Meine Reise nach München (mit einem Tag in Zürich und einem Tag in Innsbruck)

Today was a SUPER EARLY start. I had to be up at 04:45 so I could shower and then get ready and head to the bus station to pick up the coach to Zürich. Yeah, I don’t know why I do it to myself either. I decided that I wanted to make the most of this European trip and decided to see where I could go from Munich on the coach. Zürich was chosen.

If I’m honest, I watch a live stream on YT that shows a focus on the track entrance to Zurich Hauptbahnhof and I wanted to get a picture of myself there.

We got to Munich after four hours (it was pouring too) and my first stop was this place near the tracks. I messaged K and sent him the link to the live stream and told him to zoom in on the right corner and I told him that it was me. I hadn’t told him I was going to Zurich and I’m not sure if he had checked the calendar either.

Once I had done my celebrity appearance, I headed off in the direction of the main station so I could see what was there and see if I could find some souvenirs.

On the way there I found a shop that was open (a rarity on a Sunday on the continent) and got a drink and a croissant. I forgot how expensive Switzerland is! I got outside and as I put my umbrella up, the croissant dropped out of the bag and I was mad. I was about to stamp on it but picked it up and walked off. When I was far enough away I ate it. Yep, I’m that tramp. I was hungry and this thing cost me a day’s pay. I figured it was raining so it was washing away the trampiness on the ground.

I went in search of the souvenir shop shown on the map but, for love nor money, I couldn’t find it. I then looked for another one and made my way there. It told me to cross a bridge that was no longer there. I decided I didn’t want to swim across so I found another bridge and crossed that. Part of the area looked familiar. I was here in 2012 with the ex and I think we were in part of that area. You can read about that trip here.

My umbrella was working as hard as it could but it was letting some rain in sadly. My face was soaked. My feet were soaked. I was glad to be in the shop out of it for a few minutes. I nearly died at the prices of the souvenirs here. SWITZERLAND IS EXPENSIVE! I got my stuff and beat a hasty retreat so I could carry on walking. I wasn’t going to let the rain stop me since I had come all this way.

I found a BK on my travels and went to check out the prices – just for a laugh mind you. A large bacon whopper meal was £19. NINETEEN OF THE LATE QUEEN’S POUNDS. NINETEEN. NINE TEEN! I hot-footed it out of there and carried on walking towards a church I could see. The doors didn’t open until twelve and I had 20 minutes to wait. I didn’t want to wait in the rain so I went back to BK to use the loo as I was feeling sick and I also needed to get warm.

I went back to the church and went in and had a look around. We had to leave umbrellas at the door sadly. I did this and walked around. The church wasn’t too impressive. Not like some in Ljubljana and Italy. When it came time to leave, I noticed that my umbrella had gone. I don’t know why I did what I did next, but do it I did. I went outside to see if I could see someone with my black umbrella. I know, how many people have black umbrellas and how long had it been gone? I saw a couple that looked like they had it and I asked them if they had been in the church and they told me where the entrance was. I said I was in there but someone had taken my umbrella. I don’t know what I was thinking. Was I about to accuse them of being thieves without even knowing! Yeah, don’t ask. I don’t know.

Anyway, I went back inside the church and looked around and then went to the people there and told them what had happened. The lady there went to lost property and found me an umbrella. This was a bigger and better one. God really does bless you for going to church. Haha.

I left and carried on walking and then decided I and my feet were too wet to carry on so I bought a daily tram ticket and decided to do some tram surfing. I got on and went to the end of the line and it was by the lake so I crossed over via the underpass and got some pics from there and went and sat in a bus shelter to rest my feet and also have some crisps as I was getting hungry and I definitely wasn’t paying the prices for hot food here.

I sat here for about half an hour and then crossed back to get the tram. I went to a kiosk and got some Pepsi Max. It costs about £3.20 for a 500ml bottle. I don’t even know how they get away with charging what they do in this country. I felt like a pauper all day because of it. The Pepsi was nice though so I guess it was worth it.

I got on the tram and was going to go to the end of the line but I needed to use the bathroom. I wonder if it was the fallen croissant that did it. Ha. It costs €1 to use it. I put the coin in but the barrier didn’t move. I told the lady and she asked if I was sure I put a €1 coin. I assured her I did and she let me in. I spent nearly 30 minutes in here. Mostly to keep warm.

It came time to jump on the tram again. I went to the end of the line and then got on the next one back to the main railway station. I went to find a toilet again and it was like a mini city underground. A lot of shops are open and people are everywhere.

Remember when I said I couldn’t find the souvenir shop the map suggested? Well… I found it. Nowhere in the region it said it was on the map. Damn you Google. I also found a supermarket and got a drink k and some chocolate. The drink was reasonable prices this time – by reasonable I mean UK prices. The chocolate, however, was not. It was £2 for a bog standard bar that back home would be about 90p. I was hungry enough to buy it.

I went back outside and got on the tram to a church I had seen from the other side of the river. It was cool looking and had a huge clock on it and it seems it’s dated from the 1700’s. I went to go in but they charged 5 Francs for entry. No thanks.

I walked around some more and came across narrow lanes that looked pretty cool. I decided to walk them and walked up a little hill and came across a viewpoint over the other side of the river and up the hills. The views were pretty cool. I then carried on back in the direction of the main station and jumped on a tram to the end of the line. By this time I had about 90 minutes before the coach was due. To the end of the line and back was about 40 minutes. It was a good way to kill time.

I got to the area of the coach pick-up and went to Starbucks and got a ridiculously overpriced cookie just so I could get the toilet code to get some warm water onto my hands.

I was so glad the time for the coach arrived. I went to meet it and there was a swarm there too. So many people. The coach was a double decker so I knew it would be packed. Now for the four-hour sit-in to Munich.

Zurich was pretty cool to see again but I think I’ll leave Switzerland out of any future travel plans (unless I win big on the lottery).

As soon as I get back to Munich it’s straight to the hostel, clothes ready for tomorrow and then straight to bed. I have an early morning coach to Innsbruck. Thankfully not as early but the same amount of sleep will probably be had!

Total steps: 18,395

Total miles: 8.39

Below are some pics from today

So, I woke up this morning not feeling the greatest and I wasn’t sure whether I should go to Innsbruck. I decided to get up and shower anyway in case I did decide to go.

After I showered I still wasn’t sure as I was feeling sick and my stomach was hurting. I decided that I would just go anyway and headed out for the tram. I was a few minutes late leaving but luckily I was in a big city where public transport is frequent this time of the morning.

I got to the bus station (I was glad this would be my last time going anywhere on the coach this trip – minus coming back to Munich). I went to get some croissants and there was a queue so I was concerned I might not be able to have breakfast. The guy in front of me took his time ordering half a dozen doughnuts. I was getting wound up as I needed to go for a drink too.

I headed back downstairs to go to the platform for the coach. Luckily I had enough time to do everything before the coach turned up. I was aiming to sleep on the trip to Innsbruck but it turns out the scenery on the way there didn’t afford me any time to sleep. The scenery on the way was so pretty. Mountains for days.

I was so glad this was a short trip though. Over the last few days, I’ve spent no less than 22 hours just sitting on coaches. This journey was about 2.5 hours.

We got to Innsbruck and it was raining. Thankfully it was not supposed to rain for a couple more hours and be dry the rest of the day. It turned out to be correct.

I had been speaking with a friend from this area of Austria and he was telling me how small the city is. He wasn’t wrong. The old town itself is tiny.

Anyway, I got off the coach and headed in the direction of the main station (it was only on the way here that the street the bus stop was on made sense. It’s called Südbahnstrasse. The clue is in the name: bahn – meaning station!). I was going to go a different way as I had seen a tram stop close by. I’m glad I didn’t.

I took a selfie with the mountains in the background and sent it to Ken. I asked him if he looked where I was today. I was in country number 6 on this trip.

I carried on walking towards the old town as I knew there would be food, churches, and souvenir shops. I wasn’t wrong. This isn’t my first rodeo you know! I went inside a couple of the churches. The second one was really ornate. The walls, the ceiling.

I did stop on the way to get a doughnut. I was hungry and they had a Dunkin Donuts here. Truth be told, I needed the toilet from the liquids I had.

I sat in here for about half an hour. It was nice to be in the dry and warm. I carried on my way and was just mesmerised by the buildings and the mountains all around. It was still raining at this point so the views weren’t overly spectacular… for now.

I went and got my souvenirs and carried on walking. I came across a church/cathedral and went inside. The churches here are free to enter. This one said you could take photos for private use but not if you paid €1 for it. This gave you a pass to take as many pics as you wanted for an hour. After that, you’d need another one-hour pass. This church was really ornate. The organ was cool and had a weird depth perspective to it. You can see it below.

I left here and started to head towards the river. As I turned the corner this is where the views got spectacular. Mountains on either side of the city. Beautiful snow-capped mountains. The river was fast flowing too and the sound of it was so awesome. It had a cool green tint to it. Like a mint green. I went to a bridge and just stood in awe at the mountains and the river and the buildings on the side of the mountains. The clouds covering them were awesome too.

I went back across the bridge into the old town again and went to get some food from the embassy. At this point, the rain had stopped and I was happy to stow away my umbrella. It was way better than carrying it around.

I just let my feet do the guiding the whole time here. Everywhere I looked it was cool. The views were amazing. Since it wasn’t raining, I decided against using the tram. I’m glad I never used them here. I think I would have missed out on the views.

I crossed the river and decided to head up a small pathway to see what was up the hill. The road was narrow and I was shocked the city buses could get through.

I saw a church with a cemetery and went there. I went to go inside but the main part was gated off so I couldn’t see much. I went back towards the river and decided I would walk along the river on the same side as I was on. Those views. Amazing. As I was on this side I saw one of the towers had people on it and I decided I would head in the direction once I had crossed so I could see if it was worth going up. It was. I paid €4.50 for the ticket and climbed the 133 spiral stairs.

The panoramic views were worth it. I was up here for about 45 minutes. At the time I went up there was only an hour before it closed.

I highly recommend doing this. By the time I was done here, I headed to the Spar to get some food and drink and then just headed to the coach stop and waited.

I’m now back in Munich. It was an awesome day and I’m really glad I went.

I’m ready for a nice long sleep too!

Total steps: 18,804

Total miles: 8.66

Below are some pics from today

Today is the last day of the trip and I decided I probably should spend it here in Munich and see the city since I am staying here.

I showered and got ready and headed out to go to the old town and have a quick look around before I had to meet the guide for the walking tour.

I was feeling a bit sick before I left and that should have been a sign for me to stay in for the day. I ignored what my body was saying and went out anyway.

I took the tram to the area of Marienplatz as this is where the guide would be waiting. I went to the Frauenkirche first to have a look around. It was a huge church but nor as ornate as the one in Dresden. As I was walking around, the organ started playing. I love the sound of the organ so I stayed here for a few minutes listening to it.

I headed out to the main square where the town hall is and waited for the guide. The square here is pretty cool. The town hall is amazing. It’s huge and ornate. It’s one of those things you have to see if you ever get to Munich.

The walking tour started and the first thing the guide mentioned was the carillon and the show that is put on at 11:00 every day. She said that the horses there are about 2 metres in height and the statues of the people are actual height. The show is a re-enactment of what happened eons ago. Something to do with a joust over a woman. To be honest, I was feeling so rubbish that I couldn’t really pay attention.

I said to the guide that I would be leaving as I wasn’t feeling good and she mentioned that I looked unwell.

I carried on walking around the old town to try and feel better. It never happened but it was good to walk around and just enjoy the fresh air.

Most of the day was just walking around trying to get my steps in and getting some pics of the city.

I went to a Kaufland to get some goodies to bring back with me. As I was there I saw several places that I wanted to see after I was done shopping.

When I went to get the tram to go see these places it started to rain. I did well for the rain to hold off so long. I saw what I wanted to see and then I decided I wanted to go see the beer hall where Hitler had his beer putsch. If I’m honest though, it wasn’t that impressive. I guess that’s good so it’s not a focal point for fascists and racists.

By this time I was feeling so rubbish that I decided to head back to the hostel via Subway to get something to eat.

I’m now sat back at the hostel as it’s raining so bad outside. I need to pack for tomorrow but I have no motivation to do so. Maybe in an hour or so I will.

I did my check-in earlier and I got a window seat. The best thing too is that the seat is 01A – right at the front door.

I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve been feeling rubbish all day but everyone outside has been bothering me. I just want to walk with my arms out and push them out of my way. I’m also not sure if I don’t like Munich because of all the tourists or because I don’t feel good or all the construction going on or if it’s just not my kind of city.

I probably won’t come back to Munich any time soon.

Total steps: 16,609

Total miles: 7.48

Below are some pics from today