This day started slowly too. Greg pointed out that the resort's group hike we were considering was walking the same path we always walk when going to Oberstauffen. Therefore, we decided to meet about noon to walk into town and have lunch. Matt started with us, but decided it would be better if he stayed at the resort. So the three of us went, We found that the gift shop we liked, closed every day from noon to 2:30. Seemed some others did that too. We found a candy shop/restaurant where we could have a lite lunch. Angie and Greg had some goulash soup and split an unusual open face egg and pineapple sandwich. I had sausage and chips, expecting potato chips. What I got was french fries. I was surprised, but it did taste good !.
Greg wanted to take a sandwich on the train in the evening, as it may be the only access to a meal before they get to the Stuttgart hotel at 9:30pm. We remembered a deli shop we stopped at on Thursday. The young man behind the counter spoke English very well, and he made up 3 ham and cheese sandwiches with mustard. One was for Matt. We all agreed we should have found that place earlier in the week.
Angie and Greg were leaving for the train about 4. We went down to the lobby and shared a champagne with them, and bid them farewell. And now there was just the 2 of us; Matt and Me.
Matt went to the laundry facility with me to get me started. It was a challenge, because the settings on both the washers and driers were in German. We had to guess which would be the setting we would normally use. I managed, and the clothes survived !
Sunday, September 27, 2015
September 24 - Leisure Day - Thursday
Angie and Greg slept in, and then Angie ran her 10 mile trail. They were going to go to the pool and sauna area about one, and then we would meet them around three to walk into town and have an early dinner. Well, shopping with Matt and Greg happens quickly, so we were looking for places to eat around 4:30. We soon discovered, that restaurants open at 5. So we found a little family type diner where we could eat. I ordered meatloaf and gravy thinking that it would be ground beef with seasonings like we have in the states. What came was more like a ham steak. Angie and Greg were calling it Spam with a smile. Angie and Matt had goulash soup which they loved. Greg was not too happy with his beef broth soup and he may have had the 'meatloaf' too.
We went to our favorite ice cream spot for desert, and then walked back to the resort. Angie and Greg came to our place to talk about options of activities for Friday. Thursday was a very relaxing day.
We went to our favorite ice cream spot for desert, and then walked back to the resort. Angie and Greg came to our place to talk about options of activities for Friday. Thursday was a very relaxing day.
September 23 - Munchen Oktoberfest - Wednesday
We had breakfast early, so Sonja could drive us to the train station to catch the 8:38 am train to Munich. The first car we saw happened to be in first class, so we realized after about 15 minutes riding along. We decided to stay, and see what happens. The first conductor came by about 90 minutes after we boarded. He mentioned that we were in the wrong car, looked at us, and said enjoy. A second conductor came by when we were about two stops from the end, told us were in a first class car, and then went on his way with a smile.
Joe and Melissa had been to Oktoberfest on the previous Saturday, but were looking forward to being in a tent for the celebrations. Joe, therefore was good at navigating the subways. He lead us to the correct train that took us right to the entrance. The midway of Oktoberfest is similar to a big fair. Different people selling their wares between the huge beer tents or buildings. Our 'tent' was actually a wood building near the back right of the midway and not far from the Ferris Wheel. I needed to pick up our prepaid voucher from the far side of the building. Then we entered in the front. There were not letting anyone in until the 11:30 time. There were loads of people waiting. On the right, there appeared to be many photographers hovering over a beautiful lady. Sonja later told us it was Uschi Glas. Wiki states that she is a 71 year old German TV and Film actress. She looks great for being 71!
Our table was on the back wall of the building, about 3 rows behind the Um-Pa band. Thomas, our waiter introduced himself to the table, and brought us the first round of liter beers. He had a good sense of humor, and teased some of us occasionally. Some of us were wondering how we would occupy our time for 3.5 hours, but looking back, it went by fast. There was lots of people watching, singing along with the band on the beer song, and slowly enjoying the food. At mid time, Thomas came by and asked if we wanted some schnapps. He said that would help settle the food so we could eat more. Yeah - Right ! A few of us had the shot, but we still left a good bit of the meat. It all was so good. We concluded that in the future, when there are 6 people, we order for 4 people. They asked us to leave right at 3, so they could get ready for the second round of people. And this was a Wednesday. Can't imagine what it was like on Friday or Saturday ! We did a little shopping on our way out of the festival.
Joe suggested that we head to Munich's Marienplatz. Per Wiki : Marienplatz (en: Mary's Square, i.e. St. Mary, Our Lady's Square) is a central square in the city centre of Munich, Germany. It has been the city's main square since 1158. Angie had luck in this area to find the silver heart pendant that she wanted. The rest of us sat at a table and had more beer, water, or coke. We headed back to the main train station to catch the 7:19 train to Oberstaufen. We stepped on the right car this time. We got back to the resort in time to order a pizza and drinks. Matt and I evidently confused the Italian bartender, as we ended up with two prosciutto pizzas. We had the second one on Friday. We bit farewell to Joe and Melissa that night as they were headed to Zurich Switzerland in the early morning via train. And then there were just 4.
Joe and Melissa had been to Oktoberfest on the previous Saturday, but were looking forward to being in a tent for the celebrations. Joe, therefore was good at navigating the subways. He lead us to the correct train that took us right to the entrance. The midway of Oktoberfest is similar to a big fair. Different people selling their wares between the huge beer tents or buildings. Our 'tent' was actually a wood building near the back right of the midway and not far from the Ferris Wheel. I needed to pick up our prepaid voucher from the far side of the building. Then we entered in the front. There were not letting anyone in until the 11:30 time. There were loads of people waiting. On the right, there appeared to be many photographers hovering over a beautiful lady. Sonja later told us it was Uschi Glas. Wiki states that she is a 71 year old German TV and Film actress. She looks great for being 71!
Our table was on the back wall of the building, about 3 rows behind the Um-Pa band. Thomas, our waiter introduced himself to the table, and brought us the first round of liter beers. He had a good sense of humor, and teased some of us occasionally. Some of us were wondering how we would occupy our time for 3.5 hours, but looking back, it went by fast. There was lots of people watching, singing along with the band on the beer song, and slowly enjoying the food. At mid time, Thomas came by and asked if we wanted some schnapps. He said that would help settle the food so we could eat more. Yeah - Right ! A few of us had the shot, but we still left a good bit of the meat. It all was so good. We concluded that in the future, when there are 6 people, we order for 4 people. They asked us to leave right at 3, so they could get ready for the second round of people. And this was a Wednesday. Can't imagine what it was like on Friday or Saturday ! We did a little shopping on our way out of the festival.
Joe suggested that we head to Munich's Marienplatz. Per Wiki : Marienplatz (en: Mary's Square, i.e. St. Mary, Our Lady's Square) is a central square in the city centre of Munich, Germany. It has been the city's main square since 1158. Angie had luck in this area to find the silver heart pendant that she wanted. The rest of us sat at a table and had more beer, water, or coke. We headed back to the main train station to catch the 7:19 train to Oberstaufen. We stepped on the right car this time. We got back to the resort in time to order a pizza and drinks. Matt and I evidently confused the Italian bartender, as we ended up with two prosciutto pizzas. We had the second one on Friday. We bit farewell to Joe and Melissa that night as they were headed to Zurich Switzerland in the early morning via train. And then there were just 4.
September 22 - Dairy Cheese Producer & Hochgratbahn Cable Car Ride with hike - Tuesday
Matt was feeling better this Tuesday, so he joined us for our activities. We started the day with a 10:30 tour of a nearby dairy farm. As we were waiting for the tour to start, Sonja shared some buttermilk with those that had not had it before. This too is not on Angie's lists of favorite foods! I got a slice of cheese with tomato basil flavorings - Yum. Then we went outside to check the surroundings. We saw a church near by, and then heard cowbells. Upon crossing the street, we say the cows wearing their big bells. What a pleasant sound. A graveyard was on the same side of the street. It was interesting because the family members plant and maintain little flower gardens in the plot over their family members casket. Sonja told us that families can opt to a 10 year arrangement with the graveyard owners. After that they can renew the rent, or stop it. Interesting concept.
We were surprised at the number of people that came for the dairy tour; probably about 35 people. The tour was in German, and Sonja translated what the man said in German to English for the 6 of us. This dairy processing store is owned by the local farmers as a coop, and they hire the tour guide and others that work there to manage it. They give the tour as a way of publicizing that the milk and cheeses are fresh and not brought in from big milk producers. At the end of the tour, he gave each of us a small sample of three cheeses. Matt and I liked the one of the milder cheeses. The garlic cheese was very yummy, but garlic would stay with me for a week, and I would have to get my own bedroom !
Our next venture was to the Hochgratbahn Cable Car. 'The Hochgrat mountain range is the highest in the western region of Allgäu at 1834 m. The summit is named the Nagelfluhkette – an impressive ridge.' Melissa and I were a little nervous about the very long run of the cable car, but we made it ! The views from the top were phenomenal. There was a panoramic hike along a top ridge, which Angie, Greg, Joe, and Sonja took. They came back exhilarated and full of smiles. Matt, Melissa and I stayed on a lower trail, and went into the restaurant once we were frozen and had a hot drink. It was about 3 or 4 by the time we got back to the resort.
We had reservations at Altstaufuer Einhehr Restaurant. Once again, the Bavarian food was outstanding. It was our last dinner with Sonja. She did a great job planning our activities for the 2.5 days. Oktoberfest is on Wednesday, and she was ready to head home to her husband. We are very grateful to him for sharing her this week!
We were surprised at the number of people that came for the dairy tour; probably about 35 people. The tour was in German, and Sonja translated what the man said in German to English for the 6 of us. This dairy processing store is owned by the local farmers as a coop, and they hire the tour guide and others that work there to manage it. They give the tour as a way of publicizing that the milk and cheeses are fresh and not brought in from big milk producers. At the end of the tour, he gave each of us a small sample of three cheeses. Matt and I liked the one of the milder cheeses. The garlic cheese was very yummy, but garlic would stay with me for a week, and I would have to get my own bedroom !
Our next venture was to the Hochgratbahn Cable Car. 'The Hochgrat mountain range is the highest in the western region of Allgäu at 1834 m. The summit is named the Nagelfluhkette – an impressive ridge.' Melissa and I were a little nervous about the very long run of the cable car, but we made it ! The views from the top were phenomenal. There was a panoramic hike along a top ridge, which Angie, Greg, Joe, and Sonja took. They came back exhilarated and full of smiles. Matt, Melissa and I stayed on a lower trail, and went into the restaurant once we were frozen and had a hot drink. It was about 3 or 4 by the time we got back to the resort.
We had reservations at Altstaufuer Einhehr Restaurant. Once again, the Bavarian food was outstanding. It was our last dinner with Sonja. She did a great job planning our activities for the 2.5 days. Oktoberfest is on Wednesday, and she was ready to head home to her husband. We are very grateful to him for sharing her this week!
September 21 - King Ludwig's 2 castles and the Ettal Monastery Beer - Monday
Monday, we met in the lobby about 9 or 9:15 to do some touring of the area. Matt had some intestinal discomfort, so he stayed at the hotel and slept until 3pm. He then got up, and did our laundry. What a guy!.
The first place we visited was 'Neuschwanstein Castle - 'a nineteenth-century Romanesque Revival palace on a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau near Füssen in southwest Bavaria, Germany' This is the castle that Walt Disney used as a model for his Small World castle. Sonja said that the inside tour is so rushed, and the furnishings are just mediocre, that it is not worth paying for a tour. We had a bright sunny day for the walk up to the castle, and enjoyed the scenery as we ventured to the top hill where it resided.
We passed some beautiful scenery on the way to the next castle/palace. There was a gorgeous lake (Plansee Lake in Austria) with a mountain backdrop that just takes your breathe away. To top that, there were a couple of sailboats on the lake. Fantastic.
- Linderhof Palace with the Blue Grotto 'is a Schloss (castle) in Germany, in southwest Bavaria near Ettal Abbey. It is the smallest of the three palaces built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria and the only one which he lived to see completed.' This place was spectacular. It looked like he copied Schoenberg Palace in Vienna, and Joe said it looked to him like a small Versailles from France. It had beautiful fountains in the front and the back of the palace. The fountain in the front was management by gravity and water pressure. We could not believe how high the water was going into the air. Later we walked thru the back gardens to the grotto. This grotto was all hand made. It was basically an in ground swimming pool with walls that made it look like a huge cave. Unbelievable how much money he spent on his pleasures, and it was probably tax money !
By the time we reached Ettal, it was after the Abbey had closed. But the Biergarten was open. I loved the Dunkel Ettal beer, and I had a pig hock to eat. Instead of boiling the pig hock, they seem to deep fry it. It was not as good as last years in Prague, but it was good. Angie had one too, that she thought she liked, but decided afterward it was not on her list of favorite foods.
We took a faster way back to Oberstauffen, but it meant that we returned about 7. Matt was a little worried that something had happened to us, and was relieved when we returned. Everyone came to our room a little later so we could tell him about the day.
The first place we visited was 'Neuschwanstein Castle - 'a nineteenth-century Romanesque Revival palace on a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau near Füssen in southwest Bavaria, Germany' This is the castle that Walt Disney used as a model for his Small World castle. Sonja said that the inside tour is so rushed, and the furnishings are just mediocre, that it is not worth paying for a tour. We had a bright sunny day for the walk up to the castle, and enjoyed the scenery as we ventured to the top hill where it resided.
We passed some beautiful scenery on the way to the next castle/palace. There was a gorgeous lake (Plansee Lake in Austria) with a mountain backdrop that just takes your breathe away. To top that, there were a couple of sailboats on the lake. Fantastic.
- Linderhof Palace with the Blue Grotto 'is a Schloss (castle) in Germany, in southwest Bavaria near Ettal Abbey. It is the smallest of the three palaces built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria and the only one which he lived to see completed.' This place was spectacular. It looked like he copied Schoenberg Palace in Vienna, and Joe said it looked to him like a small Versailles from France. It had beautiful fountains in the front and the back of the palace. The fountain in the front was management by gravity and water pressure. We could not believe how high the water was going into the air. Later we walked thru the back gardens to the grotto. This grotto was all hand made. It was basically an in ground swimming pool with walls that made it look like a huge cave. Unbelievable how much money he spent on his pleasures, and it was probably tax money !
By the time we reached Ettal, it was after the Abbey had closed. But the Biergarten was open. I loved the Dunkel Ettal beer, and I had a pig hock to eat. Instead of boiling the pig hock, they seem to deep fry it. It was not as good as last years in Prague, but it was good. Angie had one too, that she thought she liked, but decided afterward it was not on her list of favorite foods.
We took a faster way back to Oberstauffen, but it meant that we returned about 7. Matt was a little worried that something had happened to us, and was relieved when we returned. Everyone came to our room a little later so we could tell him about the day.
Saturday, September 26, 2015
September 20 - Planes, Trains, and Automobiles - Bled to Oberstauffen - Sunday
We awoke with the alarm at 3:45, to ensure we were downstairs by 5:15, in case the driver was early - which he was. We were expected to be at the boarding area by 6:15 for our 6:45 flight from Ljubljana to Munich.We arrived at the airport in time, but there was a line to check our bags. As it turned out, it worked well. We took off on time, and landed in Munich on time. It was a quick 45 minute flight.
Once at the airport, we had to figure out how to catch a local train to the city center. Fortunately, a lady was very helpful, and we relaxed once on that train. We then took a taxi to the hotel, to drop off the motorcycle bag and the helmet, as there was no need to lug that around for week 2. We decided that the central train station was close enough, that we could walk to it, each carrying our backpack and pulling a suitcase. Once there, we needed help determining the train that would take us to Oberstauffen. We went to the RailAid office, and then assisted once I showed them the name of the hotel and its address in Oberstauffen. Evidently, I was not pronouncing Oberstauffen correctly, as the help only figured it out once he saw the city name on paper.
Matt and I found the platform where it was leaving, so we go into the train car with much difficulties, as they do not have ramps for these large bags with wheels. We were oblivious to the car we entered, but shortly after we sat down, I saw Joe and Melissa start to walk by. What a coincidence! We sat together for most of the trip. When we were a few stops away, Joe thought he understood an announcement to say that we needed to get on the correct cars that would stop in Oberstauffen, and we were on the car that would go to Obersdorf. So quickly we get off that train car, or as quickly as we could, and ran to the end of the train where the cars were going to Oberstauffen. Thank goodness Joe followed his suspicion. Once in Oberstauffen, we took a taxi to the hotel, which was just about 1/2 a mile from the train station, but was up and down hills. Very difficult with luggage.
Angie and Greg were in the lobby when we arrived. Joe and Melissa had a room right next to them, and Matt and I were across the road in the building holding the #200 rooms. Sonja arrived later, and ended up in the #500 room building. Before Sonja arrived, the six of us walked to town and had a beer and a little snack. We walked back to the hotel to rest a bit before we were to leave for dinner.
We met about 5:45 or 6 pm in the hotel lobby to go to dinner.
06:30 pm Dinner at Restaurant Posttürmle,Oberstaufen (http://www.posttuermle.dde)
This restaurant only seats about 20 people. A husband and wife own it. They requested that we all order the same entree, which worked well. The dinner was delicious, and we had a great time visiting. When we got back to the hotel, Matt and I went to our room and crashed. It had been a long day for us.
Once at the airport, we had to figure out how to catch a local train to the city center. Fortunately, a lady was very helpful, and we relaxed once on that train. We then took a taxi to the hotel, to drop off the motorcycle bag and the helmet, as there was no need to lug that around for week 2. We decided that the central train station was close enough, that we could walk to it, each carrying our backpack and pulling a suitcase. Once there, we needed help determining the train that would take us to Oberstauffen. We went to the RailAid office, and then assisted once I showed them the name of the hotel and its address in Oberstauffen. Evidently, I was not pronouncing Oberstauffen correctly, as the help only figured it out once he saw the city name on paper.
Matt and I found the platform where it was leaving, so we go into the train car with much difficulties, as they do not have ramps for these large bags with wheels. We were oblivious to the car we entered, but shortly after we sat down, I saw Joe and Melissa start to walk by. What a coincidence! We sat together for most of the trip. When we were a few stops away, Joe thought he understood an announcement to say that we needed to get on the correct cars that would stop in Oberstauffen, and we were on the car that would go to Obersdorf. So quickly we get off that train car, or as quickly as we could, and ran to the end of the train where the cars were going to Oberstauffen. Thank goodness Joe followed his suspicion. Once in Oberstauffen, we took a taxi to the hotel, which was just about 1/2 a mile from the train station, but was up and down hills. Very difficult with luggage.
Angie and Greg were in the lobby when we arrived. Joe and Melissa had a room right next to them, and Matt and I were across the road in the building holding the #200 rooms. Sonja arrived later, and ended up in the #500 room building. Before Sonja arrived, the six of us walked to town and had a beer and a little snack. We walked back to the hotel to rest a bit before we were to leave for dinner.
We met about 5:45 or 6 pm in the hotel lobby to go to dinner.
06:30 pm Dinner at Restaurant Posttürmle,Oberstaufen (http://www.posttuermle.dde)
This restaurant only seats about 20 people. A husband and wife own it. They requested that we all order the same entree, which worked well. The dinner was delicious, and we had a great time visiting. When we got back to the hotel, Matt and I went to our room and crashed. It had been a long day for us.
September 19 - Skofja Loka tour with lunch - Saturday
Our last day touring Slovenia was spent visiting the medieval town of Skofja Loka. On the way, Tina showed us the town and apartments where she grew up. We also went passed the area where her grandparents lived.
Once we arrived at the Skofja Loka area, she took us to a farmers market. There were various types of vendors, from bakery items to fish, cheeses, and meat. It was fun looking around, and I bought some Potica (Slovenian nut roll) to share with our friends in Germany, as they may not have had it before.
We then walked across the street to the little medieval town. We started with a tour of the castle given by a lady with bright red lipstick, short red skirt, and red high heels. The tour was interesting, as they had various wood furniture in the castle, and some of it was very intriguing. Once the tour ended, we shopped in the little village. It had to be done quickly, as the retail stores closed around noon. We happened to see a wedding couple with a photographer as we were strolling the streets.
We then traveled to Krizna Gora to have lunch in a family type restaurant. It started with an appetizer of cheese and liver pate, then soup, then a large roast beef entree, and then a delicious desert. We were surprised with the quantity of food, as we would be having our farewell dinner later in the evening. We noticed that everyone's portions were huge. A table next to us had a platter that looked like Pot Roast with all the vegetables. From there we went back to the hotel to rest before dinner.
The farewell dinner was at Gostilna Murka in Bled. It too was very filling. It was nice to chat with most everyone. We ventured back to the hotel, where we said our goodbyes to the various people we had met during the week. We were leaving the hotel the next morning at 5:20am, so none of them would be up to see up off. We also bid farewell to Nora and Pam, as then were heading to Venice on Sunday to start a Kompas tour of Italy for their second week.
This Slovenia tour was excellent. I would recommend it!
Once we arrived at the Skofja Loka area, she took us to a farmers market. There were various types of vendors, from bakery items to fish, cheeses, and meat. It was fun looking around, and I bought some Potica (Slovenian nut roll) to share with our friends in Germany, as they may not have had it before.
We then walked across the street to the little medieval town. We started with a tour of the castle given by a lady with bright red lipstick, short red skirt, and red high heels. The tour was interesting, as they had various wood furniture in the castle, and some of it was very intriguing. Once the tour ended, we shopped in the little village. It had to be done quickly, as the retail stores closed around noon. We happened to see a wedding couple with a photographer as we were strolling the streets.
We then traveled to Krizna Gora to have lunch in a family type restaurant. It started with an appetizer of cheese and liver pate, then soup, then a large roast beef entree, and then a delicious desert. We were surprised with the quantity of food, as we would be having our farewell dinner later in the evening. We noticed that everyone's portions were huge. A table next to us had a platter that looked like Pot Roast with all the vegetables. From there we went back to the hotel to rest before dinner.
The farewell dinner was at Gostilna Murka in Bled. It too was very filling. It was nice to chat with most everyone. We ventured back to the hotel, where we said our goodbyes to the various people we had met during the week. We were leaving the hotel the next morning at 5:20am, so none of them would be up to see up off. We also bid farewell to Nora and Pam, as then were heading to Venice on Sunday to start a Kompas tour of Italy for their second week.
This Slovenia tour was excellent. I would recommend it!
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