Bangkok

From the austerity of Dachau to the colour and luxury of Bangkok. My how it has changed over the years. We were staying in a new hotel (hence the internet super price!). Totally luxurious with all the care to detail and attention ... typically Thai!

The weather was hot and stormy, watched the clouds gathering from the balcony in our room.

Dachau

Our trip to Munich took us past Dachau and so although we only had a short time, Roger decided to visit. A chilling experience walking across the bridge and through the infamous gates with the ironic phrase "work sets you free"

The systematic brutality of the people held there shook my belief in humanity. There was an ironic sign "never again" but brutality seems to be breeding around the world.

Amazing what you can do in 5 weeks!

We felt quite sad to be leaving Augsburg. It was such a good exchange and we were hoping that Wolf, Elke, Naomi and Lucy enjoyed Oz as much as we had Germany.

The Inter-rail pass was brilliant and even though we are exchanging cars next year I'm sure we will give it a go again.

We picked up a car from the station ready leave early the next day to drive up to Munich to catch our plane to Bangkok.

Wonder if we will ever visit Augsburg again.

Ulm

Crazy town renowned for having the tallest church tower and crookedest street. We loved it for its beautiful canals, picturesque houses and fab street art.

We were getting itchy feet though to travel on. Not that we didn't love Germany but Thailand and home and were calling!

The Fuggers of Augsburg

Back once more to our lovely apartment in Augsburg. ... as we only had a few days left we thought we really should explore the town!

We discovered the Fuggers, an enormously wealthy family in 1500's who created the first social settlement in the world. Basically they provided (and still do) housing for the poor. All the poor had to do was pray three times a day for their benefactors!

During the war the place was destroyed but has now been rebuilt.

Also discovered amazing confectionery and bakery, plus lots of street art. Funny how you explore the closest place last!

Fussen

We were so lucky with the weather ... dry and sunny while we explored the castles but then the weather changed once more to cool and rainy days. Fussen was the home of carving and the shops were crammed with thousands of them ... from tiny trinkets to HUGE religious carvings.

Neuschwanstein

Wow couldn't believe this place.........totally unliveable, whereas strangely Hohensschwangau had a homey feel! Ludwig built the place as a tribute to Wagner.........in summer over 6000 people per day go through..glad we missed the high season.

Mad King Ludwig

Of course no trip to Germany would be complete without a visit to Mad King Ludwig's fantasy castles. Maybe he wasn't so mad after all as these are Germany's biggest earners of tourist dollars. Lazily we got the horse drawn carriage up the mountain road to the first castle. Loved the view of Neuschwanstein perched on its hill and surrounded by clouds.

The castles kind of put Grand Designs into perspective don't they?

Salzburg

Had a wonderful time in Salzburg. Loved the mountains, colour and music. Did everything Mozart... even a concert in the Palace. Music a bit pedestrian but loved the atmosphere.

Even bought a Mozart pencil to mark my music score... sad but true!

Hildesheim

Fantastic evening in the old city square. Started off in the hot sun, sudden flurry of wind and rain and then as night fell the square came to life with music and fire dancers.

Truly amazing how the Germans have rebuilt and recreated their towns and cities! So hard to imagine the devastation that was there at the end of the war.

Hannover

Had a fab time in Hannover. Tanja and Kai stayed with us in the B & B in 2005. Kai was doing his Phd for a year at the Hydraulics Lab at Manly Dam. We really enjoyed their company. They came back to visit us in 2007 and we finally made it to visit them in 2011!

Since their visit Hannah Leja has arrived and what a bundle of fun she is. We had such a great time with them, walking through Hannover, yummy meals and of course we got to meet their family.