Munich - Germany!

We've made it to Europe! Our initial experience in Germany has been nothing short of incredible. Touching down in Munich was very much a 'pinch me' moment, almost like a dream. As we landed, a rush of emotions hit me, realising that we were actually here, fulfilling a longing to visit this country that has persisted throughout my adult life. And what a perfect time to arrive, amidst the enchanting Christmas season. Everywhere we turned, buildings were adorned with festive decorations, painting a magical holiday atmosphere.

The Christmas markets are so beautiful, a feast for the eyes. Despite being mostly overcast days and the occasional rain, it actually added to the ambience especially for capturing photos. The reflections of the Christmas lights on the wet ground added even more depth. 

The architecture of Germany is so diverse. Every major European style from Roman to Postmodern is represented, including renowned examples of Carolingian, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Modern and International Style architecture. We visited an art museum, which is very much Modernism characterised by bold shapes and sharp corners, slightly more defined than Brutalist architecture. Perfect settings for black & white photography! Near the art gallery was something quite extraordinary... river surfing! This famous wave is called the Eisbach Wave. It has turned into a popular surfing destination right in the heart of the city. 

The Eisbach ('ice brook') is a 2-kilometre-long man-made river in Munich. It flows through the Englischer Garten Park. The artificial wave has been created on one section.

Following the captivating display of skilled surfing, we took a brief stroll through the Englischer Garten. Though time constrained us from fully exploring these expansive gardens, we stumbled upon a charming bird feeder suspended from a tree. Delightful little birds flitted in and out, and I even managed to capture one in mid-flight.

Our next stop for Karp's On Tour is Salzburg.