On the 6th we toured Neuschwanstein Castle. It was a beautiful day in Bavaria and the castle was fantastical. We had lunch at a biergarten then went swimming at Bad Bayerschoien. A good stop on a hot humid day. Claudia cooked again that night a lovely spread of wienerschnitzel and Bavarian potato salad.
On the 7th we drove in to Munich. We wandered through the market. We saw the Glockenspiel in the Marienplatz (center of downtown) perform a mechanical number for noon. We looked in the beautiful churches of Frauenkirche and Theatinerkirche. For lunch we ate at Steph's favorite Munich restaurant Zum Dürnbräu. I had three large white sausages and a weißbier. We walked through the courtyards of the Residenz of the old Bavarian kings. Cael got a Bayern t-shirt. We drove back out and took Rainer and Claudia out for dinner between thunderstorms.
On the 8th we had a lazy morning then we spent the rest of the day with Rainer and Claudia's family. Their elder daughter Netti and her husband Fabian drove down from Berlin with their kids Nikolaus and Ellie. We met at R&C's son Basti's house with his wife Steffi and kids Amelie and Till. Basti has a great Bavarian house with a large back yard. We sat out under big oak trees while the kids ran around, played games, kicked the fûtbol and swung. Basti and Steffi are good cooks and there was plenty of wine. Stephanie was very happy to meet with her German second family. We felt very welcome and hope to see them in the US.
On the 9th Cael and I drove into Munich and watched the F1race with actual fans in an Irish pub. Steph will tell you what they did.
Lumia, Kyra and I hung out for the morning with Rainer and Claudia waiting to hear from Basti if he was going to meet up with us. Confirmed a bit later than Rainer had hoped (he admitted his impatience) and we were off to Walchensee where Basti, Amelie and Till were ready with wheeled bikes and scooters. It was a gorgeous green lake with many bikers, hikers and sun bathers. Kyra got to experience the German FKK (nude sunbathing) because the weather was warm and everyone was looking to cool down. We walked, wheeled and strolled until a beach where we had a snack and dipped our toes in the lake. By the time we returned to the car, we decided that we probably needed to skip coffee and cake and jump right into an early dinner. We took a toll road from the lake back to near Basti's. The weather turned and we had a downpour. There were many gorgeous camping spots along the way. (Made me almost want to do a camping vacation in Bavaria, if it weren't for all that sleeping on the ground.) After all parities drove through thunderstorms we all met at a really nice biergarten atop a hill that is part of an Abbey. A perfect view of the alps, brewery on site and amazing Bavarian food topped off the day.
Rainer and Claudia are fantastic hosts. Claudia really loves kids and made ours feel very special. She and I had shared moments when the kids would ask questions like - are we there yet - and quickly the question in the other language would be spoken because that's what kids ask. Seeing Basti and Netti parent was wonderful and I sure hope we don't wait as long between visits. Maybe a visit to Netti and Fabian's place in France? Maybe a camping trip together in Canada? I am so grateful for the reconnection with the whole family and feel like they truly continue to embrace me and my family so lovingly. On top of the reunions, we had a good time and ate great food. Bavaria is fun. We bought at least a dozen bags of Gummibärchen and lots of chocolate to bring home.
Two days of travel are wrapping up. Kyra is on her way home and we are in a train to Dover for a mellow couple of days. I write this on the Eurostar as it streaks across the french country side. One big travel tip. Avoid Charles De Gaulle airport at all costs. It is the worst.
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