European trip highlights, June 23 - July 2, 2000
After a rather difficult trip with missed connections and a late night drive from Munich, we woke up in the morning with a beautiful view from the balcony of the Hotel Daneu of Schwarzkopf, Mondspitze, Schillerkopf, and the Swiss alps in the background. The focus of being there was visiting Ulrike, Christoph and my godchild Meret. We took walks in the area around Nuziders. Meret rang the bell in the tiny Muttersberg Kapelle.
A view of Kloster Tal with Nuziders, Muttersberg and environs. We spent a lovely day walking and visiting the beer gardens on Muttersberg. Cows and mowing hay.
Another day was spent in Tshengla overlooking the Kloster Tal. The last evening we spent eating outside in the garden where it remained light until 10:30 P.M.
Drove to Bregenz, went to the top of Pfaender, and visited the opera stage on Lake Constanz where Verdi's Masked Ball was being performed - very impressive! Then home to Bavaria - Lindau Harbor with the Bavarian lion - Munich's Marian Platz - John and Joerg outside at the Ammersee Hotel Restaurant..
View from the hotel at Ammersee, one of the 5 lakes outside of Munich. Joerg's incredible wine cellar and enjoying a bottle of the 1997 Leitner Pannobile (40% Zweigelt, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Blaufraenkisch, 10% Blauburgunder).
Took a walk with Joerg and Bettina to Plannegg. Along the way, stopped at the Maria Eich Kirche where Franz and Kaspar Thallmayr made miracles happen in 1712 by putting a picture of Mary in an oak tree. The chapel is full of paintings - "primitives" - supplicating and giving thanks to Mary. Worked up a real thirst so stopped at the Biergarten for a Mass and Schweinshaxe (light lunch!).
Later that same afternoon (June 22), we drove to Chiemsee, another of the 5 lakes, and walked around the area. Wheat field with solitary tree. View of Chiemsee and FrauenInsel from Breitbrunn. A humorous barometer with a leather tail which tells the weather.
The next day, we drove to Brussels (only 7 hours when you are driving up to 120 mph) where we arrived in time for one of the famous Hans and Petra parties. Everyone except Petra is glancing at the world cup soccer match on the TV. Even Manekin Pis was in a soccer outfit. Hans and I smoking wonderful Cuban Cohiba cigars on the balcony. Dribbling chocolate on my Belgium waffle.
View of a Brussels side street near the City Hall plaza. A mandatory visit is to Ala Mort Subite where Hans and I drank the distinct beer (sour?) - really, I liked it, very strong too.
A view of the Niederwald Denkmal from the Bingen-Ruedesheim car ferry. Close-up view of a very imposing monument. Visited Hildegard's church in Bingen. Castle ruins.
Visited with friends Wiltrud and Achim in Geisenheim. Wiltrud and me at the top of Lorelei. Me and the Lorelei siren. The bend in the river where shipping would run aground because of Lorelei.
Drove to Hannover on June 29th and the next day spend around 10 hours walking around Expo 2000. Some views: from the cable car, Norway, Ethiopia, Panama, Denmark.
Scenes from visiting Hans, Pat, Max and Anna. In the Rathaus tower, view of the Marktkirche from the Rathaus. Hans and I shooting at the Hannover Schuetzenfest, July 1, 2000. Drinking Luttje Lagen.
Thanks to all my friends in Germany for a great visit, these pictures only capture some of the great memories - there are many more. Please come and visit!
created July 23, 2000; modified October 1, 2000.
