Categories
2005: Munich

Final lingerings

Thursday 12 May

The final day in Munich was actually quite sunny and warm.

Spent the morning at the Olympic Stadium, which was as usual very easily reachable by the efficient subway system. Sadly, however, this stadium (and the Games) will always be associated with the terrorist massacre which led to the deaths of a number of Israeli athletes in 1972.

Then it was lunch at Marienplatz, followed by some obligatory shopping, before boarding an evening flight to Singapore.

Photos from the Olympic Stadium (opens a new window)

Categories
2005: Munich

Out-and-about in Bavarian countryside

Sunday 8 May

Went to Oberammergau.

Photos from the Bavarian country-side, close to the Alps (opens a new window)

Wednesday 11 May

Joined a day tour for today to visit some castles around Munich. In particular, no one should miss the magical Neuschwanstein Castle!

Germany2005/

Photos of Linderhof Castle (opens a new window)

Photos of Oberammergau again (opens a new window)

Photos of Neuschwanstein Castle (opens a new window)

Categories
2005: Munich

Munchen

Saturday 6 May, SGT

The Singapore Airlines flight was a little bumpy in the first two hours. Guess quite a bit of turbulence over the Indian Ocean!?

Before boarding the flight, I had mentally vowed not to watch any in-flight movies since I would be arriving at about 9 in the morning and did not really want to waste the day due to jet-lag. In fact, I had bought some Benoctin specifically so that I could get as much rest as possible.

However, while flipping the channels during the 1am meal was pleasantly surprised. A BBC documentary (which I had previously heard from Royce’s website) about Tango called the La Confiteria Ideal: The Tango Salon was showing as one of the 50-odd in-flight movies! This documentary was indeed very interesting, because it showed ordinary milongueros – not terribly great technically but certainly having the sensibility and sensitivity required – as well as the well-respected older generation. Lastly, it showcased the young couple Javier and Geraldine as the future of Argentine Tango and what fantastic choreographies they had!

ps. I tuned in to the same documentary again during breakfast as well as on the return flight a few days later. :-)

Saturday 6 May, Munich

Arrived in Munich without incident. It was much colder than I expected – I later found out from the internet that the temperature was like 3-13 degrees in the first few days – and with persistent drizzles. However, generally very relaxing city with a similar feel to Melbourne, and even with its own tram service!

Some shots in Munich (opens a new window)

I must mention also the warm hospitality of Zhang Tao – a friend I got to know through my colleague who came together – who very kindly offered to show us around the city, in the cold and wet!

Photos from the Nymphenburg Palace, one of the lasting legacies of King Ludwig (German form of Louis by the way..) II (opens a new window)