While we were in London, the four of us decided to look for a good Indian restaurant. We were told by our tour director to try the Masala Zone Covent Garden. We walked to the restaurant which was located not far from the Royal Opera House and the Covent Garden Market.
The front of the restaurant was unassuming and fairly normal looking, however, when you entered the restaurant it was uniquely decorated. Inside the restaurant, they had different types of dolls on display.
Dolls on display inside the Masala Zone Covent Garden Restaurant
Even on the ceiling and some of the walls, there were dolls on display.
Trapeze dolls on the ceiling of the restaurant
We did not have a reservation and the restaurant was fairly busy but we were fortunate that they had a table available.
Inside view of the busy Masala Zone Covent Garden restaurant
We sat at our table and enjoyed looking at the different dolls that were on display throughout the restaurant.
Dolls on display from the ceiling of the restaurantRay and Shelley at the Masala Zone Covent Garden RestaurantJim and Anne at the Masala Zone Covent Garden Restaurant
We ordered an Indian dish called “thalis” which is a traditional Indian dish you share. The thalis dish was a mix of different foods and included curry plus little bowls of varied dishes.
Thalis dish from the Masala Zone Covent Garden restaurant
The meal and atmosphere were excellent and we really enjoyed the thalis dish. Afterward, we decided to take a walk around the area before heading back to the hotel.
We went and looked around the Covent Garden Market which is a popular spot in London.
Inside the Covent Garden Market
We explored the market and then went to the central square at the market. We came across a street performer from Canada who was doing a show.
Street Performer at Covent Garden Market in London
We stopped to watch for a while before eventually heading back to the Hotel. Overall it was a very enjoyable evening out with friends.
We took a walking tour through Munich. The tour guide “Steve” was extremely knowledgeable on world war 2 history and the tour focused on WWII.
Our tour guide Steve explaining sites in Munich
We walked along the streets looking at some of the buildings which were used by the Nazi Regime. There were a few interesting ones that stood out.
The House of Art in Munich
This Art Museum was originally Hitler’s personal shrine that condemned “Degenerate art” and he held an exhibition in July 1937 called “The Great German Art Exhibition”.
The corridor along the exterior of the Museum with large pillars
This building was designed by Paul Ludwig Troost and it is considered to be the first monumental example of Nazi architecture.
This is the only building in Munich which still has swastikas visible on the building.
Ceiling on exterior corridor of the Museum
At first, they are not noticeable but after a closer look, they are clearly visible.
Tiles in ceiling corridor of Museum with swastika pattern
We walked through several areas where the Nazi Regime confiscated buildings and converted them for their own use.
Munich GermanyMunich GermanyNational Opera House in Munich
The Gestapo headquarters was destroyed during WWII. The new building on that location has a small monument and display identifying the history of the building location.
Location of original Gestapo headquarters in Munich
We walked a fair amount during the tour and eventually arrived in the Marienplatz in the center of Munich at the Rathaus-Glockenspiel.
The Rathaus-Glockenspiel in Marienplatz Munich
Our final stop was near the Hofbrauhaus, a beer hall. This was where Hitler started speaking in October of 1919 and eventually founded the SS in the basement.
The Hofbrauhaus Beer Hall in MunichHofbrauhaus in Munich
The tour was enjoyable and we saw some historic buildings and monuments along the way.
We took a tour bus from Munich to go and see the “Kehlsteinhaus” known as theEagles Nest in Berchtesgaden Germany.
Anne, Jim, Shelley, and Ray getting ready to board the tour bus.
The two-hour drive from Munich to Berchtesgaden was very enjoyable with great views of the countryside.
View from the tour bus on the way to Berchtesgaden
We arrived near the base of the mountain and exited the bus. At this point, only designated special buses are used to shuttle people to the entrance of the Eagles Nest.
Special bus used for going to the entrance of Eagles Nest
We boarded the special bus and began our trip up the steep treacherous road which was cut into the mountain. The road was very narrow with many winding turns near the edge of deep gorges.
Edge of the roadway with steep gorges on the way to the Eagles Nest
When we reached the entrance area of the Eagles Nest we could see a large tunnel opening.
Tunnel opening at the base of the Eagles Nest entrance area.
We headed into the tunnel which is 131 meters (430 feet) into the mountain before reaching the base of the elevator shaft.
Tunnel leading to the elevator inside the mountain
When we reached the elevator we were amazed at the size of the elevator. It could hold up to 40 people and was the original elevator when the Eagles Nest was built.
Entrance into elevator at Eagles Nest
The inside of the elevator was very large and ornate with polished brass and gold throughout. The original phone and clock were still in the elevator and functional.
Inside of the elevator of the Eagles NestOriginal clock and phone from the Eagles Nest elevator
The elevator ascends a total of 140 meters (460 feet) to the inside of the Eagles Nest. When we stepped out of the elevator it felt like stepping into a different world.
The Eagles Nest is located near the summit of the Kehlstein mountain and is 1,834 m (6,017 ft) high. The building which was constructed as a gift for Hitler’s 50th birthday was made to impress and represent power.
Today the Eagles Nest is a restaurant with beautiful views of the mountains and a great outdoor patio. We went into the reception hall which has a large marble fireplace.
The reception hall, with marble fireplaceThe reception hall, with marble fireplace
The marble fireplace was a birthday gift to Hitler from the dictator Benito Mussolini.
Italian Marble fireplace in the Eagles Nest
After the war, some of the marble was chipped off the fireplace by souvenir seekers. You can see damage where the marble was chipped away.
Damaged section of the marble fireplace
The large windows provided great views of the surrounding mountains.
A view from one of the windows in the Eagles Nest
There was a set of stairs which lead to a wooden paneled room off of the main conference room.
Panel room off of the main conference room
The panel room had two large windows which gave great views of the mountains as well.
Panel room in Eagles Nestview from the panel room window
We then headed outside to the patio area to explore the outside area. The views were breathtaking, everywhere you looked the views were spectacular.
There was a path that went to the peak of the mountain. We walked up the trail admiring the views along the way. We stopped quite often to just take in the views.
Ray at Eagles NestShelley at Eagles NestRay and Shelley admiring the views at the Eagles Nest
We went to the top of the mountain and looked back at the Eagles Nest.
View of the Eagles Nest from the top of the mountain
To say that the Eagles Nest was amazing would be an understatement. The views were spectacular and our pictures do not do it justice. We enjoyed the experience however it is hard to express the emotions we felt while there. The idea that this was a symbol of power for the Nazi regime and decisions were made here that caused mass murder is disturbing.
We took a London taxi for the first time the other day. It was an interesting experience in a unique vehicle. The design of the car is specifically for a taxi. The back doors open opposite to a normal car door. The inside of the back seat has room for up to five people. There are two folding seats facing backwards and a bench seat facing forward.
We got into the back of the cab and Shelley and I sat on the folding seats facing backwards.
It felt like sitting in the back of a fire truck, and brought back some fond memories. Anne and Jim sat across from us on the bench seat of the taxi.
The taxi ride was not the most comfortable because it was a bit cramped for four people. Overall it was a good ride and we saw some of the London icons along the way back to the hotel.
The taxi had a different system as well for the door. There was a lock system which was activated when we began to move. We could use the intercom if we wanted to talk to the driver.
It was one of those small but unique experiences we enjoyed while in London.
We went to the airport in Munich and came across a unique feature of the airport. It is the first time we have seen this feature. They call them relax areas and they are located throughout areas of the airport.
A relax area in Munich airport
We went and checked out the relax area. There were recliner type chairs in an area with artificial grass and live plants.
Live plants and artificial grass at relax area in Munich airport.
We sat in the loungers waiting for our flight and enjoyed a nice relaxing rest. They also provide free WiFi at the airport allowing us to catch up on emails etc.
Jim, Anne and Shelley relaxing at Munich airport.
There were also cubicles with work stations for people who wanted to do some computer or business work.
Cubicle work stations at Munich airport.
What was very innovative and interesting was the specific area for sleeping. They had designed sleeping quarters called “napcabs” which you could rent for a nap before your flight.
Napcabs in Munich airport
Cost of 30 euros for two-hour napNapcab in Munich airport.
The relax areas are a great feature and reduce stress waiting for your next flight.
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