieval town which is now famous as THE Christmas town. It really is beautiful, romantic and atmospheric here. The picture shows some of the Christmas market in the squares around the main church and town hall.

Aachen and Charlemagne

This morning we had a short trip on a fast train from Cologne to Aachen, famous as the centre of the Carolingian empire of Charlemagne. It's a city of about 250,000 and is most famous for the Dom (cathedral) which is built around the octagonal chapel of Charlemagne (built about 1200 years ago in the Byzantine style). It's one of those places which must be seen to be appreciated as small snapshots can't portray the sweeping grandeur of the walls, arches and ceilings all covered in gold mosaics. In the gallery is the throne on which German kings and Holy Roman Emperors were crowned for over 500 years.

Leaving Cologne

We've had a wonderful time in Cologne: the huge cathedral; Roman museum; Christmas markets; concerts; hearty local winter meals at a local pub and more. This morning we travel on to Aachen, almost on the Belgian border. We enjoyed breakfast at a well stocked cafe bar in the railway station. So much to choose from - this is less than a quarter of the cabinet.

London Brass Ensemble in Cologne

This evening we enjoyed 2 hours of brilliantly arranged and performed Christmas Carols chosen from many lands and times. The concert hall of the Cologne Philharmonie is just 80 metres from the hotel.

Carols at Cologne

Another wonderful evening - eating a fresh waffle with hazelnut topping and drinking Alpine Gluhwine whilst listening to a choir at the Christmas Market beside the mighty Cathedral. As the sun sets at 4 it's not a late night.

Frankfurt - Joyous music

How good is this? After communal carol singing in the church the brass choir plays to the Christmas market from the church rooftop.

Heidelberg

Just the spot for a drink after lots of walking around Heidelberg. The snow cover was just beautiful. Will we still feel the same after 2 months?

Lunch in Heidelberg

A Heidelberg steak sandwich and mug of warm Gluehwein.

Room with a view

The sun has just come up and we see that snow has fallen overnight. Here's part of our view in central Frankfurt. After a long flight we spent the day walking and last evening wandered the first of the many colourful Christmas Markets we will experience. Off to Heidelberg today. Paul & Judy

Airline food

Between flights we ate "airline food" - but with a difference at the Qantas Club in Melbourne. Sliced prosciutto with figs, blue cheese and Parmesan twist, accompanied by Flametree Chardonnay. It sure beats fast food out in the food mall.

Checking in

It's "all systems go" now. Frankfurt - here we come!

Packed and ready

Bags are packed and underweight. Feeling a bit nervous as we wait forDavid to come and take us to the airport. The moment has arrived.

Time Differences

We'll try to make the occasional phone call or Skype video call, and will be happy to hear from family and friends at home, but don't forget the time differences.   

 

During summer Adelaide is on time zone GMT +10:30.  Except for the 4 days in Thailand (GMT + 7:00) we will be in the zone GMT +1.  We will be 9.5 hours behind you.   So, if you get the urge to call us one morning - don't.  At 10 am in Adelaide it will be 12:30 am and we probably won't appreciate the call as much as we ought!

 

The following table may be helpful.

Adelaide Time		Europe Time  (10/1-5/2/13)	Thai Time  (6/2-10-2/13)
(GMT +10:30)		9.5 hr behind	3.5 hr behind
0:00	Previous  day	14:30	20:30
1:00		15:30	21:30
2:00		16:30	22:30
3:00		17:30	23:30
4:00		18:30	0:30
5:00		19:30	1:30
6:00		20:30	2:30
6:30		21:00	3:00
7:00		21:30	3:30
8:00		22:30	4:30
9:00		23:30	5:30
10:00		0:30	6:30
11:00		1:30	7:30
12:00		2:30	8:30
13:00		3:30	9:30
14:00		4:30	10:30
15:00		5:30	11:30
16:00		6:30	12:30
17:00		7:30	13:30
18:00		8:30	14:30
19:00		9:30	15:30
20:00		10:30	16:30
21:00		11:30	17:30
22:00		12:30	18:30
23:00		13:30	19:30