Hellebrun Zoo

If you know my blogs even a little bit, you know I LOVE photographing animals. Munich's Hellebrun Zoo gave me another opportunity to enjoy both watching and photographing some very (cute, ferocious, interesting) specimens. For the most part I will just post some of my favorite pics and keep the commentary to a minimum.

I will start by saying that this is a beautiful zoo. It sits along the Isar river by a large park and beach area. Streams run throughout and there is abundant shade. The exhibits are large and open. There is even good food and lots of choices. The primate collection is extensive and scattered throughout the zoo. There is a small aquarium, and a children's section that is one of the best I have seen. So here we go.

It is always fun to have your photo taken with the locals.

And engage in a bit of monkey business.

From the depths of the sea...

... to the wilds of Africa and Asia.

The stars of the zoo this year are the twin baby polar bears born in December. They are cute, playful and very popular.

One way to enter the children's area is over a bridge that can make you screech.

There was more to see but we got stuck in a traffic jam at the pelican pond...

... and decided to head home for the day. We will return!

Fussball & the Fourth of July

It would be difficult to live in Germany and not get into watching soccer. And it would be sacrilegious not to watch at least a few games at the local biergarten. So with our "cultural training" partner Georg we headed to the Seehaus Biergarten in English Gardens for the Germany v. Ghana match. It seems everyone is into soccer - even the local seafood was sporting a German flag.

We arrived at the Seehaus and joined a table of young people who were very friendly and could hold a lot of beer. I had one beer, Ken about one and a half and Georg Two. I think the table went through a keg! One of our new friends was Morris who was sporting a very patriotic stash.

It was a very happy crowd especially when Germany won, but in true camaraderie we all clapped when Ghana scored in tribute to our waiter from Ghana.

Our second attempt to watch at a biergarten ended five minutes into the game with a downpour so heavy that it took two days for our clothes to dry completely. We were rooting for the US and pleased with their successes. But after they were out we were rooting for our new homeland - and they won it all!

In the midst of all the World Cup madness it was time to celebrate the Fourth of July. Since Georg spent a year in Michigan during high school, we invited him to celebrate once more. Deviled eggs, burgers, baked beans and slaw along with a red, white and blue tart were on the menu. It was a beautiful night on the terrace. We even had fireworks thanks to cousin Tom Host who sent a video clip from home.

Amsterdam - Canal Ride

Our last morning in Amsterdam was set aside for a boat ride through the canals of the city. It is quite a different perspective looking up from the water.

We started out and soon passed restaurants, and museums and a beautiful replica of an old sailing ship.

As we left the harbor and entered the canals we passed an old watchtower and went through the first of several locks. Most of the time they simply remain open. These days they are used to flush fresh water through the canal system and help control the water levels after heavy rains.

There ware a variety of bridges and some beautiful hotels along the way. 

We also passed the Heineken Brewery.

The ride was leisurely and picturesque. The houseboats along the canals were of all types and sizes. We were told there are about 2500 houseboats permanently anchored throughout the city.

An interesting thing about living in Amsterdam's tall narrow houses is the method of moving in furniture. Because the houses are so narrow the goods are moved in through the windows. In the photo below you can see the large beam and hook at the top of the home. Household furniture and goods are hoisted up using ropes and cables and these hooks. If you look close, you can also see that many of the homes have about a one foot tilt forward at the top. This has helped to cut down glass breakage on lower floors as the good are raised.

We finished our canal tour and before heading to the station we headed for one last souvenir...

...Gouda cheese!