Heidelberg Zoo

This weekend it has turned much cooler - a good opportunity to go to the zoo since most of the animals are much happier when its not hot. The zoo is only a 10 minute bus ride away and we bough the family ticket for a year so that we can go more often.

 The first stop was a little North Sea beach exhibit - with a beach, salt water, waves little light tower, a farm house ....

..and a Strankdorb - a basket where vacationers get protection from the wind

Then we had a look at the giant turtles

and the sea lions

and the pelicans

The zoo also also some great playgrounds - one of the main attractions for Mia and other kids

One on the west side and one on the east side

Mia also loved feeding and brushing the goats and sheep in the petting zoo

A visit at the streetcar and bus depot

Twice a year the local transit company offers a guided tour of the streetcar and bus depot. Luckily we could joint and check it out. Its just a block from our new place by the main train station so we had been passing it quite often but of course never had been inside.

Every kid could take a turn at the drivers seat of the modern street car

 One volunteer was needed to press the talk button by the door to talk to the driver. Some climbing was required

Then we could peek under a streetcar

Next were the buses

 Mia guessed right - they are as heavy as 5-10 elephants

 The engine is big as well

The engine of a street car

Then every kid could sit in the driver seat of a bus

The conclusion was a ride in an historic streetcar from the 50'ies that had actually been build in Heidelberg

We went all the way to Kircheim 20 minutes away and then turned back

During the ride back all the children got little present like a rubber duck that looked like a bus, pencils, gummi bears or a kit to build a card board bus

Hiking on the Königssstuhl

The some city bus that goes to the beer garden goes to the top of the highest mountain (600 m) in Heidelberg the Königsstuhl. We went up and the hiked down to the Schloss and old town.

Bierhelder Hof Beer garden

Just 20 minutes on a city bus from the center of the town we can get to a nice beer garden with old chestnut trees that is in the middle of teh country side and woods.  A sunny and warm Saturday afternoon was a good time to check it out

Around the corner was nice playground and also many cows - so Mia enjoyed the place as well

Heidelberg Police Headquarters

The Heidelberg Police Headquarters - not too far from our new place - offered a guided tour for young children on a Tuesday afternoon. A good opportunity to Mia to explore the local police

There was a collection of police hats

and uniforms

The communication center

 

Then it was time to check the jail 

 Of yo see the police cars

 Stop!  Police!

 On the chase

 Bulletproof vest