Intriguing architecture on the way to our hotel—- over an hour by water bus.

Bridges everywhere connecting the many small islands

Tourists everywhere. Out numbering the locals—60% are Americans!

Captureing gold on canvas

An overcast afternoon as we approach the island but the seagulls don’t mind. They are greeting us from the top of every pylon. The rule is one to a pylon it seems—- and since everything in Venice can be had for a fee, we think the best pylons lease for 15 euros. LOL

Wow. What a canal!

Thursday must be wash day.

The sun is breaking thru now. \240Every painter’s dream.

Decorative architecture

Virginia and the waiter celebrating dinner on the way. It is a local catch—-sea bass. See it in the following entry.

Two British artists set up next to where I was waiting for Mitch to cart our luggage to the hotel. \240They work on oils and sell in their Sheffield gallery back home.

Then the sun broke thru turning the sea golden

Pasta with seafood

Sea bass swimming in tomato and olive sauce for Virginia.

Perfect ending—and it was delicious.

Mussels—-Mitch’s choice.

Moorish influence recalls when Venice merchants ruled the trade in Istanbul.

The guide shows the projected plan to save Venice from flooding during high tides. Still years away from completion.

A quiet piece of green recalls when Venice had fields and gardens...now covered with concrete.

Amazing spiral staircase. But a long climb if you live on the top floor!

Maybe the ancients were a little shorter.

Gondolas everywhere.

In WWII the American soldiers found the bidets a useful foot wash. For me a great way to cool my burning feet after a long day of walking.

Masks for Carnival

What do \240off duty gondoliers do? Text, of course!

Snow drifts? \240No, boat covers on the Grand Canal.

A candle and a prayer for peace.

Irish friends and that’s no blarney!

Crowds in the lovely St Marks Plaza in front of the Palace of the Doge.

Hmmmmmmm...I wonder what he finds so fascinating!

Misty morning prelude to a sunny and hot day

Visitors from around the world.

The Rialto bridge

Our gondola ride.

Waiting for the bride to arrive by gondola, the flower girl gets comforted.

It’s a tradition....Mitch gets to test his courage in the lions mouth.

Narrow alleyway where the real Venetians live....and escape the crowds.

Astrological clock.

Yes you can even have a professional photo made of your family feeding the pigeons.

Venice is a city divided by canals and connected by over 400 bridges.

At rest

Our gondolier

Beer for breakfast?

Another \240prickly surprise for a burglar!

Neptune: So, Mars you think you’re so great. But you can’t save Venice from my waves and floods. LOL!

Another bell tower seen from the balcony. There they are again😊

St Marks. The body of St Mark was also stolen from Istanbul and hidden in a basket as it was smuggled out of the city. Now it lies in the basilica.

The inner courtyard of the Palace with the staircase of the giants: Mercury and Neptune.

His last look at Venice was through the window of the \240Bridge of Sighs as the prisoner was taken to the dungeon

Grand Canal

The famous horses of St Marks stolen from Istanbul are now thought to be from the Hypodrome in Istanbul and may \240be Greek in origin dating to the second century BC. Hmmm, stolen from the Greeks by the Turks then stolen by Venice.

Teddy bear balogna.

Yeah, you tell’um Neptune! Hey who’s \240that dude with the red hat and UW shirt.?

On the Grand Canal.

Athena, goddess of War.

View of Venice thru a window of the Palace.

Bell tower from the balcony of St Mark’s. Oh yes, a couple of familiar faces too.

A true Italian lunch served on our bed.

The Grand Canal at sunset.

The Bridge of Sighs led to the dungeons.

The Rialto Bridge.

Grand Canal and moonlight

Mismatched marble columns on the facade of St Marks. They were stolen from Istanbul (Constantinople) when Venice conquered it in 1202.

Awesome mosaics cover the floor and walls of St Marks.

Ha ha! Just a misplaced Badger wandering around Venice...getting lost most of the time!!!

Goddess of Modesty? In the foyer to the Great Hall in the Palace.

Shopping for lunch

\240Choosing bread and olives

Crime deterrant window

Dried tomatoes in oil

“Oh my aching feet😩😩😩😩😩!”

Grand Canal.

Glass mosaics. “Hey Georgie, we’ve been hanging here for a millineum. Let split and get some pizza.” \240“ My thought exactly Dominic.”

Looking toward the main altar.

The Rialto Bridge.

Enjoying lunch on the Grand Canal.

Grand Canal by daylight.

Scenic Grand Canal.

Church of St Maria de Salute. We arrived just in time for the doors to be slammed in our faces. No pleading softened the heat of the custodian so we will never know the inside.

Public wells offer tourists a place for a cold refill.

Colorful shops and houses on the island of Burbano

Mailing our postcards.

Canal restaurant

Yes the bell tower is leaning, like most tower in Venice it is on unstable foundations.

Darn! More tourists on the Murano Bridge!

On the Rialto bridge.

Fish display at a restaurant.

Glass goat in one of the many glass shops.

Fine glass sculpture on the island known for its glass

Some houses and shops have become uninhabitable due to sea rise and flooding.

Lighthouse marking the Murano port.

View from the Rialto bridge.

Lovers padlocks. They throw away the key.

The flag of Venice. The are Venetians first—- for over 1000 years before they were made to join Italy in 1866.

Waiting for his laundery to dry?

Main Street/Canal in Murano.

Gorgeous jewelry.

Villa garden in our overnight lodging.

A lovely dinner at a local reservation revived us.

Air balloon to Dubrovnik

Oh Vey! \240Look at all that booty.

Alls well that ends well. End of September 17

Booty \240Waiting for the sea serpent.

Dark alley September 27 3AM

Overlooking Cavtat near Dubrovnik.

Poster showing the destruction of the town during the war with Serbia in the 90’s.

Old City harbor

Fruit market in the Square.

Narrow streets yes, but this was the Main Street.

Icy cold water from the nearby mountains.

Maybe even some Buddhist monks?

King of Thrones was filmed here.

The oldest pharmacy in Europe is still in operation since the mid 1300’s.

“So you want to look like Lord Snow? How about I cut your throat!”

Public water fountain

Want to rent a boat to cruise the harbor?

The official measuring stone of Dubrovnik.

Astronomical clock on the main tower.

The Spanish steps where people from around the world gather.

The main cathedral. It is built on top of an 8th century church and on top of the 1600’s church destroyed by an earthquake. I

Backpack meets ancient stonework.

The main cathedral. It is built on top of an 8th century church and on top of the 1600’s church destroyed by an earthquake.

The measure was the length from the king’s elbow to his index finger.

Inside a church grotto.

Plenty of sun to tan (Does that look like Mitch and Virginia?)

This marriage really started on the rocks. Just outside of Dubrovnik.

Next course is octopus followed with calamari. This is a seafood country.

Lunch appetizer with olives, cheese, and prosciutto.

Dining area where we have breakfast and dinner.

More grspyards. It is harvest time.

Gorgeous scenery

A quiet hamlet

Mussels and oyster beds

Our first look at the town of Lumbarda where our villa is located

Convenient kitchen.

Stone is grape country. The grapes are used in wine

Our private patio

Wonderful accommodations. A big king sized bed.

Master chef fires up the grill every night to cook fish, chicken and here, zucchini.

Ditto

End of a lovely day on September 18th. View from our villa.

Fortification at the town of Stone.

Stone fortifications

The town of Stone had to fortify themselves from the Turks arriving from the east and from invading Venetians from the west.

Narrow streets branch off to each side of the one Main Street like the bones of s fish.

The plot of the sword dance: the black night has stolen the bride of the red knight.

Steve Hill painting. A couple houses down two elderly ladies kept up a running commentary about us on their cell phones and various neighbors dropped by to view and critique Steve’s progress

Korcula church

Our villa is at the top of the hill.

A great place for Mitch to enjoy the waterfront.....

Old walled Korcula was circular.

....and for us to go wadding on the stony beach. Wear water shoes for the stones and the spiny sea urchins.

The red knight challenges black knight.

Balconies connect buildings owned by the same guild.

Ancient cistern was once the main water source.

Scene from the Marco Polo museum. Marco bids farewell to Korcula and leave on his joiuney.

Our painting group.

We take over a cross street to watch our teacher demonstrate a pastel painting.

The sword dance performance was preceded by Women’s choral group singing traditions folk tunes.

....and for us to go wadding on the stony beach. Wear water shoes for the stones and the spiny sea urchins. E

Sheboygan, Wisconsin. It’s a small world.

Lookout over the city where we met a group of bicyclists from.........,

Second day painting on the nearby island of Vrnik. Is has an ancient stone quarry that produced stone for Venice and also for our White House.

Both armies prepare for battle. The following frames are video clips. You can click in the arrows.

His finished pastel painting. Mitch served as the human model.

More knights join the dance

Almost a full moon for the Equinox.

The black knight accepts the challenge and begins the first of the seven dancers.

The second dance

The Moreska Sword Dance is done in an ancient arena part of which is the city walls.

The red knight joins the challenge dance.

The armies begin combat in the third dance. Each subsequent dance is faster and more violent. The lights in the ancient arena were dimmed do that we could see the sparkes flying from the live iron swords. Those dances were to dark for me to film. In the final dance the black knight surrendered the bride.

A folk song by a women’s choir

St Maria’s church bells.

Calamari for dinner—squid.

Dry weeds

Local boys trying their luck.

Our beautiful daughter Caitlin in Bayfield.

My dinner plate. Sea bass is delicious but full of bones.

A sky to paint later

For a while smoke totally obscured the land.

Taking a dip before dinner.

A tourist being a tourist.

The grapes were being harvested at our villa. They are wine grapes.

REALLY???????

Ripe olives line the sidewalk

Homemade jams and jellies in an organic produce shop. \240I chose fig and bitter orange jams.

Octopus caught by a local fisherman.

Who wants the last piece?

Success........

The wind kicking up waves and spray.

Boiling clouds

The ferry we took over to Korcula heads toward Orebic where the fire started.

The local products are grapes, olives and fish. Detail from a centuries old carving.

The stone is hanging from a string above the sign.

Our villa has a grape press

Mitch smoking a Croatian cevapci—sausage.

Sea bass, a harvest from the Adriatic.

Dried flowers

The mouth of the octopus.

Sunny cat look alike.

.....comes in all sizes. This fish is about 12 inches long but only a half inch wide. But the boys are very happy with it.

The storm wasn’t the only excitement. A forest fire broke out on the mainland across from our island. People were evacuated.

The same harbor under sunny skies

A fire fighting plane tried to assist but the wind was too strong. Since there are no roads up the mountain the fire will have to burn itself out. We am see the fire at night on the mountain in several places.

And as Monty Python said....Now for something completely different........

Many villas have grape arbors

The ferry we took over to Korculs heads toward Orebic where the fire started F

Handmade filigree jewelry

A vineyard down the road

Gorgeous flowers everywhere.

Steve Hill’s demo painting.

A town where we got a lesson in painting boats.

Interesting cemetery markers.

Herbal vinegar steeping in the sun of a rooftop garden.

Virginia’s interpretation of the scenic corner

Marina at Lumbarda.

Money laundering. Mitch sent his pants to the washer with his wallet in his pocket.

Virginia’s painting

Virginia’s boat

Cemetery marker.

Drying tomatoes in the sun.

Adventures of Marco Polo.

Blood moon is red from the smoke of the fires.

16th century carving on the guild hall of the ship builders.

Mo, the friendly cat gives his critique as he watched us paint.

Mitch’s painting.

Two boats and the town backdrop painting by Mitch.

Beautiful stone carving resembling waves on an old warehouse doorway.

Scenic corner.

Sauerkraut anyone?

Smoked pork ribs unrefrigerated in a meat market.

Two mile tunnel.

Nearly run over by a bevy of Roman munchkins.

The Palace at night was magical and fewer crowds.

Pomegranates, tomato’s, beets, and parsnips make a colorful still life.

Really?????!!!!

Rocky terrain and few signs of habitation.

Roman columns in a cafe courtyard.

The fort at Trogir.

A small chapel in a tiny alley.

View from the top. Looking out over the city of Trogir.

Ever taller mountains.

.......surrounded by Pagan Roman motifs near the ceiling. Maybe Diocletian gets the last laugh?

Diocletian was the biggest persecutors of Christians. In a twist of divine justice, his mausoleum was turned into a church.

Jagged peaks.

Roman guards in the esplanade before Diocletian’s mausoleum and his private living quarters.

We arrived st our lodging at noon. It was a climate shock to step out of the car and feel the cold crisp mountain air—-so different from the heat and humidity of the coast.

House Izvar.

Mitch hamming it up with Simon, the hotel proprietor. He will carry the Croatian flag in a friend’s wedding—a tradition.

Time out for a gelato.

At last, trees and fields. Western European architecture.

In case you forgot where we were. .

The old Roman wall and gate.

Central altar in the main church........

We arrived st our lodging at noon. It was a climate shock to step out of the car and feel the cold crisp mountain air—-so different from the heat and humidity of the coast. H

Gorgeous pomegranates in the green market.

View of the town.

Einstein has the last word!!!!!

Knock knock, who’s there?

Our host welcomed us with coffee and a kitchen warmed by his woodburning cook stove. After lunch we headed to the Plivice Lakes National Park.

Inside the fort.

Roman columns in a face off with Medieval architecture.

Sorry to leave Split but NOT sorry to leave the centuries old paving stones polished into slippery “glass” by billions of feet.

On the morning of September 30 we headed inland and to a very different landscape. The coast along the Agean was rocky and mountainous. We climbed up and over the mountains in a terrain that at times reminded us of southwestern USA—parched and long stretches without signs of habitation except for occasional sheep or goats.

Finally we were on a high plateau that was green and alpine looking with fields, cattle and little villages. Gone was the Mediterranean style architecture and instead were flat tiled roofs and chalet style architecture.

Always an opportunity for lunch on the run.

And an unforgettable day.

Yes the lakes are that turquoise.

In the parks miles of walking trails and boats lead to seven lakes and amazing waterfalls.

Picture perfect.

Notice the boardwalk in the background. That’s where we went next.

Waterfalls upon waterfalls.

A view from the heights.

Roman pillars hold up \240the grocery store infrastructure located in the Palace cellar.

Mitch called this a \240“butt” melon.

Hmmmmmmmm.......I think we just got turned around again. \240

Self assassination. \240How can you shoot yourself with an arrow?

We arrived at their beautiful house built in 1856 and lovingly restored by Peter.

A lovely house in rural Bayreuth.

We exchanged gifts including a pastel painting Virginia made of their home.

Mitch gets schnapps and Virginia a Bavarian style shawl.

......and then poses for s photo b

Annika snd Ruth Fürstenau.

Virginia, Peter snd Christel at a haunted fortress.

Mitch snd Julianne’ husband Martin Linhardt make a toast.

The whole Furstenau \240gang with Mitch and Virginia at a local restaurant.

Typical Bavarian dinner.

Holger and Virginia share family photos.

Virginia snd Mitch go Bavarian.

Holger with his wife Ruth snd baby Annika.

Lydia and daughter Heidi.

Lorenz Linhardt.

Christian and Michael Merkel, Frederik Linhardt, Marie Merkel, Cosima Linhardt, and Heidi Merkel all cousins.

Peter and Christel.

Michael Merkel with an Irishfest T-shirt.

The whole family takes a hike to an old church in the countryside.....

Discussing family Genealogy.

Lydia and her husband Stefan Merkel.

Breakfast prepared by Christel is always elegantly served.

Goodbye to Bayreuth and onward to Auma Germany birthplace of my great great grandparents Karl and Julianna Hirsch.

A Russian inspired soup from the time Auma was part of East Germany under Soviet control.

The minister—on the right—and the brass band provided the music for the service. Only about two dozen parishioners attended—all very elderly. The minister serves several churches in the area on a rotating basis—three each Sunday. He welcomed us as guests. We could only understand the Apostles Creed and the Lord’s Prayer and a few words here and there. The congression were warm and greeted us with handshakes and blessings.

Auma’s Main Street.

Old graves in the cemetery.

Part of the old town wall of Auma.

Evening view of our Triptis inn.

......and the church were decorated with the fruits of the harvest including homemade jelly and fruit juice. Afterward a lady gave us grapes from her garden.

It made me tear up to attend Sunday service in the same church where my ancestors were baptized, married, and their records are kept.

Here Steinhoff and Mitch celebrate with a local beer.

The ancient roots of the town are a Slavic tribe called the Wends. The Germans arrived in 1331. For generations they lived as separate cultures and communities, the Germans inside the city walls and the Wends on the outside. Today most of the wall is gone and only marked on the streets in different colored paving bricks.

The evangelical Lutheran church of Auma.

Meeting our guides in the town square of Auma beside the 1772 “triptik”..

Zur Goldenen Aue was the hotel in Triptis where we stayed.

Weinerschnitzel. A true Getmsn dish.

The baptismal font......

Church seen from the Square.

Napoleon marched down this street in 1806 after conquering the Duchy of SaxeWeimar Eisenach. Then he slept in a inn on the town square.

Auma coat of arms. Yes that is a red squirrel on the tree.

Beautiful view of Auma from the park with Virginia, Herr and Frau Steinhoff, Frau Widowit and Mitch.

The “triptik” tells the distance from Auma to \240various German towns. The measurement is in “stunde” hours. In other words the hours it would take on horseback to travel to that city. The monument was erected by the Duke of Saxe Weimar who was also the King of Poland at that time. His coats of arms are on the monument.

Belvedere Palace.

The hedge garden.

Russian garden at Belvedere.

A street cafe is a common sight.

The Duchy Of Saxe-Weimar Eisenach in town Palace.

Mitch performing “Mein Hut es hat kein Eche” on the garden stage.

Yes the wurst really was that long!!!

Grand piano in the Franz Liszt house.

Belvedere Summer Palace on the outskirts of Weimar.

Schiller snd Goethe in front of the Weimar theatre.

Goethe’s garden house.

Shakespeare in the Weimar park.

Martin Luther preached in Weimar.

Weimar produce market.

Sheep “mow” the lawn in Weimar Park.

A pleasant scene in Weimar Park.

The Arms of the Duke Of Saxe-Weimar Eisenach.

Their depiction of an 18th century peasant girl in porcelain.

.......still with a view through the valley to see Weimar in the distance. She was obviously keeping an eye on things even on vacation.

Painting on this porcelain beer mug reminded me of what agriculture must have been like for my ancestors. Were they always happy farmers or only after their beer? The Dukes of S-W promoted the production of porcelain.

The Goethe oak. Almost all of the trees in the Buchen forest were cut down to create the concentration camp. But this ancient oak was left standing. The prisoners called it the Goethe oak and said it was where Goethe courted his lover and noble patron. It survived until shattered by a US air raid towards the end of the war. The stones are added by visitors as a token of remembrance.

My image for Buchenwald: a half dead tree surrounded by concrete struggling to breathe and survive—located at the visitor center.

Garden at the palace.

The Duchess’s country retreat......

How is it that German parks always look like a Durer engraving? \240This park is at \240Belvedere palace.

Eisenach castle from a 18th century painting.

The castle suffered from great neglect and in the 19th century was restored and reimagined in a Gothic Revival style. Murals on the walls center around the life of St Elizabeth who was married to the duke. She disobeyed her husband and spent her time and money helping the poor. When he caught her with bread for the poor she lied and said it was roses under her cape. \240A miracle turned the bread to roses.

Legend says that in the 11th century the first Duke of Eisenach found the hill when he was hunting. He immediately wanted to build a castle it. The problem was that the land belonged to another noble who did not want to give it up. So Eisenach imported some soil from his own land and built the castle anyway.

View of the valley below.

Set on a high hill of solid rock it dominates the surrounding hills and valleys.

Capital from the 12th century. “Hey, if you guys can’t see eye to eye, stop fighting and help me with the monster eating my cap!”

The castle was not built for defense but to dominate and inspire awe.

Many fairytale elements.

A model of the castle.

Germany had a goal to become totally green energy in the next 20 or do years. This is a common sight as are large banks of solar panels along the roads and on the roof tops of even rural homes.

Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral from the 1600,s. The town is 95% Evangelical Lutheran.

Germany does not allow commercial billboards along the highway. Instead it promotes the attractions in the town you are. approaching.

Join u

And apricot tort.

For men and women.

View on the way up.

Delicious looking apple cake n

Magnificent view from the top. We forgot to count the stairs but it must have been over 200.

Mitch chose a pork entree. At the restaurant at our hotel.

One of the five tower clocks. At nigh the eyes in the skull in the low clock light up every 60 seconds.

Loving some of the beautiful northeast German fashions

An astrological sundial that also told the day and month.

One of the main squares holds the Rathaus—City Hall 1387 tower. We took a tour and yes we climbed the ancient stairs all the way to the top!!

Smile. Yes the Germans also say “cheese”.

The” Sun” organ from the 1700’s and recently restored.

Some one is watching us....no just the “eye” window in the roof!

Our cheerful waiter Thomas.

Mitch and German “Irish” musician Ulle play a duet on the bridge to Poland.

So do we!

An overhead causeway is provided for agricultural access and to help wildlife movements without crossing the dangerous highway.

Founder of Zdunska Wola.

Well at least the menu looks familiar.

Miitch chooses strawberry cheesecake and I took a brownie. The McCafe offered delicious bakery.

The Zdunska Wola History Museum

Almost there!!!!

Suddenly a familiar sign.

Fields and more fields.

The price of diesel per liter in Polish zlotych.

On the road to Poland.

Flat countryside must have seemed strange to my ancestors who immigrated from the rolling hills of Saxe-Weimar.

Complex patterns in the Theory Book

The Theory Book had to be mastered in order to become a master weaver.

A page from the Theory Book illustrates weaving techniques \240

Examples of some of the finest weaving produced in Zdunska Wola.

Card for matching textile dyes.

The kitchen cook stove. Note the oven on the side and the door to add wood for the fire.

. Side view and garden of a weavers house now a museum.

Kitchen table and dining area.

Another weavers house now a restaurant.

In the museum collection, decorated panel from the weavers guild document chest.

Bedroom in the weavers home.

A weavers home converted to a law office. These former homes may date to the mid 1800’s

A typical weavers house in Rosemysl, a German colony within the city of Zdunska Wola. This one in bad condition on the outside but still in use as a residence.

Spinningwheels and yarn winders.

Mitch and Pastor Jordan compare bellies.....

Pastor Jordan presents Virginia with a Lexicon of Poland.

Victor and Mitch enjoy lunch.

........which leads to the belly bump.

An Angermann grave in the Zdunska Wola cemetery.

Lukas, Victor, Christine, Pastor Jordan, Aunt Theresa, Virginia and Mitch.

Christine, Virginia, Victor and Aunt Theresa study family trees.

Mural of Zdunska Wola depicting the city about 1900.

Apple kuchen.

Pastor Jordan delivers the Sunday sermon.

Virginia, Aunt Theresa and Victor.

Poppyseed delight.

Lukas, Christine, Virginia and Pastor Jordan

Pastor Boerner signed many of the birth, marriage and death certificates of my ancestors. He was well respected in the community and his wife founded a hospital for physical rehabilitation which is still in use today.

Evangelical Lutheran church of Zdunska Wola

Commemorating the 150th anniversary of the church.

Looking toward the organ

After the service in front of the church doors.

We spent our nights at a resort in nearby Lask because we did not like the hotels in Zdunska Wola. But if we go back we could spend three nights in Hades, the city’s newest hotel. You wanna bet????

Sacred grape beer????

The Black Madonna revealed.

Last view as we depart Częstochowa.

Every little village had its shrine freshly decorated to celebrate the anniversary of the end of Russian rule over Poland.

The cathedral next to the Madonna chapel.

Church at Częstochowa

That night we went to a small shop in search of a bag of ice. Found no ice but some very amusing beer labels on local Krakow beers. Want to try it??

!?!?!?!?!

Trusting little lamb looks up at a saint.

Leaving behind the flat land of central Poland for the hills approaching Krakow.

Commemorative plaque—a forest filled with candles.

A “forgotten “shrine on our unexpected detour.

Mitch lit a candle and left a prayer.

Shield on the church wall.

This restaurant is decorated with real vegetables and preserves.

Write your own caption here.

Tai rolled ice cream, Oreo mango.

Mitch and Roma discuss quantum theory and astrophysics with Polish Noble prize winners.

The university church.

The rustic restaurant is in the cellar and is popular with students.

This historic building dominates the square and was once the center of textile trade.

The cat was out when we arrived!!

Three moonstruck girls in a painting in a small art museum.

The oldest synagogue in the Krakow Jewish getto.

Timeout for a lunch break at Grandma Kuchnia’s.

Andrea and Mitch ham it up!!

Mitch tried his hand st blacksmithing in the history museum.

Some funny signs show Polish sense of humor: the Poles call nuns “penguins”

It’s Mitch’s birthday and we sang to him in English and Polish.

They look like they enjoyed Grandma’s cooking.

The university church.

Krakow square carriages.

The court jester—the Jimmy Fallon of his day, a detail from a painting.The jester was allowed to poke fun at the king.

Former Jewish getto.

Famous St Mary’s basilica was under renovation do we didn’t see its amazing wood carvings.

Town hall in Krakow square.

Dragons figure prominently in Polish legends. This one has been enchanted into a waterspout.

Another lunch and Mitch has a knack for finding pretty waitresses.

A visit to the university where both Roma and Copernicus studied—-but in different centuries.

Unique wooden staircase in the antique professors dining room.

Historic astronomical instruments at the university museum.

Former Jewish getto.

Krakow Warva—the historic fortress on the hill.

The four adventurers. \240

Good King Wenceslas points the way.

The cathedral room is the largest and filled with religious carvings.

Legend says that the mine was part of the dowery of Queen Hedwig of Hungary when she married the Polish prince.

Mitch helps turn the machine that lifts the salt.

The flight into Egypt in the cathedral room.

Even the chandeliers are made of salt.

Even the Krakow dragon made an appearance.

An ancient miner with his lantern of salt waves goodbye.

We began by walking down 380 wooden steps nonstop. Oh my aching knees!!!

It is seven levels deep and includes thousands of kilometers of shafts.

Entrance to salt mines.

Two wouldbe gallants from France join our table.

As always Mitch mugs for the camera.

Polish cuisine includes chicken aspic, piroggi, and a sweet buttery cookie.

Polish folk dancing.

Greeted by folk musicians at the restaurant.

Roma and Andrea enjoythe cherry vodka welcome drink. (We all did!).

The inner courtyard garden and tower.

The dolphin fountain in the town square.

Interesting symbols here: the Madonna stands on a crescent moon that is crushing a dragon with an apple in its mouth. Hmmmmmmm!

Garden view from the tower. Yes we climbed the narrow winding stairs to the top.

Lovely interior.

Olomouc cathedral.

The painted columns were a refreshing change after seeing so many churches with marble interiors. So very cheerful.

Inside the archdiocese museum a most wonderful gilded carriage for the archbishop. (Did he feel like Cinderella?)

Time for a good traditional Czech dinner with garlic dumplings and \240braised beef and a Pilsner for Mitch.

Morgue in the Jewish Quarter

Astronomical clock.

In a city of fountains this pigeon takes a bath.

Zodiac clock

Puppets are a popular souvenir from Prague.

The dancing building inspired by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

Swans thought this wedding photo op was a sleeper.

On the river banks.

Hills and German village.

The last of Czech Republic on an overcast day.

Interior decoration.

Nymphenburg Palace is s huge complex of buildings and gardens.

Amalienburg is a “rustic “ hunting lodge with a mirrored ballroom.

Idyllic villages.

And farms.

Thank goodness for our car’s GPS.

On the road again—leaving Prague for Munich.

Sleigh lead by a mermaid figure with globe torches.

Acres of formal gardens.

Huh!!!!!! Coming into Munich. Translation please.

Could not ask for a more perfect day.

Our first glimpse of the Bavarian Alps.

Alpine chalets.

Mercedes Benz tower.

Our first day in Munich (October 24) we took the luxury of sleeping in. It was cold misty and bet windy. Since we had to give up our parking spot anyway we drove to Nymphenburg Palace and spent the whole afternoon there including a great mid afternoon lunch in the Palmgarten restaurant. Our only disappointment was that the Amalienburg hunting lodge was closed for renovations.

Gently rolling countryside.

A coronation coach covered in real gold leaf.

Potato cakes with apple sauce and fruit.

Lion details on a carriage.

On October 25 we took a bus tour that to mad King Ludwig’s castles Lindenhof, Hohenschwangau and the fairytale castle Neu Schwanstein.

A beauty from the king’s wall of beautiful women. This lady was a shoemakers daughter who was a seamstress in the palace.

Into the Misty Mountains—just like Froto.

Wow!!!!

Beautiful table \240

“If that stupid cock crows I’m going to drop this pillar”. One of the amusing statues in the church.

The real thing!

One of the lovely fountains in downtown Munich.

Mitch ended the day with toast to Munich and our trip.

View from the top of the clock tower. Yes there is an elevator. That is theFtsuen Kircke below.

Another view.

Inside the Hofbrau Haus.

St Michael’s church. A church with very interesting marble statues about 25 feet above the floor that seem to have no relevance to religion.

“I don’t think this ladder is going to reach the ground.”

The beautiful and amazing city hall.

City hall clock tower.

Farms snd mountains.

Narrow lanes \240show a street pattern from the Middle Ages.

Typical Austrian dress for parties and special occasions like weddings.

Church steeple and Austrian Alps.

Salzburg fortress above the city.

Just enough time to mail the postcards we bought at Mozart’s birth place.

The palace and gardens in Salzburg.

Pigeon-eye view of Salzburg along the Salzriver.

Austrian villages have their own look.

And for children.

A scenic town passage way.

Home of Red Bull beverage

Boarding the boat at Salzkammergut on Lake Wolfgang for a ride to St Wolfgangsee.

More typical Austrian trachten (folk heritge garb)

Lovely scenery.

On the road again into the Austrian lake county

Someone’s lake getaway.

St Wolfgang’s church founded in 976. He threw an axe and built the church where it landed.

Folk inspired clothing for every day wear.

Zum weissen Rossl am Wolfgangsee. The hotel from the opera of that name.

Lake home.

A martini party for geese? \240

A detail of the embroidered wallpaper.

17th century grotto inspired by Roman fountains.

A Neoclassical imperial bedchamber. The wall paper is hand embroidered.

The Imperial Coat Of Arms of the same family who ruled Bavaria for eight centuries until 1918.

Earliest ancestor of the imperial family from the 11th century as found in the Ancestrial Hall.

A mirrored salon for parties and refined conversation.

The 18th century theater is part of the Residence Palace.

“Whoa” put on your sunglasses. Part of the collection of silver serving pieces. They not only displayed the wealth of the imperial family but served as a “bank account” and could be melted down for quick cash. For that reason most of the early silver has not survived.

View toward the stage.

A small mirrored “cabinet”ie s private room.

View from the stage.

Back at our Airbnb our host treated us to his homemade hazelnut bundt cake. (And he shared his recipe too.)

French style furnishings in the bedchamber.

Engraving of the Residence Palace with it’s courtyards and gardens.

The Antiquariam.

Jewel encrusted St George and the dragon.

Plaster wall detail.

An awesome English crown for a queen in the Treasury room brought to Bavaria through marriage in the time of Henry II.

Lion detail on a theatre box. (Yeah, I’m feeling that tired myself after \240four hours in the palace.)

Goodbye Germany, goodbye Europe, so long to friends and new acquaintances. We have had a wonderful time.

You shared your culture and traditions. \240We loved your food, your music and your art and architecture. Your warmth and friendship remain in our hearts.

Auf wiedersehen. We hope to see you all again.

Thank you to all of you who have followed our trip through Journo. I hope to soon fill in the gaps in our trip. Your encouragement helped a lot to keeping the diary going.

Virginia and Mitch

Marie Merkel and Frederik Linhardt

Juliane and Frederik Linhardt and Marie Merkel

Heidi Merkel

Lorenz Linhardt

Michael, Heidi, Lydia and Stef Merkel

Cosima Linhardt

Christian, Michael, Frederik, Cosima, Marie and Heidi

Heidi and Lydia Merkel

Annika and Ruth Furstenau

Lydia and Stef Merkel

Holger Fürstenau.

Peter and Christel Fürstenau.

The whole gang celebrating German Unification Day a national holiday on October 6, 2018. Left to right: Holger, Ruth, Annika, Christian, Michael, Lorenz, Mitch, Virginia, Christel, Peter, Frederik, Juliane, Martin, Cosima, Marie, Stef, Lydia, and Heidi.

Heidi and Lydia Merkel

Heidi Merkel

Michael Merkel

Lydia Merkel, Cosima and Juliane Linhardt

Mitch and Martin Merkel