Day 9. Arrivée à Paris

Today was a travel day. We headed out from Garmish to Munich, to Manneheim, to Paris, and arrived at our hotel around 9:45 pm.

Neta & Nicole at the Manneheim station. Nicole's Oktoberfest cookie made it in one piece! 

We got a little lost, but we ran into a nice lady who helped us navigate the stairways, elevator and keys to our cozy little condo. It's very retro, and Ikea inspired!

Click on the link below if you want to check out the pics and specs of where we are staying:

3 NiNJas Parisian Habitat



p.s. We forgot to share in yesterday's post that Jarett was told by drunk English and German men that he looked like Kaepernick…then one of the drunk guys said, "No. He doesn't have the tattoos or muscles." haha.

Day 8. OKTOBERFEST

Yesterday we caught a cab to the train station and headed up to Munich for Oktoberfest. We met a bearded fellow on the train, who was from Lake Tahoe. He gave us some helpful tips on traveling the country, then went on to talk about how JFK was the last U.S. President to give a damn about 'the people.' 

After we arrived in Munich, we walked about 20 minutes to the 'fairgrounds' at Oktoberfest. It was the biggest carnival-fair-beer/foodie festival EVER! There were different tents for each different beer, each with it's own menu and live band. Many people were dressed up in authentic clothing, I guess it's like wearing mu'umu'us at the Merrie Monarch? The atmosphere was like being in Gaston's pub (Beauty and the Beast) as people spilled their beer while clinking their heavy glasses together. There were old drunken Spaniards, bull fighting with a Spanish flag, and a fight that broke out a few tables down. People would cheer as their friends stood on a table and chugged, while others clapped and sang along with the band. Every once and awhile, someone would stand on a table and do some sort of jig. 

Our first bier at Oktoberfest, in the Paulaner tent

1/2 Duck (ente) with sauerkraut & potato dumpling--which had a mochi-like consistency, and small pieces of bread on the inside 

Mystery sausage and sauerkraut (Jarett can't remember what this is), and pork knuckle, with potato, horseradish and sauerkraut. The pork was amazing! It tasted like corned beef! 

Jarett spotted a Filipino Elvis at the Löwenbraü
tent…haha

At this tent, we made some Russian and German friends. Apparently, being from Hawaii is a cool thing, because this gentleman wanted to take a picture to show his wife. It took about 5 minutes for Neta to show him how to do a shaka, because his pointer finger wouldn't stay down, lol. 

Jarett met his new Canadian best friend, Jason, at the bathroom. 

After shameless hinting by the ladies all day, Jarett got Nicole & Neta these gingerbreadish cookies that all the local girls seemed to have. Nicole's apparently says, "I love you," however, Neta is convinced hers says "I am a handsome boy." hahahaha

All in all, Oktoberfest was a terrific experience. Hopefully we can return one day with more family and friends in tow! 

Day 7. Exploring Garmish, Germany

There was a conspiracy brewing against us, and we seemed to miss all the shuttles going to where we wanted to go. But we prevailed. We ended up renting a VW Golf, and went to Partnach Gorge, by ways of the Olympic ski jump center.  Apparently, the Olympic Ski Stadium was built for up to 100,000 spectators, with a restaurant and VIP viewing area, but was never used due to WWII.

The morning view from our room at Edelweiss.

Vienna Sausage! It didn't taste like the vienna sausage we normally get in cans, it tasted like hot dogs!

Jarett's veal sausage came floating in a ceramic bowl of hot water

Apple strudel

After lunch at the stadium, we rode a horse drawn carriage up to the start of Partnach Gorge, which would have been a 20 minute walk…make that 35 with Neta. The gorge was gorge-ous (haha), very clean and clear water rushing through a deep gorge. The walkway was cutout about 40 feet above the river in the side of the mountain, and was very narrow, damp and dark. 

 

Jarett insisted we get a picture of him driving the VW Golf, and kept saying "look at me, I'm driving in Europe!"

After we visited the gorge, we headed to Alpspix, catching a very steep tram to the top, which is 9717.848 feet in altitude! The views were gorgeous, and we stayed for a while taking pictures and enjoying beers. We also watched para-gliders jump from the top, which was knee buckling! 

The view from atop Alpspix, looking down over Garmish

Day 6. Hustle and Bustle, Part Zwei

Whew! Yesterday (Day 6) was quite the adventure! This is how our day looked:

1. 0145     Fire alarm goes off in our hotel. Jarett starts fumbling with his phone, and Neta asks OMG! Is that your alarm?" thinking it was some sort of military wake up call. 
2. 0630     Catch a cab to St. Pancras train station, on a cold and quiet London morning. 
3. 0825     Depart London aboard the Paris Nord Eurostar
4. 1147     Arrive in Paris, get lost on the streets of busy Paris, which smell like pee. Jarett the navigator was able to get us to our next destination with minimal frustration. 
5. 1222     Depart Paris Est, Neta got to practice her minimal French, "Bonjour, parlez vous ingles?" she asked the information desk. "Uh, Yes." the man replied, with a "Duh" look on his face. Here we met a nice woman who sat next to us and helped us decode our train tickets. We may have ended up in Morocco if she didn't help us. 
6. 1617     Arrive in Mannheim 
7. 1918     Arrive in München (Munich). Here we sat next to a woman with a 2 year old, who was the German equivalent to Kinohi.  She was climbing over the seats and talking to everyone. She enjoyed talking to Jarett and Nicole, and got a little frustrated when she talked to us. Her mother said something along the lines of "they're English, they don't speak German," and she turned to Neta and said, "English? yakdkdjklj;dkfjadlk Nain German?" She then said something in German that made her mother laugh. Her mom didn't translate, so Neta assumed the little girl told her that she was the most beautiful Princess she had ever seen, why are you not in movies?" haha. Nicole bought a round of Biteburger beers for us, and that's when Jarett fell asleep and started snoring on the train.
8. 2054     Arrive in Garmisch, after watching hundreds of drunks get on and off the trains from Oktoberfest. We saw a guy throw up about 5 gallons of beer on the train, and had to navigate around puke everywhere in the station. We finally arrived at Edelweiss hotel around 2115. 

So, after getting off and on five different trains, and over eight hours of travel, we finally made it! WHEW! What a day!

Early morning at Kings Cross St. Pancras (Harry Potter fans, feel free to squeal)

Paris Train Station

Neta translated the beer's name to Thank You Hamburger,  haha 

Jarett's professional shot St. Pancras

Day 5. Hustle and Bustle, Part Eins

Sorry we weren't able to post Day 5 yesterday, due to bad internet connections in our hotel. Yesterday we headed to London and got a brief taste of what European peasant travel is all about. We caught a train into London and almost got lost trying to find our connecting trains to Kings Cross, St. Pancras.  We were out of breath and sweating by the time our first stop came along.  People in England walk really fast compared to those on Hawaii time!  After we settled in to our hotel, we ate at a small restaurant called Little Bay, right off of Kings Cross Road.  It wasn't too bad, we started with calamari, choux de crab, and chicken livers (pictured).  Jarett and Nicole both had lamb with couscous, while Neta had a minute steak, served rare, and chips.  

Chicken livers on toast (Nicole detests liver!)  at The Bay.  

Jarett Margaretti enjoying his Peroni under the nose of a golden god. We are still unsure of what kind of restaurant this  was…all we knew was that they have the same kind of candles Aunty Norma has in her bathroom! Cheers for waxy bottle candles! 

After dinner, we walked down the street to the Union bar, perfectly situated across the street from our hotel, and had a couple of drinks before heading back to rest up for our long journey to Germany.  

Day 4. Warwick Castle

Jarett and Neta woke up at Nicole's Bicester Bed & Breakfast, and feasted upon the BEST biscuits and gravy we've ever had, complimented with a refreshing mimosa. When we bought the champagne for the mimosa, our conversation went a little like this:
     Jarett:  "Hmm, is this one okay? It says that it's extra dry. Should we get this one?"
     Neta:   "Well, I guess. It's going to be mixed with orange juice. It should be pretty wet."
The guy behind us chuckled.

This is what Jarett entertained us with this morning...

After breakfast, we headed to Warwick, pronounced WORR-ik, (thanks Kekoa!;) Castle and bathed in the splendor of medieval goodness. The castle was developed from an original built by William the Conqueror in 1068, and had lovely bits, and not so lovely bits. Most of the living quarters were modern (late 1800s), while the other creepy parts remained. We visited the dungeon where prisoners were kept, and it was just like the movies! Dark, dank, mildewy, cramped and creepy! It was interesting to see a small hole in the stone floor with a grate over it, where prisoners were thrown and kept for years to be punished. (Like the M16 hole in Scandal, but 10x smaller!)

We were lucky enough to be there at the same time as one million English school children. Neta was whacked by a little girl's swinging backpack, but how could she be mad when the girl looked up with such an innocent face, shocked to see her first Samoan, and apologized in a tiny English accent? hehe. As we were walking through the gates, two young school boys in uniform were laughing and walking like sumo wrestlers.
     "Why are you walking like that?" another boy asked.
     Laughing, the boy responded, "I've got poo in my pants!"
     As they walked by the 3 NiNJas, Neta asked in her finest English accent, "Do you need a tissue?"
The boys looked confused and laughed as they walked away. Ah, to be young again.
After watching an 18 lb. Sea Eagle attempt to fly, an African Buzzard walk like a dog, yummy fresh donuts, peacocks with missing tail feathers, and taking too many pictures, we headed to Merchants for a late lunch.

We kicked off our late lunch by ordering a pint of Stratford 4 and a pint of Cider, and started with appetizers of whitebait and black pudding with greens.

   The whitebait (left) was a delicious little fish, kind of like o'ama, but more delicate. They cook these little guys whole and served them with a cajun aioli and bread. 

The black pudding (right) was boudin's less flamboyant cousin, and was soft with little flavor--needless to say, it didn't taste like dinugaun! 

 

The bangers & mash stole the show, Jarett & Neta both ordered the pork/leek bangers and thought it was sent from heaven. At this point, they both began to believe Nicole when she told them that the alcohol content of most beers in England have a high alcohol content. 

Day 3. All About Pete

Today was our English Sunday: Day of Rest. We ran some errands and had lunch at the Red Lion in Brackley. After watching Harry Potter all day (dream come true!), Nicole prepared the MOST delicious chicken carbonara.

Jarett enjoyed his massive fish & chips.

Neta enjoyed her first pint of European Guinness. She told Nicole, "This tastes like a cold frothy kiss from an Irish gentleman…with a beard who just smoked a cigar." Pure heaven. hahahaaa. 

Jarett & Nicole perfecting their candid 'turn and look' pose.  

Our mirror selfie in Red Lion.

Now, introducing Pete, Nicole's Jack Russell Terrier. Pete had an unfortunate run in with a car--if you think he looks bad, you should see the car! He asked us to sign his cast, and we had a blast leaving him positive messages. His nick-name is Peg-leg Pirate Pete. If you're wondering why there is a picture of a wine glass on his new pink/red cast, it's because his owner accidentally spilled wine on him, the other night, leaving a nice purplish stain on his white fur. (hehe) Poor Pete. He's such a hyper, loving, face-biting trooper. 

Day 2. Stonehenge & Bath!

Stonehenge

After driving a couple of hours west, this is what we were greeted with:

"The great stone circle of Stonehenge is Britain's most iconic archaeological site, a compelling ring of monolithic boulders that has been attracting a steady stream of pilgrim, poets, [3 NiNJas] and philosophers for the last 5,000 years." (Lonely Planet Discover Great Britain)

Here, at this magnificent place, which dates back to 1500 BC, Jarett & Neta competed in an epic game of Jenga. 

Bath

We headed west for an hour to visit Bath, a beautiful city that is home to the Roman Baths, which gave the city its name.  We got lost and ended up at the Royal Crescent, which is a "semicircular terrace of majestic tow houses overlooking the green sweep of Royal Victoria Park." (LP) We had lunch down the street at The Circus, which was delicious! The 3 Hungry NiNJas feasted on mussels, lamb with couscous, pork belly and lentils and a delicate fish in lemon butter sauce. 

We ordered vegetables and potatoes on the side, which we hardly touched, which led us to the important realization that take-out boxes aren't available everywhere. When we asked for a take-out container, she told us they didn't have any, but she could find something. We ended up taking home 2 oven bags full of potatoes and vegetables, which Nicole and Neta decided Jarett would carry, because we were so embarrassed. 

Gorgeous architecture outside of the Circus. 

After lunch, we stopped in Bath Abbey, which was built "between 1499 and 1616, making it the last great medieval church raised in England.  

Upon the arrival of Romans in Bath, life in the city revolved around the three geothermal springs that bubble up near the abbey.  Here, the Romans constructed complex bathhouses above the thermal waters, which are a constant 46 degrees celsius.  The Great Bath, seen in these pictures, is a large lead-lined pool filled with steaming waters from the 'Sacred Spring.' It seemed to be the spa-of-all-spas for ancient Romans. #fancy

We ended the trip to Bath with some awesome gelato, eager to get back to Bicester to rest and get the "J" of our NiNJas to a clean and private restroom. Jarett told us a joke that Tyler told him and Stephen, it was pretty funny to refer to throughout the day. It went something like this:

          Tyler: Did you guys see that movie about stuck doo-doo?

          Jarett & Stephen: Huh? What movie? What is that?

          Tyler: Oh, yeah. It didn't come out yet. 

Hahahaah. Oh, let's not forget the incredible Italian accents that Jarett and Nicole have developed from watching Inglorious Bastards last night…