A Castle and Sushi Boats

We are coming up on our final days in Germany. Last night we had a great time at Svenja's 18th birthday party, and Scott and I were able to hangout with many of Jara's friends for probably the last time.

This afternoon, Jara's mom drove us out 40 minutes outside of Hannover to the Marienburg Castle. The Castle was built in the late 1800s and was a birthday present from the Hanoverian King George V to his wife, Queen Mary. The castle is considered one of the most important neo-Gothic historical buildings in Germany.

Scott took advantage of Jara's Nintendo DS on our drive to the castle

The castle resides on a hill that overlooks valley of the River Leine. The drive up the hill is full of winding curves and lush, green forests. I understand why everything is so green here. It rains so often! It even rained on us at the castle.

Marienburg Castle

Me, Jara, and Scott at the entrance of the castle

Jara, Scott, and I took a guided tour of the castle, which lasted about an hour. The tour was in German but Scott and I got our own English audio guide to help us out.

Scott figuring out his audio guide

On the tour, we were unable to take pictures, so unfortunately, I don't have many pictures of the inside. But I was able to steal these two shots of the entrance hall BEFORE I was told (in English) no photography was allowed. :)

The ceiling of the Entrance Hall

Entrance of the Castle

While in the castle, we were able to see the dining room, library, kitchen, chapel, princesses' bedroom, queen's salon, and weapons room.

The old stables have been converted into a restaurant that looked really cute.

Castle's Courtyard

Tonight, Jara, Jara's friend, Alex, Scott, and I went out for sushi at Mr. Phung's Kabuki Sushi Bar. Sushi and other Japanese foods float on around the sushi bar on small boats on different colored plates which correspond to their pricing. We went for Happy Hour so the plates were half off! Plus, there is an additional menu.

The boats with plates of sushi floating on the river

We didn't sit at the sushi bar, because it was full when we arrived. Good thing we didn't because I would have devoured every plate floating around bar. Even if you don't sit at the sushi bar, you can go up to the river of sushi boats and just pick up a plate. So before I even ordered my roll of sushi, I went fishing for sushi. The down side...I didn't know what was inside what I was choosing (but it was good!). The up side...they're smaller portions, which allows you to try a lot of different things. Plus they're half off!

This is what I fished out of the river

Jara and I both ordered this roll...Sake Avocado Maki (salmon and avocado roll)

Three Things I Learned Today:

1. Hannover was annexed by Prussia. (Prussia Pride!)

2. I can't be left alone with sushi floating on boats or bad things happen.

3. I'm moving to Sacramento at the end of this week!!! It hit me this morning.