Day 19 - Hellbrunn Palace

The Thursday morning market at Mirabell parking garage was an unexpected delight. It was huge and swarming with locals! We tried to take their cue - where to shop, what to eat, how to order.

They were standing at temporary tables eating frankfurters and bratwurst - which seemed like an odd but tasty breakfast - so that is what we did.

We skipped drinking beer and wine though! Then I got up courage to order deli meats for our picnic lunch.

Afterwards we crossed the street to see Mirabell Gardens. Sadly, still no Webber family reenactment of Do Re Mi.

We are singing Do Re Mi loudly ... to ourselves

I am hiding from them in the maze...I'm pretty sure they can't see me!

The Prince Archbishop put in the gnome garden to entertain his 15 children

Jeremy was impressed with the accordion player.  Ever since he was a little kid, watching his grandpa, he has always wanted to learn to play!

Our main activity for the day was to drive three miles to Hellbrunn Palace to see its trick water fountains - which used diversion and surprise as an antidote against the complaint of the melancholy of the time.

Jeremy, who didn't realize you get wet, was impressed with the cleverness from 400 years ago. 

Greg thought the archbishop's obsession with soaking his guests was crazy. 

Kate noticed how the archbishop was the only one at the table who didn't get wet. 

You will get wet.  It depends on your guide how wet you get.  Here, the guide can spray you from the front as well.

I was disappointed and don't even recommend prioritizing it into your trip. My biggest problems were 1) the size of the group was too large. It was 60 people, and at each stop the guide only spoke in German until everyone got there - but many people didn't even care to be with the guide so we waited each time. "Hurry before the rain comes," the guide joked. 2) I think the tour could be awesome but the "English tour" was horrible. The guide mostly spoke German (90% of the tour), except to say in English over and over, "everyone get around we have enough water for everyone". I think even what he said in German could have been more interesting.

Kate was excited to return to the park and its zipline, but today when we got there, it was covered in screaming, tiny kids in neon vests.

Trying to launch Chris from the hammock

We have been fortunate to end our days enjoying time together at dinner. We ate traditional food at Zwettler's - we all thought it was very good. It is probable that we won't find wiener schnitzel that good again!