After the Chiemsee Palace bus tour we made it back into the city just after 5pm. As we were more than an hour ahead of schedule I had some freetime to head over to Oktoberfest which I hadnt otherwise budgeted much time for.

The festival dates back to the wedding more than a century ago of a King which was held with a big celebration. The people enjoyed it so much it became an annual tradition. It actually starts in September and runs 14 days until the first weekend of October. I visited on my last visit in 2009.

The first time we visited Munich as kid I was six years old. We were left at home with a relative while the adults all went to visit. However, Oktoberfest is a family event and we could have went as kids, just wouldnt have been allowed in the beer halls.

Oktoberfest is a fairground and a collection of beer halls. Only local Munich breweries are allowed to participate and companies try to outdo each other with their beer hall displays.

You have to go early from 10am to get seating in the beer halls. People spend many hours and its hard to find seating after.

The event is not just about drinking. There is plenty of food with servers bringing round platters of roast chicken. The key is to eat along with drink.

Foreigners who dont know to eat become too intoxicated on just the drink resulting in some accidents over the years. A drunk tourist fell on a station platform and was killed recently so now there is a line of attendants along the platform to prevent mishaps.

Inside the tents at this time late in the day you will not find any seating. People come in large groups, all in traditional dress, and have a jolly good time.

There can be a band playing and lots of feel good music. Not just local Bavarian favourites but also other bouncy tunes such as Tom Jones. It is a mark of enjoyment for people to stand on their tables, link arms, dance, and sing along.

Getting inside tents is also difficult. By this time of day some have closed their doors off. I was able to get into three different tents but they move you along and dont want you standing around in aisles for crowd control and safety,

Heading back on the train, many still had beer bottles in hand and its perfectly ok to drink on the train. A local brass band in traditional dress crammed their way in with their large instruments.

They were urged by everyone with clapping and cheering to play something so there was a little sing along as we headed home. A nice end to a busy first filled day in Munich.