Charles and Helen's Photo Albums

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Germany and Austria

May 22 – June 6, 2014

JEDEC held its June 2014 meeting in Munich, Germany. Helen and I decided to arrive a week and a half early to do some sightseeing! We had a wonderful time visiting Charles's former co-worker Peter and his family in Bochum, near Düsseldorf. A few days later, we traveled to Innsbruck, Austria, for a wonderful visit with Charles's second cousin, Regina, and her husband Klaus. The remaining two weeks of our trip were spent in Munich. While Charles was working at the JEDEC meeting for one of those weeks, Helen kept busy sightseeing!

Below are some of our favorite photos from the trip. We hope you enjoy them!

Itinerary

Date Location / Activity
Thursday, May 22Arrive in Düsseldorf, travel to Bochum
Friday, May 23Bochum: Hattingen old town, castles, and museums
Saturday, May 24Essen: Ruhr Museum at Zollverein & BBQ party
Sunday, May 25Hagen: LWL-Freilichtmuseum (folk museum)
Monday, May 26Fly to Munich via Air Berlin
Tuesday, May 27Day trip to Innsbruck, Austria
Wednesday, May 28Munich: Marienplatz walking tour
Thursday, May 29Munich: Deutsches Museum
Friday, May 30Munich: Englischer Garten & Aviation Museum
Saturday, May 31Munich: Dachau Concentration Camp
June 1 – 5Munich: JEDEC Meetings, Puppet Show, and exploring
Friday, June 6Castle Touring: Hohenschwangau & Neuschwanstein
Saturday, June 7Return to USA

Bochum, Germany

Benita (15), Beatrix, Peter, Niels (15). Peter and Beatrix showed us many fascinating sites in the Bochum area, near Düsseldorf.
Benita (15), Beatrix, Peter, Niels (15). Peter and Beatrix showed us many fascinating sites in the Bochum area, near Düsseldorf.

Thursday, May 22 – Friday, May 23: Hattingen Old Town & Museums

We arrived in Düsseldorf around 10:30 AM, spent the afternoon catching up, and hit the Aldi grocery store for local SIM cards. On Friday, we went to the old town of Bochum. This incredibly picturesque area was established in the 1200s!

This restaurant cleverly solved the problem of rocking tables by putting little 'shoes' on the table feet to stabilize them!
This restaurant cleverly solved the problem of rocking tables by putting little 'shoes' on the table feet to stabilize them!
St. George's Church. Originally built as a Romanesque church around 1200, it burned down in 1424, was rebuilt as gothic, and finally converted to neo-classical around 1810.
St. George's Church. Originally built as a Romanesque church around 1200, it burned down in 1424, was rebuilt as gothic, and finally converted to neo-classical around 1810.
Typical half-timbered houses built around the 1600s with stone foundations.
Typical half-timbered houses built around the 1600s with stone foundations.

Next, we went to an old castle that once featured a full moat. The building has since been turned into two fascinating museums: one for musical instruments and the other for historical regional money and coins.

Beatrix and Peter in the Music museum.
Beatrix and Peter in the Music museum.
Charles & Helen in the Music museum.
Charles & Helen in the Music museum.
Notice the carved wooden man tucked under the staircase, appearing to hold it up! We found this to be a very interesting detail.
Notice the carved wooden man tucked under the staircase, appearing to hold it up! We found this to be a very interesting detail.
This was the first time I had ever seen a vertical piano!
This was the first time I had ever seen a vertical piano!

Saturday, May 24: The Ruhr Museum at Zollverein and a BBQ Party

The Ruhr Museum was deeply interesting! It is situated on the grounds of an old coal mine, utilizing the original mining and processing buildings to showcase the history of the Ruhr area. The entire site is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site! Before the mine closed, Peter worked there as a young electrician before returning to university for his Electrical Engineering degree. Unfortunately, we were so engrossed in the tour that we didn't take any pictures!

Afterward, we returned to Peter's home for a wonderful potluck barbecue with family and friends. We dined on grilled sausages, steak, fresh salads, and finished with ice cream topped with berries fresh from Beatrix's garden. Yum!

The party-goers: Kurt, Uta, Charles (friend), Albert (Peter's brother), Uta, and Charles (me). Not pictured: Peter, Beatrix, Niels, Benita, and Helen (who was taking the photo).
The party-goers: Kurt, Uta, Charles (friend), Albert (Peter's brother), Uta, and Charles (me). Not pictured: Peter, Beatrix, Niels, Benita, and Helen (who was taking the photo).
The outside of Peter's house. Notice all the solar panels! In Germany, you can sell generated power back to the grid at a higher price than you buy it.
The outside of Peter's house. Notice all the solar panels! In Germany, you can sell generated power back to the grid at a higher price than you buy it.
The fantastic dessert: two types of ice cream with fresh berries, whipped cream, and shaved chocolate.
The fantastic dessert: two types of ice cream with fresh berries, whipped cream, and shaved chocolate.

Sunday, May 25: LWL-Freilichtmuseum Hagen

We spent the day at a massive folk museum that covers a huge area. It consists of relocated original buildings and exact 1600s replicas, demonstrating how historical crafts were made. We watched paper making, rope making, stone polishing, and saw incredible water-powered lathes and drills in action!

A map of the museum. It is about a full mile from the left side to the right!
A map of the museum. It is about a full mile from the left side to the right!
A typical building in the folk museum.
A typical building in the folk museum.

One of the craftsmen was polishing geodes to make jewelry. Since we asked for a more detailed demonstration, he had Helen pick out a rough rock! He cut it in half, revealed the hollow crystal inside, polished the edges, and gave it to her as a beautiful souvenir.

Here the stone is about to be polished.
Here the stone is about to be polished.
The stone has been cut in half, exposing the beautiful hollow interior.
The stone has been cut in half, exposing the beautiful hollow interior.
The polishing process begins.
The polishing process begins.
The final polishing tool used three wheels: a fine stone, an even finer stone, and finally, leather.
The final polishing tool used three wheels: a fine stone, an even finer stone, and finally, leather.
Uta, Charles, and Albert posing in front of a building powered by a massive water wheel.
Uta, Charles, and Albert posing in front of a building powered by a massive water wheel.
A very early electrical fuse box in one of the historical buildings.
A very early electrical fuse box in one of the historical buildings.
A very interesting species of apple tree.
A very interesting species of apple tree.
This apple tree was specifically bred for very small yards. It grows practically straight up with almost zero horizontal branch development!
This apple tree was specifically bred for very small yards. It grows practically straight up with almost zero horizontal branch development!

Innsbruck, Austria

Tuesday, May 27

On Monday, we flew to Munich, and on Tuesday, we took a highly affordable $10 round-trip bus to Innsbruck, Austria! The two-hour ride was incredibly comfortable. I hadn't seen my second cousin, Regina, since 2002, so this was the perfect opportunity to visit!

Charles and Regina.
Charles and Regina.
The hotel where Dee Dee, Jeff, Betty (Jeff's Mom), and I stayed way back in 2002!
The hotel where Dee Dee, Jeff, Betty (Jeff's Mom), and I stayed way back in 2002!
A look down the entranceway of the hotel.
A look down the entranceway of the hotel.
The classical composer Mozart also visited Innsbruck... though he was here a few years before my first visit! ;-)
The classical composer Mozart also visited Innsbruck... though he was here a few years before my first visit! ;-)
The stunning mausoleum of Emperor Maximilian I (1459-1519) and the 'bronze men' bidding him farewell.
The stunning mausoleum of Emperor Maximilian I (1459-1519) and the 'bronze men' bidding him farewell.
A close-up of King Arthur, one of the 'bronze men' modeled after important dignitaries and friends of the Emperor.
A close-up of King Arthur, one of the 'bronze men' modeled after important dignitaries and friends of the Emperor.
The Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof)—one of the city's finest architectural landmarks! Commissioned by Maximilian I in the 1490s, the roof is made of gilded copper tiles to cover a balcony where the court observed events in the square below.
The Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof)—one of the city's finest architectural landmarks! Commissioned by Maximilian I in the 1490s, the roof is made of gilded copper tiles to cover a balcony where the court observed events in the square below.

Munich, Germany

Wednesday, May 28: Marienplatz Walking Tour

We took a fantastic free walking tour of downtown Munich. It was incredibly informative, covering a huge amount of regional history, including the dark history of Adolf Hitler's rise to power using Munich as his home base.

The famous Glockenspiel at Marienplatz.
The famous Glockenspiel at Marienplatz.
Helen proudly serving beer at the legendary Hofbräuhaus, which was established in 1589!
Helen proudly serving beer at the legendary Hofbräuhaus, which was established in 1589!

Thursday, May 29: Deutsches Museum

One of the premier science and technology museums in the world is the Deutsches Museum. We spent about 5 hours there and barely scratched the surface! We could easily have spent another full day exploring the exhibits.

The top floor of the museum offered spectacular views of the city.
The top floor of the museum offered spectacular views of the city.
My very first panoramic shot using my Samsung Galaxy S3 smartphone! It did a great job!
My very first panoramic shot using my Samsung Galaxy S3 smartphone! It did a great job!

Friday, May 30: Oberschleißheim Aviation Museum & Englischer Garten

About an hour from the center of Munich by train is a magnificent aviation museum. Our ticket from the Deutsches Museum allowed us free entry into the Oberschleißheim Aviation Museum. We spent about 3 hours there and loved every minute!

The Dornier Do 31, an incredibly unique West German experimental VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) jet transport! It used two massive main engines and eight vertically mounted lift engines to hover.
The Dornier Do 31, an incredibly unique West German experimental VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) jet transport! It used two massive main engines and eight vertically mounted lift engines to hover.
Wow! Even Neil Armstrong stopped by to check out this unique aircraft.
Wow! Even Neil Armstrong stopped by to check out this unique aircraft.
One of the lift engines mounted vertically in the wingtip pods. There were four of these in each wingtip used purely for vertical flight!
One of the lift engines mounted vertically in the wingtip pods. There were four of these in each wingtip used purely for vertical flight!

Later, we visited the Englischer Garten, the largest public park in Europe! There was a huge group of students having a great time celebrating a local holiday. The most fascinating part of the park is the continuous river wave where locals actually surf the rapids right in the city!

The Isar river is funneled under a bridge to create a continuous, standing wave. Locals surf it year-round, and there is always a long line waiting for a turn!
The Isar river is funneled under a bridge to create a continuous, standing wave. Locals surf it year-round, and there is always a long line waiting for a turn!
Spectators constantly line the bridge to watch the surfers in action.
Spectators constantly line the bridge to watch the surfers in action.
We weren't sure what was going on with this bridge covered in hundreds of padlocks with names written on them! Maybe a spot for marriage proposals?
We weren't sure what was going on with this bridge covered in hundreds of padlocks with names written on them! Maybe a spot for marriage proposals?
Beautiful street scenes in Munich.
Beautiful street scenes in Munich.

Saturday, May 31: Dachau Concentration Camp

The Dachau concentration camp memorial was incredibly well done. It was classy, highly respectful of the victims, and clearly conveyed the brutal reality of the prisoners' lives without overdramatizing it.

Dachau was the very first concentration camp, originally designed for political prisoners. When Jewish prisoners began arriving, they were housed here, making this camp the tragic model for all the others that followed.

The layout of the camp. It was originally designed for 3,000 prisoners, but by the end of the war, over 30,000 human beings were held here.
The layout of the camp. It was originally designed for 3,000 prisoners, but by the end of the war, over 30,000 human beings were held here.
The foundations of the prisoner barracks remain. Two were fully rebuilt as part of the museum to give visitors a physical understanding of the horrific conditions.
The foundations of the prisoner barracks remain. Two were fully rebuilt as part of the museum to give visitors a physical understanding of the horrific conditions.
A panoramic view from the front gate.

Wednesday, June 4: Dinner with Ingolf

A former JEDEC member, Ingolf, invited us to dinner! We had gone geocaching together years ago in New Orleans, and when he and his bride were married on Maui, he invited a group of us to the beach ceremony! Although he changed positions and no longer attends JEDEC, he lives in Munich and stopped by to catch up with old friends.

From left to right: Helen, Sarah (Ingolf's 19-year-old step-daughter), Amalie (Ingolf's 3-year-old daughter), Ingolf, Howard, and Roelof.
From left to right: Helen, Sarah (Ingolf's 19-year-old step-daughter), Amalie (Ingolf's 3-year-old daughter), Ingolf, Howard, and Roelof.
Helen, Amalie, and Sarah.
Helen, Amalie, and Sarah.
Wow! This entire pizza was supposedly just for Amalie!
Wow! This entire pizza was supposedly just for Amalie!

Thursday, June 5: Munich Puppet Show

One of my JEDEC buddies, Oliver, was born and raised in Munich. During college, he was deeply involved with a local puppet theater production! He invited us to a special performance and even arranged a backstage tour. Since I am involved with a community theater group in San Jose, this was an incredibly special treat for me!

Oliver in front of the stage.
Oliver in front of the stage.
1st row right: Joseph. 2nd row: Helen, Charles, and Howard.
1st row right: Joseph. 2nd row: Helen, Charles, and Howard.
A panoramic view of the puppet theater workshop.
A panoramic view of the puppet theater workshop.
A video pan around the fascinating puppet workshop!
Howard thoroughly enjoying the backstage tour.
Howard thoroughly enjoying the backstage tour.
The workshop is incredibly small and packed with detail!
The workshop is incredibly small and packed with detail!
Helen posing with the puppet 'Helen' used during the show!
Helen posing with the puppet 'Helen' used during the show!
One of the master puppeteers.
One of the master puppeteers.
The 'henchman' from the show!
The 'henchman' from the show!

Apfelstrudel in Germany!

Ahhh, Apfelstrudel is one of my absolute favorite desserts! At every single restaurant, we checked the menu for it. If they had it, we ordered it! Bavaria is world-famous for its apple strudel, but I quickly learned it is not ubiquitous across all of Germany like I thought!

We found the absolute best strudels at the Ratskeller (under the Glockenspiel in Marienplatz) and at Augustiner! What made them superior was the perfectly thin pastry and the tartness of the apples.

Löwenbräukeller: Our very first strudel in Munich the day we arrived. Very good!
Löwenbräukeller: Our very first strudel in Munich the day we arrived. Very good!
Hofbräuhaus: Also good, but not the best we tasted.
Hofbräuhaus: Also good, but not the best we tasted.
Ratskeller: Simply outstanding! Serving it with a scoop of rich vanilla ice cream was a brilliant touch.
Ratskeller: Simply outstanding! Serving it with a scoop of rich vanilla ice cream was a brilliant touch.
Neuschwanstein: Good, but couldn't beat the Ratskeller!
Neuschwanstein: Good, but couldn't beat the Ratskeller!

Famous Bavarian Castles

Friday, June 6

The JEDEC meetings ended Thursday, giving us all of Friday for sightseeing! Helen's biggest goal was visiting Ludwig II's legendary Neuschwanstein Castle—the exact castle Walt Disney used as the model for Disney World!

Located two hours outside Munich, we were dreading the long train and bus ride. But my friend Roelof (who lives in Holland and drove to Munich) mentioned he and his wife Lettie also wanted to go. We completely lucked out and got to ride with them!

We arrived around 10:30 AM and booked tours for both Schloss Hohenschwangau (Ludwig's childhood home) and Schloss Neuschwanstein. By staggering the tour times, we had plenty of time to enjoy a leisurely lunch on the shores of Swan Lake!

Spectacular mountain views driving along the Romantic Road to Neuschwanstein.
Spectacular mountain views driving along the Romantic Road to Neuschwanstein.
Fun observation: Take a close look at the license plate of the car parked in front of us!
Fun observation: Take a close look at the license plate of the car parked in front of us!

Schloss Hohenschwangau

Schloss Hohenschwangau is where Ludwig II spent his childhood and lived while Neuschwanstein was being constructed across the valley. Interior photography was strictly forbidden during the tour (except for the kitchen), so I focused on the stunning exteriors.

Schloss Hohenschwangau, taken from the village below.
Schloss Hohenschwangau, taken from the village below.
The first archway and entrance to the castle.
The first archway and entrance to the castle.
The second archway. Helen and Lettie in the foreground, Roelof in the back.
The second archway. Helen and Lettie in the foreground, Roelof in the back.
The plaque above the second archway.
The plaque above the second archway.
Looking out from the second archway toward the first.
Looking out from the second archway toward the first.
A panoramic view of the village below. If you look closely at the left side, right below the mountain peak, you can spot Neuschwanstein in the distance!
A panoramic view of the village below. If you look closely at the left side, right below the mountain peak, you can spot Neuschwanstein in the distance!
Gorgeous views from the Hohenschwangau courtyard.
Gorgeous views from the Hohenschwangau courtyard.
Schloss Neuschwanstein viewed from across the valley.
Schloss Neuschwanstein viewed from across the valley.
Helen, Lettie, and Roelof admiring the courtyard artwork.
Helen, Lettie, and Roelof admiring the courtyard artwork.
The impressive historical castle kitchen.
The impressive historical castle kitchen.
The left side of the kitchen.
The left side of the kitchen.
The center of the kitchen.
The center of the kitchen.
The right side of the kitchen.
The right side of the kitchen.
Plaque detailing the castle gardens.
Plaque detailing the castle gardens.
The lush castle gardens.
The lush castle gardens.
Fountain artwork in the gardens.
Fountain artwork in the gardens.
We were permitted to take this photo looking out of Ludwig II's study window! The lake below is Swan Lake, where we ate lunch!
We were permitted to take this photo looking out of Ludwig II's study window! The lake below is Swan Lake, where we ate lunch!
Ludwig II kept a telescope in his bedroom to watch the daily construction progress of Neuschwanstein across the valley!
Ludwig II kept a telescope in his bedroom to watch the daily construction progress of Neuschwanstein across the valley!
Enjoying a fantastic lunch right on the shores of Swan Lake.
Enjoying a fantastic lunch right on the shores of Swan Lake.
Another view from the Hohenschwangau courtyard.
Another view from the Hohenschwangau courtyard.
Neuschwanstein castle looming in the background.
Neuschwanstein castle looming in the background.

Schloss Neuschwanstein

Neuschwanstein was still under active construction when King Ludwig II died mysteriously. He had only lived in the royal apartment for 172 days when he was abruptly declared insane (likely a political coup) and placed under house arrest in Munich. Tragically, the very next day, he and his psychiatrist were found drowned in a shallow pond. Construction on the castle halted immediately, and within a year (1887), the unfinished masterpiece was opened to the public as a museum.

Approaching the massive castle from the winding forest road.
Approaching the massive castle from the winding forest road.
The towering inner courtyard.
The towering inner courtyard.
The royal family crest.
The royal family crest.
A plaque celebrating the 150th birthday of Ludwig II.
A plaque celebrating the 150th birthday of Ludwig II.
Looking out at Marienbrücke (Mary's Bridge) spanning the gorge and waterfall! We wanted to hike up to it, but ran out of time. You can see the tiny crowds standing on it looking back at us!
Looking out at Marienbrücke (Mary's Bridge) spanning the gorge and waterfall! We wanted to hike up to it, but ran out of time. You can see the tiny crowds standing on it looking back at us!
Stunning views from the castle. Swan Lake is visible in the background.
Stunning views from the castle. Swan Lake is visible in the background.
The legendary Schloss Neuschwanstein.
The legendary Schloss Neuschwanstein.

Conclusion

We had an absolutely fantastic trip and look forward to returning to Germany someday!

We want to deeply thank all of our friends who helped make this journey so incredibly special. A massive thank you to Peter and Beatrix for being the most gracious hosts and treating us like royalty during our stay in Bochum! Thank you to Albert & Uta, Kurt & Uta, and Charles for spending so much time with us.

To Roelof and Lettie: Helen says the trip to Neuschwanstein was the absolute highlight of her time in Germany! Thank you so much for driving us to Hohenschwangau so we could experience both castles together.

To my second cousin Regina and her husband Klaus: Thank you for taking the time to visit with us. The tour of Innsbruck was delightful, and it was so wonderful to see you again!

To Oliver: Thank you for getting us into the marionette show! We never would have found it on our own, and the backstage tour was an absolute treat.

And to Ingolf: Thank you for a wonderful evening in Munich! The dinner was fantastic, and we truly loved meeting your beautiful family.

That wraps up this adventure! Please check back again to see the future travels of Helen and Charles!