Day 11, Wednesday 09.24.08

Today, our final day in Germany, was a leisurely one. We got off to another late start, but made it to Marienplatz to see the enormous glockenspiel chime at 11:00am. Moving parts, spritely bell music. Entertaining, yet mildly underwhelming. The books say to get a good spot before the 11:00 and 12:00 chiming. We literally got off the metro stop, up the escalator, and in front of the glockenspiel immediately at the stroke of 11:00....and failed to see the enormous draw. Sure it was neat, but in essence underwhelming.

Then it was an afternoon of window shopping and just generally wandering around the center of Munich. Our main goal of today: bubblewrap. Bottles of beer and wine aren't going to survive the trip home in luggage without it. Ever try explaining to a German the concept of "where can I buy bubblewrap?" It was fun.

Packing supplies in hand, we hit up a grandiose royal palace called The Residenz. A lavish series of palaces and courtyards to rival any other royal estate. Ancient royal artifacts from the 900's, 1000's, 1400's...incredible. Truly a delight to see. And to think this was an add-on spot to hit as we thought what to do to lollygag our final day away. Awesome.

After returning to the hotel and packing for home, we asked the front desk for a good local Italian restuarant. After giving us some substandard directions, we finally make it to Ristorante Acquarello, a posh restaurant for which we were TERRIBLY underdressed. Think tiny little portions on huge white plates and white gloves. Yikes. We scrambled out of there with the most delicious ricotta and walnut ravioli ever tasted, and chocolate ravioli and mint ice cream for dessert. We felt silly, but we'll never see these people again anyway....

Time for bed, our time here is nearly through.