2017 Pre-Departure Blog Entry

We are once again looking forward to an exciting and educational trip this year!  Thank you for sending your kids with us to have this adventure.

For all the parents / guardians that are following our blog and may require our phone numbers in an emergency, please note them below:

Dr. Ed Gatzke:  803-361-1749

Dr. Andi Gatzke:  803-220-6572

Day 15: Aufwiedersehen!

The trip has ended and all students have moved on to their respective travel plans.

Thank you parents and guardians for allowing your kids to join us in what had been quite an adventure!

Day 14: Deutsches Museum & Hofbrauhaus Dinner

The group toured a very large science museum, had the afternoon free, and then gathered in the evening to enjoy dinner at the Hofbrauhaus.

It has been a 6 walking mile day (at least...the students spent much effort looking all over the expansive museum!)

Update: Pictures available here.

Day 13: Zugspitze

We took a morning train to Garmisch, boarded a train to Zugspitze that transitioned to a cog-wheel train to take us the rest of the way up!

After snowballs and sledding, we took a gondola to the area where you could see the summit.

Then, we walked across the Germany/ Austria border!

The gondola ride down was much longer and we also got a fantastic view of the Eibsee!

7 walking miles today...

Update: Pictures available here.

Day 12: Therme-Erding -- Geothermal Energy

Today began early.  The rationale was to get there before the German crowds and enjoy the water slides as well as the rest of the enormous spa.

We are rejuvenated and will have the rest of the day free.

Update: A few pictures here.

Day 11: Institute for Plasma Physics

This morning we went to the University of Munich to have lunch in their cafeteria and tour the Institute of Plasma Physics.  Specifically, we toured the facilities that house their Tokamak.

http://www.ipp.mpg.de/16195/asdex

Afterward, we went to slides at their math building, which go from the fourth floor to the ground.

Ultimately, we ended up in the English Garden and enjoyed its beauty.

6 walking miles logged.

Update: Photos available here.

Day 10: BMW Factory & Museum Tours

Today, we toured both the factory and the museum for BMW.  It is the last of the car tours.

We then went next door to the Olympisturm, i.e. Olympic Tower (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympiaturm).

8 walking miles logged.

Update:  Pictures available here.