Oktoberfest!

Before I go on about Oktoberfest, let me tell you about our experience getting to Munich. We flew Emirates, and the experience was really great. They have individual TV screens- with touch screen technology, and you get to watch what you want, when you want. Woo hoo! No more waking up at a particular time to catch a movie, heh.

Plus, when they switch off the lights, they leave on tiny lights on the ceiling of the plane, which makes you feel like you're sleeping under a starry sky. What a nice little touch!

We had to transit in Dubai, and it was incredibly busy there. There was some construction work going on (looks like they are building a gigantic new building), and this resulted in the terminal having only a single point where all passengers had to undergo security checks. This meant long lines; fortunately they were moving quite fast, despite the need to remove shoes (!).

People were sleeping everywhere- on the seats and even on the floor! No kidding- they put out their mats/shawls/etc and just got on with it. Truth be told, it felt slightly strange- rather like being in a high-class refugee camp due to the many people lying everywhere...

Spot the odd one out... Maybe people in Dubai are so rich they buy caviar like cans of coke? :)

Anyway, back to Oktoberfest. We happened to arrive in Munich on the last Oktoberfest weekend, so that was a real treat! That is one crazy festival, I tell you. We didn't bother to try and get in to any of the beer tents (in any case you either had to have a reservation, or be prepared to queue outside for ages to get a place).

We were quite surprised to find out that there was more to Oktoberfest than just beer. It was basically a HUGE carnival- with beer tents for the adults, and plenty of rides, stalls and sweets for the children.

It was interesting to see people dress up in traditional Bavarian costumes to go to Oktoberfest, and of course, with so much alcohol around, things get a bit loud and crazy!

Beer, anyone?

One of the many rides (by the way, this is NOT a ferris wheel; it's some scary thrill ride!)

These were being sold everywhere (think they are gingerbread)...

Girls were hanging them round their necks! :)

The Lowenbrau beer tent- if you look closely, right in the middle of the tent facade, there is a lion with a beer mug in its hand.

It can raise the mug to drink!! Cool eh?