Wednesday, 5 May 2010

Amazing Aschaffenburg















FuFu Life in Frankfurt - Part Twenty
23rd April 2010 | Aschanffenburg, Bayern


Woke up very early to prepare sandwich for the lunch.




FuFu didn't sleep well the day before.


Waiting regional train to come at Hauptwache Station.



Still sleepy.


Arrived Hanau, gotta get off and buy ticket to enter State of Bayern.


Students can move around the Rhine Main area free of charge.


But if wanna go to other state in Germany, gotta pay for the ticket.


Bought the group ticket - the cheapest way to get around Germany.

Aschafenburg, a castle that the King Ludwig extremely fond of and used to call it as "Bavarian Nice", is a large town in northwest Bavaria (43km from Frankfurt). It has relatively mild climate and Mediterranean gardens overlooking the Main river. Our main target, Schloss Johannisburg (Johannisburg Castle) is one of the most important renaissance castles in the western world and also the landmark of Aschaffenburg.

As one of the biggest contiguous forested area in Germany, Aschaffenburg is a town with a vibrant arts scene and a wealth of castle and parks. With its leafy parks that create enchanting atmosphere here and there, Aschaffenburg also is a delight for visitors to stroll leisurely along the Main River or boating on the river. Everything is within a short distance, so it's easy to feel and experience the history of the town at close quarters.

Class on Friday had been canceled. And according to the forecast, it gonna be a perfect day with clear blue sky. So no wanting to waste the sunny day, the several of us decided to visit a Bavarian historical city which is only about an hour train ride from Frankfurt. It was a last minute decision, hence not all of the coursemates could make it. Nevertheless, still we all had a great picnic and walk by the river.


Arrived at Aschaffenburg (Bayern) from Hanau (Hessen).


It's spring! People love to cycle around the city.


But tourists have no choice, gotta walk to the tourist spots.


It's nevertheless not very far from the railway station.


Passed by a mini park.




No kidding, Germany has quite a number of different sakuras.




Someone asked how to differentiate plums and cherries.


See, this is the cherry tree! Got it?




Hamburger Fish Market had just started the day before!


Almost to the palace (schloss).


The fish market was located next to the market place.
























Looking for cheap beer.






Delicious German beer.


































Going to the castle garden.












The Schlossgarten a green vantage point of the castle.


Overlooking the Main river.








A very nice pavilion at the castle garden.















What a majestic castle!


Just couldn't stop snapping.


Actually FuFu buddies had spread the sheet on the grass.


They were very hungry!


The little tiger wanted to have the picnic with everyone too.


Everyone was so hungry. FuFu had forgotten to snap his lunch!


Fully charged! Let's chit chatting.




After a long chatting, everyone dozed off for a while.


Enjoying the kiss with the sun.














It's damn nice laying on the grass when the sun is warm (not HOT).


FuFu was rolling here and there with his little tiger.


Ops, spotted a couple hugging and kissing here and there in public.




Bravo! Sunbathing at the park by the river! o.O


A normal picnic a lovely couple enjoying.




Then FuFu and Polyana imitated as those couples at the park.


Ouch... Aww...




Highly recommend you to have picnic here.


Not only the river, you can also enjoy watching the castle too!








Group picture before leaving the nice park.




The little playground at the park.






It's very picturesque.






Then walked further to the edge of the bridge.


Close-up of the hidden castle in the little jungle!










Walked back to the castle.






Came to the other side of the castle.












Heading to Pompejanum.




Inspired by a villa in Pompei, it reflects a deep sense of Roman pride.


It was built for King Luwig I of Bavaria.












It was 20°C and FuFu donned with shorts and t-shirt.

[Next : The Historical town of Aschaffenburg and the Schönbusch garden]