The Schokoladenmusem Köln

After the quick The Dom stop over, next is the  Chocolate museum. My heart beats faster just the thought of it. Don't we- children of all ages love it? Now, time to satisfy that sweet sweet tooth! A 20-min walk from the Koln Cathedral is Schokoladenmusem Köln, probably the most enjoyable museum I have ever been, tbh. That sweet homey-chocolatey smell  is calming, happy foods instantly emits happy thoughts!

How much?

For Eu 9 enjoy a day tour around around the chocolate factory. We trailed after the tour guide and for a moment- we were transported to Spain, following the history and the origins of this Food for the Gods, and that proud moment all because ahemm our machines on display and is being used to make That chocolates. Yes, to see is to believe!

Reminds me so much of my Mama, the lab shop for recipe development

So after the tour is this huge chocolate fountain, and of course, free chocolates!

Mandatory photo at Lindt Museum. Yes, this jacket conceals all the chocolate treats
 I keep. Hopefully I can manage to bring it home without finishing everything. 

Ciao Cologne

From the museum, we strolled around Koln area, enjoying the cobble stoned street on the way to the train station. I could hear my boots against this colored patterns, the view itself was enough to made me forgot that my feet hurt from all the walking I did. We made it to 5PM train to Freiburg, but there was seat available. So imagine standing for like 2.5 hours!

@Köln Hbf, so glad I have a pocketful of chocolates to get me through 

the ordeal of standing!

It was dark when we have arrived at Freiburg, a quick stopover for dinner of croissants,  pasta and to-go coffee, the hot cup helped a lot in  keeping my self warm for the arduous walk to the hotel. What a lovely day indeed Danke schöne! 

Love,

itsmelory(^.^) 

Hello Köln, Goodbye

Enough of Freiburg for today because it's about time I have some spritz and smell some Cologne (no pun intended). We went on a day tour to Köln  (spelled also as Cologne),  is the fourth largest city in Germany after Berlin, Hamburg and Munich. 

Travel to Köln

We traveled for like 2 hours via DB from Frankfurt Main. Grabbed some coffee and more coffee by midday when we arrived at Cologne station-  located on both sides of the Rhine River. From the station, we took a cab from the airport to bring us to Bergneustadt to visit our MO site which was uneventful I'd say. 

The 30 min-travel was a bit boring to me but the countryside appears really breathtaking! Mountain landscapes, trees, cold air, and quite unusual to me- there was some slight traffic on the way back to Koln due to some tree logs blocking. 

Finally, arrived back at the station feeling really nauseous, brought by the crazy-dizzy driving, typical German driving! Thanks to another cup of coffee I found my stance and head kind of normalized, and so ready for another round of exploring. 

The Dom

Listed as one of the most beautiful and grandest Gothic cathedral. I am literally speechless when I saw it. It's humongous but beautiful... from afar and up close. 

Beautiful details all over its walls..

The Nave.. 

the main alter, in here you'll find the Coronation of the Virgin image 

Appreciating the scenic windows, and how intricate the details 

The Dom is said to hold the relics of The Three Wise Men, or The Three Kings

the oldest known large Crucifix. The Crucifix of Bishop Gero around 960AD 

Shoe selfie is allowed, of course! 

Ser Schön Köln

Definitely enjoyed the quick visit to The Dom. Can't help but be amazed, and say a prayer because in my lifetime, I was given a chance to see its towering beauty!

Germany strikes me before of only cold looking people, overflowing beer, meats and sausages,  Platz and Stadts-  but The Dom- is all about Germany too! The people here may appear humorless but the people here are not all as you may think, they have a soft, sensitive side too,  very evident on how they keep their faith strong, and in how they maintain the Dom. 

Happiness,
itsmelory (^.^)

Oh Stuttgart

Another weekend, another place to visit this time to Stuttgat! Regarded as the "cradle of automobile", Stuttgart is considered as the starting point of worldwide automotive industry. Mercedez Benz and Porshce have both their headquarters in Stuttgart, as well as automotive parts giants like Bosch and Mahle. 

Before that, Stuttgart was a site for breeding cavalry horses, the Old High German name stuotengarten meaning "stud" as in, an estate for horse-breeding. 

Schlostplatz

Known as the palace square, Schlostplatz is right at the main center of Stuttgart. The largest square in Stuttgart, it stands at the crossover point between the city's shopping area, Schlossgarten Park which runs down to the Neckar River, Stuttgart's two central castles and major museums and residential areas to the south west. 

Originally, the square served as military drill and parade ground until the 19th century where it was opened to the townspeople. Up until the second half of the 19th century, this was the royal residence of the kings of Württemberg. Today, the palace contains ministries of the Baden-Württemberg state government and state reception rooms.

I'm at the Palace Square! 

The Palace Square could be a bit crowded during daytime..

Faith in Stuttgart

Christianity remains the largest religion in Germany, with an estimated 61% of the country's population. Two major faith dominates Stuttgart namely, Roman Catholic and Protestant. 

Another Catholic church in Stuttgart

The Stiftskirche church (Collegiate Church) is an inner-city church in Stuttgart, 

the capital of Baden-Württemberg

Evangelist church within Stuttgart

The main park and shopping center is a great place to hang out, you'll find many choices 

of al fresco coffee shops and relax while observing the beautiful Stuttgart 

after a good retail therapy!

Love, 

itsmelory (^.^)

Blühendes Baroque

The last 3 days had been remarkable. My daily routine includes waking up by 530, breakfast by 6AM so I have enough time to gobble German bread, hot coffee, cold cuts and cheese.By 7,  a morning walk to the office which I do not enjoy much because of  f*word cold.

Lunch also doesn't look much like lunch- sandwich, coffee, and more of cold cuts. Oh how I crave for some rice! Anyway, on my 3rd day, we planned to go Ludwigsburg for another sight-seeing. This time to Blühendes Baroque.  

Instantly, baroque registers to my mind as something ancient, old fashioned, and somewhat relating to old style Europe. So it's not surprising to know that Ludwigsburg  is old  meets modern kind of place because it is home to 3 palaces. One of this is Royal Palace of Ludwisgsburg surrounded by  Bluhendes Baroque. The name translates as  baroque in bloom. 

The magnificent garden of over 30ha and for Eu 8, you could explore the entire garden! I think the theme varies with the season. A quick stopover was worth it! 

A long, long road away from home..

Love,

itsmelory (^.^)

Stadt Ludwigsburg

It was half past 3 when I met Craig & Bryan.  Tbh, my legs ached from all the walking in boots- but for the love of Europe, and I did not travel for like 1 day to just be sitting in my hotel room. So since work officially starts tomorrow, let's be like tourist for today. Now that enough makes my blood running. First stop -Stadt Ludwigsburg.
 

How to get there?

From Freiburg am Neckar Station, we took the DB S2 to Ludwigsburg passing only 2 stations for Eu 5. 

Vendo ticket machine so no trouble getting some ticket.

 Interesting to know there are no guards for bags and ticket inspections, but beware, 

guards make random inspections and when caught, 

you will be required to pay more than double. 

Ludwigsburg

Ludwigsburg is a city North of Stuttgart. The largest and one of the most prosperous economic center in the state and according to history, was also a favorite hunting place of the royal Wuttemburg family. The city was named after Erberhard Lois-Duke of Wuttemburg. Ludwigsburg being the German name for Lois. During his reign, Ludwigsburg was the Royal residence of the family but when his cousin Alexander ascended to the throne, he moved the capital back to Stuttgart.

Strolling around, can't help but notice that Ludwisburg is a quiet, sleepy city. I also found out that Charles Pfizer-chemist and founder of Pfizer group was born in this city. Most stores are closed because its the weekend! My what a difference! Back in Manila, people flock to malls, restaurants and especially during weekend to hang out.

WOK on Fire

Spending almost 2 days in the plane made me miss home food, so Chinese food is a welcome surprise. Bryan took us to some Wok- right in the middle of Ludwigsburg for an early dinner!

Base: Rice noddles - 3.90

Shrimp - 2.20

Pepper - .0.90

Champignons - 0.90

Cabbage -0.90

Choose you own sauce - I had seafood lover.

Softdrinks - 3.50

Total bill: Euro 12.30

Here goes! My bill was like Php600+, back in Manila I would get a decent meal for that amount, but yeah, Europe is pricey.

Cafe Trölsch

After some hot noodles, I have never been glad to be inside some cafeteria, the sweet delicious smell of freshly baked bread, hot coffee feels very comforting.

Bought some butter pretzels  for night caps and made our way back to Hotel Schober. 

Ah, Europe has just begun, but my body clock is telling me otherwise. 
Time to bade goodnight!

Happiness,

itsmelory (^.^) 

Hotel Schober

After the walking and luggage dragging that seemed like forever, we have finally reached Hotel Schober located in Bahnofstahe 63-65, 71691 Freiberg. Everything's well except that I can't even open the door to my room after checking in, and when I tried asking for help- I can't even find the receptionist  on the ground floor. Yes, they just leave the hotel door open just like that, yes Europe.

I managed to open after countless times of trying and boy was I glad to be here inside the room, cozy and warm. A decent tiny bed, mini ref, TV which I found out only has CNN and BBC, the rest are in German! But far more important than anything- an internet connection. Ok, I will live with that. 

There are some distinct difference the way Asian and European receive their guests, but well..I really can't complain about it. So no welcome drink whatsoever, but glad that the receptionist was quite nice , she even let me borrow her charger adapter. Yes, I did not bring one. The hotel itself was quiet and tidy, perhaps we are the only guests here because Freiberg is not really a tourist destination!  The small cold looking bed with weird triangular pillow looks inviting but I shake the thought of it because first day calls for some sight seeing, yeah?

Welcome to your home away from home, this tiny entrance of Hotel Schober

In full autumn blooms!

Oh hello there little room...

Should I put the bed together ?? Maybe I should.

Shaking cold this time,

itsmelory (^.^)