I was given instructions on how to get on the autobahn to reach Munich that evening.
My earlier attempts to make reservation at any hotel had revealed that all available accommodation was already occupied or booked because of Octoberfest festival. It was a great surprise for me as tit was still the early part of September.
When asked if there was another town where we could stay overnight, I was told that any exit road in the vicinity of Munich would lead me to some hotel accommodation still available for us.
It was time to get started. I had heard about autobahn, the world-famous highway, many years ago in India and now was the chance to personally drive my car on it.
Autobahn is the German word for a dual carriageway. It denotes such highways in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It was the first limited-access high-speed road network in the world.
The idea pre-dated Adolph Hitler but autobahn construction had been slow due to lack of support caused by economic problems. After gaining power in 1933, he enthusiastically supported the ambitious construction project, to provide employment and the needed infrastructure for economic recovery of Germany.
Within a short time, the construction sites had over 100,000 labourers working at all over the country. The immensely popular project was a great propaganda achievement for the Nazi regime.
The successful completion was deemed to create national unity and to further strengthen their centralized rule.
Another potential aim of the autobahn project was to provide mobility for the movement of military forces. However, the autobahns built before the war had gradients too steep for vehicles to carry goods.
Autobahn's routing was planned to include segments that offered spectacular views. It enabled a large proportion of the population to drive long distances and enjoy the countryside along the way.
Some straight section were used by the Grand Prix racing teams of Mercedes-Benz for high speed record attempts.
During World War II, the central reservation of some autobahns were paved to allow their conversion into auxiliary airports.
Aircraft were either concealed in numerous tunnels or camouflaged in woods nearby. Late in the war, some stretches of the autobahn were used as makeshift runways for bombers.
Autobahn was unfit for use by military tanks due to their delicate surface which could be quickly torn by them. Trains proved to be more useful than autobahn to carry military supplies.
Autobahn construction was brought to a halt by 1943 due to the increasing demands of the ongoing war.
Many sections of the autobahns were in bad shape after the war, having been severely damaged by heavy Allied bombing.
The autobahns in East Germany were grossly neglected after 1945 in comparison to those in West Germany, having received minimal maintenance during the years of the Cold War.
According to a 1995 study, the average speed travelled on German autobahns was 134 km/h. However, nearly one quarter of the total length of the German autobahn network has no speed limit and about one quarter has a permanent limit.
I had to watch speed and not to go beyond the limit specified by the manufacturer for driving new cars on the first day.
The autobahn provided a great driving experience for me. It was totally exhilarating and pleasant.
Although my attention was entirely devoted to our safety, I could not resist looking across and enjoy the greenery and beautiful landscape of the country side we were passing through.
The highway is superbly built and maintained.
