EU Trip Summer 2007 - Munich

Munich was an unexpected city where I didn't add into my itinerary until last minutes and it turned to be one of my most favorite cities I have ever visited and would like to go back again! It has charms of Southern Germany with freer, more relaxed atmosphere and friendly local people.
I happned to see some guys in swim sweats river surfing in the park next to the US Embassy. I wish I could have my brother's surfboard then!

Someone told me that the museums in Germany are huge. Yes, it was true. For example, Haus der Kunst doesn't look immensely grand from outside but once I started looking at art inside the galleries, I realized this is a nice big museum to showcase contemporary art. Probably I was fortunate to see one of the best matches that museum has made: Gilbert & George Major Exhibition was up there after its successful run at London's Tate Modern.

Another museum Pinakothek der Moderne was generously spacious. Dan Flavin's florescent light works sit together really comfortably...














The next day I walked around the Nymphenburg palace where the Bavarian Wittelsbachs(German dynasty that ruled Bavaria from 1180 to 1918) had built and used as the chill-out summer residence. This picuture doesn't tell how pretty all the buildings and garden are.

I especially liked the pink walled Amalienburg built from 1734 - 1739 for the then ruler's wife Maria Amalia as a little hunting lodge..! It has a hall of mirrors and a kennel room for the hunting dogs next to the entrance and its rococo decoration is just breathtaking. Its location in a very quiet forest is so perfect for summer retreats.


While I was browsing the rooms in the Nymphenburg palace, I was overwhelmed its rococo style. Not only its interior decoration but also the famous Nymphenburg porcelain figures are in different rococo poses! I mean they are so playful, charming and flirty. Look at this lady figurine on display picking her nose! I love it!


After I enjoyed the treasures of the 18th Century, I was moving onto the 21st century's art exhibit, Documenta 12 in Kassel.