[Chethan B G]

Part 3: Germany!

Heidelberg is a beautiful place - About 20 mins by train from Mannheim, which is a hub. We were here for 3 nights. Also while returning from Austria enroute to Paris, We spent half a day in Munich. This part will cover Munich also.

As soon as we entered Germany, we could find the difference, in the way things are designed / done. People use logic and technology to the core. Be it irrigation or a Zoo, every thing is engineered to the hilt! It was a totally different experience for us. It is amazing!!

We had booked a B&B accomodation in Heidelberg through Cox's & Kings, for 3 nights. This Hotel Neckar is situated near Bismarckstr Plaza, which is about 2 Kms from the Railway station. Nice Hotel.

For tourists with an "active for the day" Eurail ticket, Railway station to any where within the city (or the other way) is free by Bus!! This is only in Germany (among the countries we visited)! Great!! This type of gestures make a Country - Tourist friendly.

Since we had planned to take the train (Eurail) everyday, we did not take a local pass. However, on the day of arrival, we took a day pass to go round the city and also cover the Palace.

On 16th, we checked in at Hotel Neckar by 2 pm. Had Lunch and went out to visit the Heidelberg palace. This is about 5 Kms from Bismarckstr Plaza. After that, we went around the city. In-Fact, our hotel is in the heart of the city. So, it added to our comfort. We could go round the city every day, in the night - but not after 10 pm, to be on the safer side.

On 17th, We went to Koblenz: This was a very good experience -
Heidelberg - Mannheim - Mainz By Train
Mainz - Koblenz by boat on Rhine river
Koblenz - Mainz - Mannheim - Heidelberg again by train

Boat trip is part of Eurail pass. So it's free!! We could see a lot of small towns and castles on the way. It was a beautiful trip! Also on the way, we visited an under water aquarium.

On 18th, We visited Triberg: Around Triberg, we visited a clock museum "Deutsches Uhrenmuseum" at Furtwangen. Also, in Triberg, we visited a "Cuckoo" Clock.

Heidelberg - Mannheim - Triberg - Mannheim - Heidelberg by train
Triberg - Furtwangen - Triberg by Bus (Again part of Eurail pass!)

On 19th morning we left to Zell-am-see (Austria) Via Munich and Salzburg. On the way back, we visited Munich, mainly the City Square & the Zoo in Munich for half a day.

Time for the Pics!





Heidelberg Castle:


Old ayurvedic Medicine distilleries






Ayurvedic Centre










Heidelberg City:

[Chethan B G]

Koblenz Trip:
















Triberg Trip:


















Cuckoo Clock:







Munich Zoo:

[aargee]

Originally Posted by Chethan B G

As soon as we entered Germany, we could find the difference, in the way things are designed / done. People use logic and technology to the core. Be it irrigation or a Zoo, every thing is engineered to the hilt! It was a totally different experience for us.

Yup, that's German Engineering

Originally Posted by Chethan B G

For tourists with an "active for the day" Eurail ticket, Railway station to any where within the city (or the other way) is free by Bus!!

I couldn't understand this quite well, could you elaborate for me pls?

[Chethan B G]

Originally Posted by aargee

"For tourists with an "active for the day" Eurail ticket, Railway station to any where within the city (or the other way) is free by Bus!!"

I couldn't understand this quite well, could you elaborate for me pls?

Eurail pass will be issued like - 9 days in 2 months. It could be any 9 days in that period.

On a particular day, if we want to use the pass, we have to get it punched by the TT during the day's - first journey. Once it is punched, the ticket becomes active for the day.

If the ticket is active, we can use the bus service - free of cost. Only requirement is, either the starting point or the ending point, should be the railway station.

[aargee]

Originally Posted by Chethan B G

If the ticket is active, we can use the bus service - free of cost. Only requirement is, either the starting point or the ending point, should be the railway station.

If you don't mind the little OT, how do they track it? I could use the pass to board upto a railway station, but get down in between right? OR I can take the bus in between & then board upto railway station right? Is there some kind of alarm or signal the driver is alerted on such occasion?

[Chethan B G]

Originally Posted by aargee

If you don't mind the little OT, how do they track it? I could use the pass to board upto a railway station, but get down in between right? OR I can take the bus in between & then board upto railway station right? Is there some kind of alarm or signal the driver is alerted on such occasion?

IMO, this works mainly on trust. But, if a person gets caught, penalty will be huge (hundreds of euros probably). When we were traveling, there was checking on a couple of occasion.

[TaureanBull]

I am sorry that I could catch with the updates so late. Anyways:-

1. The Eurail pass is very beneficial as I see. Free bus pass in Germany, free boat ride. Good to know.

2. Are you sure thats Ayurvedic distillery in Germany? Never knew Ayurveda is so popular outside. I thought Germany to be known for Homeopathy.

3. The clock museum looks great.

4. In the zoo, princess hugging kid (baby goat).

[Chethan B G]

Originally Posted by TaureanBull

I am sorry that I could catch with the updates so late. Anyways:-

1. The Eurail pass is very beneficial as I see. Free bus pass in Germany, free boat ride. Good to know.

2. Are you sure thats Ayurvedic distillery in Germany? Never knew Ayurveda is so popular outside. I thought Germany to be known for Homeopathy.

3. The clock museum looks great.

4. In the zoo, princess hugging kid (baby goat).

Sorry for the confusion! It is actually "German Pharmacy Museum" , located inside the Palace premises - at Heidelberg. They do not mention if it is Ayurvedic or Homeopathy (I may have missed it also). This is an exhibit from 4 different centuries. May-be, that made me assume that it is ayurvedic. Sorry - I am not sure!

But logically, "Pharmacy" can not be Ayurvedic. So, maybe you are right!

Our boat trip was excellent. We get about 5-7 small towns on the way. Marvelous!! We can get down from the boat (Ferry) in any of the towns, go around, and take the next boat - continue our journey. We did it once during lunch brake. We can easily spend 2 full days in this route itself. It's lovely!!


About the Zoo, what I liked was:

• Animals had a combined stay! - For example, Elephants and Peacocks were together. This gives them a feeling that they are not captivated (I felt so!! - But I do not know for sure!! ).
• Surroundings were designed in such a ways that it suited the interest of that particular animal. Example: Falls near the elephants, Lots of bamboo's for the monkeys - they were just loving it!
• All in all, I felt that the animals enjoyed there stay!

[neoonwheels]

Originally Posted by Chethan B G

Sorry for the confusion! It is actually "German Pharmacy Museum" , located inside the Palace premises - at Heidelberg. They do not mention if it is Ayurvedic or Homeopathy (I may have missed it also). This is an exhibit from 4 different centuries. May-be, that made me assume that it is ayurvedic. Sorry - I am not sure!

Should be Homeopathy as it belongs to Germans.

[greencity]

Originally Posted by Chethan B G

Part 2: Paris!

On arrivel at Paris CDG Airport, we purchased (available at the airport) the local travel 5 day pass, known as Paris Visite. This covers even the Airport to City transit! Pass covered both Buses, Metro and RER. Buses and Metro run inside city. RER is for rural (out-skirts) Paris transportation - Eg: CDG Airport ... etc

Details: RATP, transports à Paris et en Ile-de-France : bus, métro, tramway, RER - Page d'accueil

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After we reached Paris east station, first thing we did was to reserve our onward ticket to Heidelberg - Germany (ICE trains need reservation in advance).

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To stay in Paris, we had booked a service apartment for 5 days through web. This was a single bedroom apartment with kitchen and living room. This was located very close to East railway station. Very convenient indeed!!


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Now - It is time for the pics to talk!


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More Pics of Paris will follow tomorrow - I need to reduce the size of the file before loading.

I loved the pictures especially the last one. I got confused at once after seeing that pic.
Can you tell how you gonna reduce the size of photos.
Why Iam asking is I have taken so many pictures with my N86 8MP.
Each photo is about 1 MB. SO I could post them in my travelogue.
Is there a technique or do we need a software.

[Chethan B G]

Originally Posted by greencity

I loved the pictures especially the last one. I got confused at once after seeing that pic.
Can you tell how you gonna reduce the size of photos.
Why Iam asking is I have taken so many pictures with my N86 8MP.
Each photo is about 1 MB. SO I could post them in my travelogue.
Is there a technique or do we need a software.

Just go to MS - Paint.
Reduce the size of the photo to 50% & save it.
You are ready to post!

[MX6]

There's irfanview (freeware) which does the same reduction in bulk. You don't need to open, edit, compress and save files individually.
Saves a lot of time.

[Chethan B G]

Originally Posted by MX6

There's irfanview (freeware) which does the same reduction in bulk. You don't need to open, edit, compress and save files individually.
Saves a lot of time.

Can you post a link. I can post Pics faster!

[sandeepmdas]

Chetan, try this: Fotosizer Batch Image Resizer - Image resizing made easy

It ca resize images in batches, can convert from one format to another, and it is free.

[aargee]

@Chethan - with the approaching weekend, pls don't disappoint us further. Pls keep moving from Germany, would like to read your experiences on Europe.