In and Out of Osterriech ( Austria)

Today our travels took us back over the border into Germany. Once again, the mountains and beauty of it all simply amazes us! This time, though, we made sure everyone was looking out the windows and not drawing anything....like our unfortunate mishap yesterday....poor Jeremy :(

We headed to the town of Fussen, Germany. Fussen is known for its spot on the Via Claudia Augusta
( ancient Roman road) which linked the Po River Valley to southern Germany across the Alps.  This town does have a lot of history, but we came to see the castles of King Ludwig II  ( Mad King Ludwig).  Hohenschwangau  ( which you can see in the background behind Guy and the kids) was Ludwig's boyhood home.

Walking along the main street in the town, you can see another Maypole which shows the various vendors and crafts which were sold in the market...

And here it is, the main reason we came to Fussen.  One of my dreams came to a realization today.  After years of having this same castle plastered on my walls growing up...I got to actually come to see Neuschwanstein Castle!!!  I have to say it looks so much better in person!!!  This is the castle which King Ludwig II was building when he died.  He could literally look across the hilltops from Hohenschwangau castle to see the progress...

Neuschwanstein  Castle in Bavaria inspired Walt Disney's castle

Construction started on the castle in 1869 and stopped in 1886 when King Ludwig II died in a lake. He only lived in this castle for 172 days!!! He had only died six weeks before tourists started to pay to tour inside.  Only a third of the castle was actually completed.  It is hard to believe that this castle was never inhabited for very long...it looks so magical on the hilltop.  The tour was interesting also, and it was amazing to see how lavish the rooms were decorated for the king.

Walking up to the castle, you would think you were in an enchanted forest.  Seriously, I was waiting to see the seven dwarfs walk right across the road!!!!:)  I can really get a sense of the tales of fairies and goblins walking through the woods...

Guy and the kids on Mary's Bridge near the castle

King Ludwig II

One picture I could take..huge stove used to heat a room in the castle

view from the castle grounds

beautiful view!

walking down from the castle:)

After seeing the spectacular views and the amazing castle ( and taking a horse drawn carriage ride the rest of the way down from the castle), we stopped at a local restaurant , Hotel Muller, for lunch.  The food was great, but I don't think that anything could beat actually eating Bavarian cream in Bavaria!!!!!:)

Do you see a theme here???? We are back at a waterfront with kids...and rocks!!!:)  The kids took turns throwing rocks into the Lech River.:)

On the way back, we stopped at some man -made falls from the Lech river.

Lech river

And from there, we headed back into Austria....and the kids took a BIG, FAT, nap!!:)  And, I have to admit, so did I...something I almost never do during the day.  I don't know if it is the air or the scenery, the good food or the great wine...but I really feel that I can truly and honestly relax here.:)

As we were driving back today, I was thinking to myself," Traveling can really make you see things differently."...especially for moms:)
For example:

1)  You may start to think of french fries as an actual vegetable when you are eating out all the time with the kids:)

2)  It doesn't matter that your kids are drinking out of the same water bottles since Saturday...right???!!

3) I love the mirrors at hotels....you can only see down to your waist, and truthfully...that is all I want to see on myself!:)

4) It's okay if the kids stay up late and don't take regular naps:)

5) The pounds you gain while on vacation don't really count..ha ha!!

For me, one thing which has been very different for me this week is that I have finally been able to relax...no shipments to buy for, no emergency doctor visits ( at least not yet...knock on wood!)...just beautiful scenery and being with my family.  Thank you, Guy, for making a childhood dream of mine come true.:)  I think we almost have this travel thing perfected.:)

Heading to Deutschland

This morning, our adventures took us back on the road from Reutte, Austria to Munich, Germany.  I managed to take a few pictures from the car of the gorgeous scenery we saw on our way to Munich.  The mountains were beautiful and so were the lakes.  I haven't seen such crystal clear water since our honeymoon in the Bahamas.  It truly was beautiful!!!

 But, after managing to take those pictures on some very windy roads up and down the mountains...poor Jeremy got carsick.  One more thing I need to have in my bag on trips is dramamine for the kids...

 Thankfully, after that short bout of getting sick, Jeremy was feeling pretty good.  Guy managed to pull off skid off the road to a screeching halt in a rest area which had been barricaded off.  A few minutes of sitting outside in the great air, and Jeremy was feeling pretty good again.:)  And, our journey into Munich continued:)

 We took a train in from a town about 30 kilometers outside Munich.

 When we first arrived in Munich, we walked through the city square.  I looked at this beautiful structure and thought it was a cathedral...I found out it was actually the town hall building!!!:)

 The first stop after we arrived in Munich around lunch time was to stop at Hofbrauhaus Beer Hall. This beer hall is one of the most famous beer houses in the world...and very much known for Oktoberfest which takes place every year for about two weeks.  This year it lasted from Sep. 17-Oct.3.  (It begins on the third Saturday in September and ends the first Sunday in October...but not before Oct. 3.  October 3rd is the day German celebrates its reunification.:)  Oktoberfest actually started from King Ludwig I's wedding celebration in 1810, and it was such a success, it has been celebrated every year since then.  That is one memorable wedding!!:)

Guy and Jeremy in front of Hofbrauhaus

Having a beer and Sprite in Hofbrauhaus:)

 Then, we were off to Viktualienmarkt.  This market is an "open air" market which has everything from flowers to food to souvenirs, and so many other little treasures:)  The kids had a great time walking through the market and smelling the flowers.  Guy and I loved walking around in the fresh air:)

Huge Maypole which has been here since the 15th century to tell people what crafts and merchants were in the market:)

 After the "open air" market, we did a little more shopping and the kids got to see a demonstration of how a Cuckoo clock works...

The LOVED it!:)

 We got back on the train again and headed to the Residenz gardens.  To say that this area of Munich is beautiful is an understatement!!  You really have to see it for yourself, the pictures I have here really don't do it justice...

Kids sitting in front of the Residenz (Wittelsbach's family palace)
The Wittlesbach's ruled Bavaria for 700 years. The kings in the line included King Ludwig I, King Max II , King Ludwig II (Mad King Ludwig) , and King Ludwig III)

A view of the royal gardens:)

 We also stopped in to Saint Peter's church in Munich.  I wasn't sure if photos were allowed, but I did manage to take a quick picture of the kids putting 5 euro cents into a small opening and seeing some religious figures come out of a little church.  I tell you, Germany thinks of everything to entertain the kids wherever we go!!:) Even in a church!:)  ( Saint Peter's is the oldest church in Munich founded in 1158!)

 To end up our day, we stopped at a local biergarten for some dinner and some fresh warm pretzels!:)  Jeremy and Lizzy's favorite part of the pretzel was all the salt they could lick off!:)  Today was such a great day to tour such a great city.:)  Guy ( a.k.a. our family's personal tour guide) did a great job of combining things that he and I would want to see with things the kids loved to do as well.:) Before we got back on the train to head back to Reutte, the kids even saw a juggler in the park nearby! Now, that is entertainment for you.:)  Until tomorrow, Auf weidersehen!:)

Just What the Doctor Ordered...

When I woke up this morning, I realized that I didn't include one of the funniest things which happened to us yesterday in my post yesterday.  Not sure how I fogot about it since it involved 6 German (or Austrian men) hopping out of their car right in front of our car at the restaurant we ate at last night.  I know that doesn't sound too funny, but when you add the fact they were all wearing leiderheausen and singing loud German songs....you know you are somewhere near the German border (and the last weekend of Oktoberfest in Munich).  They were really nice though...they did block us in, but they ALL helped Guy to get out of the too tiny space they had created for us:) Which prompted Jeremy to ask why they were all so loud and nice.  Guy and I looked at each other and laughed...that was a conversation for another day and a different age.:) ( I could have taken a picture....but I really wasn't too sure how they would have felt about it:))

Today, we spent the day in Reutte (ROY-teh), Austria.  Reutte is really not famous for anything in particular, but there are doctor's who have recommended the "Grade 1" air for many people ( according to one guide book we have).  It is really an "Austrian town" away from many tourists.( Although everyone is so nice here. They are very understanding if you don't speak German.)  I have to say that the air is wonderful here, and the sky is crystal blue. For me, it truly is "what the doctor ordered".  I really feel like I was able to clear my heard today and enjoy walking outside and enjoying the weather, the scenery, and the people:)

Our first stop today was the grocery store, of course!!!  Our yearly shipment hasn't come in yet, so there were a few things (snacks) I needed to pick up and bring back with us to Lagos.  The kids loved the store because they got to roll around their own "kid sized" carts.  Talk about keeping them entertained and right with us the whole time!!! Why hasn't the U.S. come up with this yet??!!! (Yes, this is really fun for us!!! A clean, fully stocked store with hundreds of items to choose from!)

Later on, after doing the grocery shopping and lunch with the kids, Guy stayed back at the hotel room with the kids for nap time while I hit the town for shopping...all afternoon...by myself!!!!!  YAY!!!!!!! I think I almost broke into a yodel!:)   I don't remmber the last time I had an afternoon to myself to shop and shop and shop and not have to worry about a time limit...it was wonderful!!!!! And to top it off...I was in Austria!:)

View from a street in reutte with many shops:)

After I filled my bags (and used my credit card too much), the kids were awake and it was time to go to one of the many playgrounds here.  The kids couldn't get enough of the weather, the blue sky, the trees, the grass, and the swings.:)

They loved playing in the leaf pile...who knew!!??

On our walk, they had to stop and collect more rocks:) Reminds me of this post

Couldn't rotate this pic, but they loved the rocks:)

After dinner, we ended up at a local ice cream shop for some great ice cream.  The kids loved it, and when we asked Jeremy what his favorite part of today was, he said," Walking to the playground and playing."  I have to admit, the weather here is so clear and there is a hint of crispness in the air to let you know autumn's on the way. I don't think a doctor could write a better "prescription" for one' s spirit.:) Until tomorrow, Auf weidersehen!:)

Just Hanging out in Austria...and Germany

In all of our travels to and from Africa, Guy and I love to come to Germany because of all the great playgrounds there are for the kids.  Who knew they would be in Austria, too??  We started out our day by hanging out at a playground really close to our hotel in Reutte, Austria.:)

Jeremy told Guy, "I love grass!!!!"

There was a "time out" involved...but very minimal:)

 Then, we headed out of town for some more adventure.  On the way out of Reutte, we spotted a castle.

Ehrenberg Csatle built 500 years ago to defend against Bavarians

We traveled on to Ehrwald..about a 30 minute car ride from Reutte.  This town allowed us to reach the highest point in Germany.  Yes, I said Germany even though we are staying in Austria.  The highest point in Germany is actually on the German/ Austrian border.  This tallest point is called Zugspitze, and it is 9,700 feet tall. It was first climbed in 1820, and then a cable car system was built in 1926 which almost reached the summit.  The cable car which took us to the top was built in 1980.

Getting ready to get on the cable car to the top!:)

The kids LOVED the cable car ride..the swinging and everything!:)

cable car coming down the opposite direction

 Once we got to the top, the view was spectacular!!! It was truly amazing to see the Wetterstein mountains.:)

what a view!!!

Old border crossing station

 Before the European Union, a person would have had to show his passport at this border station
 ( border between Austria and Germany).

Eibsee lake

Family picture at he highest point in Germany

But, of course, the kids' favorite part was........

SNOW!!!!!

 I think that was the highlight for both Jeremy and Lizzy:)

Today was such a great day experiencing some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen.  Jeremy and Elizbeth can't stop talking about the cable car ride to the top of the mountain.  I hope it is a memory they will never forget. I know I won't because the look on their faces when we went up the cable car and when they got to run and play in the snow was priceless for Guy and me.  It just goes to show, this great wide world of ours has so many places and things to explore.  I can't wait to share more of our adventures with you:)  Auf weidersehen!

A Breath of Fresh Air!

We made it on our fall trip to Germany!!!!  We landed this morning to fresh crisp air ( a definite contrast to the heat and humidity of Lagos!) and drove to the cute little town of Reutte, Austria.  Traveling on an overnight flight with the kids was a little challenging, but we made it all in one piece (or four pieces respectively!)  After landing at about 7:30 a.m. in Munich after a transfer in Frankfurt, we were "on the road".  Guy did a great job of navigating the roads with not one but TWO navigation systems while driving a manual shift car.:)  We did run into quite a bit of traffic today, but our detour sent us through some really quaint little German towns on our way to Austria.  I personally think the Biergarten was just what I needed, but I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.:)  I'll keep you updated on our travels this week!  Tcheuss!:)