Travel Notes and Thoughts Summary, Page Three
Some of you may not want to read the whole blog of my European trip.  (Oh, really? I find that hard to believe.)  This summary has links in italics to the page of the blog that provides the details of the day.  Each day's story has links to sites, lodging, pubs, restaurants, and other items of interest including photos of what I saw.
Noble Normandy (continued)
Day 39: Sunday, August, August 15, 2004 - We meet John Flaherty, our guide for the day, and head for the Normandy Beaches.  We are frustrated by the crowds but John does a great job of giving us as much access and information as he can.  We manage to get back to Caen without getting lost and have a nice dinner in the center of town. 

Day 40: Monday, August 16, 2004 -  We  spend the whole day at the Caen Memorial Peace Museum, which is wonderful, though crowded.  We dine in the Vagueux area again and run into our new friends in time to share after dinner drinks.
Surprising Strasbourg
Day 41: Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - We ride the rails to Strasbourg, which we find to be more interesting than we expected.  We explore the central city on foot and dine in a well-known La Petit France restaurant where Tom tries Choucroute for the first time.

Day 42: Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - We take an audio-guided tour of Strasbourg and discover what an interesting and historically significant place it is.  We walk to the docks to take a river cruise but decide against it and instead enjoy a rollicking late lunch.  In the evening, we return to La Petite France and eat dinner in a downpour.  We meet an interesting techie from Ghent and drink too much Calvados.
Melancholy Munich
Day 43: Thursday, August 19, 2004 - We take the train to Munich and are impressed with the train station.  We take a long walk to our hotel and rest up for the evening.  In the early evening, we walk around Munich drinking in the architecture to say nothing of the beer.  We have an enjoyable dinner in a noisy, music-filled restaurant.

Day 44: Friday, August 20, 2004 - Today we visit the Dachau Concentration Camp.  It is a very intense experience for both of us.  In the evening we drink beer at the disappointing Hofbrau Haus.  We have dinner at well known lounge and restaurant.
Heading Home
Day 45: Saturday, August 21, 2004 - Tom and I enjoy our last day together by visiting the Residenz, home of the Bavarian kings. We have a memorable lunch and later  share a goodbye beer.  I board an overnight train to Paris, sharing a compartment with three very sleepy ladies.

Day 46: Sunday, August 22, 2004 - I arrive at Gare de L'est and walk to Gare du Nord where I have a bag-checking adventure.  Greg and Kim join me.  We breakfast at Place des Vosges and drive to Auvers sur Oise, where Vincent Van Gogh spent his last three months.  After wandering this fascinating village, we return to Paris and Gare du Nord where I board the Eurostar for my trip to London.  In London I get stuck in Sunday traffic but finally check in to my hotel and have a non-descript evening.

Day 47: Monday, August 23, 2004 - l ride the Heathrow Express to the airport, check in and wait in The Admirals Club.  I over-sample the Bloody Marys but still make my flight.  I reach Hong Kong, happy to be home but thankful for what has been an incredible trip.

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