The Joys of Travelling (Alone?!!!)

I’ve always had this desire to travel. As a kid, I had my own share of travelling (out-of-town trips and travels that entailed plane or ship-ride) during summer vacations and came high school years, when I sort of travelled independently (sans family) during school and scouting activities. Years later, my sister landed this hip job as a tour coordinator bringing students to educational trips and I would usually tag along when school schedule permitted.

It somehow slowed down a bit when I started working with limited leave entitlement and I would usually reserve them for my homecomings. Definitely, I would put emphasis on FUNDS being the main reason especially when I started to earn and plan my own finances. Hehe!

And where are all this talk heading to? It’s just that I realized that I haven’t really travelled alone until recently when I am actually in foreign countries. My previous travels were always with colleagues or if not, there would always be somebody I know who would meet up with me and bring me to all these interesting spots or restaurants. Until I get to Munich.

Munich

I went to Munich in Germany just as the month of March was about to end to attend a 3-day training. It is a vibrant and happy city and for me, Munich is a rival to Berlin in terms of being the most popular destination in Germany. It is a city of all sorts of culture with an array of museums and vibrant art scenes and who would forget the infamous Oktoberfest.

This time, I opted to stay in a hotel which is located right in the city center even it entailed 15 minute-train travel for me going to the academy just so I can have the opportunity to walk around the city every after training session. The city has so much to offer and unquestionably a 3-day stay was not enough to see and try it all. Much more if that 3-day stay is on a business purpose. Thus for me, the highlight is the Altstadt (Old Town) walking tour that I took on my own which covers the historic locations and structures in Munich and commenced in Marienplatz (St. Mary’s Square) which is the heart of the city of Munich.

Marienplatz is the focal point of the city and was named so as a way to ask Virgin Mary to protect the town from a cholera epidemic.

At the center of Marienplatz is Mariensäule, a large column and atop is a statue of Virgin Mary. It was erected in 1638 to mark the end of Swedish invasion.

Mariensäule

The center is also dominated by Neues Rathaus or New Town Hall- the impressive Gothic town hall with six courtyards and 85m-high Rathausturm with the Glockenspiel or carillon as its main attraction which plays every 11:00 in the morning , 12 noon and 5:00 in the afternoon each day.

Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall)

taken in the courtyard of the new town hall

Glockenspiel
a re-enactment of the 1568 wedding of Duke William V and Renate of Lorraine, complete with a jousting match; or a rendition of a dance called the Schläfflertanz

Just a few meters away is the Altes Rathaus or the Old Town Hall. It now houses a Toy Museum or Spielzeugmuseum which traces the history of toys from the early 19th century up to the modern ones of today.

Altes Rathaus

Continuing my walk led me to infamous Hofbräuhaus where its Oktoberfest all year round. It is one of the oldest brewery in Munich and its a must for tourists to drop by here for a true Munich experience. They provide lots and lots of beer (where you can smell its strong scent upon entering), traditional Bavarian food, music and dance combined with a cosy atmosphere and waitresses dressed in traditional costumes.

Hofbräuhaus

*picture taken from wikipedia

Inside Hofbräuhaus

Alter Hof – served as royals’ residence until 1474

Alter Hof

Maximilianstrasse – Munich’s ultrachic shopping street

a not so busy Maximilianstrasse

Max-Joseph-Platz with the big black statue of Maximilian I

At Max Joseph Platz with Maximilian I and the Resideztheater behind.

Residenz was the official home of Bavaria’s monarchs from 1385 to 1918 and it serves as a museum today. Residenz Museum occupies the southwestern portion of the palace and consists of about 120 rooms full of art, furnishings, and other treasures. The Antiquarium boasts dozens of 16th and 17th century frescoes.

The Residenz was under construction at the time of my visit and had a tarpauline-like facade.

* Picture taken from Wikipedia

posh side entrance to the Residenz

Antiquarium in Residenz

Felderrnhalle or Field Marshall's Hall. Built as a tribute to the Bavarian army that fought in the Franco-Prussian War, the structure features bronze statues of some of the most revered generals of Bavaria, including von Tilly (1559-1632) and Wrede (1767-1838). The spot is also popular as the site of a pre-World War II historic clash between the Bavarian police and the Nazi and where Adolf Hitler was eventually arrested and was made to serve a short prison term.

Felderrnhalle

Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Our Blessed Lady) is the landmark which is usually featured in many of Munich's postcards. It is the largest church in Munich.

The two towers of Frauenkirche

Travelling alone is quite new to me but it offers something good as well. It made me discover a sense of independence and adventure within me in roaming around unfamiliar streets with people speaking an unfamiliar language. I only have myself to look after to and have nobody's comfort to think of. I found it amusing to get lost and walked around and finding my way back. One drawback though, for a person who loves to have her pictures taken, is the lack of a photographer companion at hand. haha! I guess I would have to settle to take landmark photos and master the craft of asking favors from other tourists to take a souvenir shot of myself or better yet, carry a dependable tripod with me.

Afterall, it was an enjoyable long and lonesome (but definitely not lonely) walking tour. It was worth the achy feet and all.

Until my next adventure....alone!