A big wedding party was in house. The hallways outside are room were strewn with small, shiny hearts.
We had been up since 6 AM, and after a light breakfast, left the hotel around 8:30 AM headed to Garmisch. One of our primary missions was to hit the laundromat by 10 AM, so the drying could be started before the noon lunch closing time. There was a lot of traffic going into Garmisch.
Upon arrival at the laundromat, it was closed. The hours posted indicated it should be open. We drove off to the bahnhof (train station) to get newspapers. Another disappointment as we left the bahnhof - drove past my favorite Chinese restaurant (where the owner always remembered my order from year to year), and it was GONE! In its place is a Thai restaurant.
We returned to the laundry, and it was still closed. We knew of another one we had used, and tried to find it, but apparently it has been torn down for new construction. When I searchd on-line (luckily phone was working) I found another, and under hours a small comment that "This is Ascension Day which may affect the hours". An "AHA" moment! We wondered why so many people were out in traditional Bavarian dress. This area of Bavaria is deeply Catholic, and Ascension Day is a public holiday, and almost all shops are closed!
Plans were totally foiled! We had already sprayed some garments with Shout, so now we had damp clothes to carry around.
Tried a new Chinese restaurant, Asia Garden, for lunch. The owner waited on us, and he was very attentive, but the food did not measure up to the old place. We both had soup and then shared a fried noodle and chicken dish and a chicken with vegetable dish. A bus group of Chinese tourists came in. The owner said he gets four or five such tours every month.
We had decided that we wanted to end our trip in this area of Bavaria that we love so much, and had reserved an apartment beginning June 15. We drove to see the apartment on St. Martinstrasse, which was empty, so we walked around the back and peered in the one window that wasn't shuttered. Ron wasn't too impressed. Next we located the agent's office, and Ron went in to discuss required pre-payment, and inquire if the agent had any other properties we might prefer. She suggested a nearby modern apartment, also on the ground floor. She said we should follow her to see it. She hopped on a bike and we followed in the car. This apartment was smaller than the first, but a more convenient location, and the modern interior really appealed to us. All wood floors, electric blinds, level shower, washer/dryer, garage parking. We agreed to take this apartment for at least nine days.
Ron dropped me off at the Muckefuck Café, a great little bistro, that we frequented a lot when staying (several times) at a nearby apartment. They have outdoor seating out back, but after I went into the restaurant, discovered you have to walk around outside to access it. I walked very gingerly on the cobblestones, as I had memories of my terrible fall on the ice several years ago in that exact same spot (that resulted in black eye, swollen cheek, cut lip, and more, and several days recuperating on the sofa). With my worsening joint issues and balance, I could see the same thing happening on "dry land".
Made it to the garden, and Ron (who had gone to the bank) soon joined me.
After a quick wine/beer we went back to the agent's office on Loisachstrasse to pay the deposit.
It was finally time to check into the lovely Hotel Zugspitze. It is a place we have stopped in dozens of times for a refreshment, to read the newspaper, to dine, and even used the spa massage facilities, but had never stayed. This was a special treat, and we LOVED our room with big balcony looking directly at the Zugspitze (the highest mountain in Germany).
The hotel is lovely, but it definitely needs new flooring in the lounge - orange shag carpet is not in keeping!
We were tired, but needed to soak in the beauty of the mountains, so wrapped up in cozy red blankets, and sat on the balcony.
We had been up since 6 AM, and after a light breakfast, left the hotel around 8:30 AM headed to Garmisch. One of our primary missions was to hit the laundromat by 10 AM, so the drying could be started before the noon lunch closing time. There was a lot of traffic going into Garmisch.
Upon arrival at the laundromat, it was closed. The hours posted indicated it should be open. We drove off to the bahnhof (train station) to get newspapers. Another disappointment as we left the bahnhof - drove past my favorite Chinese restaurant (where the owner always remembered my order from year to year), and it was GONE! In its place is a Thai restaurant.
We returned to the laundry, and it was still closed. We knew of another one we had used, and tried to find it, but apparently it has been torn down for new construction. When I searchd on-line (luckily phone was working) I found another, and under hours a small comment that "This is Ascension Day which may affect the hours". An "AHA" moment! We wondered why so many people were out in traditional Bavarian dress. This area of Bavaria is deeply Catholic, and Ascension Day is a public holiday, and almost all shops are closed!
Plans were totally foiled! We had already sprayed some garments with Shout, so now we had damp clothes to carry around.
Tried a new Chinese restaurant, Asia Garden, for lunch. The owner waited on us, and he was very attentive, but the food did not measure up to the old place. We both had soup and then shared a fried noodle and chicken dish and a chicken with vegetable dish. A bus group of Chinese tourists came in. The owner said he gets four or five such tours every month.
We had decided that we wanted to end our trip in this area of Bavaria that we love so much, and had reserved an apartment beginning June 15. We drove to see the apartment on St. Martinstrasse, which was empty, so we walked around the back and peered in the one window that wasn't shuttered. Ron wasn't too impressed. Next we located the agent's office, and Ron went in to discuss required pre-payment, and inquire if the agent had any other properties we might prefer. She suggested a nearby modern apartment, also on the ground floor. She said we should follow her to see it. She hopped on a bike and we followed in the car. This apartment was smaller than the first, but a more convenient location, and the modern interior really appealed to us. All wood floors, electric blinds, level shower, washer/dryer, garage parking. We agreed to take this apartment for at least nine days.
Ron dropped me off at the Muckefuck Café, a great little bistro, that we frequented a lot when staying (several times) at a nearby apartment. They have outdoor seating out back, but after I went into the restaurant, discovered you have to walk around outside to access it. I walked very gingerly on the cobblestones, as I had memories of my terrible fall on the ice several years ago in that exact same spot (that resulted in black eye, swollen cheek, cut lip, and more, and several days recuperating on the sofa). With my worsening joint issues and balance, I could see the same thing happening on "dry land".
Made it to the garden, and Ron (who had gone to the bank) soon joined me.
After a quick wine/beer we went back to the agent's office on Loisachstrasse to pay the deposit.
It was finally time to check into the lovely Hotel Zugspitze. It is a place we have stopped in dozens of times for a refreshment, to read the newspaper, to dine, and even used the spa massage facilities, but had never stayed. This was a special treat, and we LOVED our room with big balcony looking directly at the Zugspitze (the highest mountain in Germany).
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| Ron checking in |
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| lounge - we want a ceiling like this at home! |
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| View from our room (picture doesn't do it justice) |
Walked several blocks to the casino. It was Lady's day so I was given a ticket for a free glass of Prosecco. It was also Father's Day (which coincides with Ascension Day), so Ron was told to stop at the desk when we left and receive a free bottle of wine. In reading about the Father's Day celebration in Germany, I read that certain areas, particularly in the East, alcohol consumption is the major part of the celebration. Sometimes groups of men get together to hike and use a wheelbarrow or cart to carry their beverages.
Had some fun in the casino, and about broke even.
Went back to the hotel, and sat in the bar area. For some reason, Ron ordered a Manhattan, which he said he will NEVER order again. We ordered a schinken/kase toast to share (ham and cheese). It took so long, that the waitress said they removed it from the bill.
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| Bar/Lounge |
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Ron's Manhattan and my wine
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We were tired, but needed to soak in the beauty of the mountains, so wrapped up in cozy red blankets, and sat on the balcony.
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| Expensive coffee maker (grinds beans) on desk |
So, we loved our short stay here, and look forward to coming back to the apartment in Garmisch.
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