We found Heidelberg looking just like it did in the 16th and 17th century thanks to careful preservation and the fact that it wasn’t bombed in WWII. It’s pretty and peaceful and friendly and very very German. The castle dominates and watches over the town at night

and by day.

The funicular that normally takes you up to the castle was being serviced the week these tourists were there so they were grateful for the free replacement bus. Not so the large group of Chinese tourists whose tour guides weren’t willing to wait for the bus and they were duly marched up the steep hill. Some were in their smart patent shoes that had heels!!!!!

The castle tells the history of lots of fighting/takeovers/pomp and ceremonies/resistence and capitulation. And a lot of drinking, hence the huge barrel inside the ruins.

Heidelberg reminded us of the Carlton area in Melbourne or Providence, Rhode Island that Ms X once visited. All are centred around a university that brings a liveliness and energy to the city.

Heidelberg University was established in 1386 with lots of clever people hanging out there eg. Somerset Maughn and Mark Twain. One highlight was the student jail that existed for unruly behaviour, public drunkardness and non-submissions of assignments!

The city is very much a Book Town with bookshops dominating the retail trade. Ms X even found a Street Library!

Now whilst all these clever people were living in Heidelberg, many of them needed a place to chill out and contemplate the meaning of life. Ms X has a coffee and maybe sits outside in the sun and reads when she feels that urge. Not these clever people. They opted for walking over the old bridge, hiking up a steep hill and then sitting on a bench seat. So that’s what the retirees did, being encouraged by Ms C that even their 4yr old and 2yr old had done it. Our retirees soon discovered that they had done the easier trek with Mr X and MsX blindly opting for the full experience of the “PHILOSOPHERS’ WALK” as it is now known.

The best Restaraunt- Schnitzelbank of course!!

So it’s Tschüss, Auf Wiedersehen Deutschland. Ms X’s next challenge? To find all those German people in Melbourne to chew the pork knuckle fat with.