June 30, 2012, Dresden, Germany

Woke up this morning to loud thunder then heavy rain. Thought just as well we got all of our photos yesterday, but didn't take long to pass through and another hot day.

I think after yesterday I was suffering a little heat stroke and didn't feel like rushing today.

We did half the hop on and off bus again just because our ticket was still current, wandered around for a while before returning to hotel just before lunch.

Pete decided to walk over to the Transport museum but didn't interest me so I did a little retail shopping.

When he got back we took off to Starbucks to down load our few photos as didn't really take many today.

Then walked around the big shopping complex across the road from the hotel.

Yesterday we went past the V.W. car factory. Massive glass building. You could see through the glass all the cars were progressing on every floor. It is only designed for the manufacture of VWs luxury Phaeton saloon.

Last night in Dresden tonight and then off to Berlin tomorrow. We have both really enjoyed this city. Has lots of variety with its big open squares, all the lovely old churches with their steeples scattered everywhere. The mixture of the old and the new, and the feeling of so much space. Would certainly recommend it.

A more distance photo of the Catholic Hofkirche Church left,and the Royal Palace right behind the big square.

Looking across the Elbe river.

Another square, as you can see by now I have a fascination of all these lovely big squares.Really does make a city look so spacious.

The oldest stone bridge in Dresden crossing the Elbe river. 

Top and bottom photos are of the big shopping complex across the road from our hotel. Very convenient if we need something. Like a cold beer. The area was completely destroyed to rubble during the war and in 1960 it was all developed as the photos show. It goes forever. Can't show the size in a photo.

As you can see we didn't do a lot today but sometimes you need to slow down a little. Made sure that I kept drinking plenty of water today so I didn't feel like I did yesterday.

Will be sorry to leave tomorrow but on saying that we are really looking forward to getting back to Berlin where we will have four nights. Last time we only had a full day there, not long enough at all.

June 29, 2012 Dresden, Germany

(With photos thanks to Starbucks.)

DRESDEN.
Is situated in a valley on the River Elbe near the Czech border.
A controversial Allied aerial bombing towards the end of world war 2 killed about 25 thousand  civilians and destroyed the entire city centre causing many fires. Dresden was attacked seven times between 1944-1945.
The communist era changed the face of the city. Some restoration work has helped to reconstruct parts of the historic inner city.

The first thing we did was the full circuit of the Hop on and off bus tour which took just under two hours. We were lucky that we had the front seats. But was it hot, as the front end had a little covered in bit and didn't circulate any air. It took us all around the old city and out to the residential areas,saw some beautiful properties along tree lined streets, along the side of the Elbe looking across to the three Palaces. The Albrechtsberg dated 1850-54,the Linger and the Eckberg.

We are really enjoying Dresden superb city wide open spaces and you don't feel hemmed in like most cities.
It has so many large squares and church steeples, which somehow survived the bombings and the big fire storms. It's interesting as so much has been rebuilt making it look modern, but still a lot of the old which survived or has been largely restored.
The weather has been kind lovely sunny day but so hot. They say it is 30deg. but it feels like 40deg with all the walking we have been doing, and with all the big concrete squares which always generates the heat.
When you walk outside of the hotel its like being in the tropics.

The church that we look at from our room window which we visited today. Quite a bit of restoration has taken place here.

This is a photo of the church dated 1792 partially destroyed by fire in 1897 then the bombing in 1945. She looks a bit of a mess. Then refurbished in 1978.This photo was taken in 1945.

Yes we climbed another tower from this same church. What a great clear day for viewing. The building in the middle is our hotel backing onto the park. Our room is second from left on first floor.

Great shot of five of the steeples and there are more at the right of the picture, couldn't fit in. A town of steeples. They look really nice the old mixed in with the new.

More of the steeples looking the other way.

Another brave climb. He didn't like it at all.But how could he miss out on these views on a day like this.

Beautiful old building.

The Procession of Princes is a puzzle of the superlative:the portrayal of the Saxon rulers, who are shown on horseback, consists of more than 25,000 porcelain tiles and covers an area of 957 sq.m.

Down on the banks of the river Elbe.

Looking across the River Elbe.

The Frauenkirche Church known as the Stone Bell. Built between 1726 to 1743. The most significant Protestant church building  which was destroyed in the firestorms of 1945. but was reconsecrated 60 years after the war.A large amount of the old sandstone fragments retrieved from the rumble were used to rebuild the church which involved numerous private donors and sponsors. This old church would be the best inside as last photo below shows.

Catholic Hofkirche church on the left which we went through. 18th century. Note this is in one of the large squares around the city. Part of the Royal Palace on right.

 Palace in the same square as above.

Another large square.

Another one of their big squares called Altmarkt (Old Market Square) but is also Dresdens oldest market square. Was turned to a field of rubble after the destruction of war.They started to be rebuild in 1950, building rows of houses (apt.Style) only on the east and west sides. The palace of Culture was added to the north side in 1969.

Opera House same square as the Palace.

At the end of the 15th century, the Dresden Royal Palace emerged on the site of a Medieval castle as a closed four wing complex

This is the inside of the Frauenkirche church photo above. Just beautiful. 

June 28, 2012 Rothenberg to Nuremberg to Dresden, Germany

We left Rothenburg just before nine as we had a four hour drive to Dresden.
We stopped at Nuremberg as we wanted to go and see the Palace of Justice where the Nuremberg Trails took place held by the Allied forces of World War 2.


Nuremberg is a city in the German state of Bavaria situated on the Pegnitz river and the Rhine-main-Danube Canal.
Nuremberg was probably founded around the turn of the 11th century. From 1050 to 1571, the city expanded and rose dramatically in importance due to its location on the key trade routes.
It held great significance during the Nazi Germany era, because of the city’s relevance to the Holy Roman Empire and its position in the centre of Germany, the Nazi Party chose the city to be the site of huge Nazi Party conventions.

Nuremberg is famous for its gingerbread, sausages and handmade toys.


NUREMBERG TRIALS
The trials were a series of military tribunals, held by the Allied forces of World War 2, most notable for the prosecution of prominent members of the political military and economic leadership of the defeated Nazi Germany. The trials were held in 1945-46 at the Palace of Justice.
The first and best known of these trials was the Trial of the Major War Criminals.
These trials went before the international Military Tribunal, where they tried 24 of the most important captured leaders of Nazi Germany, though several of the key persons such as Adolf Hitler, Heinrich Himmler, and Joseph Goebbels had committed suicide before the trials began.

Twelve of the accused were sentenced to death, seven received prison sentences and three were acquitted.
The death sentences were carried out 16/10/46 by hanging.

We went through the memorial museum but unfortunately the courts were not available for viewing as there was a trial going on. That was the main purpose for stopping there but I suppose they can't stop the courts for us............

I am having trouble with down loading the photos, not that there were many today. Have to pay for Wi-fi for the first time and it won't download. The below photo took just under two hours to download while we were watching the soccer so I will post this without today's photos. I shall try downloading in the morning and see what will happen.

This was taken last night while we were having our last meal in Rothenburg. Very skinny and the house isn't even leaning against the next building. Can't be much room in the top story room.


Just been down to Starbucks to try downloading photos and yeah it worked, and fast, so we assumed that the hotel must have some restriction. Not good enough when you have to pay for it...

Anyway the below photos are a bit late but here goes.

The Palace of Justice, Nuremberg.

In these boxes, documents and other evidence for the trials were transported to Nuremberg.
US Army officers had the task to search all over Germany in Nazi offices,state authorities, in hidden places such as in cafes, and castles,looking for any files that may have been removed and containing vital evidence.

The war crime trials in 1945-46 took place in the eastern wing, which you can see to the right,of the main building of the Palace of Justice.

This photo is looking down over the Palace, showing the eastern wing to the right and at the back shows the prisoners camp behind the Palace. They had a covered in bridge walkway for privacy of the prisoners to get to and from the courts.

The old courtroom where the trials took place.

This is the church out side of our hotel room window in Dresden. Our room faces a nice quiet

 area. In fact with the double glazing can't really hear the church bells which are loud if we open the windows.

We are in a very nice hotel Holiday Inn Express. Very modern after all the old properties we have been staying in.. Very central and in walking distance to everything so Pete is having a car free time for the three nights we are staying here.

June 27, 2012 Rothenburg Germany

This morning we changed rooms. What a difference although noisier being in the front and close to street but far more comfortable. Its about 7m x4m the other room would have been about 2m x 5m  no room to put your bags without tripping over them.

After breakfast got out early before all the crowds doing lots of walking and climbing many stairs. By 2.00pm decided we had done enough for the day so went back to hotel to enjoy our big room. We were very busy when you see what we covered in the photos. Another good day.

Just reading that 25 years ago Rothenburg still fed farm animals within its medieval walls. Today its barns are hotels, its livestock are tourists.

The entrance to the walled town that we drove through yesterday. Our Hotel would be about 100m inside.

Before it got too busy we decided to climb the white tower on the left of the town hall building which is 165ft 13th century town hall tower (Rathausturm) the views were great well worth doing but hard work climbing up 241 steps and at the end very tight and narrow. The tower does not have a foundation of its own, it rests on top of the gable of the gothic building. The front part of town hall was built in the 16th century.

Really struggling now, hot as, very steep steps and not a lot of room. Not far from the top now. Almost completed the 241 steps. Pete and I were the oldest up there. After all we are here to see everything.

Made it. and yes Pete got to the top and walked around this very narrow platform. It takes 14 people at once but fortunately there was only 6 of us up there as it was still early for the average tourist.

The view from the top looking over the town and out to the countryside beyond. Spectacular.

Looking down over the town square. The buildings look like a minature village.

Looking down to the church on the other side.

The bell at the top.

Brave boy. He did well but hanging on pretty tight and putting on a brave smile.

This is a zoomed in shot of the top of the tower, showing how small the walking area is. You can see a few people on the viewing platform (which is small and narrow)

Walked around the top of the wall around the town which was built in the 14th century, was partially damaged in World War 2 and was restored through gifts from donors throughout the world.They have plaques on the wall with donors names. The wall is about 1.5 miles long covered, with several towers and entrances at the gates. The above photo is where we left the wall. It seemed longer as it was the last thing we did today and felt like we had been walking forever.

The wall started the other end of the town just along from our Hotel. This is the covered walkway on top of the wall.

One of the great buildings we looked down on from the wall.

The famous Christmas shop. Pretty expensive and when you walk through it it seems to go on for miles. There is so much in it. Decorations everywhere and anything to do with Christmas. Many of you will know the Christmas windmill which spins round with the power of candle heat which Steffi and Torsten gave us. We saw lots of those and in all sizes. One giant size one as tall as a room or probably more than that.

Went to the Medieval Crime and punishment Museum. Its full of examples of torture equipment and is not for the faint hearted. Not very nice at all. Didn't really like what I saw. They tortured people just to make them confess on a crime that they hadn't even done. The couple above  were caught miss-behaving.

View from our new room looking over the street. A lot more noise but so big and comfortable.

Under our Hotel there is a bakery which is owned and run by the owners as well. We tried the above called Schneeballs. We see them in several shops round town, well known. They taste a little like what Pat makes (Adams Mum) but these are made into a round ball and come in several flavours. The ones above, are left white chocolate and the other is cinaman sugar.

I put this in yesterday's blog but didn't get the full picture of the two towers. The area is the Plonlein a former marketplace, on the left is the Siebers- Gate dating from 1385 ( just next to our hotel) On the right the Kobolzeller-gate. dating 1360.

Pete tells everyone with all these very old dates when these buildings were built that New Zealand hadn't even been discovered.
This is a few blocks south of the market square offers a charming medieval sight.

Really enjoyed our two nights here. Very interesting place.

June 26th, 2012 Garmisch via Dinkelsbuhl to Rothenburg Germany

After our wet day at Garmisch yesterday the clouds lifted and the sun came out in the evening. I looked out over our balcony and with glee saw the mountains for the first time. Too late with weather to do the mountain train trip but at least we have seen the mountains before we left this morning. So pleased as I would have hated leaving without seeing them at all. As you can see they are very rugged and stoney.

Last nights shot from our balcony.

We got ready and left the hotel by 8.30pm to go to this viewing spot before we left Garmish. Just had to see more of these mountains before we left.

Leaving Garmisch we decided to take a secondary route rather than go up the Autobahn so we could enjoy the countryside and the great little villages better. Started off winding over a hill but not for too long, then over flat rolling country side.

Everything looked so neat and tidy beautiful farms such a contrast to the last nine days with the lakes and all the mountains we have been crossing. We really enjoyed the experience driving through the mountains although it was a challenge for Pete as it takes lots of concentration on these snake like roads. He is probably glad that's all behind him. He looks a little more relaxed today.

Everything was going well on our way north to Rothenberg when the road ahead had been closed and we had to be detoured all up the really back roads. Hard for the tourist as don't know where to go as we couldn't read all the detour instructions. Added another hours driving to the day but we got there in the end.

Steffi and Torsten will laugh, we asked a chap if we were going the right way and he explain to look out for umleitung,  and you will get the signs for Dinkelsbuhl where we were heading for. We thought that umleitung was a town and was looking for it but after realise that, was the word for 'detour', well we think it is as we saw this name everywhere after that. You are always learning when you are travelling.  

We have eventually reached Dinkelsbuhl for a stop to walk through the village before we moved on. This photo is taken just outside the walled town. The bridge in the background is where we walked to enter through the wall.

The buildings are just  such an elegant style with all their fine detail and vivid colours. All so old.

Wandering through the cobbled streets.

What a great old church. We couldn't find a date on it, but wonderful old building.

Inside the church. Look at the fine work. Just beautiful.

 

Just look at these buildings.

The rolling pastures we have been driving through today. Little different from the mountains. The colours don't do it justice, they are much brighter green and yellow. Nice contrast. Taken through the glass window of the car while we flashed by trying to keep up with these fast driving Germans.

Now arrived at Rothenberg. We drove through this entrance of the walled town to our hotel just beyond this crooked old building on the right.

Quick walk around town looking for a laundrette. Needed it urgently. Seemed to walk for miles just to find it way outside the wall.

Town square.

 

This is the view from my desk looking over the Tauber valley. On the back of the hotel which is very peaceful but disappointing and they have given us a very small, I mean very small room. Nothing like the photos in Booking.com so I went down and check. He wasn't too pleased as I had asked for a view of the valley and he told me that the view rooms are small. He didn't have a bigger room available until tomorrow so he said we can change then but would be in the front of the hotel. We are going to change as we feel it is false advertising to not give what they advertise.

The main road is all ripped up, looks like they are doing new drains which has spoilt the look of town. This happened to us in Banff Canada and Norfolk Island. Makes everything very messy and noisey.

Waiting for dinner. PT with a beer.

This is it. Des will recognise this pork hock and potato dumplings and out of sight salad. Great for the cholesterol.

I wasn't going to be out done. Joe this bone was polished by the time I had finished.

This is the front of our Hotel on right. We will be on the first floor tomorrow, at the moment we are at the back on the third floor.