Munich: Surf's Up

I have in the last few hours arrived in Berlin from Munich, and before embarking on anymore adventures I should probably keep my faithful readers abreast of those events that occurred in the Bavarian city.

As I wrote in my last post, Jens did take me to a bar (although not filthy or crowded with buxom Bavarian babes) and we watched the AC Milan vs Bayern Munich clash together. Bayern were arguably lucky and unlucky in equal measures; both AC Milan goals (especially the penalty) were dubious but then Bayern were lucky to equalise both times. We watched the game with a friend of Jens named Björn, who got utterly bladdered.

Whilst in Munich I did the typical touristy things around the city centre, but what was of particular interest was the Dachau concentration camp site just outside of Munich. I had only intended to spend a morning looking around the site, but given the time taken to get there and back and then the actual size of the site and exhibition I ended up spending a whole day there. Unlike a friend (who shall remain nameless), I was not tempted to whistle the 'Great Escape' theme tune.

Those of you familiar with German geography will know that Munich is not anywhere near the sea. But I can tell you that I saw surfing in Munich, and as soon as I can work out how to upload a photo then I will do so for all of you. On a small river in the centre of Munich a few die-hard adrenaline junkies spend everyday surfing a single wave that is created by some sort of change in depth or ridge at the bottom of the river. Apparently two people died doing this last year, and despite signs forbidding swimming and surfing it still goes on and the police do not try too hard to stop it. It attracts a fair crowd (with good reason) on the bridge passing above the river.

So whilst by day I fulfilled the role of foreign tourist, by night I did as all good Germans do and passed the time in one of the many cavernous beer halls. I didn't get to all the big ones, but I am proud to say I had a few steins in at least 3 of the main halls and gardens.

Finally, today rather than pay close to €100 for a train from Munich to Berlin I hitched a ride with a guy who regularly drives between the two cities and allows people to pay to occupy the spare seats. It cost me a fraction of the price (€25), and only took marginally longer because of the traffic. I must now turn in for the night as I am quite tired, but will write again soon about Berlin at Easter.

Ps. Number of times Lonely Planet has lied to me (including the time mentioned in previous post): 2 (Latest instance concerns location of fictional hostel, and please note that my edition is March 2007)