Rather than share the key locations and significant buildings highlighted on our bus tour today, I have decided to share with you some interesting things we saw and learnt today about Munich.

WARNING – this post contains images and text which may offend.

With the sun shining today we set off for our adventures appropriately attired in our “silly” hats. (By the way- this is not meant to be one of the offensive photos).

1. Munich is so called because it was first settled by monks (in German – mönche). That looks obvious now but I’d never heard that before.

2. Germany has many famous scientists and several are honoured with statues in Munich. One of these is Justus von Liebig

The commentary on the bus twice mentioned him as being the inventor of baking soda, stock cubes and baby food. He actually did much more I’ve since learnt, but it did make us giggle.

3. I am owed a (few) palace(s).

Well, based on information we heard today, building a palace or impressive structure for your wife when she provided an heir, was a common practice.

This borrowed photo depicts the Nymphenburg Palace which we drove past today. It is one example – and was built by Ferdinand for his wife Henrietta Adelaide. Admittedly they were royal and they did have to wait ten years for baby Max Emanuel (Maximilian II) to arrive.

4. There is an English Garden in Munich (Englischer Garten). It was very busy today as we wandered around it, what with it being Sunday and the weather being nice and warm.

While we noticed similarities in design to English parks, there was something we noticed that made it so so different.

Nudists are welcome.

Most of those wishing to sun bake minus their clothes chose places where they could be more discreet, as shown in the next photo, but not this chappy above with the pink hair.

5. Surfing is possible right in the middle of Munich. And, it attracts lots of tourists.

It was impressive watching these young people try there luck on the man-made wave.

6. Mick always gets a giggle out of signs advertising art / galleries.

7. Pedestrians in Munich be aware – don’t walk on bike tracks. There have been several near misses involving Mick and bikes. As I was taking this photo to demonstrate how easily this could happen- a young girl wizzed past. Perfect! HINT: There is often a difference in the surface of the bike track as shown below.

Finally, and not specific to Munich, there is always at least one person on the tour determined to get enough footage of his holiday to bore his family and friends (if he indeed has any left) when he gets home.

This was him. He took 360° video footage whenever he could.

Apologies if you know him. 😎