Biking through the Bavarian Sun

The heat from last night finally subsided and gave way to the cool night time breezes that we're accustomed to in Bavaria.  A good night's sleep is always welcome and a nice breakfast was waiting for us the next morning.

From our hotel we took a short stroll over to the Marienplatz where we met up with our Mike's Bike Tour guide, Shawn.  What wonderful bike riding weather we had today.  Yes, the sun was hot, but much of our ride was through the beautiful English Garden (almost twice the size of Central Park in New York).  Zipping through the many tree lined shady paths was a true pleasure and EVERYONE had a grand time. 

 

We had some interesting history lessons about the city of Munich in addition to seeing the beautiful green areas in the park.  The Isar River is glacier runoff from the alps and gives Munich not only a wonderful source of beauty, but also a beach AND a surfing area! Who would've thought that Munich would have its own surfer dudes and gals??  Well actually we did know - but it was a surprise to the students!

 

  

 

 

Today's lunch time was spent in the English Garden in one of the many Biergartens (Beer Gardens).  Now if you have a preconception of our Beer "Pubs" or Beer "Joints" at home - you've got it all wrong.  The Biergartens here are a place for Grandma, Grandpa, Moms & Dads, kids of all ages and even the family dog.  There's lots of good hearty German delicacies like Schnitzels, Sausages, Potatoes and of course GIANT PRETZELS!

And APPLE Juice, of course!

After our quick lunch with the oom-pah band playing in the Chineseturm (Chinese Tower) we're off for more bike riding and more sightseeing.

As our Bike Tour came to an end it was time for FREE time around the Marienplatz (between Karlsplatz and the Viktualienmarkt) to do some shopping, have an ice cream or just walk around in groups with meeting time an hour later in front of the Glockinspiel.  Or of course you can just choose some down time in your room if you want.  The point is to just have a breather :-)

But after down time it's BACK to the English Garden to hop on the paddle boats around the lake which is always great fun.  The prediction is for rain this evening (not a bad thing) and maybe a thunderstorm or two so we think NOW would be a good time for boating BEFORE the storms.

We've also been learning about and using Munich's wonderful Public Transportation System.  It whisks us around town to wherever we need to go!

At the conclusion of our boating time Mr. Margene navigates us to the Preysinggarten Restaurant for dinner.

It was a fabulous meal even in the too warm dining room.  The sweltering sun is gone, but the heat and humidity remain.  We had all kinds of REALLY REALLY good delicacies this evening, and if you're ever in Munich I highly recommend this little Mom & Pop restaurant in the super quiet neighborhood of Haidhausen.  A+++++

And what makes a super nice dinner even better???  Mrs. Mynatt PAYING for it all of course! 

Your students are wonderful and having the time of their life.  Don't worry moms and dads, we're taking good care of them and they are taking care of each other, too.  It's very nice to see all of them behaving like such ladies and gentlemen.  They are a delight!

The students are in devotions right now with Angie & Jere & Miss Haley.  I hear the thunder rumbling in the distance, and I think it may be a WONDERFULLY cool rainy night to sleep.  In the morning we'll depart for Salzburg for the day to the Salt Mines and maybe even the Eagles Nest and a Summer Luge in between.  We'll be traveling by train of course, and the students will get to finally see the BIGGGG Munich Train Station where the real trains arrive and depart...not just the subways.

Good night from Munich and see you tomorrow from Salzburg, Austria!