Tom again...This being the end of the fourth week, (even though its Thursday in the fifth week, haven't had access to the internet for 4 days), was the week that the short termers travelled home.
On the Wednesday we had first of all the Farewell evening/Impressions project presentation night with all the host families. It was held at a shooting range in a town called Kiefersfelden, near the border to Austria. We had a buffet style dinner then presented our projects, after that we did some traditional dancing with a dance group from Kiefersfelden and then had a chance to try some shooting with air rifles.
For the project I was in a group with Matt and Sam and we presented it in the form of a movie with some short dialogs and some funny bloopers and videos of things that have happened during the exchange both in Aus and in Germany. It went really well, mostly according to plan :) This night was particaularly enjoyable and a great way to finish the trip for the short term travellers. Also cool about the night was the fact that I got to wear a full traditional lederhosen, and I might just add that they are suprisingly comfortable.
The next day we had presentations again, this time it was to the Year 8's, the potential candidates for the exchange, both short and long, in 2013/2014. It ran really smoothly again and when asked who was interested, about half of the students' hands went up. So that was good to see. The special thing about that Thursday was it was the last day of German school for the short termers and so lots of pictures were taken and shirts signed. No tears were shed just yet though.
The next day was just a normal school day for me and Jazz, apart from the fact that we were without the others. But we both decided to go and see them off at the airport, so we had to leave school an hour earlier. Once everyone had their bags checked in and they were heading for the first security check, the goodbyes started to be said and hugs given. For me and Jazz it wasn't such a big thing because we know that wee will see them again, but for the other Aussies and all the Germans it was emotional and it made me start to think of what it's going to be like when we leave, I'm not looking foward to it.
Anyway, so that's it for this week, got some big things to talk about next week (actually just 3 days).
Until then Ciaio.
P.S. If you want to see pics from the night look at Jazz's last post.
2012-11-01
2012-10-25
Hey everybody, it’s Jazz again! :)
I’m overdue for a blog but I have an exciting story to tell you from our night tonight.
Tonight we had the goodbye Aussie celebration dinner and it was at an indoor shooting range called the Schuetzenhaus and it went from 6pm to 10.30pm. To start off the night we had a buffet dinner with food that all the host families had brought with them and it was yummy and very big. We then had the Impressions Project presentations from us Australians, this went really well and I’m pretty sure they all turned out how we expected them to. Miranda and I are very pleased with ours and I’m so happy with how I spoke deutsch! And Miranda did an amazing job with our song and sung it sooo nicely! (:
After the presentations we went outside for a performance from called the Goasselschanuezer 6 men, 5 of them had whips and 1 of them played an accordion, while the man played songs the others whipped their whips in time to the tune and it was very cool and very different to anything I have ever heard, it was like music from lighting. They were really good.
We then went back inside and a group of teenage Bavarian dancers danced for us, it was so good and they are so talented to not fall over, especially the girls when they spin around and around and around and around. After a few dances it was time for us Aussie's to have try. Each of the dancers picked one of us as a partner and we 'attempted' to perform with them, but I think we did really well. It was heaps of fun and such a laugh.
After this it was time for shooting. Everyone that put their name down at the beginning had their turn of shooting a pellet gun and aiming at a 1-10 target board. This was really cool, except for the fact that I couldn’t figure out why it wasn’t aiming when I was looking through the hole, then I realised it wasn’t the right hole..., after this I was aiming better and at one point I hit a 10! Over all at the end of the night I got an award for 6th place for the highest score. (:
That’s my story for now, but I’ll be back on Sunday with another! Bye for now (: <3
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| Tom, Korbie und Lukas in der Lederhosen! |
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| Die Gewinners vom schiesen. Nur maedchen :) |
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| Ich beim schiesen (: |
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| Meiene haus mutter. |
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| Australiens dancin'! |
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| Gruppen foto! :) |
2012-10-24
Big Week In Berlin!
Hello once again everyone, It's Miranda here!
These past few days have been crazy, but so much fun.
On Thursday morning we all met at the train stations with our bags (packed lightly...!) And shared excited stories that we had heard about Berlin and what we most wanted to see, trying not to think about the 7 hour train trip ahead of us.
The trains are really nice and comfortable. Much more leg room than a plane, and better to spread out with a table and everything. It feels like walking on a ship. The train goes up to around 230 km per hour, but you don't even feel it. It looks like everything is passing so slowly.
We eventually got off the train bleary eyed in Berlin. As soon as we got out, we could tell Berlin was going to be a cool city. The train station is huge, and all made out of glass and really modern.
Our first day was the Gedaechtniskirche and The Story of Berlin.
We walked up the Kurfurstendamm shopping district to reach the church- the most expensive street in Europe! It was just designer shop after designer shop! Geneve and I walked into Valentino for a laugh and got followed by an assistant in there through the whole shop- I think she could tell we were Aussie tourists :)
We arrived at the church, the girls officially giddy from seeing so many pretty things, the boys rolling their eyes.
The Gedaechtniskirche was bombed in the war, and only some remains. Inside is so intricate. The roof is a fresco made out of millions of tiny, glittering tiles, like a mosaic. I could lie on the floor and stare at it all day- everywhere you look there is a new little section you didn't see before. But also if you look closely, you can see where ít has been patched up from the war.
The Bell tower is so breathtaking.
The stained glass windows are amazing. There are hundreds of little hand made windows (We counted and multiplied!). They are all blue, but some are tinged so you get a burst of red or green. It's so pretty.
Back outside, we walked to The Story of Berlin. It's a museum showing Berlin throughout history, from the prehistoric ages right through to the end of the Cold War.
First, we went inside the nuclear bomb shelter. It could house up to 3,000 people in the event of a bomb warning and attack, for 2 weeks before resources such as food and water ran out. There were no bookings, so it was first in, best dressed. It would be a horrible place to spend 2 weeks, it is all dark and cramped. The beds are all next to each other, and they are like tiny trampoline beds that are one metre wide, so for the whole two weeks, you had only one metre to yourself.
We walked through the museum, which was really well set out. It had lots of good displays and was very informative. It had some really good information on the Cold War too, including a part of the Berlin Wall.
The next day was the Museum Insel, or Museum Island, and the Berliner Dom, all in the East side of Berlin.
The Museum Insel has 5 museums on it, and we visited one that had an exhibition on the relationship between Russia and Germany, and Egyptian history. It was very interesting, with an impressive collection of Egypitian artefacts, including Queen Neferetiti's torso and head. I took so many photo's and my feet were so sore!
Next we went and had a look at the Berliner Dom. It's a very impressive building, and we admired it from the outside. Walking through East Berlin there were many buskers. I saw a guitarist, those statue people that move when you give them money, a man playing the pan flute, and a woman selling gigantic bubble wands :). On the bridge next to the domes, there were all these pad locks with writing on them. It turns out that when couples come to Berlin, they put a padlock on the bridge and throw the key in the river, so that their love never dies.
We went and had a look at the Television Tower, but we didn't go to the top.
Day three was our big walking day. First we visited the Brandenburger Tor-the Brandenburg Gate.
It was really cool to see it, because I didn't the last time I was in Berlin. During the war, the French took the statue of the horses from the top of the gate back to their country, then Germany won it back. It is meant to point straight ahead, but now it faces the French embassy in Berlin to say, 'HA HA, we got it back!'
Next we went to the Jewish Holocaust memorial, which is all these concrete blocks at different heights that you can walk through. It' designed so that each person interprets it differently. Once you are in the centre of it, the sun disappears and the blocks are clod and they tower above you. All the sound from the city disappears, and you feel alone, even though there is always someone watching you through another row. I think that is how the Jews would have felt. Cold, lost and silent.
Once you walk out the blocks get lower and everything is warm and colourful again.
We went and had a look at Hitler's bunker, which is below a carpark and an apartment block. If it wasn't for the sign, you would have no idea that it was there. That is where he and his wife Eva commited suicide, as well as a lot of their followers.
We went to the Reichstag, the German Parliament house.
We took the elevator up to the roof, to the Dome. It is made from glass and you can see the centre of Berlin, while a headset tells you what is what. It was good to find things that we had been to see. If you look down through the dome, you can see the politicians in their meetings and debates.
Checkpoint Charlie was next on our to-do-list. It was good to see where the major border crossing was, but it was loaded with tourists. It's a bit sad that there is a Mc Donalds right next to it...
We walked a bit to go and have a look at the wall, and there was a big information board where the 'Secret Police' head quarters once was. It was about who had suffered in the war and the Cold war and how. It was very sad but I read all it so that I understood Berlin's history more, because that is why we were there.
We had a fantastic trip and I would like to thank Mr.Kusch and Michelle so much for the experience!
These past few days have been crazy, but so much fun.
On Thursday morning we all met at the train stations with our bags (packed lightly...!) And shared excited stories that we had heard about Berlin and what we most wanted to see, trying not to think about the 7 hour train trip ahead of us.
The trains are really nice and comfortable. Much more leg room than a plane, and better to spread out with a table and everything. It feels like walking on a ship. The train goes up to around 230 km per hour, but you don't even feel it. It looks like everything is passing so slowly.
We eventually got off the train bleary eyed in Berlin. As soon as we got out, we could tell Berlin was going to be a cool city. The train station is huge, and all made out of glass and really modern.
Once we got to our hotel, everyone was pretty tired from a long day of travelling. But we got up and navigated the streets of Berlin to find our restaurant. It was a cute little Italian place, where they all say 'Beuono Sera' and 'Prego', which is a little confusing after just getting used to 'Guten Abend' and 'Bitte!' Every night the meals were really good, with three courses- no one went hungry Some highlights were Pasta with Pesto, Tirimisu, Panna Cotta, and Lasagne.
Our first day was the Gedaechtniskirche and The Story of Berlin.
We walked up the Kurfurstendamm shopping district to reach the church- the most expensive street in Europe! It was just designer shop after designer shop! Geneve and I walked into Valentino for a laugh and got followed by an assistant in there through the whole shop- I think she could tell we were Aussie tourists :)
We arrived at the church, the girls officially giddy from seeing so many pretty things, the boys rolling their eyes.
The Gedaechtniskirche was bombed in the war, and only some remains. Inside is so intricate. The roof is a fresco made out of millions of tiny, glittering tiles, like a mosaic. I could lie on the floor and stare at it all day- everywhere you look there is a new little section you didn't see before. But also if you look closely, you can see where ít has been patched up from the war.
The Bell tower is so breathtaking.
Back outside, we walked to The Story of Berlin. It's a museum showing Berlin throughout history, from the prehistoric ages right through to the end of the Cold War.
First, we went inside the nuclear bomb shelter. It could house up to 3,000 people in the event of a bomb warning and attack, for 2 weeks before resources such as food and water ran out. There were no bookings, so it was first in, best dressed. It would be a horrible place to spend 2 weeks, it is all dark and cramped. The beds are all next to each other, and they are like tiny trampoline beds that are one metre wide, so for the whole two weeks, you had only one metre to yourself.
We walked through the museum, which was really well set out. It had lots of good displays and was very informative. It had some really good information on the Cold War too, including a part of the Berlin Wall.
The next day was the Museum Insel, or Museum Island, and the Berliner Dom, all in the East side of Berlin.
The Museum Insel has 5 museums on it, and we visited one that had an exhibition on the relationship between Russia and Germany, and Egyptian history. It was very interesting, with an impressive collection of Egypitian artefacts, including Queen Neferetiti's torso and head. I took so many photo's and my feet were so sore!
Next we went and had a look at the Berliner Dom. It's a very impressive building, and we admired it from the outside. Walking through East Berlin there were many buskers. I saw a guitarist, those statue people that move when you give them money, a man playing the pan flute, and a woman selling gigantic bubble wands :). On the bridge next to the domes, there were all these pad locks with writing on them. It turns out that when couples come to Berlin, they put a padlock on the bridge and throw the key in the river, so that their love never dies.
We went and had a look at the Television Tower, but we didn't go to the top.
Day three was our big walking day. First we visited the Brandenburger Tor-the Brandenburg Gate.
It was really cool to see it, because I didn't the last time I was in Berlin. During the war, the French took the statue of the horses from the top of the gate back to their country, then Germany won it back. It is meant to point straight ahead, but now it faces the French embassy in Berlin to say, 'HA HA, we got it back!'
Next we went to the Jewish Holocaust memorial, which is all these concrete blocks at different heights that you can walk through. It' designed so that each person interprets it differently. Once you are in the centre of it, the sun disappears and the blocks are clod and they tower above you. All the sound from the city disappears, and you feel alone, even though there is always someone watching you through another row. I think that is how the Jews would have felt. Cold, lost and silent.
Once you walk out the blocks get lower and everything is warm and colourful again.
We went and had a look at Hitler's bunker, which is below a carpark and an apartment block. If it wasn't for the sign, you would have no idea that it was there. That is where he and his wife Eva commited suicide, as well as a lot of their followers.
We went to the Reichstag, the German Parliament house.
We took the elevator up to the roof, to the Dome. It is made from glass and you can see the centre of Berlin, while a headset tells you what is what. It was good to find things that we had been to see. If you look down through the dome, you can see the politicians in their meetings and debates.
We walked a bit to go and have a look at the wall, and there was a big information board where the 'Secret Police' head quarters once was. It was about who had suffered in the war and the Cold war and how. It was very sad but I read all it so that I understood Berlin's history more, because that is why we were there.
We had a fantastic trip and I would like to thank Mr.Kusch and Michelle so much for the experience!
This week has been hectic - Geneve
We arrived in Berlin on a train two days ago, I’ve had a pretty bad cold for the whole Berlin trip so I am a little miserable.
Every night we have food at a restaurant around the corner, it is the most amazing food ever!
Today we went to East Berlin and went around a huge museum. For me East Berlin was kind of scary and depressing. There were lots of beggars and homeless people.
Our hotel (in West Berlin) is in a really rich suburb and we are just around the corner from the most expensive shopping street in EuropeJ there was a 590,000 euro necklace in one of the shops.
Today Miranda and I went into a Valentino store and a guard followed us all the way through. Every street here has either got a Lamborghini, Porsche, Audi or BMW it’s amazing!!
(Sorry this entry is a little bit late, but I wrote it on the day it happened!)
Every night we have food at a restaurant around the corner, it is the most amazing food ever!
Today we went to East Berlin and went around a huge museum. For me East Berlin was kind of scary and depressing. There were lots of beggars and homeless people.
Our hotel (in West Berlin) is in a really rich suburb and we are just around the corner from the most expensive shopping street in EuropeJ there was a 590,000 euro necklace in one of the shops.
Today Miranda and I went into a Valentino store and a guard followed us all the way through. Every street here has either got a Lamborghini, Porsche, Audi or BMW it’s amazing!!
(Sorry this entry is a little bit late, but I wrote it on the day it happened!)
2012-10-22
Hello this is Tom speaking...........
Yet another awesome week I've had here in Germany. The main event this week was a trip to Berlin for 5 days from Thursday till Monday (today). We left at 8:30 in the morning from Rosenheim on the Thursday and got into Berlin at 3:15 in the afternoon. We went straight to the hotel from the train station and settled in for the afterrnoon.
In the morning on the Friday we went to the Gedaechtniskirche. Basically it's a church that was three quarters destroyed in the Second World War. All that remains is the bell tower and the room directly under the belltower. Another church and belltower have been built on either side to replace the church so it is still operational. Sadly, the actual church is covered in renovation/restoration panels at the moment so we couldn't get a picture of the actual building, or what remains of the original structure.
In the afternoon we went to The Story of Berlin museum and fallout bunker tour. The Fallout bunker was built in during the Cold War along with 16 others spread out across Berlin to provide the citizens with some protection in the event of a nuclear bomb. However, the bunker only has the capability to hold 3592 people. So in reality they were more just a way of giving the people something to make them feel better. The museum was also quite interesting and had some interesting exhibits. We also got to meet some grammar school students from England but if you ask me they were just plain rude.
On the Saturday, at first we went to the East side of Berlin and to the Neues Museum. It has four floors and consists of Egyptian and Roman exhibits. We stayed there for a few hours and then went to the Berliner Dom, the biggest cathedral in Berlin. That was probably one of my two favourite things we did in Berlin. Next we went to the Fernsehturm (television tower) at the Alexander Platz. That was pretty cool too but not so much as some of the other attractions.
On our last full day in Berlin, we did more sight seeing than on any of the other days and didn't get back to the hotel until just before dinner.
First, we went to the Reichstag and booked a spot on the 2:00pm entry. We then walked to the Brandenburg Gate which is only 500m from the Reichstag. That was super busy and we basically got some photos and left. Next we went to the Jewish Holocaust memorial which again is only 500m from the gate. The memorial was my favourite attraction we went to. For anyone who doesn't know what it is, basically it consists of 2000 retangular blocks that are about 2m long by 1m wide and vary in height from a few cm to 4-5m, and all the blocks are in perfect rows. Also the ground varied from flat to sloped and dipped oftenly. This along with the way the light is shining, how much noise there is and how busy it is can create feelings of isolation and and the bigger blocks tend to bare down on you and make you feel small and insignificant. This this was the highlight of the trip to Berlin and I would go back any day.
Next we went to Hitler's Bunker which nowadays is nothing more than a carpark because it has been demolished. By now it was time for the Reichstag, so we made our way back there and made our way through security and up to the rooftop terrace. The Reichstag basically is the equivalent of our Parliament house and houses the seats of parliament, the Bundestag. It was severely damaged in the war and the inside had to be completely rebuilt and refurbished. All that remains of the original building is the exterior. On the roof there is a huge glass dome and it is possible to walk around in a spiral all the way to the top, from which you get amazing views of Berlin and all the attractions in the area of the Reichstag. From the glass dome you can also see through to the seats of parliament.
Next we went to Checkpoint Charlie. Thankfully it wasn't that busy so we could get a good look at the guard hut and the famous sign. We then had a look at a part of the Berlin Wall just a few hundred metres down from the checkpoint. This particular part is where the Stasi or the secret police headquarters used to be located and until only a few years was unknown of. There is also a whole seies of information boards that stretch for about 100m and go through a brief history of Germany. These were also interesting but I rushed through and mostly looked at the pics.
Berlin is one of the most interesting cities I've ever been to. It has been through so much change, and, unlike a lot of cities, is rich in history and culture. I would go back tomorrow if could.
So thats it for now, till next time.
Ciaio
Yet another awesome week I've had here in Germany. The main event this week was a trip to Berlin for 5 days from Thursday till Monday (today). We left at 8:30 in the morning from Rosenheim on the Thursday and got into Berlin at 3:15 in the afternoon. We went straight to the hotel from the train station and settled in for the afterrnoon.
In the morning on the Friday we went to the Gedaechtniskirche. Basically it's a church that was three quarters destroyed in the Second World War. All that remains is the bell tower and the room directly under the belltower. Another church and belltower have been built on either side to replace the church so it is still operational. Sadly, the actual church is covered in renovation/restoration panels at the moment so we couldn't get a picture of the actual building, or what remains of the original structure.
In the afternoon we went to The Story of Berlin museum and fallout bunker tour. The Fallout bunker was built in during the Cold War along with 16 others spread out across Berlin to provide the citizens with some protection in the event of a nuclear bomb. However, the bunker only has the capability to hold 3592 people. So in reality they were more just a way of giving the people something to make them feel better. The museum was also quite interesting and had some interesting exhibits. We also got to meet some grammar school students from England but if you ask me they were just plain rude.
On the Saturday, at first we went to the East side of Berlin and to the Neues Museum. It has four floors and consists of Egyptian and Roman exhibits. We stayed there for a few hours and then went to the Berliner Dom, the biggest cathedral in Berlin. That was probably one of my two favourite things we did in Berlin. Next we went to the Fernsehturm (television tower) at the Alexander Platz. That was pretty cool too but not so much as some of the other attractions.
On our last full day in Berlin, we did more sight seeing than on any of the other days and didn't get back to the hotel until just before dinner.
First, we went to the Reichstag and booked a spot on the 2:00pm entry. We then walked to the Brandenburg Gate which is only 500m from the Reichstag. That was super busy and we basically got some photos and left. Next we went to the Jewish Holocaust memorial which again is only 500m from the gate. The memorial was my favourite attraction we went to. For anyone who doesn't know what it is, basically it consists of 2000 retangular blocks that are about 2m long by 1m wide and vary in height from a few cm to 4-5m, and all the blocks are in perfect rows. Also the ground varied from flat to sloped and dipped oftenly. This along with the way the light is shining, how much noise there is and how busy it is can create feelings of isolation and and the bigger blocks tend to bare down on you and make you feel small and insignificant. This this was the highlight of the trip to Berlin and I would go back any day.
Next we went to Hitler's Bunker which nowadays is nothing more than a carpark because it has been demolished. By now it was time for the Reichstag, so we made our way back there and made our way through security and up to the rooftop terrace. The Reichstag basically is the equivalent of our Parliament house and houses the seats of parliament, the Bundestag. It was severely damaged in the war and the inside had to be completely rebuilt and refurbished. All that remains of the original building is the exterior. On the roof there is a huge glass dome and it is possible to walk around in a spiral all the way to the top, from which you get amazing views of Berlin and all the attractions in the area of the Reichstag. From the glass dome you can also see through to the seats of parliament.
Next we went to Checkpoint Charlie. Thankfully it wasn't that busy so we could get a good look at the guard hut and the famous sign. We then had a look at a part of the Berlin Wall just a few hundred metres down from the checkpoint. This particular part is where the Stasi or the secret police headquarters used to be located and until only a few years was unknown of. There is also a whole seies of information boards that stretch for about 100m and go through a brief history of Germany. These were also interesting but I rushed through and mostly looked at the pics.
Berlin is one of the most interesting cities I've ever been to. It has been through so much change, and, unlike a lot of cities, is rich in history and culture. I would go back tomorrow if could.
So thats it for now, till next time.
Ciaio
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| Berliner Dom |
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| Holocaust Memorial |
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| Reichstag |
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| Checkpoint Charlie |
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| Brandenburg Gate |
2012-10-16
Hello everyone, It's Miranda again!
Today we went to the Munich zoo!
We went on an excursion called a 'Wandertag', which the class organises themselves.
It was really fun. The bus ride to Munich takes around an hour.
The zoo is really big, and as soon as you walk in, you see a big flamingo enclosure! They are so cute, mainy because they are pink from all the shrimp they eat :).
Next, we had a look at the apes, which are really cute! They were all play fighting (I think!) and showing off! :)
We had a look at the aquarium, which is one of my favourite parts. Fish are releaxing and it also reminds me of Finding Nemo :) The Jellyfish were so beautiful. Even though they scare me thinking about them at the beach, the tank was all lit up so they glowed like neon. It was pretty.
We found this sign, haha :) Lukas, Julia and Jojo...
We also had a look at some Australian animals, like Kangaroo's and Emu's. I think it made everyone a little homesick, but it was funny to see them in Germany!We saw elephants, giraffes, zebra's, bisons and polar bears. ´The Polar Bear nearly made me cry- he looked so sad sitting in an enclosure all alone with no snow or friend to play with :(
These guys were adorable, all huddled together to keep warm!
Today we went to the Munich zoo!
We went on an excursion called a 'Wandertag', which the class organises themselves.
It was really fun. The bus ride to Munich takes around an hour.
The zoo is really big, and as soon as you walk in, you see a big flamingo enclosure! They are so cute, mainy because they are pink from all the shrimp they eat :).
We had a look at the aquarium, which is one of my favourite parts. Fish are releaxing and it also reminds me of Finding Nemo :) The Jellyfish were so beautiful. Even though they scare me thinking about them at the beach, the tank was all lit up so they glowed like neon. It was pretty.
These guys were adorable, all huddled together to keep warm!
It was a really fun day, but so short- we only had 2 hours to see the whole zoo, so we couldn't see everything.
But I had a great day!!
´
Until next time,
Miranda
2012-10-15
Another Awesome Week #2
G'day everybody, Tom again. Had another jam packed full week in Germany and enjoying every bit of it. My host family is awesome, everyone at school is really freindly and so far it's been just been a fantastic experience.
This week we did a couple of things: on Thursday we went to the BMW factory, the Olympiaturm and the Marienplatz in Munich, on Sunday we went to a place called Ruhpolding, today we went to the "Therme", or the thermal indoor pool/swim center, and of course on Tuesday we went to Lake Chiemsee which I spoke about in my last blog.
Munich was much like I imagined, big, historic and beautiful. All the buildings are beautifully built and decorated and also full of historic background. First of all we weNt to the Marienplatz which is the center of Munich and often refered to as the heart of Bavaria. The Rathaus or town hall is situated here.
Next we went for a tour of some of the sights close to the city center and then watched a thing called a Glockenspiel which is kind of like a carousel but half way up the Rathaus and with loud, simple music. We then ventured out to the BMW factory/Olympia park area and went to the Olympiaturm. The Olympiaturm is a fairly tall tower that looks almost identical to the Telstra Tower in Canberra. We got a great view of the city but sadly not the mountains because they were clouded over. We then moved on to the BMW World where you could gawk at all the cars on display. My favourite was a BMW X4. See below. Although it is a BMW world , they also diplay Mini Cooper and Rolls Royce. We then got a 2.5 hour tour of the factory. All over the world there is something like 10 or 11 factories, so the Munich plant only makes two different models; a sedan and a stationwagon, the 315 series. But the Munich plant is the headquarters for all the other plants across the globe.
In the factory we started off in the Press shop. This is where all the parts for the metal skeleton are created with 50 tonne press moulds. All the different parts for both models; the sedan and wagon, are made in the same shop. Next is the body shop where all the parts made in the press shop are put together. Next is the paint shop and that goes on once the whole metal body is assembled. The car body gets in total five coverings of paint/protective layers and can be made any colour that the customer chooses. The car then goes on to an assenbly line of 3.5 kilometers and on this line the car is completed and and effectively can be driven the second it comes off that line. All the cars made there are made on an order basis, wwhich means that you order it and then they make it to your specifications. The factory was amazing and added a whole new dimension to how I look at cars now.
This week we did a couple of things: on Thursday we went to the BMW factory, the Olympiaturm and the Marienplatz in Munich, on Sunday we went to a place called Ruhpolding, today we went to the "Therme", or the thermal indoor pool/swim center, and of course on Tuesday we went to Lake Chiemsee which I spoke about in my last blog.
Munich was much like I imagined, big, historic and beautiful. All the buildings are beautifully built and decorated and also full of historic background. First of all we weNt to the Marienplatz which is the center of Munich and often refered to as the heart of Bavaria. The Rathaus or town hall is situated here.
Next we went for a tour of some of the sights close to the city center and then watched a thing called a Glockenspiel which is kind of like a carousel but half way up the Rathaus and with loud, simple music. We then ventured out to the BMW factory/Olympia park area and went to the Olympiaturm. The Olympiaturm is a fairly tall tower that looks almost identical to the Telstra Tower in Canberra. We got a great view of the city but sadly not the mountains because they were clouded over. We then moved on to the BMW World where you could gawk at all the cars on display. My favourite was a BMW X4. See below. Although it is a BMW world , they also diplay Mini Cooper and Rolls Royce. We then got a 2.5 hour tour of the factory. All over the world there is something like 10 or 11 factories, so the Munich plant only makes two different models; a sedan and a stationwagon, the 315 series. But the Munich plant is the headquarters for all the other plants across the globe.
In the factory we started off in the Press shop. This is where all the parts for the metal skeleton are created with 50 tonne press moulds. All the different parts for both models; the sedan and wagon, are made in the same shop. Next is the body shop where all the parts made in the press shop are put together. Next is the paint shop and that goes on once the whole metal body is assembled. The car body gets in total five coverings of paint/protective layers and can be made any colour that the customer chooses. The car then goes on to an assenbly line of 3.5 kilometers and on this line the car is completed and and effectively can be driven the second it comes off that line. All the cars made there are made on an order basis, wwhich means that you order it and then they make it to your specifications. The factory was amazing and added a whole new dimension to how I look at cars now.
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| Rathaus at the Marienplatz |
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| BMW X4 |
Yesterday the family and I went to a town called Ruhpolding to go and see the family of lukas's dad, Klaus, in particular his 88 year old mother. The main reason though was beacause 4 years ago exactly was when Klaus's father died. We went to church and then went out for lunch at a restaurant. Nothing special but just interesting to note. Also interesting to note is that the brakes on German bikes are the other way around, the front is the left and the back is on the right. I found this out the hard way and went straight over the handlebars.
Today we had a few hours in the thermal baths in Bad Aibling. They were really cool. Some were hot and some cold, but they were all good especially the outdoor thermal bath. It was awesome, and so warm. Also good was the Eucalpyptus Sauna which really cleaned out my sinuses. So that is about it for now, until next week, Ciao.
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