Things looked really good as we started out this morning. The kids had to get up super early to catch the vaparetto that would take us to the Roma stop where our bus was waiting to take us to Munich. The suitcases had to be shuttled on a special transport to meet us there. We arrived on time but the transport got caught in a traffic jam on the Grand Canal. We lost about 30 minutes waiting for that to get cleared up.
Our director Mark suggested that we skip our regularly scheduled break and go to a town called Villbach. Great place for lunch and by skipping the pit stop we could spend an entire hour eating & exploring the town. We all said 'Let's do it!" We had to stop at the Italy/Austria border to pay some kind of fee and our new driver, Claudio, went in to take care of that then we were on our way. About 5-10 minutes down the road Claudio asks Mark "Where's my mobile phone?" Mark didn't have it. We didn't have it. Bad news..... We go to the town and we're running a bit late because of construction. We enjoyed Villbach but all meet at the designated spot right on time. No Claudio... no Claudio... no Claudio. Half an hour late he pulls in. He had gone back to the check point for his phone then on the way back was stopped by police that were checking to make sure he had paid the fee. Another 1/2 hour late.
Next was the salt mines. The kids loved it! We rode a train into the mine then walked and slid down to lower levels and learned a lot about the process. Then we crossed an underground brine lake that was playing music and a light show as we went. So cool! Up a funicular and back on the train to the outside. The tour took another 1/2 hour longer than planned and we had a reservation for the Hofbrauhaus tonight!
The final straw was finding the hotel. Mark is German, Claudio Italian. Mark pulls out his map of Munich and begins to instruct Claudio on how to get to the hotel. It is very different than what Claudio's GPS is telling him. He is very patient and follows Mark's instructions. First comes the bridge that is too low for our big bus to fit under. Then comes the construction traffic jam. Then more instructions that conflict with the GPS. Another 1/2 late. That is 2 hours total & Germans are famous for their rigid punctuality.
We check in fast, throw our bags in our rooms and run to the Metro. The train is just pulling in as we approach. Everybody gets on. (You have no idea how tricky that actually is with a group of 26!) Two stops later off & power walk to the Hofbrau. The check in is closed but Mark finds someone and gets us in even though we missed our reservation. The kids love the all you can eat buffet. William A. described it as Chuck-A-Rama meets Munich. SO GOOD! There was Bavarian music and dancing while we ate. After a leisurely walk back to the hotel all the kids are tucked in safe and sound.
Sorry no picture again. I'll try to edit & post tomorrow so be sure to re-check the last two blogs.
Just remember you can't fully trust those GPS systems....that 6 hour bus ride quickly became 12 hours. But then again, you can't always fully trust someone with a map! Quite the dilemma! :P It's amazing how fast things like that add up! Glad you were able to make it into the Hofbrau! Pictures?
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