We had heard about the surfing in the Englischer Garten, so it was a chance for us to walk there and see what else we could stumble across on the way. The research for the North has not been as extensive, but it has been fabulous to experience some more spontaneity along the way.
The gardens are absolutely enormous. It is really a massive park, which has a very strong river running through the middle of it. It was so bizarre to see the surfers away from the beach riding the rapids. We had actually seen this on Getaway ages ago, but had forgotten about it. The local brochures claim that park is the biggest city park in the world.
We wandered around and discovered so many people sunbathing and lapping it up in the great weather. Many kids were jumping into the river and finding safe areas to float down, then they would run back and do it all over again. It actually looked good, but we were ill equipped with our cosies. Apparently that wouldn't have been too much of an issue, as there was an area right in the centre dedicated to NUDE sunbathing!!!
Between us, our eyes aren't brilliant, but skin is skin! Put that wiener schnitzel away old man! Yuk!!!! In the main, people were generally being discrete and most people were in their bathers....thank goodness. We had a laugh and kept on moving.
In another spot we found a fabulous beer garden near a massive Chinese pagoda. As usual there was loads of atmosphere, a German band was strumming it out and the beers were flowing. We decided to only have a pint of their Weiss beer, as we had planned to do the Beer Challenge later on.
Today we enjoyed a kebab while walking around beautiful München. They have trams here too and yet again we're in another city with a superior metro train system to Melbourne. It is more and more infuriating the longer we travel. Because both of our cameras were close to dead, we had to take the train back to our hotel to save time, for a bit of charging before the Beer Challenge.
Meeting about 30 other people of ranging ages at the main train station in Munich, it was Beer Challenge time. We appreciated the early 6pm start, as we knew it wouldn't muck up our next day...even if we overindulged!
Firstly we were given a pint sized bottle of Augestiner, while walking to our first beer garden and brewery called Lowenbräukeller. Because beer is taxed at the same rate as food, you are allowed to drink in the streets, except for the trains. That law was only changed in December and according to our guide there were massive parties on the trains the day before the new law came into action. Those crazy Germans!
Whilst on the tour, we learnt a few things about the history of beer and the beer purity law. It was actually quite interesting and we can remember this! The people we met were mainly from America, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Surprise, surprise the young Aussie guy went hard early and didn't seem to make the last venue. He was playing a 20/20 and not a test match or a even a one dayer for that matter. "We're not with him" may have been used on a couple of occasions.
As we travelled around, the England v Italy UEFA match was being played on all the big screens. What a game! It was a shame the Poms were knocked out in sudden death. Our English guide Liz was soooo devastated. Speaking of Liz, she is a full time English teacher in Munich who also guides the Beer Challenge. We picked up early that she was a teacher, given her booming voice and her commanding vibe over the drunken revellers!
Tan: Our great night ended at a backpackers just near our hotel. Perfect. Kiwi Trish and I were having a mock netball off. That means, she was shooting and I was breaking out a very balletesque defense stance. Her and her hubby were a bit older, but they had a great time. This type of thing is not something that I would usually do, BUT on holidays in Munich was the perfect place to get amongst the locals, the tourists and enjoy life, albeit with 3 litres of beer and a cheeky shot of Jägermeister...Happy days!
Rich: We were devo that we didn't get our certificate of completion for the Beer Challenge, but it was a fantastic night none-the-less. Some of the people on the tour were staying at the hostel that we ended at so it was a bonus for them!
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