Our time in Munich came to an end; reluctantly we packed up and checked out of Harry’s, with suitcases bulging (all our Melbourne winter clothes having been put aside for now).  We took a one-station ride to Laim, and found the rental car office conveniently located right next to the underpass.  We were a little early for the car, so we left the cases in the office and headed for the nearby grounds of Nymphenberg Palace – somewhere we’d hoped to visit. Unfortunately we were at the wrong end of the expansive park to see much more than woodland trails, with the palace and formal gardens being further north.

Hurrying back, Ian cut across a meadow, then plunged into a narrow strip of forest, like the true orienteer that he is. I followed him, hoping he knew what he was doing.  He popped out onto a trail, only to be accosted by a local who told him off in no uncertain terms for leaving the path!  He couldn’t understand a word of what she said, but he got the message loud and clear.

Back at Sixt, we took possession of a black Mercedes A200, brand new with just 1900 kms on the clock.  While lacking the power of the twin turbo BMW that we had last time, it is pretty handy on the autobahn (top speed so far 155 kph).  Sitting in the driver’s seat is like sitting in the pilot’s seat of the space shuttle – more tech than you could possibly imagine!  The display is an overwhelming presentation of information.  We haven’t used much of it so far, with our main focus just getting comfortable with driving on the other side of the road and not hitting anything – but we will have lots to play with over the next 10 days.  The highlight – we can voice control the 64 interior ambient lighting options.  I kid you not.  I remember getting excited by power windows when I was much younger …

Thanks to my superior travel planning skills (or happy coincidence), we made a simple right turn out of the parking garage, then drove for 90 kms south with just one merge onto the A95. The traffic was light and we were on our way.  Before long we were seeing mountains – our first views of the Bavarian Alps. It was hard to concentrate on the road and ignore the scenery.

Eventually we drove through a tunnel, and emerged in the outskirts of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.  The two towns were merged for the 1936 Winter Olympics, and you can still visit the ski jump.  GaPa, as it is known, is a ski resort town nestled at the foot of the Alps.  It is just like a chocolate box, with Austrian Chalet being the architectural style of preference.  It is only missing the cow bells.  We navigated to our accommodation, with me oohing and aahing at the views.

Our home for the next three nights is an upstairs apartment, part of a complex of Chalet style houses ringed around a lawn and gardens.  We have stunning Alpine views from all windows, and a balcony to enjoy them from.  A glacial stream rushes merrily past our back door.  It’s picture-perfect.  Obviously geared for winter tourism and not 30 degree heat, there is a large central fireplace, and blankets everywhere.  Luckily we can open lots of windows.  The place is very well equipped – we could easily throw a dinner party with all the plates and glasses at our disposal.

And the best bit – there’s a heated, underground swimming pool!  The central lawn conceals an underground parking garage, sauna, pool and laundry.  You would never know it was there.  I had my first swim this evening; pure bliss.  We want to spend the rest of our winters in GaPa.

After getting settled, we went for a walk to the railway station to buy tickets for tomorrow’s excursion to the top of Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze.  After that it was shopping, the swim, and dinner (pork steaks, salad and fresh corn on the cob).  A summer shower has freshened things up and cleared the haze. Lights are twinkling at the tops of the cable car stations, and on the neighbours’ balcony.  I can’t wait to wake up and see the Alps in the morning light.

Austrian style in GaPa

Bavarian Alps

Ours is the smaller balcony in the middle

View from our back door

View from our front windows. The pool etc is under the lawn