Back in 2019, we noticed a rather unique cherry blossom tree in DC at the Tidal Basin. It was by itself, right on the edge of the water, and looked like it shouldn’t be alive but somehow was. This tree has become known as Stumpy! Unfortunately, 2024 is the last year we’ll ever be able to see Stumpy in bloom as he is going to be removed in order to repair this area of the Tidal Basin.
Continue reading “Farewell Stumpy the Cherry Blossom Tree”Hawaii’s Byodo-In
After breakfast at the Sheraton Waikiki, we went out to have lunch and picked up a rental car at the International Market Place. We then drove to visit Byodo-in, a replica Japanese temple at the Valley of the Temples. After walking through the grounds, we drove around area a bit before heading to get poke from Tamura’s. We spent some time at Kailua Beach Park before attending a wedding in the evening.
Continue reading “Hawaii’s Byodo-In”Schloss Neuschwanstein
For our last full day in Munich, we had breakfast as usual at the Le Méridien and then traveled to Hohenschwangau to visit Schloss Neuschwanstein, the most famous castle in Germany and the basis for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Continue reading “Schloss Neuschwanstein”Mozart and a Fortress in Salzburg, Austria
After breakfast at the Le Méridien in Munich, we took the train to Salzburg, Austria. Once there, we visited the Hohensalzburg Fortress on a hill above the city. We also visited Mozart’s birthplace and his residence, both of which are currently museums.
Continue reading “Mozart and a Fortress in Salzburg, Austria”Zugspitze, the Highest Mountain in Germany
After breakfast at the Le Méridien, we took the train to the Eibsee, via Garmisch-Partenkirchen, where we ascended to Zugspitze, the highest mountain in Germany, by aerial tram. We enjoyed the magnificent view and walked across the shared summit to Austria where we had lunch. We then walked back to Germany and took a different aerial tram down a bit to the Zugspitzplatt, a mountain ski area on the German side of the border. After, we returned to the Garmisch-Partenkirchen where we had dinner nearby before returning to Munich.
Continue reading “Zugspitze, the Highest Mountain in Germany”