Munich - To Do 15 & 16th Feb2014 (DaChau Concentration Camp & Residenz)

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15th Feb 2014

Day1
DaChau - Concentration Camp

Getting there:
From Arrabella Park Station to location takes approximately 1hr30mins, inclusive of transfers and waiting times for trains and bus. One can travel cheaper and buy the group ticket at €11.20 for up to a party of 5. Ticket will cover unlimited travel throughout for one day. All tickets maybe purchased at the concierge or at the train stations.

Remember to check the sign boards for direction of travel and arrival train. Sometimes your train maybe listed beyond the display, so be patient. Take the train to Dachau.
Click here for ABBA Directions to Dachau 

From there, there are clearly marked signs (with english) pointing you to the bus service which goes to the concentration camp. Whilst on the bus, it's another 15min ride or so. You'll hear concentration camp as the announcement for the stop. You can't miss it, plus loads of people would likely offload as well.

Click here for ABBA directions to Dachau Concentration Camp

 Dachau - Concentration Camp (Free to enter)

A chilling realization and depiction of the horrors that went on during the darker times. Most of the original structures were lost to the sands of time, with most of displays reconstructed for presentation purposes. The grounds and still existent trees are still a grim reminder of the past.

*Pictured from Left to Right (L) A memorial sculpture. (C) Tourist walking the open grounds where the barracks used to be. (R) Tourist sitting in a reproduction lodging space listening to the tour guide sharing anecdotes.*

*Pictured from left. (L) A memorial plaque. (C) A prisoner dying instantly when used for altitude experiments. (R) A sculpture in remembrance of the people leaving the camp grounds*

It was a detailed, information overload, with the countless write ups. Some of the more striking ones were the pictures depicting prisoners used in tests, often to the death. One of which was the test for military pilot suits and how long would a pilot survive in the rigid cold whilst in his flight suit. Prisoners were dumped into frigid ice-waters and were timed for their survivability.

*Pictured from left. (L) A Memorial Jewish Synagogue. (C) A child sitting out the sun. (R) Damned gates leading to the gas chambers and crematorium.*

Perhaps the most grim, disturbing and chilling of the sights was the gasing chamber pictured above. Prisoners were forced into false shower rooms and gassed. 

Over all, its well worth the visit and one can do without the audio guide. Self-guided tour might be the best option. 
ABBATip:- Audio-guide, not really needed. We had opted for the self guided audio tour guide at €3.50 each which was informative, but an information overload. The audio guide itself is purely informational dictation with little to no 'drama' by way of anecdote sound bites or sound-scapes. Not required.
- There is a guided waking tour at €3 per head, located beside the audio guide counter. However, others have found the tour itself to be too rushed, as well as only skimming a few of the exhibits. 

Day2
Residenz Muchen

Residenz Munchen Entry €7 for Adults for Residenz only. €13 for all 3 exhibits. Ticket prices pictured above.

Wikipedia *The Munich Residenz (Münchner Residenz, Munich Palace) is the former royal palace of the Bavarian monarchs in the center of the city of Munich, Germany. The Residenz is the largest city palace in Germany and is today open to visitors for its architecture and room decorations, and displays from the former royal collections.*

Incredibly beautiful. The Residenz itself was so big, that we actually got tired walking mid way through. It has an excellent mixture of architectural beauty and different types of artifacts to vary the touring experience. Each room different and unique in its own way.

 *Pictured from left to right. (L) Huge fire place. (C) The finale. (R) 100 seat dinner setting. Exquisite.*

 *Pictured from left to right. (L) Fountain feature made entirely out of corals and seas shells. (C) Amazing sculpts (R) King of the seas.

 *Pictured from left to right.*(L) Beautiful tapestry dwarfing Katrina. (C1) A re-purposed porcelain Chinese lion to be made as a candle holder for the European market. (C2) Amazing mirror room. (R) Another amazing tapestry.*

*Pictured from left to right.(L) A preserved hand. (C) Chapel in the residence. (R) The master bed room. 

An amazing walk through. Although we hadn't opted for the full package deal, this was plenty good, with a wide spread of things to look at, and be in awe. Well worth the visit, and grand place to seek refuge from the wet & cold.

Click here for ABBA location of Residenz Muchen, with Odeonsplaz being the nearest station.

Carnival Munich
16Feb2014

We were incredibly fortunate to have wondered into town on this Sunday. Munich was having a carnival to celebrate the end of winter. They do so in a parade, donning masks and painted faces, dancing to music and throwing sweets and treats to the crowds. A fantastic family friendly event.
ABBATip:
Check with the concierge for latest events and such. There are always carnivals and street festivals on going. Click here for write up of another carnival previously went to at Tollewood Park, 

Not really a To- Do, but in the theme of celebration, the these amazing street artist found in between Marienplatz and Karlszplatz

Click here fro ABBA location of Marienplatz whee to find these guy.