Joy and Les’ Europe 2024-25 Trip = Bog Entry No 08 (Final)

 

Sunday 2^nd February 2025                                           Rest Day

We had another relaxing day today as (a) we will be on the go shortly to head back home and (b) it’s Sunday and nothing much is open on Sundays, as we may have mentioned before. We are both happy to be heading home and also sad that the holiday is close to the end.

Today we had a lazy day doing the diary, blog, washing, etc. Joy didn’t take a single photo!

Monday 3^rd February 2025                                          Oberstdorf

Up early for a long day trip to Oberstdorf (not to be confused with Oberdorf in Switzerland or Oberdorf in Germany or Obersdorf in Germany!!). The train trip is about 2 ½ hours so we were on the 7:20 am train from Munich. The train is a direct train, so we settle back and relax especially since the fog has rolled in so not much to see. About 9:30 the fog started to lift and we could see the alps in the distance.  If you take the cable car to the top of one of the mountains it is very close to the Austrian border but no cable cars for us. By the time we reached Oberstdorf the weather is beautiful and sunny and just a slight breeze but still about zero degrees.

Once the sun finally broke through the fog.

As we have been up for a while we decided that we needed morning tea (surprise!). We found a café and had coffee/hot milk and a raspberry cheesecake slice (big piece). We had bought a map from the tourist information centre for 4:50 Euros – expensive! During morning tea we decided on which walk we would do and headed to the starting point. 

Morning Tea. Yes, we did share the slice.

Yes we managed to get slightly lost but soon found our way to the top of a small hill that overlooked the town. From here it was downhill to the bottom of the ski jump course before heading up the one lane road up the hill/mountain. When we were passing the ski jump we noticed that there was 3 or so jumpers doing some practice. Honestly do not know how they can do it, the jumps are so high! As well as seeing them in the air and landing, we also saw them start the long trek back to the top – they have to walk part of the way, then they get a lift the rest of the way.

Heading up .....

... and coming back down (faster!)

The ski jump setup is very big with permanent stands, and about 5 or 6 ski jump runs, each starting from different heights. This is one of the ‘Four Hills Tournament’. We first found out about it when we saw the ski jump in Innsbruck (when we went for our walk they were pulling down the grandstand.). It covers Oberstdorf, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Innsbruck and Bischofshofen (which is the only place we have not been to and is just outside Salzburg). After we passed the ski jump area we started up a steep hill and come across a waterfall with some frozen parts. 

Staring up the steep hill. Gondolas above us.

Les knew there was a waterfall here but thought we would not be able to see it as the track is closed in winter. Fortunately, the waterfall is viewable from the road, we just couldn’t go right up to the base of the falls.

Flowing waterfalls

Frozen waterfalls.

We then continued up the road, stopping along the way to take photos of the icicles that had formed along the edge. 

Icicles

At various spots the sled and ski runs cross the road which is interesting. 

Sled run crossing the road.

Much of the runs on the lower parts have been made by man-made snow as the snow is bad this year with very little snow in the area. After a while we came across a café/restaurant in the bottom floor of a 2 or 3 storey typical looking German Alps house. There was a little old lady sitting in the sun having a cuppa, so we figured it was open. When we got nearer, we realised she was the owner! We stopped for a drink and sat in the sun and had to start stripping off our jackets since it was so warm. 

Not sure what these are but saw a few places with them.

Cafe stop for a drink...

and it got warm in the sun!

The cafe was the bottom level of this building.

Classic Christmas Trees!

After a well-earned break, sitting there watching the downhill skiers and snowboarders speed past and the cross country skiers trudging slowly up the hill, and admiring the view over the town and across the valley, we headed back down the hill and into town. By now it is almost lunchtime so we start to look for a place for lunch. We only have about 70 euros in cash, and we want to use it before we leave but most cafes are cash only and we are worried it will cost more than the 70 euros. Also, it was quite busy in the food places, and we specifically didn’t want to sit outside as that is where the smokers sit, So we end up back at the same café as we had morning tea in, and as it turned out lunch was only 45 euros. Joy had a mixed sort of salad (it was called Fitness Salad, so must have been healthy) and Les had turkey and chips. We both had apple juice with soda water.

We then decided we had done enough walking and there was a train due in 10 minutes, so we caught the train back towards Munich. 

This train was not a direct train, and we had to change at Buchloe and only had a 3 minute transfer however our train was running late so we missed that transfer. We had 2 options now. Wait on the same platform for a train from Lindau and hope we got a seat or go to the other platform and get a train that starts from Buchloe and arrives in Munich only 10 minutes later. We opted for the one starting at Buchloe. As we were travelling along, a young fellow across the aisle asked if we would watch his things for a bit while he went somewhere, which we happily did. When he got back, he started chatting to us, asking where we were from (thought we were English), where we’d been, what we thought of Germany etc, etc. He was a very pleasant young man, in the German army (he was dressed in his uniform), wanting to be in the military police, which kind of surprised Joy as he was quite small in stature. But maybe it’s understandable as his father is high up in the US Army military police.

Back in Munich well into the dark, but we’d had a great day, out in the bush (forest) with snow, waterfalls, and icicles.

Back to the accommodation for tea which was ”left over whatever we had” as it was our last night.

Tuesday 4^th February 2025                                          Munich

Well today is our last full day in Germany as we fly out tomorrow morning at 8:40. Check out was not until 11:00 am so we had a fairly leisurely morning doing the last of our packing and cleaning up the place before we headed to the railway station. We put our suitcases in the luggage lockers and went for a wander into the centre of Munich and arrived just before 11am as the Town Hall clock was about to do its thing with the characters moving around to the music. Just when you think it is about to stop it starts again and all in all goes for about 10 minutes. 

Town Hall Clock

We then wandered through parts of the town we had not seen before, then went down to the river and followed it for a while before heading back towards town and to the ‘Eisbachwelle’ which is a canal with an artificial wave that people surf on. ‘Eisbach’ means ‘Ice Brook’. It was about 1 degree and there were still surfers on the water. Yes they had wetsuits and most included gloves, but it would still have been cold. The size of the wave can be controlled by the authorities, but it is recommended for experienced surfers only. To ride the wave most of them throw the board on the water and jump on it at the same time. It's only a fairly narrow stretch of water, with rock walls on each side, so they are pretty good to surf it without doing damage to anything. During Covid they reduced the flow so it was not rideable so that the surfers would not break curfew and be riding the wave.

Munich Surfers

We then headed into town and to the Hofbräuhaus for lunch. Joy had meatloaf and potato and Les had goulash and bread dumpling. 

Hofbrauhaus lunch

After that we headed to the station to collect our luggage. We had clocked up about 8 km walking today which was not too bad. Took the train to the airport and booked into the Hilton Hotel which is located at the airport itself.

After checking in we went for a walk to work out where we had to check in for our flight tomorrow. We are glad we did as it was a bit confusing, and we’d rather not be confused at 6am in the morning when we are on a deadline for checking in for a flight. Stopped for afternoon tea at McDonalds on the way back to the hotel. Chips and muesli bar for tea but Les had nothing. Appears the lunch did not agree with him.

Wednesday 4^th February 2025                                   Munich to Doha and on to Sydney

Well our time in Europe is now over and we start the long trek back to Bathurst. And a long trek it will definitely be. Wednesday 8:40 depart Munich, 5 hrs 35 min to Doha, 4 hr 35 min transfer in Doha, 14 hours to Sydney, stay overnight in Sydney, train to Central Station, train 3hrs to Lithgow, 40 min transfer to bus for 1hr 40 min trip to Bathurst followed by taxi to home.

The Kids insisted on trying out the bed at the Hilton.

To start the trip off better we had opted for an upgrade to Business class that we had been offered (at a price, of course, but it was a reasonable price, unlike the price if you purchase it up front). We got Business Class seats that are in pod type arrangement so that the seats fold down to a fully flat bed and the door can be closed, etc. If you choose the pods in the centre rather than the window, there are 2 together that can be kind of joined together for couples travelling together. It was all very nice. We would have preferred the upgrade for the longer Doha to Sydney flight that included an overnight portion but was not offered the upgrade for it. Other things that Business Class get are better meals, better entertainment options, better drinks, better toilets including view (for the men – may also be for the women, but Joy didn’t check this out) out the window at the scenery, etc. Would we consider Business Class in future? Maybe but to book Business class works out at about 3.5 times the price so would have to do the money calculations!!

Joy's Hot Chocolate. 

View from the Business Class toilet

Part of the Business Class breakfast. Pancakes.

Les enjoying his breakfast

Les' Mocktail

Sandstorm captured by Joy

Man-made islands near Doha, Qatar

Arrived at Doha fairly refreshed and went for a walk through the airport and since we had never done it before we went for a ride on the inside train that runs from one end of the airport to the centre of the airport. Well that has been ticked off the bucket list. Went through the security to get into the gate lounge at Doha, and Joy got stopped when her backpack was scanned and then her and her backpack were checked for drug residue! This happens to Joy at least once every trip – she must look suspect.

Boarded the long flight from Doha to Sydney in Economy Class. When we were checking in the lady told us that we could board when the Business and First Class boarded, as the Boarding Pass had been printed on the Business Class form even though it was an Economy ticket, as it had been printed when we were in Munich. We joked that we would be happy to go Business Class if they wanted us to. She then typed some stuff into their system and then asked the person at the other check-in stand to hand her the two new boarding passes. Had we managed to get Business Class to Sydney? No unfortunately. She was just printing the boarding passes on Economy passes so it wouldn’t be confusing for them!

So, a long boring flight to Sydney and we arrive on time on Thursday 6^th Feb at 6:50 pm. We are amazed at what gets allowed through as cabin baggage. One couple near us each had full size back packs, plus day packs!

Breakfast in Economy Class. Compare it to Business Class above.
Having said that it was probably nicer than the Business Class pancakes!

We were not given the normal immigration form to enter Australia and thought maybe they have automated it as we did not do any type of form when we arrived in Berlin. When we were in the queue we realised that we did need one so had to leave the queue and go to the desk that had the forms, collect them and complete them and queue again. We got through customs OK but had quite a long wait for our suitcases to arrive. Next was immigration and we had stuff to declare. They asked a few questions and then sent us on our way. It took us almost 90 minutes from landing until we left the airport!

Short walk to the hotel as there was no one to meet us at the airport. Looked like we were the only ones without anyone waiting for us. People everywhere! Settled into the hotel room and by now it was about 8:45. Sat up for a while to de-stress after the gauntlet of the airport and then an early night.

Friday 7^th February 2025                                              Sydney to Bathurst

Not much to say about today other than breakfast at the airport, train to Central, swap to the train on to Lithgow. 

Breakfast at Sydney Airport and we are feeling the heat!!

Quick lunch before bus from Lithgow to Bathurst via Portland, etc with 24 stops along the way. The bus wasn’t the Trainlink coach that “meets” the train and continues on the Dubbo, Grenfell, or somewhere, but rather the normal Lithgow-Bathurst bus. As such, couldn’t put our luggage under the bus but had to lug it up and into the bus – luckily they managed to squeeze between the seats and didn’t block the aisle.

Arrived home at about 4:00 and glad to be home.

 

HOLIDAY in brief

·         63 days in length

·         8 Countries (excluding Australia and Qatar).

·         Stays in Munich, Dresden, Prague, Budapest, Danube River Ship, Innsbruck, Zurich, Thun, Strasbourg, Munich and Munich Airport.

·         Time Zones (in Europe) : 1

·         Currency (in Europe) : 4 (Euro, Czech Koruna, Hungarian Forint and Swiss Franc)

·         Highlights:

o   Les: River Cruise, Snow in Passau, Lauterbrunnen, Train ride to Mont Blanc, Frozen waterfalls in Mittenwald and Oberstdorf.

o   Joy: am I allowed to say everything? OK – snow in Passau, Lauterbrunnen, train ride to Mont Blanc, praline making workshop in Passau.