This is a view of the Bavarian Alps that greets all visitors to the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Garmisch is located about 50 miles south of Munich and it lies in a valley surrounded by mountains on 3 sides
The 'City Center' of Garmisch Partenkirchen, notice the beautiful paintings on the buildings. Nearly each building and house is decorated in this fashon.
This is nicely decorated house in the Partenkirchen section of Garmisch. Many Years ago, there were 2 separate towns called Garmisch and Partenkirchen. They later merged into one town. Many of the houses are over 300 years old.
This is the village of Garmisch, surrounded by mountains. This picture was taken from the Wank Mountain and it shows the Alpspitze Mountain Range in the backround. To the right of the large mountain are two railroad lines. One is narrow guage and runs to the Zugspitze and the other is standard guage and runs to Lermoos and Reute, in Austria.
This small creek winds it's way down the WANK mountain. There are several foot paths that go up and down the mountain.
This the the City Park in Garmish. There are litterly thousands of flowers in the park. Notice the 'working clock' in the foreground. The park is free for all visitors staying in Garmish, simply show your guest card and enter at any time. During the summer months, free concerts are given.
One thing about Garmsich, you'll never know who or what you will see on the streets! It's 5PM and the cows are coming home from spending the day grazing in the fields. The cows know where to go and never get lost.
This small lake is called the 'Badersea', its a mountain that caved in and formed the lake. There is a path that goes around the lake and a boat can be rented to paddle out to the island. A local restaurant has a trout breeding area in the lake and you can feed the fish and the ducks. I remember giving one luck or unlucky duck his first taste of an American peanutbutter sandwich a few years back. Talk about getting something stuck in your mouth!!!
One of the best things about Europe in general is their transportation system. They have trains that go everywhere. Seen here is a narrow guage shortline called the 'Zugspitzebahn'. This train travels from Garmisch to Germany's highest mountain, the Zugspitze. At the town of Grainau, the people board a cog wheeled tram that takes visitors to within 100 meters of the top. A cable car takes you the rest of the way.
Here is a narrow guage train, called the Zillertalbahn. This picture is from the town of Mayrhofen in Austria. The tracks run through a beautiful valley and its only about a 30 minute ride by train from the city of Innsbruk. Although the 'Ziller' runs diesel engines for their hourly passenger service, 2 trains a day are pulled by these 100 year old steam engines.
A good shot of Chester, UK. Taken from the wall. This city is surrounded by the wall, as are several cities in England
Here is a picture of William Shakespears house, located in Stratford upon Avon.
This is a shot of Brugge in Northern Belgium. Brugge, like Venice has several canals running through it. The hotel I stayed at is on the left road, a very short distance away. There was a street vendor not too far away, selling Belgian waffles of all things!
In the top photo is a picture of one of the many draw bridges in Brugge. It's hand powered! The bottom picture is the city center taken just before the shoppers came out. While in Brugge, I had to speak 3 languages, French, German and Flemmish. I remember getting a chocolate ice cream cone from a street vendor. I had to say 'chocolate' in German and since I forgot the word for large, I spread my arms out wide using sign language to indicate a big one!
Another fine picture of Brugge. This one showing a nice road that parallels a canal. There are many 'Life Preserver' flotation rings located on poles along waterways, just in case somebody falls in.
These picture are from Bermuda notice the pink beaches.
This is our ship, the Royal Carribean Enchantment of the Seas.
This is our ship, the Royal Carribean Enchantment of the Seas.
This is a picture of Bar Harbor Maine.
This is a picture of Peggys Cove.
This is a picture of the water by St. Johns.
This is a picture of a sailing vessel in Halifax harbor.
