Upon arrival in Munich today was mostly rest and freetime before the day trips begin tomorrow. First thing I wanted to do was goto the Residenz Palace in the town centre to buy a castle pass.

You can buy a 14 day Bavaria Castle Pass for 24 Euros ($36) which pays for itself after three castles or palaces. http://www.schloesser.bayern.de/englisc h/palace/objects/jahresk.htm. I would cover this very easily planning to goto five places during my stay. There is also a two person or annual option for singles or couples.

I tried my best German to ask for the pass "Einzelpersonne fierzehn tagen Bayern fahrkarte, vier und zwanzig Euros, Bitte" (single person 14 day Bavaria pass for 24 Euros, pls).

I forget all my German as I have so little use, I was at a very good conversation level when I first stated learning in high school in England.

I visited the Residenz Palace already on my last trip in 2009 but now as it was 'free' with the pass I went back for a quick walk thru and to get some value out of my pass. I remember the long corridor with the painted arches and busts.

There is also the Treasury with the Crown Jewels and the Opera House. Once done I wanted to head over to my Uncle and Aunt who live a few stops from the centre. Since getting married in the 60s they have lived in Munich most of their lives with a couple of years in London and Frankfurt inbetween.

My first visit to them travelling on my own without my family was in 2006. That time I arrived with water poisoning from Venice. My next visit in 2009 I arrived with no luggage as my bags didnt transfer in Paris. This time fortunately nothing had happened so far.

There had been so much in the media about all the refugees arriving in Munich but so far no sign. Instead there were plenty of locals dressed in their traditional clothes for Oktoberfest.

It was confusing finding the right platform at the main station Hauptbanhof for my uncle's line. They built a huge new shopping centre at my uncle's station I'd want to check out later.

After spending some time I was falling asleep on the train heading back, still jetlagged and needing some rest before the day trips begin tomorrow.