Tag Archives: Retirement abroad

Germany

The Eagles Nest at Berchtesgaden Germany

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We took a tour bus from Munich to go and see the “Kehlsteinhaus” known as the Eagles 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 Nest
Original 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 fireplace
The 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 Nest
view 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 Nest
Shelley at Eagles Nest
Ray 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.


“Auf Wiedersehen und einen guten Tag”

United Kingdom

Taxi in London

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. 

“Ta ta and cheerio”

 

Germany

Modern feature at the Munich airport

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 nap
Napcab in Munich airport.

The relax areas are a great feature and reduce stress waiting for your next flight. 

“Auf Wiedersehen und einen schönen Tag”

Germany

A visit to Munich, Germany

We took a trip to Munich, Germany to explore some of the sites. In particular we want to visit Second World War sites and points of interest.

We started our day early flying out of Alicante at 6:30 am. We had a short stop over in Madrid and then off to Munich, Germany. We landed in Munich with no issues.

Ray, Anne, Shelley and Jim at Munich airport

We took the train to get to the centre area of Munich. The train system was easy to figure out and we managed to get the train. We arrived at the  central station.

The train from Airport to central Munich

It was an easy walk to our hotel from the central station. We found our hotel with no problems at all. We were impressed by the hotel Uhland, which was very well located in Munich.

The Hotel Uhland in Munich, Germany

After checking in and unpacking, we decided to head out and get something to eat. The hotel clerk recommended a restaurant near the hotel called “Lenz”. We headed out to try the restaurant and have a traditional German meal.  It was only a short walk from our hotel to the restaurant, which looked very nice.

German restaurant in Munich with traditional German meals

We found a great spot on the outside patio and settled in for a nice meal.

Shelley, Jim, Anne and Ray at Lenz restaurant

We had a great German meal with a roast pork in a beer gravy with potato dumplings. It was the very delicious and a great way to start out Munich trip.

German meal of roast pork with beer gravy and potato dumplings

We enjoyed the meal and then went back to our hotel to relax before our next adventure.

“Auf Wiedersehen und einen schönen Tag”

Spain

Caves del Canelobre

We went to Busot, Spain which is a small mountain town 18 kilometers from Alicante. The views were amazing on the way up the mountain on our way to see the Caves of Canelobre.

View from the entrance area of the caves in Busot, Spain

The entrance to the caves is on the northern slopes of the mountain ridge known as Cabezón de Oro.

Entrance to the Caves

We went to buy our tickets to go and see the caves but discovered that they just closed for the day. Our friend Felipe who is also a tourist guide spoke to the manager. He did his magic and the manager opened up the caves just for us. We went down a long hallway to the entrance of the caves.

The hallway to the “Coves del Canelobre”

When we reached the end of the hallway we came to an open cavern area. There was a platform which you could see the large cave area.

Ray in the Caves of Canelobre
The main platform area in the caves

We were able to go to the edge of the platform where we could see all the main areas of the cave. We looked at the main cave area which has a height of 70 meters and is shaped like a cathedral ceiling.

The cave which has many stalactites and stalagmites and is similar in shape as a cathedral ceiling.

It is amazing to see the caves, which were formed millions of years ago.  There were different size stalactites and stalagmites throughout the cave. They only grow about 1 cm every one hundred years. Stalagmites are formed by calcium salt deposits formed by dripping water and often unit with stalactites.

Stalactites and stalagmites throughout the cave.

It was neat to be the only ones in the caves and able to see them without any other people around. The main cave area is the candelabra formation, which is the official name of the caves.

Stalagmites formed over many thousands of years.

The caves are a true natural wonder and an amazing site. We enjoyed our visit to the caves and were very thankful to have a private viewing of the caves.

“Adios y que tenga un grand dia”