Waiblingen & Journey Home

Our last leg of the journey is back to Stuttgart, or more specifically Waiblingen, a suburb in Stuttgart. The last 2 days were easy going. Took the kids to a palace which has fantastic playground and mini theme park in Luizberg. Wonder around the Waiblingen town and pack. We had to leave Dominic and my winter jacket behind, the kids winter boots which they worn briefly when we were at the Alps and Chloe's leftover diaper. We actually had lots of luggage allowance (20kg X 4) but we just can't lugged that many bags. When we asked the kids if they want to live in Germany, Lucas said no. Why? He said it is too cold.

On the flight home, Chloe had a balloon. Of course we can't take the balloon in the plane as it will burst due to the pressure difference. Boy, oh boy. That girl screamed when we board the plane for a good 15-20 mins. I can feel the other passengers' expression who were boarding. They were are praying they are not seated near us and Chloe will not scream for the whole 13 hours flight. Thanks goodness she was ok after the 15-20 mins. It was a day flight and the kids did not sleep at all except for the last 10 mins when the plane was about to land. When he have to change plane in Singapore, they were both sleepy and had to be carried. We were all very, very tired.

At the playground on a former palace compound. The compound is very well maintained.

Interesting setting for the playground. One can't find this setting in Malaysia.

I was just sitting down and watched the kids played. The building behind is the palace and I was told it is the Germany equivalent to Versailles Palace.

Yes, space....sheer pleasure for kids.

I saw this at a relative's place and just have to take a picture of it. Sooo true...

This is Waiblingen town.

Doesn't he looks handsome!! I bought that shade for 3 Euro and it is 100% UV (not a toy sunglasses) . Dominic has a matching sunglasses but in gold frame.

Berlin

Once upon a time, Berlin was home to Dominic for 2 years and my home for half a year. This place always has sentimental value to us. Our trip to Berlin was very relaxing. We hardly do or see anything new. We just meet up with friends or rather Dominic's former boss, and take it very, very easy.
On the first night, we had dinner with Dominic's former boss and family. On second day, we went to his boss's home for dinner. On the third night, they brought food and came to our hotel. It was great catching up. We last saw the daugthers when they were less than 10 years old and now they are entertaining Lucas & Chloe.
In the daytime, we went to KaDeWe (Harrods equivalent for Germany) and did some shopping. We took the hop-on and hop-off bus, tram and just go with the flow. Our initial plan was to visit the Zoo but I was feeling lazy and discouraged. It was 3 degrees and I don't feel like watching the animals in the cold. And the kids are not animals fan either.

Waiting to board our train to Berlin.

Chloe enjoying her ice-cream.

Chloe and her pancake for breakfast.

The kids had pleasure sitting on the front seat at the top deck of the bus.

Nice wall pictures.

Chloe wants her shot too.

Near the zoo, but we did not go in.The tall buidling behind us is the fascade for famous church ruin which was partially destroyed during WW2.

One day, we bought a day ticket and just took the hop-on hop off bus and wonder around. Here. we stopped at Alexandaer Platz. 

Then we walked to Hackescher Markt, where my German language school used to be.

Patiently waiting for me while I window shop for china, again.

 Where else other than playground....



We were trying to explain the Berlin Wall history to Lucas.

Another playground.....kids are easily satisfied.

Admiring Daddy's beer.....and Daddy says he can have beer when he is 17.

Stollberg and Meissen

From Salzburg, we took a 7 1/2 hour train ride to Stollberg, a town near Leipzig and Chemnitz. This journey was long and we had to change train twice. Not so fun when we have 2 kids to carry, a stroller, a backpack, and a luggage. Getting off a train, going to a different platform, boarding another train with short connecting time is definitely not so fun. But we made it. We had a good friend who lives in Stollberg, and we stayed at his house. He had two kids who are in the same age group as Lucas and Chloe. Unfortunately, his wife and kids had gone to spend the Easter holidays with in-laws. So, we did not get to see his wife and kids. But the house was just like home. It has the high chairs and non breakable plates, toys, kids' bed and playground - it was as though the house was specially catered for our kids.
Before the trip, I've already made up my mind on what I want to do or more what I want to buy from here. I told Dominic and reminded him several times on my plan for this town. And, I got them all. :) I went to this porcelain factory called Meissen in Meissen. The porcelain is very fine and has very long history. I have always wanted to buy some Meissen china and I did!! When we arrived, there were a few diplomatic car with China flag outside the entrance. Dominic commented, 'It is ironic the Chinese has to come to Germany to learn to make china'. I took the factory tour and end the trip with some bags. While I was enjoying myself, Dominic took the kids to the playground and eat ice-cream. It it dangerous to take kids to a chine factory. They are better off somewhere else. The other thing on my must buy list is some wood handicraft from Erzbebirge, and I bought some!!  I was very contended after my shopping.
Our friend took us to the biggest playground in Saxony and the kids refused to leave. We climbed a tower and enjoyed some good views and drove around some towns surrounding Stollberg. Very relaxing and peaceful towns. These towns are a stark contrast from Stuttgart

Our friend, Reinhardt with Lucas and Chloe. They were in a playground.

At the same playground. The cherry blossom behind them. There are quite a number of cherry blossom in Germany.

The kids' haven.

While the kids and Dominic were outside, I was at this place - Meissen factory.

Yes, you can tell I was happy after my tour and shopping in Meissen.

Jumping at the trampoline at the biggest playground in Saxony. The kids refused to leave.

Lucas was hoisting the bucket of sand up and then poured them down.

Chloe was busy filling up the bucket with sand so that Lucas can hoist it up.

At the playhouse in the friend's house garden. Chloe especially loves going into this playhouse. Each time we are back from outside, the kids will walk straight into the playhouse, regardless of the weather or wind factor. They will only go inside the proper house after numerous nagging, and I was shivering outside waiting for them to be done.

Eating ice-cream while waiting for me to shop again. This time I was buying some Erzgebirge wood handicraft.

In another playground. I lost count of how many playgrounds we have visited. When one visit Europe, one usually goes to castles or palace or churches. Here, we go from playground to playground. Interesting experience when travelling with kids.

Me and the kids took the lift up the tower. Dominic and friend climbed up the stairs. We had good view of the undulating towns below us.

This is how a typical town looks like in Saxony. Rows of houses/shops paved in cobble stone, and a square.

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Salzburg and Berchtesgaden

After the weekend in Stuttgart, we took the train to Salzburg, Austria. The reason we chose Salzburg is very simple - our Euro Rail ticket allowed us to Salzburg and both of us have never been there. So, we thought why not see a nice place. To top it up, Dominic has enough points for a nice hotel in Berchtesgaden. So, we spent a night in Salzburg and 2 nights in Berchtesgaden. The train ride was not too bad - only 4 hours. Salzburg is surrounded by the Alps on the Austria side and Berchtesgaden is surrounded by the Alps on the German side. Both cities are only 45 mins away by car. I must said both cities are very very beautiful!! And we were there at the right time - the mountain peak is still snow capped. Such beautiful scenery....and I'm still mesmerised by them. Let me show you the pictures.....

Lucas gets an experience eating in a train restaurant.

This is what the kids do to keep themselves occupied in the long train journey - eating chocolates and playing iPad.

Sometimes, Lucas reads his books. Current favourite author is Enid Blyton.

Chloe can't read, so she will just sit around or take her nap.

The building behind us is our hotel. This hotel is on high altitude and has great view of the mountains.

On our third day here, it snowed. The mountain has fresh snow and Lucas & Chloe get to see real snow on the hotel garden. 

In the hotel playground. Even the playground has good view.

Outside the hotel with more great view. Dominic with the kids and Janet, his goddaughter, and aunty whom

 we stayed with in Stuttgart, whom is his godmother.

We took a cable car to the top of one of the moutain. The view is just magnificent. The background looks like super impose, doesn't it? Before we go up the mountain, he had to shop winter boots for the kids.

Lucas loves balling the snow and throw at his father, and he doesn't even has hand gloves on.

Stuttgart

We spent Good Friday to Easter Sunday in Stuttgart. Had a great time catching up with Dominic's relatives. It was the first time Lucas & Chloe met their German counsins. Very historical...
A day after we arrived, we went to Stuttgart town. Dominic's old friend from his school in UK came from Paris to meet up with him. We had lunch together and did some sightseeing around Stuttgart.
Easter Sunday is the biggest holiday in Germany, even bigger celebration than Christmas. Everything is closed. We had plenty of food, wine and chocolates and of course laughters.
Weather was still cold and at times windy. At least it was not raining.

We had lunch with Dominic's friend, Lionel. We had Swabian food, kasespatzel.

Yes, that's MY shop!!!

We took a tram (but called S-Bahn) to a town up a hill. This tram is a mini version of San Franciso's. Nice houses along the hill.

Everyman's dream, Mercedes! We visited Mercedes Benz Museum and it is very impressive. When Dominic asked me to snap this picture, he said 'Guys only, in front of Mercedes'.

While we rested our legs and had beer inside the museum cafe, the kids had a great time playing with the lego. The older models of Mercedes in the background are 'cash and carry'.

Second egg hunts and more goodies.

White asparagus or spargel, are a delicacy in Germany and only available in early Spring. We love it. The aunty took us to the farm to buy fresh and she cooked for us. She even  bought a few kilos for us to carry home to my in-laws. She is such a wonderful aunty.

Third egg hunt. The kids are beginning to like Easter more than Christmas.

Lucas and his cousins, Marvin, Doreen and Janet.

Another playground....

Lucas is in haven...