The Colbert Family's German Adventure: April 2011

Back in August we spent a long weekend in Munich. We really enjoyed the city and were lucky to have beautiful, sunny weather. So Mapquest had promised a drive of about 5 hours, but it ended up being 7 hours there and 8 hours back - too much for a long weekend trip, and I had been warned that construction was bad on the freeways leading there, but we were still glad to have gone. It was a beautiful city to wander, with all the German charm and architecture you'd expect, but it also had some interesting "extras" like surfers in the middle of the city and the gorgeous Olympiapark where the 1972 Olympics were held.

While driving in the city we were stopped at a red light & a scooter pulled in front of us - and the guy was wearing this Detroit helmet - so random!

The city's most famous square, Marienplatz. This is the New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus), finished in 1908, which survived WWII bombings

Detail of a cherub surrounding the Virgin Mary statue (Ethan's cool shot)

Close-up of the famous Glockenspiel - unfortunately we missed both of it's daily "performances"

Views from the top of the Neues Rathaus

Another cool detail shot from Ethan - looking up at gargoyles

Ethan detail shot

Two views of the yellow Theatinerkirche (church)

Feldherrenhalle on Odeonsplatz, honoring Bavarian Generals

Ethan in Frauenkirche

Griffin with a street performer

A maypole in the center of the outdoor market. Apparently, represented on it are the city's beer brews and the jobs that go into making it.

I never figured out what building this was, it may have been semi-temporary, but I love seeing modern contrasts in the middle of traditional cities.

Griffin at a cool fountain

In the Hofgarten

Bavarian government building

Looks like an ordinary river in the city's Englischer Garten, but they've made it into a...

...surfing area! So cool to sit in the shade and watch.

On the outskirts of the city was Olympiapark, a sports complex built for the 1972 Olympics. I like the way it's been turned into a city park, with some of the facilities still in use, but those out of use were still maintained and clean. I think the "cobweb" architecture is still modern looking today.