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Saturday 24/12/11
We had to wake up at 6:30 am; a difficult task after a few hours sleep and many beers. We got up and packed our stuff, got ready and walked to the local train station. We used a ticket machine for the first time (rather than a ticket office in main stations) and got the train to the airport. i was feelign pretty seedy at this point, especially with no food or drink yet. We got to the airport about 2 hours early; we were afraid of missing a plane after the KLM incident.We checked in and went through security in efficient German style and then had some breakfast in the terminal. Jess and I both got muesli with yoghurt and fruit; it agreed to be the most tasteless thing either of us had ever eaten. We got on our Air Berlin flight, fearing a crappy flight, but actually had quite a nice 50 minute flight, during which we got some salt & pepper chips and a coke; this was unexpected on such a cheap flight. We got off at Berlin and got our bags (thankfully) and caught the bus then train to our hotel, the Adina Hotel at Checkpoint Charlie, which is apparently an Australian hotel. We checked in and found that our room was a giant 3 roomed apartment. It has a kitchen/ lounge room, bedroom and bathroom. The hotel also has a pool, spa, sauna and gym, though we don't have the appropriate clothing and all the shops are shut. After checking in and chilling for a bit, we walked to teh train station and went to Alexanderplatz, home of the Berlin tower. Everything had shut at 2pm, as it was xmas eve, but we managed to find a currywurst place that we got into just in time; currywurst is amazing. We then caught the train back near our hotel, only to find a Christmas market just outside the Berlin concert house. We had to pay to get in 1 euro, but then had some gluhwein and it was all okay. We were just about to get some food and a wooden xmas decoration, but the clock sounded 6pm and everyone shut up shop. We then walked back to our hotel and got the Xmas menu consisting of potato soup with croutons, duck, and a gingerbread confit. I thought the soup and dessert were average but the duck was amazing. I also had a 500ml (or 50cl as they say here) of Erdinger Hell, which was amazing. We then went back to our room where I fell asleep watching Dylan Moran's 2011 comedy DVD, for the second time.
Friday 23/12/11
After a great night out we woke up, a bit too late really, and headed towards the BMW Welt. We wandered the giant complex, looking at all the current model BMW cars and bikes, with Jess gettign a ride in a classic Isetta BMW. We then walked across the road to the BMW museum and spent hours walking through the history if the famous carmaker, with some absolutely beautiful cars.
We then caught the train back to Marienplatz and wandered the Christmas market before wandering around to look for the Hoffbrau house. We found it amongst some other disneyland-esque buildings just outside Marienplatz, but went for a walk around, as it was still only 4:30 in the afternoon, despite it being completely dark; it was the winter solstace the night before.
During this wander we went into a traditional Bavarian dress store where Jess tried on the dress, blouse and apron that makes up the traditional garb. She tried on many but she eventaully picked one and I said I'd buy it for her for Christmas. Now we must have a bavarian xmas in july or some junk.
After this we found a big shopping street, the one with all the really expensive brands on it; Bvlgari, Louis Vitton, D&G, Tiffany's etc. We perused their wares for a while then headed back to the Hofbrauhaus. I was kinda iffy about the Hofbrauhaus to begin with; it didn't seem as authentic or cool as the Augustiner the previous night. We were indecisive about getting a table, so we decided to pick an empty table to start our own party. First a middle aged man and his son, from Sydney, sat down, but they kept to themselves. At this point i figured, I'd order one beer and if it was average, or crap, we'd leave after that. Half way through my first beer I mentioned to Jess that Hofbrau was a bit average (compared to Augustiner) and that we'd go after our food. Then some Americans, who I think worked with the Americans still occupying Munich, joined our table. At the same time my pork knuckle was served and the whole night suddenly got amazing. The pork was one of the best pig meals I've ever had. We talked politics, marrigage, geography and Australian ways over several 1L glassed of beer. I think the final count was Andrew 2L, Robbie the American 3L, Millie and Elise 1.5L each (when we left). This night was just as fun as the previous one, despite my initial reservations and how great the Augustiner was. Definitely go to the Hofbrauhaus if you're in Munich.
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