A Guided Tour of Bavaria – by Gary

We were most fortunate while in Bavaria, having our own dedicated, personal tour guide – my good friend and old sailing companion Sabine.  Highlights were a walking tour of her home town of Freising, a day-trip to Munich and a stroll along the banks of the Danube.

Freising
Freising is a really livable town.  It’s old, far older than Munich, being first settled in the 8th century.  During the Middle Ages it became one of the most important commercial, religious and intellectual hubs of the region.  The centre of town retains much of its historic architecture.

Sabine standing out front of the Freising Cathedral.  She explained that its exterior was built in the middle of the 12th century in the very plain, simple romanesque style that was then in vogue.

But inside it is TOTALLY different, being re-decorated in the early part of the 18th century in the exuberant late baroque style.

The elaborate detailing is just extraordinary and was created by the
apparently famous Asam brothers who were hotly in demand at the time.

The town is cut by watercourses making for some interesting frontages.

The European bear is part of the town’s coat of arms, and bears playfully decorate the centre.

The Marktplatz or town square with the Rathaus (town hall) behind.

Even the house in which Sabine and her 14 year old son Jonathon live is a piece of living history, being a 17th century former home of a high church official.

Munich
Sabine and Jonathon took us in tow on a day trip to Munich via the train.  We walked the mall, saw some more churches, ascended St Peter’s bell tower, went up and down a very odd lift called a paternoster, and checked out a world famous beer hall. Lederhosen and Dirndl skirts – Hans and Heidi style – are not a myth in this part of Germany. Glockenspiel chime the hour, some even have mechanical pantomime accompaniments. Vicki, Zeke and Nina admired the nutcrakers.

Munich is particularly well endowed with some quizzical sculptures.

Bit of a dragon thing happening here...

And I loved these figures – one is on her mobile phone, another is quite well polished in specific places, and another is actually a busker!

Our tour guides snapped at us at times!

Those clever Germans are really into alternate technology – here was a happy vegimite at a recharge station!

And they are still living up to their reputation as beer drinkers.

Walking the Danube
Much of the time we were in Freising it was quite cool and wet, but we picked wonderful weather for this outing, and this is how it went:

First we went for a charming stroll through the woods on the bank of the river.

Then we crossed the river on this rather unusual engineless ferry that used the current of the Danube, a cable and a very large sweep.

We stopped for lunch and a very fine beer at this ancient monastery.

Then we checked out the monastery church.  It is another Asam brother baroque jobby. Sabine calls this the ‘shaving cream church’ although I suspect the blobs are supposed to be clouds.  Notice it has another dragon theme going, complete with St George.

Finally we caught the ferry back down the river through a beautiful gorge.  What a great day out!

While in Freising Sabine arranged our own exclusive accommodation at Bob’s place – thanks ever so much Bob.  And thanks to Sabine for the excellent outings.

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