Watzmann Therme

Today we headed off to the Watzmann Therme, a massive swimming complex, in Berchtesgaden, Germany. Usually the Watzmann is outrageously expensive, but on Sundays during Advent they run a great deal: take the bus to the bus stop just down the street from the pool, and adults pay kids' prices while kids are free! It was a great day to be indoors, the weather being cold and misty in Salzburg, changing to "Regenschnee" (rainy snow) while we were on the bus, and becoming giant fluffy flakes by the time we climbed off.

Unlike any pool complex I've ever seen in the US, the Watzman has a sauna wing (for an extra price, no children allowed), a baby pool, a giant 'adventure' pool, an 80 meter slide, a lap pool, and two salt water pools. In our four hours there, we never ventured into the baby area or the lap pool, and were only out of water long enough to eat a quick lunch at the restaurant overlooking the adventure pool.

Highlights of the Watzmann:
1) Periodically a raging river current would be turned on in one of the corners of the adventure pool. It was amazingly strong and hilariously funny to have people of all ages zooming around and around, heads bobbing above the water, without making any effort to move at all. We laughed the entire time we were in it.

2) If you don't like the dark and you don't like tube slides, then the slide at the Watzmann is not for you. Nikolas loved it and I think we climbed the two-story spiral staircase and rode it together about a dozen times. It was dark in the slide except for the light features - first red ropes of light, then a white strobe light, them more red ropes but this time turning on and off, then white twinkling fairy lights, and then darkness as you came to the end. Peter took Nikolas down the first time and got stuck, setting off the alarm, and so I was relegated to slide duty.

3) Saltwater pool number one was a circular pool with the water gently spilling over the edges. It seemed calm and quiet when we first went in and Nikolas enjoyed floating on his back. This pool also had intermittent special features: a gentle waterfall and powerful jets that if you could get yourself sitting on, could completely hold you up.

4) At dinner, Nikolas said his favorite thing was, "...swimming outside," and I would have to agree. The second saltwater pool was outside! You entered the water indoors and then went through a little passageway that took you outdoors. Heated to 93 degrees Fahrenheit, it was the most amazing thing to be in warm, salty water on a 37 degree day. The water was steaming, and depending on the precipitation, the rain or snow landing on your face stung slightly.