August 6 Leipzig Germany

Off this morning to the Panometer. It is a huge round building where they have a display showing the history around the Battle of the Nations in 1813. There are several displays and then you enter a 30 metres high 130 metres long. It is in a circle showing the city in 1813 from the roof of the Thomas Church. The detail of the picture is amazing

It was created from thousands of photos and many videos and then digitally printed into a panormic photo. They used several international battle replicating clubs as they had the armory and the original costumes.

Then using the tram and bus system made our way to the 1813 War Memorial. This is a huge 90 metre high stone and concrete monument to the soldiers of 1813. It was built in the late

1800s and completed in 1913. Only in 2013 did they instal an elevator and access to the Choir level and the roof.
Only a few stairs left to be climbed to get to the roof. 500 in total on the trip down.
Another amazing structure.


August 5 Leipzig Germany

Off the to Leipzig Sports Centre again today. Watched 2 games of field hockey where Heather playing and 1 game of Liz's. Sort of understanding it! Just a little, as my first game was on Monday!

Then walk through the Moritz Bastion. A lower level complex of connected stone rooms. During the building of a new music building they discovered a hole full of old rocks. It was donated to university and using volunteer student labour they laid about 40 tons of stones to create the area. Now bars and restaurants. Very interesting.
Then to dinner with Heather.
Another late night but a great one!


August 4 Leipzig Germany

Spent the morning working on a place to stay and transportation to Prague.

Then joined tour, 1 hour walking and 1.5 hours by bus around the city. The tour was conducted in English and German by the same guide. He changed so easily from English to German and back. The tour was interesting as it filled in some details of some sights we had looked at before but also some new ones. The best was the trading crossroads built into passageways in a building. The ceramic tile pictures were great. One of the them depicted a 'day in the life' which covered all occupations, even prostitution!

Drove by the huge park area as well as the old yarn/spinning factories on the river. These have been coverted to Euro 1 milliion apartments! But they have water front!
Also the 91 meter high memorial to the the soldiers of the 1813 war against Napoleon and his French army. It was a huge memorial. Apparently the graves of many soldiers is beside the momument.

Went to the top of the EEX building (Europeon Economic Exchange for oil and gas) to the 29th floor look out. It is the tallest building in the city.

Then to the Bach museum. A great museum, but then it was free today! It is a very well done museum with an audio guide with several menus for narratives.
Leipzig is a surprise. There is a huge connection to many of the big classic music composers - Bach, Wagner, Johann Wolfgang Geothe.


August 3 Leipzig Germany

Off to the city centre. We are about 3 km away but the tram line is just around the corner. We figured out how to get to the field hockey and headed out. About a 15 minute tram ride and 15 minute walk and we had arrived.

Caught the last half of Heather's game and then caught up with her for a bit. Then caught up with Liz in the beer garden. She had a game a bit later which we watched. Still do not know really what is going on! Watch another of Heather's games.

Met up with Heather and 2 of her team mates at a restaurant close to the Thomas church where a free concert was being held. Excellent food, music and company. Back to hotel late!

St Thomas church, where Bach conducted the choir and wrote most of his work.


August 2 Leipzig Germany

Another lazy morning. It is so nice not having a schedule. Did some computer work in morning and then caught a 1.30pm train to Leipzig. Only a 3 hour ride. It went by very fast as we ended up talking to a young girl that has just got back from a trip from Australia.

Nordic Hotel is about 3 km from city centre but right on a tram line. It is quite nice. As we missed lunch and no food on train, off for dinner. Went to Alexandros, a Greek restaurant across the street. Lots of food and very good. They start you with a shot of ouzo, dinner and then finish with metaxa, a flaming brandy. Very nice!
A short walk around the neighbourhood and off to bed.